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February, 2025

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Cheap vs Expensive Camera Stabilizer

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Freebird12
Posts: 114 - Karma: 295
I have a t3i and am obviously wanting to shoot video with it. I dont want to drop several hundred dollars on a glidecam and am instead wondering if homeade stabilizers or cheaper ones can give good stabilization as well. Do i need the best model or will a homeade or cheap stabilizer provide good results?
Jun 22 2013 2:22PM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
If you get the homemade one to balance correctly than yes it will be the same as a glidecam or whatever other stabilizer, but that's not to say it's easy.
The flycam (and weildy and any other ones) will be just as good stabilization as a glidecam, but the downside is durability.
Jun 22 2013 3:56PM
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Forcillo
Posts: 3801 - Karma: 3,580
Flycams have many more disadvantages than durability to the Glidecam, the largest of which is maintaining balance. OP also said he didn't want to drop hundreds on a stabilizer.

OP, accurately replicating a glidecam is painstakingly difficult, but if you have the time/patience to do so be my guest. I would suggest building a much cheaper version for around $20-$40 that has a simpler design, and save up for a glidecam and use yours while you wait. I would suggest something along the lines of this. I built one and have been filming long boarding with it recently and it's much better than I anticipated. My vimeo's in my sig, and the dynamic shots/follows on the documentary on there were filmed with it.

Jun 22 2013 4:12PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,798
Trust me when I say building(well balancing) a homemade stabilizer with a gimbal is HARD. You'd be much better off with a fixed "stabilizer" with weights on the bottom, until you can save up for a glidecam.
Jun 22 2013 4:26PM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
Maintaining balance? Once you get it balanced its balanced... Maybe harder to get balance since there's no fine tuning knobs but once it's actually balanced they're all equal
Jun 22 2013 5:08PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,798
No you're wrong. The build quality determines which ones stay balanced, nuts loosen etc.
Jun 22 2013 5:18PM
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Freebird12
Posts: 114 - Karma: 295
Thank you everyone, that answered my question pretty well. +k too all ya'll
Jun 22 2013 8:10PM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
Dude its not like your screws are all going to fall off mid run or anything. And have you even used a flycam? Lol
Jun 22 2013 9:58PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 30,003
I've seen some decent stuff done with flycams that compare to any. That's why im getting one to try out.
Jun 22 2013 10:09PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,798
Ah, when you said "they're all equal" I thought you meant the DIY ones too.
Jun 22 2013 10:43PM
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eheath
Posts: 61849 - Karma: 125,614
The flycam definitely works but unless you keep it in a pelican case you're gonna be sad in a couple years.
Jun 23 2013 3:10AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 30,003
If I'm sad in a couple of years over a 175$ investment that might have got me great footage, then I'm pathetic.

I think of every cheap investment in the same way as a used car. If it lasts me as long as it is worth, then I'm happy. If it goes beyond that, I'm ecstatic.

I understand everyone has the mindset that they want their money to last forever, but eh... expensive things also get broken or stolen, and hurt a lot more when such things happen. I'll use affordability as my own insurance in the matter.
Jun 23 2013 4:33AM
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