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July, 2025

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Cheap Knockoff Flycam???

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grassojack
Posts: 63 - Karma: 69
Alright NS I am JUST starting out in filming and I'm on a wicked tight budget. I tried filming without a rig of any sort (like a noob) and the footage sucked ass. At first I was thinking like a Cam Caddie, but then I found this flycam knockoff. Has anyone ever used one of these?? Any suggestions for beginner filming gear?

Here's the link to it:

http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-SteadyVid-SV-HD-Stabilizer-Release/dp/B00DRGQETA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420753472&sr=8-1&keywords=opteka+stabilizer
11 years ago
6 0
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eheath
Posts: 61977 - Karma: 126,984
That would probably work fine but dont expect it to last you more than two seasons.
11 years ago
0 0
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boomie
Posts: 1638 - Karma: 3,170
I use the same thing. It works pretty well, but it's not perfect. If you get one, make sure to buy a quick release plate. Check out my videos if you want to see some examples of using it.
11 years ago
1 0
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Forcillo
Posts: 3801 - Karma: 3,580
I have this and for the price, it's superb. It's all metal except for the shaft which still feels very solid. I've had it for a year and used it pretty steadily for other projects and such and it's held up perfectly. You will not beat it for that price. Very undervalued imo. It's a bitch to balance but that comes with the price.
11 years ago
2 0
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-AM-
Posts: 162 - Karma: 116
Honestly, It's a great piece of equipment for the price. I wasn't willing to drop $200 more on a glidecam and it has been perfect for my situation. If you take reasonably good care of your equipment it will definitely last you more than two seasons. The only thing I would say is that if you're using a lighter camera (which I'm guessing you are), add some weight to the top of the camera. Makes it way easier to balance, and you get a lot less movement when you're filming. Like others said, it's kind of a pain to balance, but you can mark it with a white sharpie or something so you're not doing it every time.
11 years ago
0 0
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DorianF
Posts: 241 - Karma: 879
Works awesome for the price, but as others have said a pita to balance. They sell a plastic qr plate with it but it's pretty flimsy and can't be bolted down well enough to not spin. If it spins you have to Re balance it. This thing works great but budget for a new qr plate and adapter if you want to go this route.

Other than that I highly recomend this, it's no glidecam, but you can't beat it for its price
11 years ago
0 0
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LukasSchroeder
Posts: 1461 - Karma: 2,683
i got this and despite it arriving a day later than the last expected day of delivery, and some trouble with it turning a bit after shaking it around, its great! mine is fully metal except for the rubber handle. took about 30 minutes to balance, and I'm impressed with the quality. although the day after it had shipped i got $150 for christmas from my grandpa. could have got a glidecam or flycam... i can post a test video later if you want
11 years ago
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