Glidecam Smooth Shooter vs. MagiqCam Elite

[Michael Seb]

Now the time has come for me to buy the first steadycam and I really don't know what rig I should buy (when having a Glidecam 2000 with L4 Monitor).
Please give me advice, tell about your own experiences with those things, so my decision is easier for me :-)
Thanks a lot in advance,
Michael Seb

[Charles King]

Hi Seb. Well there's really not much to shoose from in terms of what you already have if you intend to use your equipment. The smooth shooter is your best bet here as it would work together with the GC 2000 model as well as the 4000.

There's also another system if you feel the shooter is expensive. The Varizoom DV sportster but I would suggest the smooth shooter. Here is the link to a review of the DV sportsetar if you are interested: http://www.dvinfo.net/articles/camsupport/dvsportster1.php

[Michael Seb]

Thanks for your quick reply, Charles!
If YOU say that the smooth shooter would be the best, it IS the best :-)
Many greetings from Austria,
Michael

[Charles King]

Thanks for your quick reply, Charles!
If YOU say that the smooth shooter would be the best, it IS the best :-)
Many greetings from Austria,
Michael

When I say it is the best,  I meant it is the most logical one to use together with your already owned GC sled. I tried it out at IBC 2005 and it handled pretty well. For the money and for owners that already have the GC 2000 and 4000 pro sled, then it is a good buy.

If you plan on flying anything highter than go with the GC 25 or flyer but judging by your comments your budget doe not allow it, I take it.

[Michael Seb]

Too true!!!  Moreover, I do only have cheap sony camcorders (1kg) and I hope they will fit on this system because I read in another forum that one guy had a camcorder (700g) and wasn't able to balance that since it was too light - do 1000g really fit??
I am really looking forward to handling the cam - it will be a lot to learn, I guess, but that's what we are living for (beside the evolutional aims...) 
Thanks a lot again,
Yours Michael

PS: Last question - i know it's a bit off-topic since it is a building-form but i tried to build one...well better not talk about that Do you know where you can cheapy purchase the smooth shooter and the L4 monitor - maybe there is the one or the other shop that purchases the stuff cheaper than the others I am still dreaming...

[MikkoWilson]

Oh please do tell us about what you built!

The more mass you have the more stabel it will be, and yes those cameras will be prety light for a body mounted rig..

I'd sugest that for the cameras you are operating, get the Steadicam Merlin.   .. then agian you allready have a GC.. not sure what your question is?  are you looking for a full rig? or looking for "the real thing" to replace your GC?

  - Mikko

[Joe Sanders]

Too true!!!  Moreover, I do only have cheap sony camcorders (1kg) and I hope they will fit on this system because I read in another forum that one guy had a camcorder (700g) and wasn't able to balance that since it was too light - do 1000g really fit??

You could machine a plate from a cast iron weight lifters weight and mount it between the camera and the sled.

And there it is, a heavy camera.

[Michael Seb]

Oh please do tell us about what you built!

The more mass you have the more stabel it will be, and yes those cameras will be prety light for a body mounted rig..

I'd sugest that for the cameras you are operating, get the Steadicam Merlin.   .. then agian you allready have a GC.. not sure what your question is?  are you looking for a full rig? or looking for "the real thing" to replace your GC?

  - Mikko

I want to "upgrade" the GC2000 to a full rig. Sorry for not being precisely enough. And I think that the Smooth Shooter is the best solution...
So thank you very much for your information!
Many greetings, Michael