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Topic: Is the Glidecam Smooth Shooter 4000 Pro the most affordable around? (Read 1094 times)
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Michael Maier
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I'm looking for a stabilizer to fly a HD100 (XL2 size) camera and I was initially looking at the Glidecam Smooth Shooter 4000 Pro ( I looked at another one called M516 Runner but it looks like a rip off, unless somebody can testify otherwise). Is the Glidecam Smooth Shooter 4000 Pro the most affordable rig capable of flying a HD100? I'm trying to stay as low as possible in terms of budget for now. Thanks for any advice.
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Trevor Crump
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I would stay away from the M516 Runner. no-one has any info on it, Yes it does look suspicious.....
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Sunny North Queensland, Australia (the land Down Under)
Steadicam Opp/ Videographer / Photographer, Camera crane, Film maker, events photographer/videographer
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Trevor Crump
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I can't help with info on smooth shooter.
You could look at magiqcam, but the supply has run into some troubles...
Or
Make a rig...
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Sunny North Queensland, Australia (the land Down Under)
Steadicam Opp/ Videographer / Photographer, Camera crane, Film maker, events photographer/videographer
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Michael Maier
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Make a rig? I wish  I'm not that handy, but if somebody here would be willing to make me one, I would be interested. |
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Craig Hollenback
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I own and use a Smooth Shooter 4000. I use it with a DVX100a with a WA adapter, wire receiver and Frezzi Lamp with a NP1B battery. I also use it with a Sony Z1U and wide angle adapter and Frezzi light wiht NP1B battery. Note, the battery is mounted with velcro beneath the lower weight unit and serves as part of the counter weight system. Total weight for sled with camera and accessories is 14lbs. The unit works as well as I had hoped. I think that it is a viable solution and comparable to the SteadiCam SK2 which is also a single action arm. Yes, a dual action arm would be better but not available for this price range.
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Trevor Crump
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The board name is 'Homebuilt Stabilizer' and there a many like yourself, but if you stay tuned, I think a group of dedicated HBS people are starting a site that may be just what you need.
Kits / Parts, and anything need to assemble your own. Building a rig may be your answer, and if assistance needed, we are all here. This group has a wonderful lot of folk, and only too happy to help.
Im sure the site will be advertised here when it is ready. (it's in testing phase right now)
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Sunny North Queensland, Australia (the land Down Under)
Steadicam Opp/ Videographer / Photographer, Camera crane, Film maker, events photographer/videographer
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MikkoWilson
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Micheal.
As has been mentioned on DVi, The Flyer is about the best option for the HD100. There's also the V25, but that's getting expensive, and I prefer the Flyer myself anyway. But..
What I got on to say way, stay well clear of the 516 Runner. They guys are scammers and have been cought out trying to pull fast ones on most all of the forums. I reapeat STAY CLEAR OF THE M516 RUNNER!
- Mikko
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Michael Maier
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I own and use a Smooth Shooter 4000. I use it with a DVX100a with a WA adapter, wire receiver and Frezzi Lamp with a NP1B battery. I also use it with a Sony Z1U and wide angle adapter and Frezzi light wiht NP1B battery. Note, the battery is mounted with velcro beneath the lower weight unit and serves as part of the counter weight system. Total weight for sled with camera and accessories is 14lbs. The unit works as well as I had hoped. I think that it is a viable solution and comparable to the SteadiCam SK2 which is also a single action arm. Yes, a dual action arm would be better but not available for this price range.
Nice to hear that Craig. Thanks for sharing. Forgive my ignorance, I'm just starting out on this stabilizer thing, but what are the advantages of a dual action arm? |
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Michael Maier
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The board name is 'Homebuilt Stabilizer' and there a many like yourself, but if you stay tuned, I think a group of dedicated HBS people are starting a site that may be just what you need.
Kits / Parts, and anything need to assemble your own. Building a rig may be your answer, and if assistance needed, we are all here. This group has a wonderful lot of folk, and only too happy to help.
Im sure the site will be advertised here when it is ready. (it's in testing phase right now)
I would rather pay somebody to build one for me. I hardly have the time, skills and patience to do so. I was looking into getting one pretty soon though. The site you mention could take a while it seems. |
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Michael Maier
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Micheal.
As has been mentioned on DVi, The Flyer is about the best option for the HD100. There's also the V25, but that's getting expensive, and I prefer the Flyer myself anyway. But..
What I got on to say way, stay well clear of the 516 Runner. They guys are scammers and have been cought out trying to pull fast ones on most all of the forums. I reapeat STAY CLEAR OF THE M516 RUNNER!
- Mikko
Hey Mikko, Thanks for the advice on the M516. I thought it was fishy. About the flyer I can't really afford one right now. I'm trying to go as affordable as possible for the HD100. |
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Tom Wills
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That thing's not even close to the Glidecam. It's a pole with a weight on the bottom. No gimbal there. It's basically a big version of the $14 Steadycam: http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~johnny/steadycam/Go for the Glidecam and the Smooth Shooter if you're concerned about budget, but it's no Flyer. (By the way Michael, yes, I am on this forum too. I build my rigs.  ) |
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-Tom Wills
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Trevor Crump
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If you aim for cheap, that is what you will get.
XL2 is not a light camera (fully rigged) Magicam 11a will be too light for you, well it will be pushing the limits.
Maybe a rethink on the $'s, hold off, purchase wisely, think of future expansion, what weight camera would you aim to carry on top? a Digibeta maybe?
If you are going to purchase (or build) aim for 'better' rather than 'that will do'.
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Sunny North Queensland, Australia (the land Down Under)
Steadicam Opp/ Videographer / Photographer, Camera crane, Film maker, events photographer/videographer
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Michael Maier
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Trevor, I see what you are saying, but I don't see myself upgrading cameras any soon as I have just bought the HD100 not even 3 months ago. It will take a little while to out grow this camera, besides I can’t afford the 2/3” HD cameras, so unless the 2/3” HD cameras really come down drastically in price ( I doubt it) or they release another similarly priced 1/3” HD camera much improved, I don’t see a reason or possibility to upgrade. Since I don’t see none of the above happening within the next 3-5 years, I will be all right with a rig that can handle the HD100 without thinking about a future heavier camera for now. If you think the Magiqcam will be pushing, what about the Smooth Shooter? I would think that would be pushing too? If so, I might just pass the whole idea up already, as I can't afford a flyer now.
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