Looking to buy a steadycam....Would really like your guys advice!

[Dexter Mowatt]

I already am incontact with them.
Seem like very nice people, and they sent me a pdf with better pics and info bout their rigs, which seem very nice (shame they dont have videos on youtube of their rigs being used etc.)

My initial funding for this steadicam has fallen through, so it all depends on what rig I could afford, or whether or not I can earn that money very soon, which most certainly would be possible if I didnt have to prepare so much for this film in this upcopming month.

But we shall see what heppens and I will keep you all updated.

Thanks for your help, and again if anyone reading this has flown a floatcam rig I would be interested in knowing what you made of it.

Dex.

[Dexter Mowatt]

Thanks for all your help guys.

Ive been in contact with Adam coop from floatcam in the uk, and he has been very helpful and nice, and sent me lots of info about the floatcam rigs.

I am 99% sure I will be purchasing the FC9C rig from them within the next week or so.

So obviously expect pics and reviews. (reviews more likely to happen after ive filmed my film though)

But I threw this together in paint showing the FC9C, copying and pasting the images and content from a pdf that Adam sent me.



(I have also attached it, incase this image isnt good enough quality to read.

Thought you might be interested in seeing it. And I would like to know what you guys think from the pics/content.

Cheers
Dex.

[Charles King]

When you finally get this rig please do a thorough and unbiased review of it and place it in the Review forum.

[Adam Coop]

Hi Folks

Adam Coop here, from Floatcam UK. I thought you might like to know that we will be exhibiting at the Broadcast Live / Video Forum show, stand D24, at Earls Court 2 this week (Weds 30th - Fri 1st). If you register in advance you can get in for nothing too. www.videoforum.co.uk

We will be demoing an FC12C with the new Sony HDW790 HDcam, and an FC9 with a Sony Z1, as well as a prototype of our new UniDolly, and another new product, the CamCage.

So if you want to come down and have a close up look for yourself,  we would be happy to see you. As far as i know, Tiffen, Sachtler and ABC will also be at the show, so you can see the competition too!

Dexter picked up his new FC9C on friday (the first of the new FC9Cs in the country!), and i look forward to seeing his review on here.

Cheers

Adam
www.floatcam.co.uk

[Charles King]

Hey Adam, I do not see any close up pics of the dual arm you have on your website. At least I think it's a dual arm. The arm I am talking about is under the pic of a guy in low mode. Is it a dual arm?

[Adam Coop]

Hi Charles

I think the stills you are referring to are from the polish website www.floatcam.pl or .eu

I have attached a couple of close up stills of the FC12 rig, and the arm from the UK!

We do have a UK website at www.floatcam.co.uk, so check it out. That is me on the homepage dressed as a fireman shooting in 60 degree heat and flames in Saudi Arabia (with a Varicam on the FC12).

There are currently 3 different arms, the FC7/8 arm which is a single articulated arm, and the FC9 and FC12 arms, which are both dual arms lifting 9kg and 12kg cameras respectively. All arms are now supplied with integral alloy spring covers.

They were originally engineered without spring covers, which have since been added. This makes them very rigid, even under a full load. It is not as sophisticated as say a G50 arm, which lifts around the same weight,  and it is a little heavier but when you consider the G50 arm alone costs as much as an entire FC12 rig with back mounted vest, i think we can be forgiven a few hundred grammes!

Cheers

Adam

[Adam Coop]

Hi Again Charles,

I think you may have been referring to the picture on the accessories page of our site. That is the old style original FC9 dual arm without spring covers. I had forgotten it was on there! The low mode bracket is still the same, but the arm has changed since then.

I will get that changed over for a more up to date picture....

Cheers

Adam

[Dexter Mowatt]

Hey guys.

Just to update you all.

I have purchased the FC9C floatcam rig.

I am extremely pleased with it. Not only is it well designed, and put together, it also flys amazingly.

Just gave it a proper try out today, as I have been waiting for a C-stand to arrive, and am amazed as to the shots I have acheived, especially considering my lack of experiance.

Adam was extremely helpful when purchasing the rig, and ran me through setting it up and balancing it when I came and collected it.

The rig will be used on my feature film, that begins filming again on the 3rd of february, so I will upload some clips for you all to see it in action.

I will do a full review of the rig, once my shoot is over, and possibly after taking a course, or atleast become more sufficiant with the rig. THis will include videos, pictures and a write up.

But I have to say, I think it's a great rig, and for the price you cant go wrong.

Using the same camera as was used on a previous shoot I was on, that had a proffesional steadicam operator (with the flyer), I have acheived smoother and better shots just testing out the rig today, then he did on the shoot.

Great company, great rig.

[Job Scholtze]

Using the same camera as was used on a previous shoot I was on, that had a proffesional steadicam operator (with the flyer), I have acheived smoother and better shots just testing out the rig today, then he did on the shoot

That tells you more about "his" level. If he really was a good proffesional operator, your comment wont stand.

[Dexter Mowatt]

I dont know the exact details, Adam might be able to tell you, but my camera is significantly lense heavy, and didnt suit the flyer very well as I believe there is little you can do to dynamically blanance the rig.

To be honest I wont go into too much detail because I will probably say the wrong thing. Long story short this operator used a z1 on his rig, and it was as smooth as you like, put my camera on it, and it wasnt nearly as smooth.

You could be wrong dont forget.

[Patrick Moore]

I believe there is little you can do to dynamically blanance the rig.

Are you serious? The Flyer is designed for 35mm camera's, what type of lens are you using? The Flyer can easily be dynamically balanced, I'm sure of that, and I don't even have one. I'm sure Mikko could help you out with that.

[Dexter Mowatt]

As I said, id dont know the ins and outs.

Maybe the proffesional operator flying the flyer wasnt that good?
Maybe I somehow managed to get some better footage through beginners luck?
Maybe the flaotcam is just a better rig?

No real way of knowing either way.

[Patrick Moore]

Maybe the proffesional operator flying the flyer wasnt that good?

I would say your probably right with this. Some people just can't figure it out, sounds like you got a good handle on it. I would be embarrased if I were calling myself a pro steadicam op and couldn't fly different cams on my rig. Good luck with your new purchase, can't wait for some footage.

[Dexter Mowatt]

Cheers dude.

Yeh I look forward to seeing what footage I get using the rig.

[Adam Coop]

Hi Folks.

Nice to see the Floatcam generating some discussion!

As for Dexters previous experiences with a Steadicam operator, i dont think it is fair to comment on the guys work without seeing it first!  And Dexter has a Canon XL-H1 which is a little front heavy and presents problems for most lightweight rigs, to be fair.

Not that i wish to stir things up, i have a few opinions based on having used a lot of different rigs in the last couple of years.  As for the Flyer, it is a nice little rig, but whatever Steadicam (or anyone else) might say, it isnt 'designed' for 35mm cameras, and they themselves admit that achieving dynamic balance on it in certain configurations is difficult (and that came from the horses mouth...). You can just fly a 235 on a 24v Flyer with a 200' mag, zeiss super speed and lw clip on mattebox. No follow focus, no lens control, no marell transmitter etc etc. If you dont believe me, build a loaded 235 with all the bits (if you happen to have one lying around...) and weigh it. Flyer tops out at a shade under 7kg..... And you cant really shoot sync sound with a 235...That seriously limits what you can achieve shooting on 35mm with it. That doesnt mean you cant shoot 35mm on it, but it isnt 'designed' for it. If you want to shoot 35mm on a steadicam, get an archer or clipper2, or if you want to go for broke, get an ultra2, and marvel at its motorised top stage...As with everything, its about the right tools for the job.

Where does Floatcam fit into this...?

I use a Floatcam FC12C, and have shot all over the world with it. There isnt a 12v video camera in production that it wont fly happily. It is loosely equivalent in capability to the Archer. Is the arm as sophisticated as the G50? No. Is the sled carbon fibre like the archer? No. Does it have Steadicam written on it? No... But i would bet good money that if i replicated a shot on both rigs, you couldnt tell them apart. The FC12, flight cased with batteries is £4k. The basic Archer is £10.5k. Now the shots are the same, and yes the Archer is a little more sophisticated... but is it £6.5k (2 1/2 times) more sophisticated? My rig paid for itself with one decent job, is still going strong. If you dont believe me, come and play with it yourself at the show tomorrow!

When i start shooting drama and features, if i cant afford to buy a 'big rig' i will hire one from optical support, even if we were shooting on HDcam which will go on my FC12 all day long. Why? Film sets are a hotbed of kit snobbery. A DoP i worked with remarked about the steadicam operators Archer rig  on a Sony 900R feature shoot "It isnt even a proper steadicam". Go figure...

Sorry about the random tangent!

I look forward to seeing you tomorrow, stand D24!

Cheers

Adam