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

[Patrick Moore]

http://www.steadi-onfilms.com.au/steadicam_flyer.html

One of many reviews on the flyer. I'm not saying your system is not as good but for what Dexter is shooting with, the flyer should have been able to handle it. Being front heavy doesn't mean you can't dynamically balance the rig, you can always add weight to the rear before setting it up. For myself I haven't flown one so I can't say myself much about the Flyer but I haven't heard anything bad either. Tiffen has a really good reputation in the business and it seems like that's the first thing people start saying bad things about to try and make their product sell. Everyone of these companies that come out with a new system are really just trying to remake steadicam and call it their own, and that it's better than steadicam. Well if you really want to get a good reputation built up than don't try and say the old "our product is better" crap because it's not, and it never will be.

But i would bet good money that if i replicated a shot on both rigs, you couldnt tell them apart.

What would that prove? Nothing other than you are a good operator, I assume.

[Dexter Mowatt]

http://www.steadi-onfilms.com.au/steadicam_flyer.html

One of many reviews on the flyer. I'm not saying your system is not as good but for what Dexter is shooting with, the flyer should have been able to handle it. Being front heavy doesn't mean you can't dynamically balance the rig, you can always add weight to the rear before setting it up. For myself I haven't flown one so I can't say myself much about the Flyer but I haven't heard anything bad either. Tiffen has a really good reputation in the business and it seems like that's the first thing people start saying bad things about to try and make their product sell. Everyone of these companies that come out with a new system are really just trying to remake steadicam and call it their own, and that it's better than steadicam. Well if you really want to get a good reputation built up than don't try and say the old "our product is better" crap because it's not, and it never will be.

But i would bet good money that if i replicated a shot on both rigs, you couldnt tell them apart.

What would that prove? Nothing other than you are a good operator, I assume.

I didnt say the flyer couldnt fly my camera, I said the operator did not fly my camera very well, but did with a z1.  I did say I didnt know exactly what I was talking about but I thought it was because my camera is very front heavy. Now obviously it could have been because the oeprator didnt correctly balance it, taking in consideration that the camera is very front heavy, or it was because the rig isnt that easy to dynaically balance with a lense heavy camera. I'm sure there are ways, but it's not so easy unless you start adding bits that arent built into the rig. Whereas with the floatcam you can slide the weights on the bottom of the sled closer and further away from the central pole/gimbal, and ofcourse move the battery mount and screen, making it very easy.

I didnt say the floatcam is better. I just said for my set up, it seems to fly my front heavy camera very well, and when an operator flew his flyer with my camera, the footage wasnt the best.

The reason I said what I said, is that I was impressed with the rig. Not that it was better.

[Patrick Moore]

None of that was directed at you Dexter.

[Dexter Mowatt]

Fare enough.

Presumed it was when I read my name, but know looking at it you, Ive just realised.

[Adam Coop]

Hi  Patrick

I wouldnt call it a review of the flyer, just a clarification of what it is and isnt capable of. Steadicam have even changed the picture on the Flyer SE literature from a 235 to a video camera.... Officially it can fly 6.8kg...

And,

If you actually read my posts, i was at no point saying that the Floatcam is a better rig than the Flyer. Tiffen, and indeed the Steadicam brand are the offspring of Garrett Browns original invention, and they make very nice rigs, at a certain price point. But they are not perfect, and they are not above criticism. I am very open about the pros and cons of the Floatcam, as i have pointed out in my postings. I am not, and never would bad mouth peoples kit to try and sell gear, quite the opposite. I like Steadicam kit. I trained on it, and i shoot with Steadicam kit where necessary. If i had a lot of money i would buy a clipper2 or an Ultra2. I think people should try everything in the marketplace and make their decision based on research and trying kit out. I have just spent the last 3 days at the biggest industry trade show in the UK encouraging people to try all the rigs on offer from every manufacturer. I cant say if other manufacturers show the same courtesy... Some of those people may well buy a steadicam, but a lot wont. It is not that the Floatcam is better or worse, but it does the same job as other manufacturers kit, just as well and at a lower cost than most.

If you want a steadicam, buy a steadicam. If you want the best rig for the job on the budget you can afford, you might well not end up with a steadicam. You may end up with a Glidecam V25, or a sachtler Artemis, or an ABC rig, or a chrosziel rig, or yes, even a floatcam, or you might even build your own.. :-)  If you want to fly DigiBeta cameras, and only have up to £5k, Steadicam cant help you. That isnt a criticism, that is just a fact based on the cost of their rigs and the capability of each model.

And seriously, weigh a fully loaded 235 and, as Francois Trauffaut says in Close Encounters "Make me a liar"...

Cheers

Adam

[Dexter Mowatt]

Hey guys.

Havent posted in a while, but have been regularly browsing the forum.

Just thought you might be interested in seeing the floatcam (FC9C) I purchased in action.

This in the Official Protection trailer and it features several steadicam shots, Most of which were very kindly flown by Adam Coop, as he came to the shoot for one of the days.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRfXTL5U-5g&fmt=18

Or you can watch the uncensored trailer at:
www.protectionthemovie.com

Obviously I'd be interested in hearing your opinions on both the steadicam shots and the trailer as a whole.

Many thanks.

[Charles King]

A real splatter trailer Cool. Some very good shots. I would have been more happy if the stabilizer scenes were longer to be able to judge but from what I can tell, it looks good.

[Dexter Mowatt]

Cheers Charles.

Ill look into getting some individual steadicam clips from the film and uploading them for the HBSboard, so you can make a better judgement about the rig.

Thanks again.

[Charles King]

Great.

[Phil Kindred]

Looks pretty goo :)d--bit bloody for me, but oh well.  Based on the stills, did you shoot this in HD and then tranfer to film?  It looks really good.