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Opteka Steadyvid Pro?

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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
So I have ~$200 bucks and I'm looking for a stabilizer for my T2i. Obviously, a Glidecam HD1000 would be the best choice but its $300-350 and I can't afford it. In the ~200 dollar range there are two main ones, the Flycam Nano (which i've heard lots of bad stuff about here on NS eg horrible build quality) and the Opteka Steadyvid Pro. The Steadyvid Pro is like the Merlin in having a vertical gimble and a C shape around it. It has pretty good reviews on amazon and people have even compared it to the flycam nano saying its better. Do you guys know anything about it? I heard from somebody that the C shaped vertical stabilizers could be shifted by wind much more easily than the glidecam like ones. Could this be true? Should I buy one of these or get a glidecam for $350 and be in debt $150 (to my parents, its their credit card, i'm 15 and don't have my own)?

I'm also thinking about just making a DIY one or making a cheap PVC DIY fig rig. BTW.


Oct 15 2012 8:02PM
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[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
Just get a 2000 pro. I got mine off ebay for $190 used. Take the time to look, and you will find cheap ones.
Oct 15 2012 8:03PM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
Flycam Nano - $170 - http://www.amazon.com/FLYCAM-camera-stabilizer-quick-release/dp/B0051XJXJU/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1350345085&sr=1-1


Oct 15 2012 8:04PM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
You serious? $190 for a 2000 pro? I thought they went for $400-500... 0.o
Oct 15 2012 8:04PM
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1337
Posts: 31038 - Karma: 29,002
not the pros..............................
Oct 15 2012 8:07PM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
I couldn't find any on ebay that cheap. Glidecam 2000 Pro is the name? Could you link me to one for that cheap? They are all for $400.
Oct 15 2012 8:15PM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
bump
Oct 15 2012 9:53PM
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[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
Like i
Oct 15 2012 9:53PM
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[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
Mobile. Like i was saying, keep looking around. They pop up from time to time. Its not really the most popular product out there, and no one wants to sell theirs. Just look here/ebay/craigslist for them every once and a while.
Oct 15 2012 9:55PM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
Okay Thanks. Is the flycam or the steadyvid thing worth it or should i just wait till i can get a HD2000 pro or whatever?
I need to get it soon since if i get it in like december i won't know how to use it for skiing. I might just buy a flycam and then upgrade to a glidecam if i feel the need. Will a flycam be so badly built that it will break after one season?
Oct 15 2012 9:59PM
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[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
The flycam is pretty shitty, and i cant imagine the opteka being better. You should be able to find a glidecam by december. Wont be to hard. I would defiantly go with a glidecam though vs any other cheap stabilizer
Oct 15 2012 10:05PM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
Will this be any good?
Oct 15 2012 10:07PM
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Linked
Posts: 325 - Karma: 216
threads, also want to know what the xr 1000 would be like
Oct 15 2012 11:09PM
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[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
Im not familiar with the xr series, but i know other members are. Hopefully somoe
Oct 16 2012 6:59AM
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[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
Hopefully someone will post up in here. Dont go with a 1000 for a t2i unless you never plan on getting a bigger lens,mic, etc. i have the 2000 and its perfect. If you are underweight for it, you can just add some
Oct 16 2012 7:00AM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
Are you sure about that? I saw a couple videos of poeple comparing flycam and glidecam HD1000. They fit a 7D and Tokina 11-16 and a rode mic onto the glidecam and the flycam. The only thing they said wouldnt fit on the flycam was a 5D and a 24-105 but I don't think i'm going to get anything that big very soon. He said the glidecam could hold the same weight and put a 7D and a heavy lens too. I have a T2i and a 10-24 lens and a lighweight mic.

Should I make a WTB thread to see if anyone's got a Glidecam 2000 pro?
Oct 16 2012 8:25AM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
bump
Oct 17 2012 9:31AM
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Benji.
Posts: 1146 - Karma: 88
Just bought the Opteka video pro. I bought it over the Flycam Nano because its all machined aluminium/steel where the Flycam has some plastic components. Also, I wanted a steadycam that could fit in my pack easily. The Opteka looks easier to balance than the Flycam too ... so I can actually be shooting instead of worrying about the balance all day. Haven't received it in the mail yet but looking forward to it. If I had had more money I would have bought a Glidecam.... even though it would be more of a hassle to fit in the pack.
Oct 17 2012 12:27PM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
benj. tell us how it is when you get it. I've heard its easier to pack up/fold down and is all metal so better build quality, but also that it is worse in wind since it's C shaped versus the vertical pole. IDK though.
I might order one of those too if you like yours.
Oct 17 2012 2:17PM
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norgeanders
Posts: 1051 - Karma: 367
threads
Oct 17 2012 7:06PM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
bump
Oct 17 2012 7:25PM
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Downtofilm
Posts: 6896 - Karma: 20,399
Just buy a 2000HD and stop trying to cut corners, you're going to waste your money with other things.
Oct 17 2012 7:28PM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26

well I only have 200 bucks... I'd have to save up for a while to get 400-500 for a hd2000.

Is a flycam nano that bad? I mean does it really not do its job of stabilizing? Like would it be better to not have any stabilizer (save up for a few months) or have the flycam?

Oct 17 2012 7:50PM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
bump
anyone know about this opteka steadyvid pro thing?
Oct 18 2012 1:21PM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
How does a Glidecam HD1000 or XR1000 compare to the flycam? I know HD1000 is much better, but the XR1000 with no fine tuning knobs. Is it any good ?
Oct 18 2012 3:19PM
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Benji.
Posts: 1146 - Karma: 88
Sounds good. I'll let you know. I didn't think of the wind being a problem. When the C shape is pointing towards the wind there should be less drag than a vertical pole. However, if a sidewind comes into play I can see there being a bit of an issue? Doesn't seem like it will be too much of a problem to me... we'll have to see.
Oct 18 2012 4:40PM
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Benji.
Posts: 1146 - Karma: 88
OP,

Just got the system tonight. Build quality is solid Like I said, the biggest selling point for me was the the all metal chassis and pieces. Everything locks securely in place once its all balanced. Nothing moving, just feels like a solid piece of metal.

It folds up really nicely: i.e. you only need to fold it in half. No other collapsing necessary. It's actually smaller than I expected. About half the width and 3/4 the length of your average avy shovel (just the shovel not the handle). That will be great in the pack.

Balancing took about 30 min with a T2i, lens, and mic setup. Completely intuitive which should make for an easy setup wherever I'm filming. I have two of the chrome metal weights off and it seems good so far...I might end up changing that? not exactly sure yet ... have to get out and use it!

Overall, (so far) I'd say it was exactly what I was looking for. small and collapsable with solid structure. Took some video with it for a little test through the house and it looks great. Not gonna test her anymore tonight.... iiiiitsFRIday.

Good luck man,
Benji.
Oct 19 2012 8:37PM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
Thanks so much. I just ordered a flycam but I think i might order a steadyvid pro too and compare them maybe make a vide oabout them. IF you open something up and use it for a couple of hours can you return it to amazon?
Id like to order both and return one but idk if i can do this if i open the packaging. I do like the idea of all metal/chrome build.

What lens did you use with it? How much did it weigh
Oct 19 2012 11:43PM
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Downtofilm
Posts: 6896 - Karma: 20,399
Smh
Oct 20 2012 3:11PM
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pjbackwoods
Posts: 1396 - Karma: 420
.
Nov 14 2012 10:04PM
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CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,940
Just buy a clip on fisheye, you seem to like cutting corners
Nov 14 2012 10:40PM
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d.mcknight
Posts: 778 - Karma: 1,539
you're kidding...
Dec 20 2012 8:58AM
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gravel
Posts: 5479 - Karma: 41,493
despite all advice in your thread you just went with what you wanted to do. don't make a fucking thread for advice on what do get when you aren't going to use that advice.
Dec 20 2012 11:45AM
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m3owzza
Posts: 411 - Karma: 4,528
just looked on ebay and in the first page found a glidecam2000 pro with box and extra weights for $20 more than the flycam... and you want to buy both???

holy jesus you are worse than splice

you and your brother need to get the hell off of these forums
Dec 20 2012 12:37PM
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CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,940
.
Dec 20 2012 1:15PM
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erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,325
who's his brother???
Dec 20 2012 2:05PM
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m3owzza
Posts: 411 - Karma: 4,528
zander tower
Dec 20 2012 2:24PM
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blackoutbill
Posts: 2918 - Karma: 282
My goodness you people are a bunch of pretentious pricks. Not everyone can afford the best gear. Sometimes it's not about the gear. Hell, take a look at old clownschool edits. One of my personal favorite edits of all time, Fuck!, is unacceptably shakey by todays standards, but damnit they are having more fun skiing than worrying about whether each shot is cinematically perfect



OP just wanted to know whether a nanocam is any good. I have never used either and I would really like to hear from someone who has used both. Obviously the glidecam will be better, but is the nano acceptable? Maybe the OP, like myself, just wants to make some edits of his buddies to share on facebook or on NS just to be stoked. Not everyone on M&A is filming pros and making video of the days. Sometimes its about increasing fun for the least amount of money possible. Not everyone's main hobby is filming and people seem to forget that sometimes

Also, when you get the nano, could you review it. I would really like to know if it is worth it from someone with firsthand experience

/rant
Dec 21 2012 2:48PM
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blackoutbill
Posts: 2918 - Karma: 282
Actually I take back the pretentious pricks part.

That was uncalled for.

I'm sorry I got really angry for a minute there. I'm just jealous that I can't afford a glidcam :(
Dec 21 2012 2:52PM
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chris.G
Posts: 301 - Karma: 73
I think what they're trying to say is that its better to just make the investment in the quality item rather than trying to save. Say you bought an opteka or a nano for $180, then guaranteed a few weeks more months down the road you're still going to want a glidecam. Then you'll be out $600 rather than 400 or 500.

You may not be able to afford a glidecam now, but if you save up, you will be.

Camera equipment is an investment, and putting in a little more will take you farther than cutting corners.

That's my 2 cents haha
Dec 21 2012 3:17PM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
The nano works great for me. Its really my skill (lack of) at flying it that is limiting me, not the thing itself. It's build quality isn't nearly as bad as people have made it out to be, yes it has plastic knobs for the balancing, but they don't look too bad. If I treat it well I won't have to worry about them breaking. It also looks like you can replace them if they do break, they're just attached to the ends of some screws (around a 1/4 20 size, but a bit smaller), which you can take out/replace. Balancing without fine tuning knobs is annoying but once its balanced its perfectly fine. For me It's all I really need, and plus I film mostly with my tripod/slider
For someone who just wants to ski and have fun with it it would be good (honestly it would be exactly the same shots, its not like the glidecam uses any different technology to stabilize it) It's a perfectly viable stabilizer, but if you can find a deal on a 2000 pro it would be better. (when I got it all they had on ebay was a 2000pro for $350 which isn't worth it imo, extra $170 for what, better build quality? still no fine tuning knobs)
Dec 21 2012 5:28PM
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[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
I have said this many times before, and i will say it now. A used glidecam 2000 pro can be found for $190. Thats how much i got mine for on ebay, and i cant imagine the price went up. Thats the same price as a flycam nano or whatever. For some reason, people get the image that you NEED a brand new glidecam HD model. Just buy used and look out for one. Not that hard to find cheap
Dec 21 2012 9:37PM
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Juicy-J
Posts: 1900 - Karma: 1,764
got a flycam 3000 for $50 /claim?
Dec 21 2012 10:21PM
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