craigbuckley Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 I have a gh2 and I have been searching for a month or so now for a cheap steadicam under ($500) ..... Through my research I came up with the blackbird cmr, glidecam hd 2000, and more expesnive Merlin... It seems like the blackbird may get the best /most steady (floating camera) shot but I am worried my lenses will be too heavy... I have also been recommend the cheaper Hague MMC but I think I will be flying way to heavy for that. Gh2 users, any recommendations for me? I have a couple SLR magic lenses so they are somewhat heavy... Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt2491 Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 The Glidecam HD series is a tried-and-true steadicam system. I run it with my 5D all the time. Deadly steady shots. craigbuckley 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigbuckley Posted March 28, 2013 Author Share Posted March 28, 2013 Thanks Matt. I was thinking of getting the HD 2000. How strenuous is this set up on the body? I only ask because I have neck/back problems, wondering if I should go lighter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuickHitRecord Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 I use the Glidecam HD4000 with my GH2 (the top had additional counterweights). The HD2000 is probably better suited for this particular camera, but there's a good possibility that my next camera will be larger than the GH2. The arm brace helps a lot. Even with the arm brace, I can only fly the thing for two or three minutes at a time before my arm is ready to fall off. All that being said, if I had back and/or neck problems I would go for the lightest setup possible. craigbuckley 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 Rent each and test em out. http://www.borrowlenses.com/AdvancedSearch.do?searchString=glidecam craigbuckley 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axel Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 Of your lenses, one would only use the SLR 12mm. Because it has no AF, you need to find the aperture/focus combinations that practically make it a fix focus lens (you know that you can't focus during a shot?). Use this online-DoF-calculator. Before you buy a bigger steadicam for the heavier lens, make a test at the calculated apertures. I didn't calculate myself, but I'd say you need f4 or so. A DoF calculator is perhaps the one 'filmmaking app' (available for OiS and Android) that you actually work with on set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigbuckley Posted March 28, 2013 Author Share Posted March 28, 2013 I'm aware I can't focus while I'm using a steadicam, I didn't plan on it, but wondering why the DOF would matter? My 12mm SLR magic goes from 1.6-20 (I believe) so F4 will be fine. The slr 25mm is .95- ^ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axel Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 I was trying to say that the depth of field needs to cover every motif on your steady path, and the smaller the aperture, the deeper the field. You probably can't use your highspeed lenses wider than f4. You should check in advance if you are happy with that look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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