Decent cheap stedicam/glidecam for business venture

[workid1]

Evening. Has anyone had any experience with stedicam a for dslr's?
I know the merlin stedicam is the best but around £700. I'm just starting out and need a cheap but decent ish stedicam before I start making money.

Anyone got any suggestions?

Thankss

[kman]

I wouldnt call the Merlin the best. Best is to get a vest/arm system such as the Steadicam Pilot but thats more expensive and, like with all types of steadicams, there is a learning curve to them.

If its out of budget look at the FlyCams or consider renting?

[mikef]

The Merlin takes a lot of practice to use effectively. It can swing all over the place (edit those bits out ). It can also get tiring with a heavy camera

On the plus side it will fold away into a camera bag

[Bacardi]

Merlins are good but PITA to set balance due to the funny shape of DSLRs, more suited to longer front to back profiles. Not sure if the 2 is better, but it seems most people want to commit suicide after trying to balance them.

A bit cheaper and apparently easier to balance and fly is the Blackbird (http://www.camotionllc.com/choose-blackbird-a-86.html?gclid=CK27yJKs_bUCFfLLtAodSn8AKA), but not as compact with longer bars. Cheaper still, something like a Glidecam (or cheaper Indian/Chinese fleabay knock off). I believe they are fairly easy to balance and fly. The main disadvantage compared to having the handle directly underneath like the Merlin or Blackbird, is you hold the handle out to the side, off axis, which causes more fatigue.

If you are really on a budget, maybe something like this would work... http://www.haguecamerasupports.com/products/steadi... (I have no idea how well they may work, not very I suspect, get what you pay for etc.)

So pays your money and takes your choice... and If you want to hold any of these things for more than a few minutes at a time, get down the gym! For longer periods of use vest and arm is the way, but whatever, you need lots of practice!

[Phunk]

For low budget stuff I'd recommend something like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/video-camera-dslr-steady...

Cheap stedicams are a nightmare to balance and after about 5 minutes you will feel like your hand will drop off.

What is it you are looking to shoot out of interest?

[mikef]

Ha ha, looks like a homemade Fig Rig using a bus steering wheel