Stuck with adjusting/ calibration

[Andykoh1981]

Thanks for your interest. Wide shots are shot on Olympus MZuiko 9-18mm. You can use big washers as additional counterweights. Hardware stores along Kelantan Lane sells them.

Thanks again bro! Will make a trip down to take a look!!

 

[Andykoh1981]

Hmmm tried to get it to work very very hard. Most probably setup too heavy for the steadicam to support... Adding counter weights adds up to the weight and its really a killer...

 

[kandinsky]

Haha, yeah. Once you pile on stuff, it gets tiring fast.As someone who's also fairly new to handheld stabilizers, I'd suggest stripping down your setup for now. Keep it simple until you master the balancing/flying for a basic setup, then move on to add accessories. Your product link mentioned that it supports 1-3kg. Sounds like you may be doing too much too fast if you already added lights + mic from the start.

 

[Andykoh1981]

Haha, yeah. Once you pile on stuff, it gets tiring fast.As someone who's also fairly new to handheld stabilizers, I'd suggest stripping down your setup for now. Keep it simple until you master the balancing/flying for a basic setup, then move on to add accessories. Your product link mentioned that it supports 1-3kg. Sounds like you may be doing too much too fast if you already added lights + mic from the start.

Weight is ok... I rather suffer with the weight than unusable footage. I used to work on 11-16. Now using prime and the shakiness is amplified... Tats y need a gimbal..

Can I ask a stupid question, does the counter weight at the bottom positioning play an important role? If yes, where should the default position in?

 

[kandinsky]

You must be quite fit

Can I ask a stupid question, does the counter weight at the bottom positioning play an important role? If yes, where should the default position in?

That, I have no idea. I have the xcam sabre, weight positions are fixed.

My guess is that the default positions should at least allow your baseplate to be level? You can try them as far extended as possible. Was thinking that the weight layout on yours looks kinda like the flycam nano (a well-known budget stabilizer), maybe you can check out some of the tips here. Notice that not much adjustment needs to be done to the weights.

[video=vimeo;17618357]https://vimeo.com/17618357[/video]

 

[Andykoh1981]

Not fit la... It's a suck thumb thingy.. Haha anyway, saw the vid and will try to do it again. Wats the recommended drop time? I saw ppl recommending 1.5. - 3 secs...

 

[kandinsky]

It's only a rough gauge as a starting point, not a hard and fast rule. You may find your own sweet spot depending on your handling/shooting style.

There's this guy who's made a couple of short videos showing different drop times.

[video=youtube_share;hIpbM2lix9w]http://youtu.be/hIpbM2lix9w[/video]

A longer drop-time forces the user to be very accurate when making fine-adjustments to the balance. Being very accurate can make a big difference to the stability of your shots.

A shorter drop time (2 to 3 seconds) is more forgiving when it comes to balancing, but ultimately not as precise.

You might also find some useful balancing/handling tips in this glidecam manual: http://www.mica.edu/Documents/VideoAndFilmPdfs/manual_hdseries_v03_sm.pdf

 

[kandinsky]

It seems like he eventually settled on a zero drop time setup:

[video=youtube_share;hPHADMaUUPk]http://youtu.be/hPHADMaUUPk[/video]

 

[kandinsky]

[video=youtube_share;DVkf1l0cDhU]http://youtu.be/DVkf1l0cDhU[/video]

This has now become my default set-up as it produces very smooth footage.

Disclaimer: I don´t think I´m the best Glidecam operator around (you can see from the clips), but I do think this set-up is good. Try for yourself!

(Separate posts due to 1 video per post restriction.)

------

Conclusion: Experiment, practice, and find what works for you.

 

[Andykoh1981]

Very useful article bro! The zero drop time thingy sounds easy to adjust. Does this mean that when holding the gimbal vertically, it stay and does not drop down?

 

[Bamboopictures]

Lazy man's steadicam. Launching soon.
http://steadxp.com/sample-page/

 

[Andykoh1981]

Perfect device for me!!!! Die die will buy it! Hopefully the post processing time is fast enough... Tats the only thing I will be afraid of..

 

[Andykoh1981]

Sad day using the gimbal... I lowered all added stuffs except for a ride mic... Unusable footages... Luckily brought sliders and manfrotto 128 to do what was required... Only couldn't get the smooth vids during moving... Sad day

 

[xjosephtbr]

Lazy man's steadicam. Launching soon.
http://steadxp.com/sample-page/

wow how much do you think it will cost?
but all the stabilization will be done in post so there'll be a lot of cropping i guess?

 

[Andykoh1981]

wow how much do you think it will cost? but all the stabilization will be done in post so there'll be a lot of cropping i guess?

Using a wide lens should solve the issue unless the main subject is at the edges? I am more concerned about the time to process the stabilization

 

[Andykoh1981]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00NB..._rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=1838506702&pf_rd_i=mobile


Any seniors can advice would this serve the purpose?

Will mount 70d with 50 1.4 or 24-70f4

 

[kandinsky]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00NB..._rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=1838506702&pf_rd_i=mobile

Any seniors can advice would this serve the purpose?

Will mount 70d with 50 1.4 or 24-70f4

Given up on the one you bought? FYI, this linked item looks like another cheapo untested rig. It doesn't even list maximum supported weight... Also, most of the reviews that appear on this item's page seem to be for a different item [Fotasy BPR Rail Movie Making System 15mm Rod Rig Base Plate with Quick Release (Black)].

Here's one review, doesn't sound promising:

Same thing. I messed up my Stabilizer as soon as I opened it, its got some issues, so be very careful, hold things gently and then assemble. After all that, you may start playing around with it. The stabilizer cannot hold heavy weight, I suppose they were made for smaller cameras like the sony nex series.

http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-Fotasy...UTF8&asin=B00NBRW0U2&cdItems=25&store=generic

Wonder if you'll be disappointed again if you go the cheap route.

I've save up and get something with better quality/reputation, even if it's second-hand. You just missed one, someone sold a xcam sabre for S$270 in marketplace.

Maybe even consider sparing $30 to rent a glidecam for a day, just to see if the problem lies with the equipment or technique.

 

[Andykoh1981]

Actually I read abit of the reviews also... But apparently this seller indicated max weight of 4.5 and the gimbal handle is adjustable and max height is 45cm should be much better than what I have... I might jus keep my current one and use it for go pro or my gf3... Taking risks but, NVr try NVr know 😁

 

[kandinsky]

Actually I read abit of the reviews also... But apparently this seller indicated max weight of 4.5 and the gimbal handle is adjustable and max height is 45cm should be much better than what I have... I might jus keep my current one and use it for go pro or my gf3... Taking risks but, NVr try NVr know ��

Oh yeah. I missed the weight spec listed, my bad. That said, if it's not been reviewed by many other people, I'd take the manufacturer's weight spec with a huge pinch of salt.

The reviews don't sound good leh. It's one thing if there are 100+ reviews, and it's a 50-50 mix of good and bad. Then it might be a risk worth taking.

For this item, there are only THREE reviews. 2 of them rated it pretty poorly, and the only good review is super brief to the point that I'd disregard it as it doesn't say what is good about it. Based on reviews, I see no good reason to even bother trying this. The comment that says that the top tube is too short is something you can even tell from looking at the product pictures. But yeah, it's your money, not mine All the best with it.

 

[Andykoh1981]

Jialat... Didn't see this.... Hope it's not another 200 down the drain.....