FlyCam 6000 Test Footage

Our steadicam system arrived today. Some assembly required and a lot of patience. At first, I had to go on faith, knowing that other steadicam operators managed to get this kit functioning, but eventually I got it assembled, the camera balanced, some changes to the configuration to support the extra weight of the Sony EX3 with Fujinon's 8XS wide angle 4-32mm lens and then shot this footage.
Bottom line, I have to loose some weight and work on those back muscles, but I think this is doable. Becoming a Steadicam operator is like training for the Olympics--it takes daily use and ramping up of the time spent operating the Steadicam. Short periods of a few minutes, working up to 1/2 hour and more over a month or so.
There are some minor issues of use that I have to figure out, but overall, for a first-time use, I'd say this footage turned out pretty smooth.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Flycam 6000
• Steadicam operator
• Basspig
• MW HD Pro Video
• PMW-EX3

[VSPVIDEO]

the problem with this type of flycam ( from my own perspective of course ) is that it is absolutely impossible form me to do the vertical motion of the camera...only left to right...for example when i'm entering another room, i can't film the sealing while walking ...does that come down to excercise or...

[basspig]

@VSPVIDEO It's not impossible, though the upward angle is limited. The rig is somewhat flexible in that you could position the arm and swivel back a ways with the gimbal, but it's somewhat awkward to do this. As to tight places, the right tool for the job is a matter of the situation. Most of the space is in front of the camera operator, so if you're filming wides in a small room, no, a Steadicam type rig is not suited.

[VSPVIDEO]

@basspig thanks...oh and, i've just started using only flycam without a vest and an arm for my photo camera and after some practice and doing some wide angle shots i find it pretty cool...i'm getting the hand on it...i'll upload a video when i edit it, i think it's gonna be awesome...i find it a lot easier to do the vertical movement without a vest...i'm using this flycam like people use glidecam and it works very nice..all my wedding videos so far have been without a steadicam and it looks ok

[basspig]

@VSPVIDEO I have some other footage up here of downtown that I shot with Flycam. There are some issues with comfort and stability of the vest, particularly the fact that the vest wants to settle down around the hips when the arm is set up with a medium heavy camera. Flying lightweight cameras is much better with this vest.

You could use the gimble alone for short shots, but it's awkward with the gimble & cam weighing about 40lbs in my case. I hope to use it next wedding shoot.

[VSPVIDEO]

@basspig well, i opened up the round box where the weights stand and i removed most of the weights so it's not that heavy at all...of course ONLY when i'm using a photo camera and NOT camcorder...i can't wait to start working on this wedding - hopefully it all ends up ok with the material ( haven't thoroughly checked it yet), but i think it will

[basspig]

@VSPVIDEO The springs have to be changed out for lighter ones if you plan to use the Magic Arm for lightweight cameras like DSLRs. It gets to be a bear with larger camcorders with big, heavy Fujinon wide angle lenses.

[VSPVIDEO]

also the hand makes is impossible to wor with in narow places such are bedrooms etc

[kiksterman]

nice studio :) 21:9 screen thumbs up

[kiksterman]

nice studio :)

[basspig]

@vortex677 I didn't videotape the modification process. I think another FlyCam user did and it illustrates the process. It's not as difficult as it looks. The key is to loosen the springs all the way and the arm becomes accessible.

I found that the weaker springs are best used in the upper bone. Leave the original spring in the lower. That combination works best for the EX1 camera weight.