List Price: $595.00
Sale Price: $425.73
Today's Bonus: 28% Off
I wanted to try this because I'm on a tight budget. The other vests like the Varizoom VZ-DVSPORTSTER DV Sportster Universal Stabilizing Arm and Vest System for FlowPod, UltraLite, Glidecam and Steadicam Jr. Stabilizers and the Tiffen Steadicam Arm and Vest for Merlin Camera Stabilizing System are simply way too far out of my budget. Yes, anyone who goes for the less expensive "knock-off" has to expect that there's a good risk of equipment failure or lack of good operation.
So far, I'm not displeased with it. I can see the type of workmanship isn't top of line, which I expected. But I'm glad that I have a vest and spring arm that can take the load off my arms and wrists, that have started getting more pain from taking all the weight of this camera gear.
The spring arm definitely is made for heavier equipment, but by the time I add a Nikon D3S (or D7000 plus battery grip), a light, microphone, monitor, and sound gear, that extra weight makes the arm respond better. Remember, the more weight you add to the top of your rig, the more counterbalance weight you must add below. If you don't have that much gear to add, and if you aren't constantly shooting, this may not be for you.
I'll add some clips as I work with this. I have lenses from 10-20mm, 17-35mm, and 28-300mm zooms, as well as a 50mm prime and other old primes as well. I wanted to shoot a post-game analysis just a few days ago, but the case never made it on my flight. Which brings up the fact that you stand to increase your gear load by quite a bit if you really want this.
Try something lighter like a rig cage with handles, like the ALZO Transformer DSLR Rig to see how stable that might be for you, at first. So many companies are trying to sell the next great thing, as 15mm rod rigs add weight and take money out your pockets. I saw some footage using such a square rig only after this was already shipped, and I was impressed by what they shot without vest and arm.
Don't become a slave of camera accessories. Keep your rig simple and manageable, especially if you're using a Canon with no battery pack. If you're trying not to be noticed, stay away from the vest. By the time it adds the extra weight to your load, you'll see that you have to stop for breaks more often. But production value goes up when you have the steady shots. When you've shot something well, the footage makes you look more like a pro and not like a hack.
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