Showing up now on eBay, there is another Steadicam Merlin-esque type video camera stabilizer called the Manyan. Build quality looks pretty good and seems to hold up a decent amount of weight. Some of the video samples at the product page are over 2 years old, so it's obviously been around for a while. Anyone use this Manyan before? Check out the other images at the eBay store (Click Here).
Manyan Video Camera Stabilizer Steadicam
More variations of DSLR Rigs are showing up. These new style DSLR Rigs not only sport the blue accents of popular RedRock Micro rigs, but you can tell they try to mimic the texture of the RedRock Micro Hand Grips (as seen here) and very close design of the RedRock Micro Body Brace (seen here).
Nice to see more Body / Chest brace type stabilizers becoming available instead of full on over the shoulder types. Configurations of these new rigs are available with either one handle or two. Check out more of the photos over at eBay (Click Here).
New 15mm Carry Handle DSLR Rigs
YouTube member MattsMacintosh throws up a review of the cheap Polaroid target shooter style rig [Thanks Matt]. This little rig popped up a few months ago, but it's still a decent buy for small camera shooters. If you have to travel with a small gear bag, the unit breaks down to just a few pieces. Prices on this unit have been steady at just under $60 bucks via Amazon (click here).
Polaroid Rig / Aputure Magic Rig Target Shooter style Stabilizer
Home for the day, so I decided to see if I had the skills to fly the Skyler MiniCam Video Camera Stabilizer while riding a Gyro-Stabilized Motorized UniCycle called the SoloWheel (found here on eBay).
Just in case something disastrous were to happen, I felt comfortable trying this test out with Canon's latest EOS T4i (not the 5D Mark III) and was a good excuse to see how the Auto Focus would work with the Sigma 20mm F/1.8.
Besides not being a very skilled SoloWheel rider, the breeze against the Vari-Angle LCD threw the little Skyler off balance. So it wasn't a truly successful test, but at least I didn't eat pavement...
We had a brief look at the Focus One Pro at NAB 2012, but there were some slight changes since then. For those who have been following the product, here's an inside look from YouTube member lkwan78 as he shares his thoughts on the latest Follow Focus from Edelkrone [Thanks Luke]. For reference, the other Follow Focus systems mentioned in this video are from a company called TrusMT (seen here) and the new Gini iFocus (seen here).
The new Focus One Pro FF runs for about $290 bucks and can be found at the Edelkrone website (Click Here).
Edelkrone Focus One Pro Follow Focus
Portable camera sliders are great, but they can't replace very long tracked dolly movements. Here's a recent DIY Seated Video Track Dolly project from Vimeo member TLA Productions. If you're planning on tackling one of these projects, here's a video with some tips to make your platform more stable, and some considerations about working on uneven surfaces.
I've actually built one of these before, and the most critical part is assembling a good wheel set. The wheels really have to be drilled perfectly to sit on the track exactly the same. Not an easy thing to do when you have a 16 wheels. If you drill just a few millimeters off, you'll notice it once you're going down the track.
For DIY projects, you'll most likely be using off the shelf pipes instead of professionally laid out tracks. For this, the swiveling design wheel set is the best because it can move and correct for misaligned tracks or imperfect alignment of your wheel mounts. A good set of swivel assemblies can also be used on curved tracks. Keep in mind you'll have to dish out more for a decent set of wheels and high quality bearings. There's a few good looking assemblies on eBay (Click Here).
DIY Track Dolly Swivel Wheel Assemblies
I guess the WF717 Fluid Head Standard 3/8" Mount
The WF717 standard 3/8" mount is Available via Amazon (Click Here)
WF717 Fluid Head Standard (not Bowl) 3/8" Base Mount
And also available via eBay (Click Here).
WF717 Fluid Head Standard (not Bowl) 3/8" Base Mount
YouTube member SteveSmithDOP gives us a tour around the new Flycam C5 Carbon Fiber stabilizer [Thanks Steve]. I've only seen a handful of videos from this stabilizer, and they've really seemed to have stepped up their build quality compared to the original Flycam stuff. They've even blacked out all the washers (weights) on the lower sled.
The Flycam C5 is said to support up to a 6 pound camera and comes in cheaper than a Glidecam HD1000 (rated at 3 lbs.). If you're looking to fly more than just a basic camera body and lens, this looks like a solid stabilizer for the money, and can be found via eBay (Click Here).
Flycam Carbon Fiber C5 Video Camera Stabilizer
If you have had to shoot with a stabilizer for more than 3 minutes straight, you're probably already looking into a Support Vest. The problem is finding a good affordable Support Vest and Stabilizer Kit. I personally won't put my money down on the Flycam Stabilizer Vests. I went for the Steadicam Merlin vest at $1600 dollars, but you'll still be shy of a good Glidecam stabilizer that can run another $400+.
Recently Wondlan has been pushing a bunch of new Single Arm Stabilizer Vest + Stabilizer Kits. These lightweight kits vary in price starting under just $1K depending on what stabilizer is bundled with the vest. Wondlan has a Mini Handheld stabilizer, Carbon Fiber Stabilizer, or larger I-Type. Not too shabby for hopefully the same quality that Wondlan has provided in their past equipment, but I'm still trying to dig up some official reviews on this new gear. Check out the various kits via eBay (Click Here).
