VariZoom Jr?

[MediaConcepts]

Has anyone used this? Do you like it? Is it worth $300?

[Darrell Aubert]

If you're willing to spend 300 dollars on something like this, go get a glidecam. This device seems nice until you have to start moving. I'm sure its great for static shots but anything else it's probably useless.
Just my opinion

[vegas06]

Has anyone used this? Do you like it? Is it worth $300? Wait and see, for this product from DVTec. It's called the MultiRig. It's gonna be the swiss army knife of camera support.
Part DVRig Pro (which I own and personally highly recommend)
Part FigRig
Part Tripod and monopod
Shoot steady handheld for high, shoulder moount, low, dutch, flowing walking shots (not as good as a glidecam, but good enough), and then mount directly on a tripod for lock down shooting.

Take a look here.

http://dannynatovich.bizland.com/nonamerig/
or
http://www.dvmultirig.com/

Pricing hasn't been announced yet, as it will be in a week or two. but I am told that the base rig will be cheaper than the FigRig (which is $399), and the full setup quite a bit less than the DVRig Pro (which is $549).

I've already been talking to Danny Natovitch (The owner of DVTec) and some of the test shooters, and gonna pick one up as soon as they become available.
I will be comparing it to the FigRig (whcih I have accesss to one through a collegue), monopod, and my DVRig Pro (Which I shoot with all day long, and loaded to the hilt).

BTW, just so you know, that support you posted from the Varizzom site, that has the Varizoom name, is actually built by DVTec.
Varizoom is the U.S. distributer, and applies their name to DVTec's products, like that support, the DVRig Pro and the like.

This thing should rock!

[RatVega]

Has anyone used this? Do you like it? Is it worth $300?

No. it's a stick and a belt for Christ's sake! (reminds me of the guy on American Inventor with the "wand"...)
You can get that kind of stability with a biddlestick for $20.

Darrell is right about stability while moving, there won't be any.

The device Michael suggests is probably actually worth the money...

[Bonsai]

No. it's a stick and a belt for Christ's sake! (reminds me of the guy on American Inventor with the "wand"...)
You can get that kind of stability with a biddlestick for $20.

Darrell is right about stability while moving, there won't be any.

The device Michael suggests is probably actually worth the money...

Yup, it's a stick and a belt. That's why the question was asked... anybody use it? Somebody must be buying them. To me, it kind of looks like it will pressing on your bladder. :icon_eek: Here's the thing, we always shot with a Sony DSR390 as our main camera, so we've never needed a stablization device. The new cameras we are looking at all fall into the catagory of needing some sort of a device. So we are looking for any and all comments, good or bad. (Joe will probably end up taking JC/DVs route, and make it himself.)

[RatVega]

Yup, it's a stick and a belt. That's why the question was asked... anybody use it? Somebody must be buying them. To me, it kind of looks like it will pressing on your bladder. :icon_eek: Here's the thing, we always shot with a Sony DSR390 as our main camera, so we've never needed a stablization device. The new cameras we are looking at all fall into the catagory of needing some sort of a device. So we are looking for any and all comments, good or bad. (Joe will probably end up taking JC/DVs route, and make it himself.)

It's all a matter of degrees. For a very light camera, stability can be a problem any time it's not locked down. Just working with one of these on a monopod can be a big help and if you add a bit of counterweight it gets even better.

On the other hand, if you're going for seriously fluid footage while walking (running?) then some of the more spendy rigs with full gimbaling can be nice. One thing to remember is that the camera on something like a SteadiCam JR is quite subject to wind or rapid movement, so a lot of practice is needed to keep everything on "an even keel".

[bruceo]

Has anyone used this? Do you like it? Is it worth $300?

You can get a buy it now on ebay for the tiffen steadystick at $99 which is pretty much the same as you had pictured, but better. It's effetiveness depends on the operator.

[AndrewMSV]

I just want to know where I can get that guy's bangs.

[Mike Downey]

This thing should rock!


I wish it looked a little more pleasing to the eye :)


Mike