Off-Brand Steadycam

[J. Bernard Vallon]

Has anyone heard anything about this?

http://www.fsprostab.com/english/index.htm

They are a canadian company, and for the price, it looks like a good deal. I was wondering if anyone had experience with off-brand stabilizers, good or bad.

[Ken Corben]

Never seen this one before...I took a steadicam workshop with the original inventor Garret Brown a decade ago co-taught by several industry legends and learned you get what you pay for...

I would say for the price you get what you pay for, i.e, customer support, product interchangeability for a full functioning rig. etc.

If it is for personal projects no worries. If you plan to show up on a set as a day player with this rig I'd want to assemble, balance and fly one first.

[Ralph Oshiro]

I took a Steadicam workshop with the original inventor Garret Brown a decade ago . . .Wow! I took a workshop with Garrett Brown too! Isn't he just the greatest guy ever? But it was a long, long, long, loooooooooooooooong time ago! I still remember one of my workshop-mates. An Italian guy. He did Steadicam on Cliffhanger.

[Ralph Oshiro]

Off-brand is okay. Most do the trick, just less elegantly. Check out the gimbal. This is one of the most important components. See what the clearance is. On a real Steadicam, you can rotate (tilt) the sled 360-degrees (end-over-end). Most copycat stabilizers limit you to 180-degrees or less. Also check the arm vertical travel--the more the better. But they do work. By the way, it's spelled, "Steadicam," no hyphen, no 'y', all one word.

[Ken Corben]

I'd have to say the 3 day? Malibu ranch workshop was the coolest industry training I ever took. I still have the video footage I shot in the workshop. Garret and company we're amazing.

The idea of a red one rig is very enticing and the price point of the Candian rig is tempting if it is any good. I think the comparable steadicam rig is $7k.

[Ralph Oshiro]

I think the comparable Steadicam rig is $7k.Yeah, I got my Steadicam Flyer on an NAB special from B+H. I think I paid like $6400. I tell you, I am DYING to see that RED ONE body fly on THAT thing! DYING! I took the workshop when they were still in Monterey, California. I had to take a Greyhound Bus there and stay in that Italian guy's room 'cause I didn't have hardly any money.

[Blaine Golden]

Yeah, I got my Steadicam Flyer on an NAB special from B+H. I think I paid like $6400. I tell you, I am DYING to see that RED ONE body fly on THAT thing! DYING! I took the workshop when they were still in Monterey, California. I had to take a Greyhound Bus there and stay in that Italian guy's room 'cause I didn't have hardly any money.
You're going to have to give us a demonstration, Ralph.

[Ken Corben]

Hey Ralph,

You willing to fly your Red steadicam rig with the door off my cessna for some fun aerials in Mexico?

I did this with the rig mounted to an apple box in Alaska - very cool!

Sharky

[Andrew Benz]

Has anyone heard anything about this?

http://www.fsprostab.com/english/index.htm

They are a canadian company, and for the price, it looks like a good deal. I was wondering if anyone had experience with off-brand stabilizers, good or bad.

Forum member Emanuel has done a lot of research on this subject which includes some info from S. Gibby and C. Papert, so PM him, I am sure he would love to help.

[Ralph Oshiro]

You willing to fly your Red steadicam rig with the door off my cessna for some fun aerials in Mexico?Uhhh . . . did you say . . . MEXICO?!?!?!?!?! HELL YEAH!!!!!!!!!

[Ken Corben]

OK Ralph,

You're on - maybe we'll post the first aerial footage acquired in 4K red raw with out a tyler mount.

In any event, the Mexico adventure (tequila, beer and cigars after flights) will be as cool as tinkering with the red/steadicam system.

Sharky

PS - last time I did this my buddy, a well known industry pro, used duct tape to lash himself to the seat in lieu of a parachute.

[Charles Papert]

Wow! I took a workshop with Garrett Brown too! Isn't he just the greatest guy ever? But it was a long, long, long, loooooooooooooooong time ago!

Probably I'd have to add a few more "o's" in there in reference to the workshop I took with Garrett, back in 1985!

As far as the Malibu Classic circa 1997--I was one of the regular instructors there during that period, perhaps we met then.

[Ralph Oshiro]

Probably I'd have to add a few more "o's" in there in reference to the workshop I took with Garrett, back in 1985!Nope! I got you waaaaaaaaaaaay beat, buddy!

[Ralph Oshiro]

You're on - maybe we'll post the first aerial footage acquired in 4K red raw with out a tyler mount.YES!!!

[Ralph Oshiro]

Damn! Now I gotta find a Garfield bracket--cheap!

[Charles Papert]

Nope! I got you waaaaaaaaaaaay beat, buddy!

Woof! Guess you got me, old timer!