Comparison of high-end steadycams

As a film maker, I am definitely desperate for any steadycam fitting my huge camera, and meanwhile, with an affordable value. I checked ebay.com and other internet websites, and found some interesting info as under:



Steadicam Tiffen Zephyr Camera Stabilizer with Vest

US $8,995.95



Payload - 24 lb (11kg)

Adjustable Iso-elastic Arm/Standard Vest

Dual-axis Vernier Adjustable Stage

Sled with Telescoping Centerpost

Common 7" LCD Keep track of

Knurled Gimbal Handle

Common Vest / AB Battery Mount

Docking Bracket / Dovetail Plate

BNC - RCA / RCA - BNC Adaptor



Steadicam Tiffen Scout Camera Stabilizer with Vest

US $6,995.95





Payload - five to 18 lb (2.three to 8 kg)

Adjustable Iso-elastic Arm

Dual-axis Vernier Adjustable Stage

Camera Mounting Chassis/Removable Sled

Telescoping Centerpost (18.5-32")

Active Matrix 16:9/4:3 Color LCD Keep track of

Delrin Knurled Gimbal Manage

Typical Vest / V-Lock Battery Mount

Docking Bracket / Dovetail Plate

BNC - RCA / RCA - BNC Adaptor



Flycam Pro 7000

$3116.57

Excess weight: 27.95kg





HIGHLIGHTS OF FLYCAM-7000 STABILIZER:-

Carbon Fiber Sled

Telescopic post - Sled maximum extends upto 115cm

Leading & Bottom Junction Box for DC & AV in/out

Top-Bottom Junction Box joined with coiled cable inside Carbon Fiber Sled

DC & AV cable with Connectors for camera, monitor & battery.

V-Mount Battery Mount Plate

Universal Head enables Fine balancing.

Gimbal



Wondlan Leopard II Deluxe

$3485.26



Load capacity: 13-33 lbs

Construction: Carbon fiber & aluminum

Adjustable Carbon fiber sled with Telescoping Centerpost (980mm Max)

Regular Vest with metal clasp; Adjustable and Dual Iso-elastic Arm

Knurled Gimbal Manage; Quick release & Docking bracket

Common Battery Mount / V-Mount Battery Mount Plate

BNC - RCA / RCA - BNC Adaptor

three Interfaces: Power, HDMI & AV with coiled cable inside Carbon Fiber Sled

7" LCD Monitor











Glidecam x22

$7,900.00



Glidecam X-22 Support Arm

Glidecam Support Vest

Glidecam X-22 Support Sled

Docking Bracket

Arm Publish, Hardware and Operations Manual.

(C-Stand not included.)



Glidecam Gold Series

$26,390.00- $27,385.00



The Glidecam Gold System is a professional body-mounted camera stabilization system designed for cameras weighing from 13 to 38 pounds.

The first two that caught my attention was NEW Steadicam Tiffen Zephyr Camera Stabilizer with Vest and NEW Steadicam Tiffen Zephyr Camera Stabilizer with Vest, bearing 24lbs and 5-18lbs, worth $8,995.95 and $6,995.95, they seem to be high-quality products, but the prices are a bit too large for me. The next is Flycam Pro 7000, bearing cameras up to 33lbs, cost $3116.57, but it's too heavy, weighting 27.95kg, the other two Flycam products - Flycam Pro 6000 and Flycam Magic 6000 have the same shortcoming, and someone said on the internet that "To be completely honest, the Flycam is a piece of Bantha Poo Doo... It's poorly made, made in india by the looks of it, the same company that makes the fake 35mm adapter that look stunningly like the REdrock adapters... cause they just copied the parts and resold it." Then I identified Wondlan Leopard II, but it can only carry 16.5 lbs of cameras, but later I got to know that its latest Leopard II Deluxe can carry 13 to 33 lbs, and cost only $3485.26. My friend also told me that Glidecam Gold System has a load capacity of 13 to 38 lbs, but the selling price is too steep, from $26,390.00 to $27,385.00; besides, it's weird that on their site its "gold arm" has been marked discontinued, and another Steadycam I identified was Varizoom, which has less load capacity but substantial value - $5499. So I think the new Leopard II Deluxe will be my best choice. Here is a comparison chart of the above products:





Steadicam (Steadycam/Camera Stabilizer) Quick Comparison Chart

Max Load capacity

(Camera Excess weight) Weight Price

Tiffen Zephyr 24 lbs (11kg) (unknown) $8,995.95

Tiffen Scout 18 lbs (8kg) (unknown) $6,995.95

Flycam Professional 7000 33lbs (15kg) 27.95kg $3,116.57

Glidecam x22 25 lbs (11kg) 12kg $7,900.00

Glidecam Gold Series 38 lbs (17kg) (unknown) $26,390 ~ $27,385

Wondlan Leopard II (Common) 16.5lbs (7.4kg) 11kg $2,438

Wondlan Leopard II (Deluxe) 33lbs ( 15kg) 12.9kg $3,485

Varizoom Vzblackha wkab 25 lbs (11.2kg) 11.4kg $5,499