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Home: Video University Forums: Wedding & Event Videography:
Anyone seen this product?

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Mark Foley
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Sep 1, 2007, 6:04 AM

Post #1 of 61 (3211 views)
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Anyone seen this product?	Can't Post

http://www.levelcam.com/

Pretty cheap in price... Although I wouldn't trade my glidecam or the shots it can get, this maybe a something to improve quick handheld shots....thoughts?

edit...RT, it looks like this comes from your neck of the woods....

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Mark

(This post was edited by Mark Foley on Sep 1, 2007, 6:08 AM)

Brackish
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Sep 1, 2007, 6:18 AM

Post #2 of 61 (3196 views)
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Re: [Mark Foley] Anyone seen this product? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Doesn't that work on the same principle as the
Fig Rig? You are spreading the "twisting" out some
distance from the cam, so that a 1" rise in your
hand which occurs 1 foot out from the cam gives you
less "change" in the shot (i.e. delta degrees off the horizon)
as compared to a 1" twist right at the cam?

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Requested coverage: "shots of the guests enjoying the reception with laughter and joy on their faces as they are in awe of the bride and groom".

(This post was edited by Brackish on Sep 1, 2007, 6:41 AM)

Mark Foley
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Sep 1, 2007, 6:25 AM

Post #3 of 61 (3192 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Anyone seen this product? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I guess you could say it is close to the same principle...as axis movement/control is away from the pivot point. One thing for sure, it is a whole lot cheaper than the Merlin Sly

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Mark

Brackish
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Sep 1, 2007, 6:34 AM

Post #4 of 61 (3190 views)
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Re: [Mark Foley] Anyone seen this product? [In reply to]	Can't Post

How much is it? Are you thinking of getting it?

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Requested coverage: "shots of the guests enjoying the reception with laughter and joy on their faces as they are in awe of the bride and groom".

Mark Foley
Veteran

Sep 1, 2007, 6:38 AM

Post #5 of 61 (3187 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Anyone seen this product? [In reply to]	Can't Post

$49....

Since the item is so simple in design, I may fabricate a quick facsimile to test the concept....

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Mark

Brackish
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Sep 1, 2007, 6:43 AM

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Re: [Mark Foley] Anyone seen this product? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I misspoke at first ... I had meant to compare with the Fig Rig.

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Requested coverage: "shots of the guests enjoying the reception with laughter and joy on their faces as they are in awe of the bride and groom".

Mark Foley
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Sep 1, 2007, 6:47 AM

Post #7 of 61 (3178 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Anyone seen this product? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Cheaper than the Fig Rig...an IMO, certainly more aesthetic in a wedding/reception environment

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Mark

Brackish
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Sep 1, 2007, 6:53 AM

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Re: [Mark Foley] Anyone seen this product? [In reply to]	Can't Post

To my surprise, I have seen the Fig Rig used on
national TV productions - there must be something
to it. I would guess the operating principle is along the
same lines as this device you have found.

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Requested coverage: "shots of the guests enjoying the reception with laughter and joy on their faces as they are in awe of the bride and groom".

Howard Neill
Veteran

Sep 1, 2007, 8:05 AM

Post #9 of 61 (3160 views)
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Re: [Mark Foley] Anyone seen this product? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks Mark

I might just get one of those.

Cheers

.
Howard

Cape Video
Don't trash the dress. Plant a tree instead.
Cape Town, South Africa - "Where two oceans meet"

Brackish
Veteran

Sep 1, 2007, 8:14 AM

Post #10 of 61 (3148 views)
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Re: [Howard Neill] Anyone seen this product? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi, Howard!

Do you use any handle with your cam at all?
I use the Mini Rover handle all the time with
my cam! I carry my cam around by this
handle and never take it off. I wonder if
this handle could be used like that
device Mark found?

I almost guarantee, Howard, that if you put this handle on your

cam you will never take it off. It's got grippy rubber for

the non-slip of the hand. And you can attach it to a

tripod with this handle attached! Or use a quick-release

plate with this handle attached!

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Requested coverage: "shots of the guests enjoying the reception with laughter and joy on their faces as they are in awe of the bride and groom".

Mark Foley
Veteran

Sep 1, 2007, 9:12 AM

Post #11 of 61 (3128 views)
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Re: [Howard Neill] Anyone seen this product? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I just ordered one myself...as I hope to move my Sony 10/20 mount/light off the camera... (spread the weight/mass of the camera latterly)

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Mark

Dave Williams
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Sep 1, 2007, 10:28 AM

Post #12 of 61 (3114 views)
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Re: [Mark Foley] Anyone seen this product? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I like it.
-
Dave Williams
Tirelessly making the world a smoother place for event videographers

DGates
Veteran

Sep 1, 2007, 11:03 AM

Post #13 of 61 (3104 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Anyone seen this product? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I use the Mini Rover handle all the time with my cam!

Me too!

*

Howard Neill
Veteran

Sep 1, 2007, 11:23 AM

Post #14 of 61 (3095 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Anyone seen this product? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Hi, Howard!

Do you use any handle with your cam at all?

Hi Brack

We have three handles, which are a bit like that but, ergonomically, they don't seem to be the same. They sit in our bags and never get used. They go back 10 years, to when we used baby SVHS-C Panasonic cameras which didn't have a hot shoe. The arm had a shoe for our lights.

Cheers

.
Howard

Cape Video
Don't trash the dress. Plant a tree instead.
Cape Town, South Africa - "Where two oceans meet"

glimmer
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Sep 1, 2007, 11:38 AM

Post #15 of 61 (3084 views)
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Re: [Mark Foley] Anyone seen this product? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I like how their video shows everyone with the device, but no sample shots from using it....and the skiing clip doesn't count as it's a smooth surface and it'd always look decent.

It seems just like any side bracket, L-bracket, or whatever else it can be called.

Distributing the weight would be nice but it won't "float" the image like the glidecam and other devices.

Mark Foley
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Sep 1, 2007, 11:57 AM

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Re: [glimmer] Anyone seen this product? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Quote

but it won't "float" the image like the glidecam and other devices.

I agree...however i didn't need another "floating" device, but rather I wanted something I could use with my monopod just short of attaching a handle that I could mount a light or hard drive...and something cheap in case it doesn't work I haven't had to take a second mortgage out....

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Mark

glimmer
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Sep 1, 2007, 12:05 PM

Post #17 of 61 (3068 views)
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Re: [Mark Foley] Anyone seen this product? [In reply to]	Can't Post

The go for it and buy five! For that purpose, it should be just fine, especially for $50....stuff in this business is so overpriced that this actually seems reasonable.

RT Steele
Veteran

Sep 1, 2007, 1:02 PM

Post #18 of 61 (3056 views)
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Re: [Mark Foley] Anyone seen this product? [In reply to]	Can't Post

.RT, it looks like this comes from your neck of the woods....

Doesn't look like it. They got trees and no cattle running loose. Plus, all these guys have white teeth. Laugh

This gizmo is really kind of cool. It's just a counterbalance that changes the center of gravity on one axis. Pretty simple actually.

And Brack... I use the mini-rover but it doesn't really give level shooting like this thing claims to do. The bracket isn't heavy enough to offest the weight of the cam.

Tim Kennelly
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Sep 1, 2007, 1:41 PM

Post #19 of 61 (3050 views)
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Re: [RT Steele] Anyone seen this product? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Unless you are mounting a hard drive on it the device would not be any better than any of the standard braces for counterweight purposes, but I think it's wider stance might just add some horizontal wiggle stabilizing as described.

I would hope a simple, lightweight piece of moulded injection plastic for $50 would not compete well with a glidecam! Wink

Of course if it's even half as good you could just buy two! Crazy

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mjeppsen
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Sep 1, 2007, 5:47 PM

Post #20 of 61 (3007 views)
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Re: [Mark Foley] Anyone seen this product? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Just got a Levelcam in the other day, and I'm pleasantly surprised. Sometimes the build quality of low-cost accessories leaves something to be desired...but that is not the case here. For such a lightweight and simple tool it does a dang good job of helping smooth out minor shakes. Not only that, but it's got drill holes all over the unit, you can mount wireless rcvr, mics, lights, whatever. Even has elastic straps for that sort of thing. It works well well for low angle shots, extreme sports and skateboard shooters are going to love this rig. For me, this is more useful for shooting from boats, cars, running handheld, that sort of thing. It feels awkward shooting with it above the waist, so I think that my Anton Bauer EgripZ flexi-handles will probably be used more often for my general Event-related work. Also, the EgripZ aren't quite as obnoxious looking (this one is also available in "Black Mamba" however). I stuck an old TRV-25 on the Levelcam this morning for my kiddo. Here's a few pics. BTW, it actually has a level bubble on it...

Detail of plastic thickness and bubble. Edges are smooth and it feels solid.

Underside of the unit attached to El-Cheapo Sony TRV25

Mounted on the Sony FX1 for comparison.

Not bad for $50. At that price, I wouldn't mess with a DIY knockoff, this one has a nice fit and finish (for a flat piece of plastic anyway) and comes with three 1/4-20 mount screws and elastic straps. I couldn't build that for under $50.

Matt Jeppsen
www.FreshDV.com

Tim Kennelly
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Sep 1, 2007, 7:57 PM

Post #21 of 61 (2988 views)
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Re: [mjeppsen] Anyone seen this product? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yeah, black would fit the cams and wedding work much better, subtle wise.

Thanks Matt for the close ups, the ad page leaves a lot to be desired detail wise.
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Tim Kennelly
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Howard Neill
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Sep 2, 2007, 3:19 AM

Post #22 of 61 (2927 views)
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Re: [mjeppsen] Anyone seen this product? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks for the pics, Mark

The maker claims that you can attach the unit to a tripod. I can't make out how you would do that?

Cheers

.
Howard

Cape Video
Don't trash the dress. Plant a tree instead.
Cape Town, South Africa - "Where two oceans meet"

MLiebergot
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Sep 2, 2007, 11:36 AM

Post #23 of 61 (2895 views)
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Re: [mjeppsen] Anyone seen this product? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Looks interesting Matt.

For event work, I think I'll stick with my DVMulti Rig Pro. Although it is quite a bit more expensive, it offers me many more shooting options.

However, I may pickup one of these to use with the new (Most likely Canon HV20, consumer to test the HD waters) HDV camera, that I am going to pickup in a month or so. For personal use, it seems like a fairly good viable option to shoot with. I figure this, a small consumer HD cam, and a Bogen monopod with feet would work very nicely together.

Michael

Cameras: I do use them.
Audio: Yes, it does come with audio if you like.
Software: I am learning...
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RT Steele
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Sep 2, 2007, 1:23 PM

Post #24 of 61 (2876 views)
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Re: [MLiebergot] Anyone seen this product? [In reply to]	Can't Post

and a Bogen monopod with feet would work very nicely together.

I didn't get one of those with feet but a while back I did get a monopod with that little "foot dufer" thing that flops down on the floor. A pair of pliers and 30 seconds later it was off. Laugh

You're supposed to stand on it but it never pointed the right way and would never stay up. I only got it for the swivel head anyway.

As far as this leveler goes... It's neat but I'm going to make it through the rest of this year without spending another dime on crap I'll never use.

- RT

Ron Priest
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Sep 2, 2007, 9:50 PM

Post #25 of 61 (2838 views)
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Re: [mjeppsen] Anyone seen this product? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

BTW, it actually has a level bubble on it...

And just how usefull is that? I'm sorry, but this looks like a waste of money. And they might as well painted it bright orange Crazy

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(This post was edited by Ron Priest on Sep 2, 2007, 9:52 PM)

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