Zacuto's filmmaker kit turns any DSLR into a steadicam (Update: No it doesn't)

Zacuto's filmmaker kit will turn any video capable DSLR into a self-balancing steadicam rig capable of being hoisted by even the most waifish of bleache-blond filmmakers. You simply attach the camera to the front of the rig, with a video monitor extending from an adjustable arm to the side and a system of counterweights pulling up the caboose. Looks like an excellent solution for amateur filmmakers as long as you don't try to push your Nikon D90 past a five-minute take, but there's no pricing available yet.

Filmmaker Kit [Zacuto]

Update: Okay, whatever. I don't know what I'm talking about. Commenter Skep helpfully clarifies:

Not even close to a Steadicam. This rig converts a DSLR into a counterbalanced, shoulder mounted camera rig with a large monitor, not a "Steadicam."

A Steadicam is a gimbaled, free floating rig suspended by spring loaded free swinging arms, which allow the operator to move without jostling the camera.

[#1 posted by Anonymous , October 30, 2008 8:57 AM]

Zacuto have been showing a lot of innovation over the past several years. It's great to see them turning from a Chicago cam rental house to makers of quality products used all over the world by pros.
Good to see them on here :-)

-KGB

[#2 posted by EdWatkins , October 30, 2008 9:12 AM]

Zacuto ain't cheap ($2,500+ for a setup, with mattebox and follow focus like that).

Waste of money buying gear like that to use with a Nikon D90. The video the D90 produces is awful, horrible rolling shutter, makes people look like they are made of jello if you shoot handheld.

Save the money and buy an HVX200 or something similar. It'd be better value for money, and the end result might actually be usable for something other than locked down shots.

[#3 posted by Skep , October 30, 2008 9:16 AM]

Not even close to a Steadicam. This rig converts a DSLR into a counterbalanced, shoulder mounted camera rig with a large monitor, not a "Steadicam."

A Steadicam is a gimbaled, free floating rig suspended by spring loaded free swinging arms, which allow the operator to move without jostling the camera.

[#4 posted by therevengor , October 30, 2008 9:27 AM]

Aww, I thought this was going to be a Photoshop Disaster in a photography ad.

Double-fail.

(ps - the rig is laughable)

[#5 posted by Marley9 , October 30, 2008 9:36 AM]

This will sell well to those demographics that have no idea that far better solutions exist, even for DSLR's. Now, Nikon, et. al., pull your head out, and make the screen pivotable.

[#6 posted by Skep , October 30, 2008 9:38 AM]

"(ps - the rig is laughable)"

This rig isn't just for the D90. Remember, the D90 is not the only DSLR that does HD. There is also the EOS 5D which does full 1080 HD. And those aren't likely to remain the only ones for long.

Zacuto makes modular rigs for a number of camera systems, including Red, a camera which absolutely needs a rig like this one, or a the equivalent rail set up for tripod use, but without the counter balance and such.

[#7 posted by monkeytoesinnose , October 30, 2008 9:42 AM]

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~johnny/steadycam/

[#8 posted by markfrei , October 30, 2008 9:54 AM]

>EOS 5D which does full 1080 HD

Seriously?! Damn, I gotta start reading my manuals!

That said, I've used this book to build a lot of great DIY camera rigs - it's really really detailed:
http://www.dvcamerarigs.com/

[#9 posted by mujadaddy , October 30, 2008 10:03 AM]

Umm... "hey, baby..."

[#10 posted by Anonymous , October 30, 2008 10:46 AM]

the Canon 5d Mark II (not out yet) will do the 1080 HD. Not the current 5d.

[#11 posted by Anonymous , October 30, 2008 10:47 AM]

The Canon 5d Mark II (not out yet) will do the 1080 HD. The current model 5d does not.

[#12 posted by Skep , October 30, 2008 10:57 AM]

@ MARKFREI:

I should have noted that it is teh 5D Mark II that shoots 1080 HD.

[#13 posted by Anonymous , October 30, 2008 12:02 PM]

Oh there's a camera in that picture? I didn't notice.

[#14 posted by markfrei , October 30, 2008 12:48 PM]

#9 Skep
Aw, ya got me excited for naught. Oh well, guess I'll keep saving for that second HVX200 or HPX170.

[#15 posted by BenSeese , October 30, 2008 1:24 PM]

Let's get our verb tense correct: The 5D MkII will shoot 1080p. It's still a month or two away from being available. At the moment, the D90 really is the only DSLR you can buy that records video.

In other news, I've been told that Steadicam is (unsurprisingly) starting work on a DSLR stabilizer.

[#16 posted by Adrian Vanderbosch , November 18, 2008 12:32 AM]

Hi All,

We recently had a rather horrible experience with Zacuto out of Chicago. At the end of this post you will find a link to a blog post on our Myst: The Motion Picture website. The post chronicles the experience of a short film shoot we did last month. It is laced with accounts of negative experiences with Zacuto. I decided to post this because I feel it is important for people to have as much information as possible before they spend hard-earned money. What we experienced was beyond unprofessional.

Do what you will with this info. I'm just putting it out there.

http://mystmovie.com/2008/10/31/dig-deep/

Cheers,

Adrian