German steadicams from ABC Products

By Timur Musaev

Review contents:
Stability is over all 35 kg of pleasure Steadicam from fragments German steadicams from ABC Products Devices of Cinema Technologies Group DvRigPRO from DVTEC Glidecam stabilizers Sachtler Artemis camera stabilization systems: from DV up to HD The Tiffen Steadicam systems

Walking, running, rising on a ladder — all these moving result to the camera shaking in hands or on the shoulder of the operator and to get rid of these oscillations very difficultly. For reception of stable frames at shooting in movement the systems of the camera stabilization have designed. ABC Products Company has let out the first systems of stabilization (steadicams) some decades back. Since then the line of HandyMan units of ABC Products company replenishes almost each year. At present it includes the stabilization units for all existing types of camcorders, from the lightest miniDV up to heavy HDCAM. The company supports very reasonable price policy: steadicams from ABC Products cost approximately the same, as a good tripod designed for similar load.

ABC Products makes two types of HandyMan units: hand-held for light cameras and with fastening on a cabinet of the operator for heavy professional cameras. These units differ both on maximum permissible load, and on application mode, however have the common design principle. On arc-shaped or straight bar there are fixed platform for the camera and the monitor (frequently with the container for NP batteries) as a mobile counterbalance. The bar with hinge fastening is sticked on the handle (in models provided for light cameras) or an arm (in models provided for heavy steadicams). The arm connects with waist (waist-shoulder) fastening.

The modularity and compatibility of all units allows to expand any HandyMan up to more complex, getting additional parts, belts, fastenings and arms as required. The number of standard accessories of systems HandyMan includes a set for adjustment.

HandyMan systems for light cameras

Light hand-held models HandyMan are irreplaceable when from reporting material, except for high quality, any singularity, a highlight is required. It may be the criminal chronicle, every special reportings, any operative genres.

HandyMan Clip&Go

HandyMan Clip&Go is the lightest and compact of nowadays existing steadicams. All details of the unit are connected among themselves by the folding bed principle. Setting of Clip&Go into operation position occupies a pair of seconds and does not demand any special preparation. Despite of low weight (only 950 g), this steadicam is very durable because of it made from a special aluminum alloy. It maintains the load of 0.7…1.5 kg (it is possible to raise the load up to 2.5 kg). The model provides an opportunity of fast rearrangement of the camera on a tripod and is compatible with waist fastening ABC Easy Flex. As well as in any HandyMan system, it is possible to use the LCD-monitor (option) as a counterbalance.

HandyMan 100 is intended for light digital cameras by weight up to 1.5 kg, provided with LCD-monitor. The basic scope is video journalism and news production. In Europe it is in demand not only of professional operators, but also of video amateurs. It maintains the load of 0.7…1.5 kg (it is possible to raise the load up to 2.4 kg). In summer 2004 the HandyMan 100 has won the first prize among camera stabilization systems which testing was carried out by professional magazine Camcorder User (Great Britain). High quality and reliability of this unit which last years were estimated also by numerous Russian users are especially marked.

HandyMan 1000

HandyMan 1000 and HandyMan 1000C — Russian specialists prefer these models focused on digital cameras such as Canon DM-XL1s or Sony DSR-150P/170P which are actively used on TV for news and reports shooting. HandyMan 1000 and HandyMan 1000C are designed for load of 1.3…2.4 kg and 2…3.5 kg accordingly. Both devices of camera stabilization are provided with color LCD-monitor which also plays a role of a counterbalance, and its position may be control at two axes. Distinction of HandyMan 1000C from HandyMan 1000 is in that the former is provided with the heavier bar for installation of counterbalances and the counterbalances itself.

Stabilizer HandyMan 2000 is designed for the widespread shoulder cameras such as Sony DSR-250P or JVC GY-DV500 (with weight up to 4.5 kg). It is provided with a ring for easy panoramic shooting and the color 70-mm LCD-monitor. As the weight of the whole system “the camera + HandyMan 2000” is great enough (5 kg) that the operator would not tired during long operation, it is better to use sprang arm with the waist fastening EasyFlex, intended specially for use with hand-held models HandyMan. It redistributes the load over operator’s body and releases the hands.

If it is necessary to operate with cameras of different weight, the best case is purchase of universal set HandyMan Set. The compact case includes the complete set for operation with cameras by 0.7…4.5 kg weight. From components of HandyMan Set it is possible quickly to assemble any of hand-held steadicam from ABC Products.

HandyMan systems for heavy cameras

Steadicams for heavy cameras are applied in the large projects on TV and in film production. These devices open set of new opportunities for the operator and the director and allow to achieve full exposure of an image or its unexpected, unique interpretation without application of numerous equipment which is expensive and complex in installation.

HandyMan CN

The most modest by the dimensions and weight HandyMan DV represents the stabilizer for new generation of professional digital cameras with weight in the range 4…7.5 kg. It can be used for shooting of trailers, documentary and game programs, cinema and TV films. For its transportation the compact transport case is applied.

HandyMan CN steadicam as however and other models of these line, is also provided with shoulder-waist fastening and a powerful arm. The gross weight of the system is equal to 25 kg. In this case the bar is straight, instead of arc-shaped bar of hand-held models. It fastens to an arm by special hinge, and the operator in searches of a unique foreshortening may freely move the camera in any direction and under any corner. For the operative control of the image the monochrome 5" CRT monitor is used. Together with the container for two batteries such as NP batteries it plays a role of a counterbalance.

HandyMan CN Super is operated with the heaviest professional TV and video cameras in weight of 14…25 kg. The special waistcoat uniformly distributes the load over operator’s body, not holding down his moving. The arm with six springs, adjusted both for right, and for the left hand, completely absorbs the differed directed oscillations arising at moving and manipulations of the operator, and 40 bearings provide silent and out-of-friction operation of segments. Despite of the large weight of system, it is possible to shoot practically from any position for a long time.

Stabilization systems of ABC Products Company are simplified the realization of effective operator techniques and are expanded the margins of possibility, giving the maximum of freedom for creative imagination. What only the screen of cinema hall was amazed for the spectator earlier, now is quite capable to become a full part of any TV project. The main thing that HandyMan systems can give is a complete scope and internal exposure of almost any object to which the person with a camcorder may be raised, a unusual sight on habitual things and the world as a whole.

Material provided by Corporation D&K