Summary:
The Flyer is easy to set up and offers smooth
operations and steady movement. The dual Iso-Elastic arm functions just
like the more expensive arms but has fewer features and a lighter load
capacity.
Target Users:
Documentary, corporate, independent film directors/DPs/producers
What It Costs You:
$6,895 MSRP
What’s Cool:
Set up takes only 20 minutes and the unit works far better than other
stabilizers on the market in this or much higher price ranges. All you
add is your camera of choice and a battery.
What’s Missing:
The soft case holds all of the gear well, but it took too much time and
work to pack and unpack. A custom foam lined, hard shipping case would
be a better option.
RATINGS: Products are rated for features, performance, ease of use and
overall value on a scale from LAME, OK, SOLID, SWEET to HOT.
Specs
Frictionless, smooth Iso-Elastic performance for cameras four to 15
pounds; 30-inch double-section lifting range; tool-free, one-touch
lift-adjustment for each section; lightweight design; aluminum center
post
There are times when a director should consider replacing a handheld,
dolly or small jib shot with a Steadicam tracking shot to help enhance
or even tell a story. I used a Steadicam Flyer on a recent documentary
I shot for a martial arts program (involving several action scenes).
This is a budget-minded rig designed for independent film, corporate or
documentary directors and shooters.
The complete rig—including case, stand and hardware—will accommodate
cameras from four to 15 pounds. I was able to give it a try with the
Canon XL2 and was blown away by the Flyer’s performance. It was easy to
set up and offered super smooth operation and steady movement whether I
was running, walking or traversing stairs. The dual Iso-Elastic arm,
which supports the post with the camera, monitor and batteries and
absorbs the movements of the operator, functions just like the more
expensive arms but has fewer features and a lighter load capacity. The
arm can be adjusted simply, without tools. The Flyer arm has plenty of
vertical travel, at about 30 inches. I would have liked to try it with
a vehicle mount to see if the arm absorbed bumps and vibration of
driving as well as its bigger brothers do.
The unit’s 17-inch, aluminum post does not telescope like the more
expensive models, nor does the Flyer support HD cameras at this time,
but a new version for a 24-volt film camera was just released (the new
F24 Flyer, introduced at this year’s NAB). The Flyer supports both NTSC
and PAL and has options for three common battery mounts. The unit can
also be used in "low-mode," where you flip the post upside down to get
low-level or upward angles. The bright, color LCD monitor works
reasonably well, although I found it hard to see sometimes when
shooting outdoors. It works for both 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios and
consumes little power.
Overall, I was impressed by how close Garrett Brown, Jerry Holway and
the Steadicam team have come to duplicating the smooth control of the
more expensive models in a low-priced package. The new vest is very
comfortable and easily adjusts to different users. The Flyer brings
small producers like myself the Steadicam look at a price that
typically only larger studios can afford.
With an investment in the hardware, and one or two of the Tiffen - sponsored training workshops, you’ll see how easily this unit will
become a part of your everyday gear. How you use it to enhance your
next project is up to you.
