CobraCrane 210056 SteadyTracker UltraLite

Comments about CobraCrane 210056 SteadyTracker UltraLite:

The results are good enough for the price. Set up was a bit more difficult than advertised, more because of a woefully vague instruction manual than actual product complexity. One quick trip to the manufacturer's YouTube channel, however, and it was set up and balanced.

It does take some practice, mind you. The first time you try it you're probably going to be thinking you wasted your money BUT you need to practice/play with it for a day or so. Once you get the hang of it then you'll be zooming all over the place.

Comments about CobraCrane 210056 SteadyTracker UltraLite:

I purchased the steady tracker altra lite for real estate walk throughs all though the altra lite works well to eliminate camera shake but it's hard to stop the wobble from side to side.. But it's easy to correct that problem in final cut X image stablizer.

Comments about CobraCrane 210056 SteadyTracker UltraLite:

I use this product with 2 DSLRs and one Canon video camera and have found it incredibly useful in my work. The until is very portable and light, yet is able to keep the camera steady while shooting moving subjects outdoors. I ordered an extra quick-release plate for my cameras and have been quite pleased with how fast I can make the switch. All in all this is a very durable and useful product. I've found Cobra Crane products to be a good value and quite durable.

Comments about CobraCrane 210056 SteadyTracker UltraLite:

For you folks using smaller "mini" cameras, like the FlipHD or the iPhone or similar cameras, just use your monopod and the Gary Fong iPhone clip. Find the center of gravity (the balance point along the shaft), hold it there, while you shoot and boom, instant Steadicam for your mini cam. We've been using it to teach kids how to shoot quality video on the Flip Camera for a few years now.

Comments about CobraCrane 210056 SteadyTracker UltraLite:

I purchased the SteadyTracker UltraLite to use with my Panasonic Lumix GH2 for wedding shoots. I found it really easy to balance, and after experimenting with grips and pad placement it's capable of producing very smooth pans and tracking shots. Of course, it won't be the same as setting up dolly tracks or using a far pricier steadicam/vest set up, but for the amount I spent, I think it's a very reasonable alternative.

I've found the best placement of the grip pad is about two thirds up from the base, and maybe one finger on the actual pole for some support. Dutch angles are surprisingly smooth. Definitely practice with it before going out in the field, and don't expect to have much on it aside from your camera.

Comments about CobraCrane 210056 SteadyTracker UltraLite:

Hello
This is way cool. Go get a broom. Balance the broom stick in the air
with 2 fingers - horizontal. You have found the Center Of Gravity. When you put a
camera on one end of a stick and then hold the stick at the center of
gravity and walk around your shots will be smooth. Very steady.
Brilliant design. Perfected.

No Gimble required. The Center Of Gravity works for smooth steady shots. I have shot with Super 8 Film Camers. It works great with my Flip HD, Kodak Zi8 other video cameras up to 3 lb. I am delighted with the smooth shots. It's just me - but the shots look like I have dolly track laid out and a dolly grip team.

Quck. Grab it and shoot. Use it all day long.

JOHN LONGENECKER

Comments about CobraCrane 210056 SteadyTracker UltraLite:

The unit was a bit difficult to use and balance. Does not work well with a small camcorder. Straight out of the box the units feet were out of balance and even when I attempted to even them out the screw holes depth restricted how much I could adjust the level. Too expensive for the value or performance it provided.

Comments about CobraCrane 210056 SteadyTracker UltraLite:

As a rig in itself, the SteadyTracker UltraLite is ok. BUT if you need to move your camera from this rig to let's say a tripod or a portable dolly, you'll waste a lot of time removing the camera from the base plate. The quick release plate doesn't help in such cases either because they're not compatible with other base plate brands. I miss a lot of crucial shots in the process.

Because of the poor workmanship, I've also gotten slight injuries and scratches trying to unscrew bolts for quick adjustments during a shoot.

The quick release plate which you have to purchase separately, is terrible for HDSLRs as the knob theat tightens the plate to the mount bumps the wide SLR camera body so you can't adjust the tightness while the cam body is in place.

Bottom line: This is not for shoots where you need to do fast rig switching. If you plan to shoot with just this rig, then it's fine.

Comments about CobraCrane 210056 SteadyTracker UltraLite:

I'm not giving 5 stars because I had an issue with the quality control. The Steady is very nice, well build, easy to set up, made with an extraordinary strong material, however mine had the hole in the base a little off the center, and I had to have it drilled, giving me a hard time, this things should not happen [...]

Comments about CobraCrane 210056 SteadyTracker UltraLite:

Real Estate , Travel, Home videos

Comments about CobraCrane 210056 SteadyTracker UltraLite:

I don't know other people, but for mine,the two part's screw hole dosen't match each other very well,(between monopod & steel Plate) I need to force the screw(use hammer) into it. it's still work...

Comments about CobraCrane 210056 SteadyTracker UltraLite:

It really did the job! I was not expecting much from a piece of metal, but after I ran around the house and play the video back it really did something I wasn't expecting.

Comparable to those $1,500 steady cams!

Highly Recommended.

Comments about CobraCrane 210056 SteadyTracker UltraLite:

I use this with my Sony CX550V. It takes a little time to get the feel for this thing. I think it's a decent alternative to some of the pricier options out there. Basically, if you need to run with your camera...this is a nice option, it really does help smooth things out. It does come with a stadard mounting screw so that you can mount your camera to the adjustable plate. So you don't actually have to buy the quick detach kit that is offered to get started.

Comments about CobraCrane 210056 SteadyTracker UltraLite:

I have had the steady tracker ultralite for about 8 years. The same one. I recently had to replace the little pad that rests on your hand as it was wearing down, and I had lost one of the plastic feet and had to replace that, but this is for me the best stabilizer out there. I got amazing running and walking shots, I hold it way over my head for overhead shots, I stand it on the ground with the camera on it when I'm not using the camera, I pay, I dutch angle, I truck and dolly.

My one suggestion is to combine it with a manfrotto removable camera plate mount. I have the same mount on this, my tripod, and anything else, so I can take my camera from one thing to the next, easily. I never have to adjust it, or weights or anything, I check the balance on occasion and if almost never need to tune it up, and I have shot with a Panasonic DVX100A, and now the HMC 150. The only thing is the handle is now placed all the way at the top. The other thing is after extended use on a day you'll have a slightly sore back, but stretch and you're good.

Is it as good as a glidecam, almost footage wise, but way better in every other respect. 8 years!!! It's strong and durable and I'm buying another for one of my shooters, because it's just that good. Love it love it love. Best piece of equipment I own, use it all the time. Excellent price. You won't regret it, you just need to get used to it, and it's easy and great to use.

Comments about CobraCrane 210056 SteadyTracker UltraLite:

I've found it helpful for making ENG-type shots a lot less shakey, etc. It's not a steadi-cam and shouldn't be thought as a true replacement for one. I leave my Sony SR11 mounted on it and really like to quality I get when shooting spontaneously.

Comments about CobraCrane 210056 SteadyTracker UltraLite:

You can not beat this one with any other related equipment, since it's the cheapest (not by that low quality) stadycam in the market, and it's the easiest one for anyone (since it doesn't use fest or any other extra equipment), you will be using it like a pro in less that 5 minutes, guarranteed.