2007General Discussion forum
Renting steadicam equipment in Asia versus shipping personal gear
19 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Rental rates for steadicam rigs in Seoul were quoted at very high levels compared to typical professional hire rates elsewhere
- Rental equipment quality in Asian cities can be unreliable, with multiple rigs from different companies sometimes needing parts combined to create one working system
- Shipping personal equipment involves insurance, customs duties, and baggage handling risks that may outweigh rental costs
- Checking equipment as regular luggage across multiple crew members can reduce excess baggage fees compared to dedicated shipping
- A five-year-old Steadicam Pro rig rented locally proved to be a workable solution at significantly lower daily rates than initially quoted
- The Satchler EFP vest requires proper adjustment by an experienced technician for comfort and fit, difficult to self-adjust
- Equipment rental from neighboring countries like Japan may be possible through international company connections but availability cannot be guaranteed
Depends on
- Discussion focused on specific 2007 events in Seoul with limited current applicability
- Rental rates and equipment availability in specific Asian locations may have changed significantly since 2007
- Personal experience reports limited to individual shoot outcomes without systematic comparison
- NTSC compatibility issues mentioned were specific to that particular shoot's requirements
- Airline baggage policies and excess luggage fees vary by carrier and have changed since 2007