Peter Abraham

-Grin- Well, yes. We do disagree sometimes but have a great time doing it !!! :) It isn't just whether it's harder to turn one kind of arm's lifting bit than another. It's the field of view. I owned a Model I, II, IIIA, Master Series, Flyer and now G-50 arm. When needing a wrench to adjust, one simply has to remove the sled and arm to reach the lower socket heads. Even with good Zen, you look like a fumbling fool trying to get a wrench in down there. Regardless of L shaped wrench or T handled wrench, applying enough very even upwards force to keep a wrench shaft properly inserted into a socket head that is facing downwards is a bit of a trick. Need to undock far from the stand? That's what tables, railings, benches and Grips are for !! Then if truly needed, you can pop off your arm and make a quick adjust to the 4 socket heads. Rare situation, that. Best to all, Peter Abraham, S.O.C.

I designed my sled to be 100% HD live-centric. 3 HDSDI lines ( who uses only two ?? ) 3 Dedicated 12 V high amperage power lines I can fly a DSLR in a lightweight cage with FF at 12 lbs or a heavily laden Broadcast camera package at 35 lbs. -shrug- Easy to do. The analog wiring currently being used will rapidly be outdated because more HD live cameras are feeding back HD Program signals. True, we can request Program down the Standard Def Prompter feed for now. But if I'm running a Teleprompter and my Return Program Monitor, that Prompter jack on the back is committed. In designing the wiring for my sled, I abandoned all Hirose and all Standard Def wiring. I left room for chassis-mounted micro Fiber connectors. Soon enough we will leave metal HDSDI BNC jacks behind for fiber outputs on camera bodies. Rob Vuona's input on the Shadow (nee Phantom V ) was priceless and quite well thought out. Lovely rig, that. Peter Abraham, S.O.C.

Delighted to answer this. It was a Steadicam Operator named John Cooper out of D.C. He worked for the CBS portion of the Pool Feeds. He accompanied the POTUS and First Lady from the Capitol to in front of the White House. I operated my Steadicam in front of the White House during the Parade. I was hired by ABC to do the portion of the Pool Feed in front of the White House. John joined the Parade portion after about 70 minutes. He was on an RF rig, I had to use Fiber. He was able to wander through the parading groups. I walked a narrow path to one side. He's a fine fellow and it was a pleasure to share the area in front of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue with him !! Attached is a shot I snapped between my shots during the rehearsal day ( it was 60º out !! ) Best to all, Peter Abraham, S.O.C.

We need to read this more than once because it speaks volumes as to what is occurring in our business. Well said, Steve. Peter Abraham, S.O.C.

Hi Mark, Thanks !! Glad to be back. Yes I have tried the Klaussen vest. When the front panels are ratcheted closed properly, the compression on my internal organs and the inner pressure against the broken L-3 vertibra ( which broke inward. Had it broken outward, I'd be wheelchair-bound ) made for a fair bit of pain. I'm an odd situation here, what with the stable but unhealed fracture there. Admittedly most others don't feel this when trying a Klaussen vest. It's very heavy. Heavier by far than a U2 vest or PRO vest. By comparison, the Exovest I'm flying is lighter than a U2 vest. It matters. Just my personal experiences with the vests. A note to add. I've had every iteration of main upper back pad that have been tried so far on the Exovest. The combination of different foam materials is just right. Distributes the pressures very evenly I wore it for the first time on the Presidential Inaugural broadcast. 2 hours on my body nonstop. The pads for upper back and the waist pads are extremely comfortable. Best to all, Peter

The more workshops you take, the more different points of view you can draw upon. Balance that with the fact that most people wish to take one workshop initially and then work on their core skills. Both SOA and the two Tiffen Classic Workshops held in the USA as well as the Gold Silver and Bronze Workshops held in Europe are extremely focused on skills. I taught all of the 2 Day and 3 Day Workshops in North America for 5 years for Tiffen. Did we use only Tiffen Steadicams? Of course. Did I refuse to help out a student who needed guidance on how to wring what they could from another brand? Nope, never. If you are committed to pursuing this as a career, then take comprehensive training. That is to say, take a workshop from Instructors who are Operators with careers that reflect an immense depth of experience. It's irrelevant whether or not they shot a movie in the last year. What is most relevant in taking training in any complex pursuit is to make sure that you are learning from masters. From people who have invested decades in not only perfecting their own skill set but in working through the ONGOING ( and always fascinating ) process of deconstructing the skill set. How you are taught and the depth of information and experience brought to you as a student is infinitely more valuable than the brand name on the side of the gear. Ask around. Find out who has trained with deeply seasoned Operators who also are superb Instructors. No one person can dictate what training is right for you- nobody has that right or power and equally importantly, only you should decide what first steps you should take in pursuit of our noble craft. Feel free to email me with any questions ! Best to all, Peter Abraham, S.O.C. peter@steadicamproductionservices.com 26 Years Steadicam Operator 20 Years Steadicam Instructor Recent Credit: Presidential Inaugural Broadcast. 3 Days Ago. :)

Hi Manny All good, I have several cages in steel and aluminum. Was trying to help out the fellow who started the thread. :)

I'm in. Will PM you.

Hunting for a second dock. Old school, not the Hill dock. Got one on the shelf to sell? PM me please. Best, Peter Abraham, S.O.C.

Sunlight kills bacteria. Oxyclean also does a lovely of that !!

Maybe a little bit off topic, but I think Janice Arthur, Laurie Hayball, Jessica Lopez and several others may not agree with you here Mattei And Bex and Liz and Sheila and Kat and Heather.......... And yes, civility.

Looking for a well-balanced IIIA gimbal. Best, Peter

Charles, I have a ginormous Heden 32 pitch gear mounted to an M26P. Clutch in lovely tight shape. Will that work or is that a focus only motor? You can use it for few weeks, but it's not for sale. Does this help ? Best Peter

The fore/aft angle is identical to the other vests I've worn. The pivoting is outside of both axis of adjustment on the socket block. In fact, as pointed out, the arm bridge/ socket block remain "quieter" because of the pivoting.

First of all, we will get together so you can try it out !! Second of all, I am aware that the vest segments pivoting allows me to not force my body to hold to the same rigidity. I can walk in a more natural manner in terms of torso rigidity. No question about it. What's taken a lot of getting used to is just that- I overcompensate for the pivoting and for the first few jobs, was quite sore as a result. My brain knew the vest was shifting as it should have on its pivot points. My body was trying to hold the vest as though I were wearing my old MS vest. I got over that. :) Cannot imagine wanting to reduce the degree of pivot. I've run, walked stairs live during the Election broadcast, switched, sat down on a shot. The degree of pivot seems a great choice. Chris- what is the degree of pivot now?

Hi, Any sales/pricing/demo availability issues should go to Dan Ikeda. James, The only time I wore a back-mounted vest was in 2002. It compressed all abdominal organs and was uncomfortable, and is not an option I would consider. ( Anyone else's mileage may vary and please let's not start a flame war over any one vest. I'm answering a direct question regarding what I have tried on... ) In my experience, the Exo vest is lighter, does not compress any internal organs and does not feel the same on the upper back as the back mounted vests do. The vest did not shift up and down while running with a big rig. I have not tried running with a lighter camera- a good question you asked, Alan. I can try a running shot on Thursday. On that day, I'll have an aluminum cage, Canon 5D and 22mm wide angle lens. As I stated above, a core feature of the vest design is that it shifts several degrees at the four pivot points. Instead of interfering with good operating, it enhances it. The elements pivot slightly with every step. When I run, I'm more aware of the pivoting because it occurs more rapidly.

Good evening, I've been one of the beta test operators using the new Exo™ Vest. Since the summer, it has been the only vest I have flown with. Before detailing the experience of using the Exo vest, my back story. ( pardon the pun ) 26 years as a Steadicam Operator. In 2000, I fell at home and broke my L-3 vertebra. 20 months later after no real healing I shot my last large rig shoot on the Rosie O'Donnell show in the spring of 2002. 5 years of work with a custom-built lighweight rig followed, then 5 years as the Director of Technical Services for the Steadicam division of Tiffen. I resigned that position this past July to return to full-time Operating. The reason I was able to do so is because of this vest. The break point in my lower back has slowly healed up. All traditional front-mounted vests ( regardless of branding ) make use of the same fundamental design. Using proper posture, any of the myriad front-mounted vests ( all of which are based on the original patents as far as the major elements ) provide proper distribution of the masses worn. Most if not all of you reading this post have tried or owned a front-mounted vest at some point. It is clear in using the new Exo Vest that the radical new elements of the design allow for a different feel. Because the weight is now resting on the pelvic saddle front and back, the lumbar area- my area of concern- is left unburdened. Some of the key features add to the high level of comfort and complete control that I've been experiencing since starting with this vest ( in no particular order ): 1. Open architecture is what I call it. Chris' design of rods and pivoting plates coupled with slender waist panels and only four pad contact points allows for a tremendous amount of heat shedding. A great thing ! No large areas of foam rubber pressed against me. I look forward to using this in extreme heat and feeling cooler. 2. The vest is quite light in weight. 3. The weight rests on the pelvic bones. The utter lack of compression of my ribs and my internal organs is quite comfortable. 4. The upper and lower pivot points front and rear allow for a new feeling. As I walk, and especially as I run, the pivot points shift and allow the vest components to move with me. At the same time, the socket block/ arm bridge plate is remarkably "quiet" in movement. This pivoting motion lowers the amount of work my torso has to to do keep the vest rigid as I move. A more relaxed and natural stride is the result for me. ( Within 10 minutes of first trying the Exo vest at the 2012 NAB show, I ran down the carpeting for 20-30 feet just so I could check out the pivoting action ). 5. My shoulders do not bear much of the weight. The ease of adjustment in the shoulders allows me to set the rods front and rear so they do not touch my body. 6. The waist straps are something I still experiment with. It's a real personal feel thing- sometimes I want the over-centers clamp that locks the waist strap to be very tight. Other times, I try it so it's firm but not very tight. Either way, the vest does not shift on me. This is a fundamental change from other vests I've owned where a very loose waist strap assembly meant a side shift of the lower area of the vest and loss of good arm/socket settings. I've noted no shift as I've explored different amounts of tightness. 7. The pads are easy to adjust on the way to the perfect placement on my pelvic bones. The first few jobs were an exploratory process- as is the case with any new gear- but the placement became apparent and I've not shifted the pads around in a few months. 8. I get it on and off a bit faster than my old vest. Two closing points accounts for this. ( So-called standard front mounted vests use Shoulder, Chest, Waist and back-straps. 4 closing points ). Not a huge deal since we all simply do what we must to lock our vests on, but another distinct difference. 9. The contact point between the shoulder blades is quite comfortable- the result of many months of testing different foam combinations ( type, density and thickness ) until the right blend was arrived upon. My socket block settings are identical to those I use on a traditional front-mounted vest. The travel vertically afforded me now is huge. Since there are no chest straps, I can raise the socket block higher before it hits the clamp for the front rods. A nifty feature for when a longer arm post isn't quite enough. The prototype I've been using is not fitted with an emergency quick-release. I do feel they are a good idea. My understanding is that there is one in the works for the production units. I don't know what the vest is selling for or when it will go on sale. I encourage anyone interested in trying the Exo Vest to contact Dan Ikeda at: dikeda@tiffen.com . I'm not an employee of The Tiffen Company and I do not stand to profit in any way through sales of the Exo Vest. I encourage other beta testers to chime in here. For my part, this is the last Steadicam vest I am ever going to own. Any questions, by all means post them here and I'll be glad to answer them. Best to all, Peter Abraham, S.O.C. peter@steadicamproductionservices.com

Hi Scottie, welcome !! This is beyond a Zephyr or even a particular manufacturer. Anything with screws can have them work loose. When the gear is transported by airplane, or used on vehicle mount, screws work loose even faster. Rocking with the camera/ dovetail place interface is always a problem when you have an uneven or very small surface. Notably offensive in this area are the Sony EX1 and EX 3 bodies as well as the entire range of Canon XL cameras. ( Both SD and HD ). The footprint of "grab area" is small and sometimes not dead flat. Two cheap and very effective solutions exist. The first is the universal solution used by camera assistants: Take a 1" strip of camera tape and run a few inches on either side of the mounting hole. This adds a slight bit of padding and "grab" as you bolt the plate to the camera body. Even on very large cinema cameras, if given only one 3/8-16 threaded hole, the potential for sideways rotation exists. ( Especially when you whip pan ! ). Using a strip of camera tape on either side stops this for the most part. The same trick will allow the plate to be much more firmly bound against the surface of the bottom of the camera. Lacking camera tape, go to Michael's Arts Supply or AC Moore Arts Supply. Ask where they have the 1 foot square foam rubber craft sheets. Buy one. ( Less than $ 2.00 USD ). Cutting a panel of this very thin closed cell foam rubber and making a gasket will eliminate a heck of a lot of gap. No gap, no shuddering in the shot due to vibration at this source. Others posting here are correct, though- check every single thing you can. Especially on the Flyer of all Generations, check the screw holding the monitor in place. If you've lost the "O" Ring, you'll get vibration from that. Tiffen can get you a new one of the proper fit for very little money. Also, is there a viewfinder on the camera? If it's a type that sits off to one side, they are notorious for vibrating. Tape or zip tie it down. Ditto with a shotgun mic on the side of the camera body. The rubber isolation mounts allow the mic to jiggle as you walk. Anything that can vibrate will given the opportunity. The gimbal and arm are miraculous at removing body motion and isolating the sled, but if something on the sled itself is not nailed down, you will get shuddering. Out of curiosity, which generation Flyer are you using? Best, Peter Abraham, S.O.C.

Eric does raise a valid point- the spreadsheet currently being constructed shows no home or business address information. I've gotten some strong feedback today indicating interest. I'm taking this off-board for now and as interest continues to build, I will offer folks a chance to look at it and join in if they wish. 100% free. The document people get will be locked and uneditable. I figure once compiled it will be easy to add to the group every month or so and do a new bulk email to share the current list. This is a worldwide Steadicam Operator support document- it is by no means meant to be America-centric in use. Sadly, I only speak English so if you're writing to me with questions by email, please write in English or have your note translated ! Let me know if you're interested. Best, Peter peter@steadicamproductionservices.com

Yes, I get the social aspect of knowing people in a city and hanging out. That has nothing to do with this idea, just to be clear. I'm not anti-socializing. I'm pro-information in an emergency. Look, this happened twice yesterday. ( I agree with Alec's post by the way. They needed an experienced Owner/ Op who could handle a large 3D rig ) The other call was from a former Workshop student of mine. I've got over 1,300 people who fit that bill but this guy I did remember. He was in a city and did not have his mounting plate. ( If you've never lost, broken or forgotten a part, you haven't been in Steadicam long enough. It happens. To seasoned professionals. ) Fellow asked if I knew anyone in the city where he was. I gave him two phone numbers off of my cell phone. Did he have time to log into the Forum, put up a post and hope someone in that city saw it? Well no not really. Not at all in fact. He reached out fast because he lacked a list of comprehensive information. If I was in that situation and had the most recent Help Me Out ( HMO™) excel sheet on my laptop or smart phone or printed out, I'd have made the calls directly and saved myself and production valuable time. One of the people I put him onto got someone else involved and did a drive-by and dude got a mounting plate. I also love socializing with my fellow creatives. This is about putting out fires, not about drinking alcohol. I was interested in trying to help people put out fires. See, this fellow has borrowed a plate so he could do his day's work and move on with it. ( Having ordered a new plate of course ). He has no time to take the loaning party out for drinks- and sometimes we just don't have that time when on the road. Fair to say that people initiate ideas and move them ahead without the blessings of the Forum. Anyone interested in sharing such data is more than welcome to email me directly and I will coordinate the effort and share it with those who contact me. The SOA Database is terrific and perhaps the thing to do is work with Jay to make it a more portable document so we can all share there. Best, Peter

Did you find the culprit?

Never mind then.

Seems to me that as our community has grown exponentially, we still know a fairly small bit about what each of us use. I got a call a few hours ago from a stranger. He is in southern coastal NJ. NOT a great place to be these days. He needed to get ahold of the new PRO arm, that can lift 80+ pounds. I had little in the way of advice for him, aside from giving him Alec's number. I suppose Timi needs to weigh in on this, but I ask our community at large: would you participate in a project here solely made up of a laundry list of those items you own that you would let go of in an emergency? Just to be very clear. Many folks would not want to post a thing. All well and good. Nobody is judging. But it is a valuable thing to KNOW that if I am in Chicago and my arm is stolen, who has a similar arm and has indicated a willingness to loan or rent it out. If this flies, it could exist in spreadsheet form. I'll be glad to do the grunt work, because copy / paste takes seconds. Any member here could download the spreadsheet in whatever form it is currently in. I will be glad to post up a template excel spreadsheet for folks to ponder, comment upon, etc. Once it seems solid, I'd take emailed submissions and combine into one spreadsheet. In addition to helping each other out in a pinch, it could beg a source of revenue for the gear owner. Thoughts? Best to all, Peter Abraham, S.O.C.

Must it be wireless ?

Please contact Derek Hester at the Tiffen facility. He can help you with this. There is a solution. Derek Hester. Dhester@tiffen.com 818 567 7917 Best, Peter Abraham, S.O.C.