Mark Schlicher

Posting my detailed Zephyr SD monitor test/comparison in the monitor section. Bottom line: Zephyr monitor in general tested 2/3rds to one full stop dimmer than the Flyer monitor, resolution is the same (less than full SD) but looks worse due to different scaling engine, off-axis viewing is generally worse. A disappointing step back instead of forward.

There is no separate HD version of the Zephyr, as far as I know. The video cabling is the same in both cases. As for the power cabling for an HD monitor, no idea how Tiffen handles it. If you buy your own HD monitor...depending on your monitor, you may well need to make an adapter cable. Some lower-end monitors (Lilliup, maybe Ikan?) use the same consumer-type 12v power connector as the Zephyr SD monitor. Others will require you to find or create an adapter cable. In any case, the easiest way to get up and running, I would think, would be to use the existing power/video cable for power only (using the existing connector or an adapter) and then run the separate HD-SDI video cable, tidying it all up with velcro, cable ties, etc. OR...if you have the A/B version of the Zephyr sled, you could create a D-tap adapter cable for your monitor and run power from the D-tap on the battery plate.

Here you go! Viewfactor powered cage, Redrock rods and bracketry, Hytron 50 above for weight, JA 6.5lb weight plate.

A few thoughts... The relatively inexpensive plastic Marshall monitors appear to be rebadged and marked-up Lilliputs, or maybe some other Chinese manufacturer. Although running HDMI outside the post is not the most convenient, it is not really a big deal if you keep it neat. Running cables from the front of the dovetail across the back of the monitor is still a pretty common way to handle certain configurations. Just yesterday I had a 5D job with a Flyer. Production supplied an SD Camwave and the only place to mount it was on the bottom battery shoe. Since the video feed on a Flyer is basically hard-wired to the monitor (non-pass-through) I had a splitter on top; I fed the monitor video through the post (per normal) and ran a second cable outside the post down to the Camwave. There was no problem operating at all. With an HDMI job on my Zephyr I'd probably use the same technique, using an HDMI monitor. It's just not enough of a problem to buy another box.

Dave, Hope this will further clarify: Tiffen supplies two BNC connectors on the top of the sled: one is marked for HD-SDI and one for composite video. On the bottom (see pics above) the composite and the 12v power are supplied to the monitor via a cable that terminates with an RCA and a small consumer-type 12v plug. There is also a BNC connector for HD-SDI on the bottom. If using an HD-SDI monitor you would need your own short HD-SDI capable cable to connect the sled to the monitor. They provide one HD-SDI video cable (which will also carry composite). So, on the top of the sled you connect that cable to HD-SDI or composite connector, whichever applies.

Yes, hdsdi and dedicated power. The rigs are identical except for the monitor, AFAIK. The SD Zephyr monitor is junk. Absolute rubbish. Nowhere near worthy of an otherwise excellent rig. Worse than the 5-year-old Flyer monitor, significantly worse. Sadly. Good luck getting specs on the HD or SD monitors from Tiffen, I think that getting the Marshall is a good way to go.

Hey, Ben, Most of the photo links on your site seem to be broken...

Hello, Daniel, Welcome. Congratulations on the Zephyr. I recently upgraded to a Zephyr from a Flyer and have been posting my first impressions in the Sled subforum. You will probably find the most welcoming atmosphere for beginner questions in the Steadi-newbies subforum. Also, a common and useful recommendation is to use the search function, as there is a wealth of knowledge archived on many subjects. That said, don't hesitate to ask, there are lots of folks here willing to help. I also strongly encourage you to take a Workshop. Aside from that, the most valuable resources for self-teaching are the EFP instructional DVD (which should have been included in your Zephyr package), the Zephyr manual (which is finally available now on the Steadicam website) and the Steadicam Operators Handbook, which is as close to a "Workshop in a Book" as you can ever hope to find. Good luck and happy flying!

Andrew, Haven't really looked into that. The only camera I have flown with iris rods so far is a Canon 5D and we used a Redrock Micro baseplate and extended rods, so that we could mount an A/B Hytron battery on a plate behind the camera for extra mass up top (I also used my 6.5lbs Janice Arthur weight plate and a Manfrotto QR). So, I don't know of bolt-on solution to the rods deal, but I feel like someone must have that answer...when I bought my used Flyer the wedgeplate was marked on the front underside with the words "Letus rods" in china marker by the previous owner. So, it wouldn't surprise me if the existing hole pattern on the wedgeplate is designed to match with some existing bracketry. Perhaps the folks at Tiffen know.

I've noticed a fit problem with many current Tiffen vests (LX, Ultra2, now the Zephyr), where the chest strap ratchet buckles dig uncomfortably into my ribs. This appears to be because the pads don't come around far enough to keep the buckle lifted away from my body, creating a pressure point. I'm curious as to whether this is a common complaint or something that is somewhat unique or distinctive to me.

There's an old thread about making sure one is on the studio's or production's insurance cert, etc. I wonder how this current discussion about having your own policy dovetails with the advice given in that thread. I assume that if the production has a liability and loss/damage policy that covers my equipment, then my coverage is secondary. My policy only becomes relevant if the production's policy is inadequate or absent, yes? Curious for real-world experiences, particularly from the perspective of work outside of the big companies.

If you have a female (vest-side) Flyer socket block available to you, then you can simply replace the fullsize socket block with the Flyer block. The hole pattern for the mounting screws is industry-standard, I believe. If you order one from Tiffen, the part number is 803-7801 and the cost was around $100 a year or so ago. Their ordering system is cumbersome so be prepared for that.

It is the same size as the Flyer...in fact I believe it is basically the same plate. The dovetail drops into place on the Zephyr, so it doesn't have the geared brass strip. What it does have, importantly, is a safety stop pin screwed into each end. This catches in a groove on the top stage to prevent the plate from sliding off accidentally.

Having to postpone the load test for a few days due to unexpected circumstances. Grrr.

Erik, Scroll down below the editing window and you will see an "Attachments" header. Directly underneath, a button labeled "Click To Attach Files". Use this button to upload photos. Please re-size photos before uploading for easier viewing.

Did some tests last night pitting the Zephyr SD monitor against the original Flyer monitor. Detailed notes and photos coming, but essentially the Zephyr monitor, at its default settings, appears less bright than the Flyer monitor. It does not exceed the Flyer monitor in any way that I could determine, and fell slightly short in a few.

Brian, Understood. Really two questions... 1. What does it actually lift in practice? 2. What is the explanation for the "impossible" published specs? Are they a typo or a result of some thinking on Tiffen's part that I can't quite understand (maybe having to do with the Tango)

Carl, Peter Abraham has confirmed that the arm post is removable and replacable with a 10-inch extended arm post, available for around $30 if I remember correctly. I haven't looked into see how the swap is done.

Did some more measurements tonight, as well as putting a payload up on the sled and balancing on the stand. Unfortunately, my Sony QR plate was misbehaving, so I was unable to mount it up on the arm, for the sake of the safety of the gear. Borrowing another QR plate tomorrow. Here's some observations: 1. A Panasonic HPX500 with Canon kit zoom, QR plate and dovetail and cables is 16lb 7oz. I set the gimbal slightly more than 1" below the topstage, and balanced with one Hytron 50 and A/B adapter plate (2lbs 6oz). Drop time 3 sec, post was extended to 22" (4 1/2 inches extension from the minimum of 17 1/2). Total weight of sled as configured: approx. 25lbs. Didn't use any Merlin weights and didn't fuss with dynamic balance, but it was fairly close. By the way, the first generation Flyer post is fixed at 17 1/2". 2. The overall outer dimensions of the arm are nearly identical to the first-generation Flyer arm, including the length and width of each of the bones. The only significant differences were A) the elbow is 1/2 inch wider (4" vs. 3 1/2") and the arm weighs a little more, due to the heavier springs, I suppose. 3. I only have my Flyer for a couple more days but I hope to be able to set up some objective tests to compare brightness and features with the new monitor. Hampered by lack of time. Tiffen has not yet provided any specs on the monitor. It does not appear to have image flip, but I can't be sure, due to a complete lack of documentation and no remote control. Once I solve the problem of having a safe camera platform (to clarify, this was not due to the rig, it was due to the camera's QR plate) I will add weight until I reach the 24lb limit, and see what that does to post length, battery weight, ability to DB, and what the arm can lift. As I noted before, the math of 24lbs payload and 30lbs arm lift does not add up, since the sled is over 6lbs by itself, leaving no allowance for battery/counterweights. More pictures of all this soon.

Geez...it's a beautiful Saturday, people...let's just all go outside and play. ;-) OK OK, I borrowed a camera and will do the promised tests today or tomorrow morning. But one thing is clear: the "official" published math doesn't add up! With a 24lb camera/AKS payload and a 6lb sled and 30lb arm lift capacity...that would allow a battery of...ahem...zero pounds. I wonder if the 30lb lift spec is a copy-editing error, perhaps a leftover from the old Flyer arm that the Zephyr was originally shown with? Anybody? Buehler? My real-world test will be "how much can the arm lift, and still float level"? We shall see...

Congratulations Amando!

Yes indeed! Also sturdier vertical spar and bridge plate, more rigid material wrapping the hips, and thicker pads compared to Flyer vest. New feature (very welcome for me) is that the shoulder clips are adjustable via thick velcro straps that hold them to the vest shell. Much easier to get a proper fit for me compared to the Flyer vest.

Jerry, Yes, two threaded holes on the bottom side of the top stage. Tried to upload a pic but couldn't for some reason...

Here are some initial measurements: Weight... Arm: 9lb 0oz Sled w/SD monitor: 6lb 5oz (w/o Merlin weights) Dovetail: 0lb 6oz Vest: 7lb 0oz Sled Length (min) 22 1/2 in (from top of camera stage to bottom of sled at centerpost) Sled Length (max) 36 1/2 in Grip dia: 1 3/4 in handle dia: 23 mm outer post section: 27mm inner post section: 23mm Random notes on construction: the topstage is made of metal with a composite outer shell that screws in from underneath and holds the video and power connectors in place. bottom stage is composite material and metal. Monitor and battery tubes are aluminum, borrowed from the Pilot design. There is a dovetail on the bottom of the sled for accessories, it looks like it's composite but on close inspection I believe is metal. There is also a 1/4-20 screw hole in the center of that dovetail. That's all I have time for tonight. Tomorrow I'm borrowing a heavy ENG camera for some further tests.

Wow. Well done. Thanks for sharing the video and the commentary. What is your rig?