Mark Schlicher

Got a call for a live low-budget concert multicam shoot end of this coming week with my Flyer. Cameras will be Pana HVX200 and HPX170's. We'll be recording iso to the cameras' P2 cards, and will also be tethered via HD analog component for a live-switched webcast. Since the HVX200 doesn't have a simultaneous HD component and SD composite output, I will need a splitter/downconverter in order to feed my composite SD Flyer monitor (alternatively I am considering swapping out my sled monitor for an HD monitor that I own, which has HD component inputs. Alas, no loop-through.) In that scenario, I would need a splitter/proc amp that would properly split the signal without degradation. This could very well be a one-off situation so my inclination is to try to rent rather than buy. I'd welcome and appreciate any suggestions/solutions/cautions/sources that anyone has.

Just a note...I'm back from my two-week out of town series of shoots, and able to respond to calls and messages again. I will be shooting with my rig next Saturday the 29th but able to part with it after that.

It has all the advantages that the old Flyer had over the Pilot. Off the top of my head... -heavier payload (15lb for the Scout) -beefier post/gimbal -better/more rigid vest (basically a Flyer vest I believe) -slightly longer arm with more vertical travel -I believe it has a better topstage but not sure And it maintains the Pilot's clever inertial weight system and static/dynamic balancing design.

Used Flyers are also a good value, quite capable with a 15lb (original model) or 18-20lb (LE model). You can find a used original Flyer for very near the price of a new Pilot, and have the capacity to fly both dslr's and heavier cameras, up to and including some broadcast class HD cameras such as the Panasonic HPX500. I'm selling my used Flyer on the forum right now, because I am upgrading to a bigger rig. They come on the market fairly regularly. If you firm on buying a new rig then the Pilot is definitely your only legit choice in your price range.

I've had a serious offer for my Flyer from a local rental house. They want it bad. I have very mixed feelings, because I hate to see the rig take the beating a rental unit might, especially after the care I've taken. Also because their offer is part cash, part trade...and I'd rather do an all-cash deal. But I also am chomping to put the order in for my new rig, so I may take it if other interest doesn't materialize soon. So, if you're interested, now is the time to contact me. I'll do my best to make you a smokin' deal. Email mark (at) sunporchmedia (dot) com this weekend.

By the way, please feel free to contact me by phone....615 294-5671. I'm traveling for a couple of weeks on shoots starting on the 12th and out of phone contact for much of the time, so call before I leave if you can.

Making way for my next rig...so offering my Flyer rig with hardcase for $4100 (V-mount, with no batteries/charger) or $4600 (with two V-lock to Anton-Bauer adapter plates, two newly-recelled Hytron 50's and a one-position Titan (Tandem) charger/power supply.) This rig has served me extremely well. It's in excellent functional condition and has only minor scuffs from use. I've added some small, but very useful upgrades. Details below. 15lb payload capacity allows you to fly everything from a DSLR to Panny HVX200, HPX170, HPX300, AF100, Sony EX1, EX3, etc. etc. At just under 15 lbs, I've flown Panasonic's HPX500. It flies like a dream. I'm 5'7", 165 lbs so this rig has the compact vest ($500 additional value). If needed, you can easily convert it back to a fullsize vest yourself by replacing the vertical spar and/or the Y-spar. I can also do this for you for the cost of parts. If you are roughly my size or smaller, the compact vest is probably your best bet. I'm right on the edge between the two vest sizes. Included: -Original aluminum-post Flyer, all black sled and arm, excellent condition -Compact Flyer vest, all black, excellent condition -hardshell Thermodyne Steadicam case, foam is in excellent condition -standard def Flyer monitor, 500 nits -V-mount battery mount (optional Anton Bauer adapters, batteries x2 and charger) -original-style Steadistand -docking bracket -hex wrench -original cables: video (bnc), power (2 pin lemo to 4 pin xlr) -remote control for monitor -camera screws and locating pin, etc. -original manuals for rig and monitor Extras and upgrades: -EFP training DVD -bottom stage upgrade: Kipp handles on both monitor bracket pivot points, for instant setup and adjustment -battery paddle upgrade: pivot has been upgraded with lock washer and Kipp handle for much easier dynamic balancing, and to eliminate slippage -camera stage upgrade: kipp handle for dovetail lock Pictures coming...but hey, it looks like a Flyer! :-) Local pickup in Nashville, TN preferred. Shipping/insurance costs extra, at actual cost (estimated $200 for continental US). PM me with any questions. I'm leaving town for a two-week job on January 11 so if you're interested, let's talk asap.

My short take: What is the maximum weight you think you will carry right now and in the near future? You're balancing (no pun intended) payload vs. acceptable level of performance (quality shots and ease/speed of setup and use in a production environment). 1. Merlin w/arm and vest is a very light payload. You should be able to get a used Pilot for around the same cost. If you will be using only lighter cameras then the Merlin or Pilot are the best bet. 2. Used first generation Flyer is a little more expensive (at probably $4000-4500) but well worth it for Steadicam quality, if you can stretch your budget and need the payload. The 15 lb payload can be stretched a couple of pounds to fly at least some of the broadcast cameras. 3. Never heard of Sobercam. Glidecam is well-known for its strengths and weaknesses. If you MUST have the payload and are locked into your budget, you must consider whether the rig will fight you, or limit or prevent you from executing quality shots. Finally, consider the cost of accessories, and the rig's resale value when calculating your TCO (total cost of ownership).

Yep, that all tracks with what Peter and Frank told me last week. Note that the Zephyr will be able to fly the full payload even when the (as-yet-unreleased) optional dual battery bracket is attached with two batteries below.

My understanding from Frank is that the dual battery option is on the way, relatively soon, but he didn't offer a specific timeline. With the single battery you could need to use a heavy battery or longer post, as you suggest...or the ASSY weights. But Frank confirmed to me that it is designed for full payload on top even with two batteries below. Still unclear about the battery portion of the payload. The Zephyr appears to be designed with one battery or 2 to 2.75 pounds at the bottom with the typical supplied batts. Is there weight spec based on this and one must extend the post to get it into line with droptime? If that is the case then you would have to put a Hytron 140 on the bottom the Zephyr, if you wanted a reasonably short post. I heard some rumblings a few weeks ago about a second battery mount but nothing further on it.

Yup, 24lb camera payload (including aks), per Frank and Peter last week. Sweet.

To second Peter's post, I followed his advice to flatten out the monitor arm and DB instantly became easier. I also tend to "table" the monitor (laying it nearly flat). With a roughly 8 pound HVX200 up top, my Hytron 50 is tilted out just shy of vertical. In my experience, the key is "a little goes a long way" when it comes to adjusting the battery paddle. I've replaced the hex bolt with a Kipp handle bolt (Tiffen can sell you one). This allows me to quickly loosen the battery, nudge it, retighten and recheck. I've also replaced the locking knob on the top stage with a Kipp handle, to make it quicker to adjust the fore and aft.

Thanks for this beautiful post!

In my opinion you shouldn't take less than $500-$700 a day on a typical Flyer gig if you have a reasonable skill level and at least some experience. ($200-300 for you, $300-400 for your kit rental). My "card" rate is higher than that, and discounts are only sparingly considered for jobs or clients that have some extra appeal or benefit to me. No, you're not competing with $1500+ big rig ops, but at $150 you'd be working for PA rates! and you're not only undercutting a reasonable rate for a Flyer, but you're undercutting basic video camera operator rates (which in my market range roughly $300-500 for non-union). Put another way, you'd be working for $15 an hour and giving away your kit rental. Not good! Or another way, let's say you bought your rig and related bits used for a smokin deal of $5000. At $150 a day you will have to book 33 jobs to pay off the rig...but you will have worked for free for nearly a month and a half in the meantime. Reminds me of the old joke about the local car commercial: "We lose money on every deal but we make it up in volume!!" So, if "guys like you" are taking $150 a day gigs, they may not be undercutting big rig jobs, but they are undercutting Flyer jobs, heck, they are undercutting Glidecam jobs! My tuppence... here is something that really perks my curiosity. Right now I have a Flyer LE and a bartech on order. My equipment is almost nothing compared to many of you guys and gals, my experience is even less. Quite simply it is absurd for me to ask 1000 a day, should I be worried about putting downward pressure on market value? If guys like me are taking 150 a day for rental on no-budgets while working as on 2nd AC on shows with budgets, it seems like apples and oranges. If I am out to lunch please say so.

Looks like my wife won't make it after all...but Travis and I are still planning to be there...

I've reported these scams to ebay in the past and my experience is that they have been prompt in pulling them down.

Still, the question was "buy" not "build." I've searched the forums in the past myself, and I never was able to find an answer to the "buy" question...

Peter, See you Wednesday...I'll be rolling in with Travis Hayes. My wife will be joining us also....

Agreed. The F3 and AF100 are the next game-changers in the lower budget indie film, commercial and music video worlds, as well as documentary. Meanwhile, I wonder if we'll ever see the Scarlet...

Eric, Thanks for the additional information. I'll look for the video on Vimeo, it sounds interesting. I read on another forum that the payload for the Zephyr was adjusted upward during the final phases of development, so that may be the reason that there is a difference between website and pricelist information. But the website info seems to be talking about the arm lift as 30lb. Peter? Frank? Well, first of all, that is the difference between the internet page information about the Zephyr and the Zephyr PDF price document information. But in these PDF documents, they talk about a 24LBS and 30LBS payload for the arm. In the Literature document they mentioned the 20LBS camera payload also. But the arm seems still almost 100% the same as the Flyer LE arm which was indeed slighty upgraded for that 20LBS. Don't forget that it's not just the arm, the gimbal is a very important part in the weight possibilities. The Scout has the same arm as the LE also the same gimbal. Because you cannot mount a second battery, the payload is max 18LBS. The Zephyr gimbal is a huge toolfree upgraded gimbal and don't forget, this gimbal is able to handle the Tango.. I think they mixed up some text information also. That 30LBS is also exactly the same info about the Archer 2 Sled information. The Archer 2 Sled (read: gimbal) is rated for 30LBS, 13.6KG. This is only in combination with the G50 arm. But the big differences sofar are: - The Zephyr vest is a big upgrade with ratches - Dropin stage with 2 videolines (including HD/SDI) + 2 powerin/outputs standard. - 2 seperate rods for faster dynamic balance. But you can only mount 1 battery below and not 2 as with the Flyer LE. More weight below makes it possible (within limits) to have a bigger payload on the topstage. In the future they will add a optional second battery mount but at the IBC all Tiffen guys including Garrett himself didn't had any idea how that second mount would look :) Or they all didn't want to tell me ;) There is a nice video on vimeo 'Steadicam’s New Zephyr and Scout - Part 1 on 10.8.10' and part 2 also where Peter is talking 2 hours about steadicam in general. He mentioned the Pilot, the Scout, the Zephyr and the Archer 2. He explained the payload differences, interesting says 'approx 15LBS for the Scout' and 'approx 22LBS for the Zephyr'. So, some final answers from the Tiffen people would be nice :)

Eric, I looked at the specs just now... "• 30lb (13.6kg) lift capacity no-tools (24lb (11kg) payload capacity)" Traditionally Tiffen's "payload" spec has meant camera and AKS ...in other words, if they are allowing for 6 lbs for sled, monitor and battery, then that would leave 24lbs for camera/AKS. It would be great if Peter A could weigh in to confirm what exactly the 24lb spec means... I also believe that the latest Flyer LE's had a slight payload bump to 20 lbs...?

Not a big fan of the Flyer vest either (I'm awkwardly-sized between standard and compact vest) and curious to see how the Zephyr vest stacks up. Just from reading it seems like the Scout keeps the Flyer's weight capacity and general capabilities, but adds a Pilot-like ability to tweak db and inertia. Is the Scout arm basically a Flyer arm or a different design?

John is one of the best live ops around, and a great guy, too. Based in Nashville and LA.

You're obviously taking a thoughtful approach, and the answer becomes "it depends". Will you soon need the flexibility of flying a variety of cameras, including some larger (or more tricked-out) ones? Flyer or Scout Do you care most about the ease of dynamic balancing, flexible monitor placement and control of pan inertia? Pilot or Scout Price the main consideration? Used Pilot, Used Flyer, Used Flyer LE, new Pilot Resale value in a couple of years if you upgrade? my guess would be Pilot or Scout (but they all will hold value better than any knockoff brand) I don't see any advantage of the Flyer LE over the Scout, given the Scout's pricing and features (plus its design advances). OTOH, if you can get a good deal on a used Flyer LE, you can get essentially similar capability for potentially less. All else being equal, if it were me, I'd spend a little more to get a Flyer or Scout, due to the increased weight capacity and the much better vest, and bigger arm. These are just some of the considerations. Given your market, any one of these rigs should do the job nicely.

There is no simple, one-size-fits-all answer, but taking a weeklong workshop will help answer several questions... I took up Steadicam at 55 years old. It offers an artistic, physical and technical challenge that I enjoy immensely. For several reasons I have currently limited myself to a Flyer, which I bought used, and which paid for itself in less than a year. It fits a market niche (documentary, local commercial and corporate work) that is serving me well. I continue to also work as a DP, camera operator, and video editor. My advice is to invest carefully, practice incessantly, network with other operators. Make a business plan, market to our existing clients and be prepared to lose money for awhile, while you gain skills and experience. Decide what kind of operating you like (films, music videos, multicam video, corporate communications, events, etc.) and make sure you have the special gear bits and skills to work in that area. If you have the passion, drive and innate talent, you can have a satisfying career even if you are starting "late." Remember that starting at your age gives you advantages, too...on-set experience and communication skills, maturity and professionalism, negotiating ability, technical skills, a practiced "eye", etc. Good luck!