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Hey gang! After having countless discussions on set about how to train for what we do, I decided to put together an article which outlines in detail; how to train and condition our bodies for the demands we face on set as Camera and Steadicam Operators! Please take a moment to check it out. Share it with fellow Ops! https://www.daviddesiocinematography.com/blog

Selling my back up X1 arm, hasn't been used and have decided to move it on. 9000USD or best offer. Don't wait and get a brand new arm without the wait. Comes in a custom case with lowmode bracket. Can ship worldwide at buyers expense. Arm located in Australia

Selling my Betz Wave, only reason is because I have 2 of them! I absolutely love these things. this one is coming straight back from Germany from service so it’s gonna be in tip top shape. comes with a pelican case i don’t have an extra betz plate but I believe they’re probably easy to order. asking 5500$

Good morning. The Zalex group of accessories started in 1992 with the prototype of a Broadcast video camera low-mode plate. First tested at the Steadicam Workshops in Rockport, Maine, it showed great promise and inspired efforts to make bits that serve my needs. Since that first effort, parts have emerged such as an overhauled Model I/II/III/IIIA Vest, drop-forged steel docking bracket for older sleds, the Longplate, LensLift lens support system, Tally Light Kit, Arm Repo Mount and other items. The full complement of Zalex accessories can be found at our website: https://www.zalex-products.com We’re pleased to share that we have just taken delivery of another 60 Longplates. The Zalex Longplate fits all stages from all manufacturers. There are currently over 350 Longplates in use worldwide. This is the longest, thickest and therefore most rigid, dovetail plate available. Some of the benefits of flying with the Longplate include: º Comes with hardware that allows an Alex/ Amira/ Venice/ Sony camera to be mounted directly to the plate. Stop using a VCT-type of plate and mount right to the Longplate. º Slotted to allow for mounting of 15mm rod clamps for follow-focus, Talent Monitors, lights and other accessories. º Pairs well with the LensLift support system. º Notched for the safety bolt used by some models of GPI/PRO, XCS and Sachtler/ Artemis sleds. º Fully slotted for 3/8-16 lockdown screws, the Longplate kit includes adaptors that allow for ¼-20 screw use as well. º Readily locks into a tripod adaptor to save time on sled-to-sticks turnaround. In addition to the Longplate, the Longplate-M fits the Tiffen Medium Stage sleds. These includes the Archer 2, Zephyr and Scout. Email me for pricing and shipping information at: peter@steadicamproductionservices.com Fly safe !! Peter Abraham, S.O.C.

Selling my extra LX vest with large socket block. QC’d by Tiffen and pads fully hand washed in March. No tears or defects. Comes with carrying bag. In great shape. $1,700 shipped. (*US ground shipping or I'll take off $50 for international buyers; buyer pays shipping)

Betz Wave For Sale Excellent condition. Comes with - 1x Tripodlokplate by Betz-Tools 1x power cable 1x Dovetailplate by Betz-Tools 1x Travel Case USD$6000 include shipping (Exclude insurance, tax and bank charges) Located in Singapore Interested Kindly PM to discuss

New style M2 SledCover Waterproof Lightweight Material Zipper Front for easy installation. WrapSnap closure around post Cable inlets Leg room for bigger batteries Can also be built for slim battery setups Rear battery access YKK Zipper System BongoTies / Pouch $265

I´m based in Chile, and wanted to invest 37.5K open to offers. thanks in advance to everyone.

Received an email from Daniel Crawford, interested in selling me his gyros. he sent me stock images, and stock videos that don’t belong to him , a Google voice number. He said he was a steadicam operator and was unable to tell me what rig he owned. Didn’t know what the 600 was and a few other red flags. Buyers beware.

Hi Folks, Hope you're all well. I have a brand new Trinity 2/Artemis 2 for sale. I purchased this for a movie that ended up getting shelved before the strike. It has never been on set. The kit has pelican cases for the head and the wheels but not the Sled. I was planning on doing a bigger custom case that I never finalized. It has all three axis wheels for when and if they ever come out with the pan motor for the Trinity as well as the wireless transiever to operate everything wirelessly. Everything is in great condition and works great and has only ever been built in a rental house. Pricing it for a quick sale at 80K, purchased everything for 90K from previous owner that basically transfered ownership from Arri to me that had purchased it for $95,745.99. Extra accessories from a normal Trinity package circled in red below. Located in Los Angeles. The items missing from the package are the CSS Long Steel QL plate 315 & 450mm and the 7inch and 5inch monitor mounts. I never used these as I rigged them differently. Please contact me for further information. All the best, Roham

Hello everyone, I am selling my Tiffen Exovest purchased last Year from Tiffen UK. It has only been used a few times over the last year and has only minor wear on the buckles. It comes with a soft bag and spacer pads in original packaging. Its based in Munich, Germany. i can sell locally or worldwide. Asking: 4.700€ +VAT if you are from Europe Original price: 5.249€ Buyer pays shipping. If you are interested or want to make a price offer send me a message.

Hi James, I sent you 2 DMs

Bump Betz Wave 1 - 5000 USD Small HD 503 - SOLD Eartec UL5S (1 Master headset 4 Remote Headset No Hub, 10 Batteries) SOLD Custom Easy XYZ 25KGs Vibration Iso w/Case (Tested but not used, still smells like the factory) 900 USD 6X DEAD Anton Bauer Dionic HCX, I’ll send them to THT for Recell if you want them, you pay for shipping and recell. 1x 4Bay AB Charger Not Simultaneous Charger 250$ 1x 2Bay AB Simultaneous Charger 200$ Open to all offers.

Getting rid of stuff I don't use. For what I do , the Volt is the right tool . Wave 1 in great condition. only used in studio for a project. Includes: case, blue plates with screws, little arm and weights. $5,250.00 Los Angeles area.

Please note that your account name has been updated to your real full name, James.

I think I can speak to the aluminum versus stainless debate, as I was the one who was selling stainless steel arm posts a couple of years ago. I have had several issues with aluminum arm posts over the years of using my PRO arm. For most people, I think the aluminum posts probably suit them fine. But, for people like me who tend to push their gear to the limit, I have found that every single hollow aluminum arm post I ever had eventually bent or cracked. Quite simply, with a long gimbal handle like an Ergo handle, or regularly flying 60+ pound sleds in low mode with an F bracket on longer arm posts (I spend a lot of time in high low mode with a 12" arm post), a 6061 aluminum arm post with 1/8" wall thickness won't hold up. I first noticed a bend in my 12", then upon checking I found that the 8" was even more bent and was beginning to crack at the bend, and after a couple more years I found that even the 6" arm post I was using had some stress cracks in the anodizing where the post met the shaft collar. I eventually switched to making my own arm posts out of 7075 solid stock, turning them to the correct size (several arm posts I purchased varied wildly in size - not good!), but I eventually decided to move to 304 stainless steel for my own arm posts. The thing I like about steel is that it doesn't tend to crack and fail spectacularly like Aluminum does, but it bends. I have put a 60+ pound sled on an 18" stainless arm post (304 with 1/8" walls) and while you can see the post bend, I am not worried that it will spontaneously crack if it is bent like an aluminum post does. For my stainless arm posts, I had a local aerospace grinding shop do a run of stainless tubing centerless ground to .621" diameter, +/- .0005" (they laughed and said that to them that was a mile wide tolerance!). I found that to be the sweet spot amongst all of my arm posts I had purchased over the years - measuring and averaging them seemed to come to that number. Some were as small as .615", some were as large as .623". Honestly, the stainless was probably overkill, but for me, it was an insurance policy against catastrophic failure, and that for me was worth it. You probably could offer solid arm posts that would do the same, or 7075 aluminum, but I know I liked the feeling of security I got from the stainless.

Yo Clean! If you speak of the post that goes in the arm and gimbal handle I have never experienced any issues with Aluminum. So no need for me.

Hi Mathis, Dig through the picture and history archives section of this forum. You’ll find a lot there. Additionally, I’m not sure how many old heads still hang out here. There are however two big Steadicam groups on Facebook. If you can get the attention of Charles Papert or Erwin Landau or Peter Abraham, I think those three have some of the most extensive archives for what you’re looking for. Best of luck!

I guess i need to add that the wheels in the picture aren't for sale, as well as anything else you may see in these pictures (bike, dead plants, etc.)

Bump! I’ll still honor the 5200$ on here (going for 5500 on marketplace) but it does come with a plate and spacer plates now!

@Jennie Jeddry SOC, a friend of mine wanted me to let you know he sent you a a direct message here on the forum with interest in buying your gimbal.

Juancho!!! Bienvenido al club!!

Nice system.

Hello , Betz Twister For sale. Excellent Condition.Used twice. 2000 usd plus shipping Located in NYC Best Alan Mehlbrech SOC

Hi all, I sell my backup/spare rig. It's a Smartsystem Matrix Extreme with lots of additional accessories. It's a 3G-sdi 12/24v sled with 3rd battery plate and which can power a Ronin 2 at the bottom of the sled with TB50/55. Volt upgradeable. Sled is bought new in 2019 and serviced/cleaned by Smartsystem last year. Very good condition with only minor scratches. The only "problem" is the docking bracket screw which no longer locks but this does not prevent the good use of the docking bracket. Come with a lot of cables for almost all camera setup, screws and custom hard case. Do not hesitate to contact me for any additional info/picture Asking 9500 euros + shipping Possibility to try it in Lyon (69), in France Ship worldwide nicolas-ferron@hotmail.fr

Sold

I am selling a Tiffen Steadicam Shadow/Phantom sled with Transvideo 8' Monitor package. It has good condition and everything works, sit on the warehouse for quite some time. Package comes with: Sled Steadicam plate Transvideo 8' Monitor + power cable Low mode bracket Jerry Hill Docking Bracket Hard case with foam Looking 13500USD + shipping Thanks

Hello gang, i see i overpriced these a tad, New Price - $2750.00 .....thx

Used it for the last 6 months! Bought new 1st owner. Its a great arm but I wanted to try the g70x because of the knobs! Im located in LA

Thank you Tim.

Hello everyone, How do I deal with a member ( KAPIL VERMA) that asks me on the forum about the Wave 1 that I have for sale since July 19 2023 and then I find out that he puts an Add on the Facebook group Steadicam Gear: RENT | SELL | WANT TO BUY on August 14 2023 , with the same pictures I took stating that the gear is in India? The Wave is with me, but some one is about to get scammed. I believe his account should be banned. Is confrontation the best option with scammers?

Bump

Upgraded!

Hello Everyone, After upgrading to another rig, I’m selling my Archer 2 sled with G50x arm, G Zoom, steadicam cube V mount batteries, two bay charger, arm rain cover, and thermodyne all in one hard case. No vest. Everything is in perfect condition. It was serviced by Tiffen 4 months ago and has been in the case since. I'm trying to keep things together but if there’s enough demand for each part individually I’d be open to discussing breaking it up. Asking $20,000 + buyer pays shipping. NYC based. Cheers, Noah

Hello everyone. Looking to sell my entire steadicam package. Deep dove into steadicam about a year ago and picked all this up. Unfortunately, recently, I suffered a medical setback that's going to prevent me from doing steadicam for the foreseeable future so it's time to find it all a new home. Perfect for the person looking to get into a comprehensive system top to bottom. I'm willing to entertain breaking it up into pieces but would definitely prefer to keep it all together as one package. The gear itself is in pristine condition, I'm pretty meticulous with my equipment. I've attached photos as well as a breakdown list of everything that's included in the kit. All in value wise I spent ~$69,000 (nice) on the package. Prices have come up a bit since then but willing to sell the whole thing for $58,000. I highly encourage anyone who is interested in it to come and try it out first. If you have any questions for me, please don't hesitate to reach out. I'm based in Los Angeles, would prefer a regional sale but will ship for the right buyer/arrangement. Key item highlights - Tiffen M2 Sled with Volt - Flowcine Xarm - GPI Pro Vest - SmallHD 703 and 503 (low mode) monitors - Yaeger Pro Cart - American Stand with Wheels - CineLevel - 6 Battery Gold Mount set + 1 slim (optional) for back of monitor - Multitude of Sled->Power cable options - Lots of accessories - Practice Cage

5500 USD or best offer. Thanks

Hi Gus,

if the monitor and battery c.g.'s are on the same plane, the camera c.g. should be centered over the main post, and the batteries and monitor shifted (or weight added) to get in static balance. Be sure the c.g's of all the components are on the same plane - that is all lined up as seen from the rear or front. Don't pan fast when testing, and don't get too stressed out about perfect dynamic balance. If the monitor is raised up from the battery c.g., then the camera will move rearwards, and the battery inwards to achieve dynamic balance. A higher monitor is better for viewing, and tends to promote better posture - no leaning over to see the image!

Hey Herman. An old thread but here is the gimbal taken apart. There are 2 pressure rings. 1 outer and 1 inner. Take a precision flat head screwdriver and get under the exposed end with the lip. gently slide the head around the circumference of the sleeve. It will easily pop off. Now the sleeve will come out. Just use finger pressure and wiggle back and forth. The ring holding the bearing is done in the same way. The bearing will come out the same way as well. While this is the way to get to the bearing it not to be done over and over as the rings will lose their tension over time. Putting it back together is just as easy. Just press the ring around the sleeve starting with the squared end in the channel and it will go into place. Same with the bearing. If you need to replace the bearing they are readily available online.

Up for sale is a smart systems X1 arm never used on the field just for a single practice session. Save waiting for back order and get this arm asap! selling for 9000 flat or best offer. comes with everything included when you buy it from the manufacturer. this gear was purchased by someone trying to get into Steadicam operating only to realize their passions in another field. Check out my other posts as well for sled/vest if you’re interested.

Selling Preston Single channel hand set with 8 rings and 3 generic FM50 batteries. Asking $3200.00. Prefer US buyers. Will ship via US Post priority service.

You should use a solid mating block when using a back mounted vest and you shouldn't have a problem... https://shop.walterklassen.com/products/gpi-pro-rigid-socket-adaptor I've been using this for years with my PRO arm... most Klassen users will have this. James

(1) Preston HU4 SN: 1359 (brand new - never used) (5) Focus Rings (brand new - never used) (1) MDR-3 SN: 1213 (1) Focus/Iris Hand Unit SN: 1718 (2) Heden Motors M21VE SN: 3543 & 3194 (1) Heden LM30 Motor SN: 00303 (2) 19 mm reduction insert (2) 15 mm reduction insert (3) 0.8 Gear (1) 0.4 Gear (1) 0.5 Gear (1) 0.6 Gear (2) Sony NP - FZ100 Batteries (1) Manfrotto Dual Charger (3) Sony NP-FM500H batteries (1) Sony BC-TRM single battery charger (3) Motor Cables (2) MDR Power Cable 4699 (2) Arri Power Cable 4721 (1) Cinetape Cable 4742 (1) Panavision Cable 4722 (1) Pelican Case Price: $24,500 224868572_IMG_15393.HEIC IMG_1540 3.HEIC IMG_1541 3.HEIC IMG_1542 3.HEIC IMG_1543 3.HEIC IMG_1544 3.HEIC IMG_1545 3.HEIC IMG_1520.HEIC 840993588_IMG_15213.HEIC 696653589_IMG_15383.HEIC 1714385918_IMG_15373.HEIC IMG_1536 3.HEIC IMG_1533.HEIC IMG_1531 3.HEIC IMG_1530 3.HEIC IMG_1529 3.HEIC IMG_1528 3.HEIC IMG_1527 3.HEIC IMG_1526 3.HEIC

Handsfree Transporter X2 (two InfoKeys included) last Service an Check 30.06.21 (original invoice existing) Handsfree Transporter Professional Kit (including Hardmount with socket block and knee steering) Parkingstand wristband Batteries Check 30.06.21 (original invoice existing) 4,94A 95% 5,44A 105% Please ask for a price with all extras - if you have a serious interest. Located in Germany (Cologne) Buyer takes care of shipping and all fees No guarantees or returns - private sales Because of custom efforts I like to sell it to someone, living in the EU. Please consider, that the transport of the batteries is complicated "hazardous goods", I would prefer you fetch it from my base in Cologne, Germany. Handsfree_Transporter.pdf

Well, my website is gone but don't worry I'm still here. My site was originally hosted at my ISP provider until they stopped offering free hosting. Then I found a place offering free hosting but they went belly up and took my website with them (without bothering to tell me). At this point I do so little business there's no real reason to find someplace else to host it. So if you try to go there and can't be assured I am still here to do repairs and sell any spare parts you might need. My e-mail hasn't changed: jim@bartechengineering.com. Later, Jim Bartell BarTech Engineering

I thought I’d take a moment to share little bit of history which might be fun. Scrounging through some really old photographs I came across a couple of beauties dating back to around 1989. As aged as they appear, they indicate a counterculture that was taking root as Cinema Products struggled to understand the needs of the Steadicam Operator. While still living in South Africa, I met some aeronautical engineers whose day job was designing the Heads Up Display for the Rooivalk Attack Helicopter. As the technologies that applied to Steadicam covered some common ground, it seemed like a good place to start. I explained some of the quirks that we endure with the Steadicam, particularly its desire to depart perfect level when in the hands of a faltering and inadequate operator. As a member of that club, I pitched the idea of a cradle coupled with level sensors and a stepper motor that would take away our pain. It took a few months and these photos are the only evidence of what we came up with. It was a rough prototype but mechanically it worked pretty well as long as I kept the post travelling from left to right. The hitch in the giddy-up was the processing speed along with the level sensors of the time. As a concept it was limited, but the best sensor of that era, which might have improved our chances and which were probably only the equivalent of the sensor that was put in the very first iPhone, would have cost us around $18,000. If I remember correctly, it worked on the basis of a harmonic or acoustic signal that would distort as it departed level. After playing with the prototype for a while, it was clear that we had a long way to go. When I arrived in the USA and got into similar discussions with George Paddock, the challenge seemed more achievable. We were sadly humbled as we endured however. It is one thing to produce a rough prototype, but to consider putting it out to the world is another thing completely. Over the years we tried three times to launch the project but each time we encountered another problem and I have to say that the cash required was somewhat daunting. In a strange way, I was divided between the elegance and exclusiveness that lived within the Steadicam, while at the same time trying to create what amounted to be both a shortcut and a crutch. One of our attempts was in the era of Lynn Nicholson’s development of the Alien, and with the amount of money he had already invested, we felt that it would be underhand and deceptive to proceed with a vaguely similar concept. A group of us had been invited to a private demonstration of the Alien in a motel room near Universal and essentially Lynn demonstrated that he had solved the challenge of Camera Orientation according to planet earth. As the years past and the dust settled, we took one more stab at it and agreed to call it a day. It started to feel like we were in conflict our initial intention of keeping the PRO simple, clean and beautiful. I kept these two photographs which I carried with me when I settled in the USA on the off chance then I would find myself in a complicated conversation regarding the origination of the idea and the tricky issue of “Prior Art”. That may have been astute but as the years passed it became redundant. I'm also including in this collection a particular design that George and I approached along the way. We came to the conclusion that the arc of the leveling system actually needed to run in the inverse of what was conventional. When we mounted a camera and wore the Steadicam, we fully understood in about 2 seconds the concept of a mechanical system that has become un- coupled. That has to be one of my strangest Steadicam sensations I’ve ever felt, and thousands of dollars lay at our feet. It was with a certain amount of whimsy that I watched Chris Betz so elegantly achieve what had eluded myself and George for so long. It is one thing to tinker with prototypes, but to bring a product as complicated as the WAVE to a fickle and demanding market is a sign of incredible perseverance and fortitude. When George and I ran out of gas, others were better equipped to embrace the emerging technologies. What may have been telling, is that throughout the years we never came up with a name for it. The future is now saturated with camera stabilization that we couldn’t even imagine back in the 80’s and 90’s. Ironically, no matter how much technology is brought to bear, the best results still emerge from a neutrally balanced system and Garrett’s fingerprints can be found throughout.

A few thoughts on cables, especially for starting out... I'd add to your list a 4 pin XLR. That's one connector I've seen used all over - from the D Box on an Alexa Mini to the F55 to every broadcast camera ever made seemingly. In addition, it's something that most people are familiar enough with that if you're in a tight pinch, you can often get a cable from 4 pin XLR to whatever it is you need to power, rather than having to order in the special LEMO for your sled. I think you're on the right track with P Tap, and I'd add a P Tap extension cable (Male to Female). For 99% of my operating at this point, the only cables I use are the camera cable (usually the Mini/Amira, but occasionally the Red or Alexa), the cable for my Wave, and the P Tap. It's so nice to be able to give the assistants all the power they need in a plug they're used to, without any hacked workarounds. My thought on buying specific camera power cables is (and this is how I worked for the first 5 or so years of my career) buy what you need, and only what you need. Cables are incredibly expensive, and let's face it, most cameras nowadays are more than comfortable with a battery on the back. The only cameras I've found where not having a power cable is a death sentence are the Alexa 65, and 35mm film cameras. Pretty much anything else - from Alexas, to Reds, to Minis, to Amiras, to F55s, can be flown with a battery on the back. It is much more elegant to be able to power the camera off of the Steadicam, but it does thrash your batteries (I'm sending in my third dead battery in 2 years to be rebuilt), and it's a lot of money that can be spent elsewhere in places where it could impact your comfort or allow you to pull a better job, both of which are far more critical. So, buy the cables you need. Assess your market and figure out what that is. In my market, it's 2 of the 24V ARRI Alexa/35mm cables, 2 4 pin XLRs, and then whatever else I want to add. What I carry at this point is: - Alexa/ARRI 35mm 24V - Amira/Mini 12v - Red Weapon/Epic 12v - 4 Pin XLR 12V - Sony FS7 - Panavision XL2 24V (only used once, sadly) - 3 Pin XLR 24V (built for a special rig that I've never seen again)

Hi everybody In light of a lot of sports/steadicam related discussions I figured, why not share my experience. As some of you may know, besides being a steadicam operator, I’ve been an avid competitive gymnast for over 23 years. I just wanted to take the time to write up a small article about gymnastics and the steadicam life and how I feel the two have influenced each other over the past years. Comparing the two has made sense to me since the day I picked up a rig. Like many athletes, gymnasts spend years practicing and developing skills before entering official compeition. The same goes for steadicam, in the beginning, one spends a lot of time developing the strength and insight into what makes a great operator on smaller projects before being able to work on a feature film or a tv-series. Both disciplines (cause let’s face it, steadicam doesn’t involve sitting around doing nothing) require a great deal of strength and stamina. For me personally the two have had tremendous benefits towards one another. Due to my sports background I was able to quickly adapt the musclememory needed to operate this wonderful machine, in return, the more jobs I keep getting, the stronger my legs and back get, making it possible for me to achieve new heights in gymnastics (literally). Though a lot of attention has to be directed towards correct posture, stretching, preventing exertion, both operating steadicam and gymnastics require a bit more than just the physical aspects. I’m talking about the gear, Jerry Holway once told me “Give a master violin player a second hand piece of wood with strings and he’ll be able to play a song, give the same person a Stradivarius and it becomes art”. A great operator can achieve the best shot in the world with the right type of gear, as for a gymnast, this is very similar. I’ve seen a world class gymnast fall of a highbar during an olympic event final, because the flex of the bar was just a little different, the chalk didn’t feel right and 4 years later, that same guy had all the right elements to make “Art” and he brought home the gold medal. I take care of my rig the same way I take care of all the pieces of apparatus in the gym and they both continue to deliver wonderful results. Last part I wanted to touch upon was the matter of safety. Running with a rig down a slippery rocky hill or throwing yourself 4 feet in the air over a solid steel bar, just because that’s what people expect from you can lead to one of two things. Either you get a standing ovation for a fantastic running shot/catching the bar, or you end up breaking your neck. The fact that the latter hasn’t happened to me is because my coaches have always demanded a safe training environement, which I held dear to my heart. I carried on this habit from the moment I first started operating, every running shot I do, every hardmount I rig, every single precarious situation I encounter on set, safety is always my number 1 concern. The main conclusion for me is that both disciplines have had major benefits towards each other and I can only recommend combining sports with operating steadicam. Any other (former) athletes on the forum? I’d love to hear your take on how steadicam may have improved your performances or how your choice of sport has helped out in your operating. Greetings Nils

Oh man, this is a great thread. I've heard these stories firsthand from Charles and Peter, years ago - when I was kid doing mods to my already ancient Model 2 (and later 3a). These were the days of everyone knowing everyone - all on a first name basis. These were the days where operators stuck together like glue; these were the days where we all knew our gear inside and out and modified it according to our taste. These were the days where people didn't freak out at minor problems presented to us; these were the days when we didn't feel entitled - we were all in it together.

You guys are all NERDS lol.