Justin Hayes

What are good lenses when flying pilot with a DSLR for practicing? I have been scouring the forums, and cannot find any threads that discuss good lens choices for beginners. Which range of lenses would be good to practice with for beginners? Which range of lenses would require a more skilled operator? Generally, what is the widest lenses you can operate in don juan without catching the operator in the shot? Thanks for your time.

Hi everyone, I'm really excited and impressed that I have so many pro's replying to my forum, even from on-set. You guys have a nicely knit community here, this is great. Based on the feedback, it sounds like the overall weight can really affect the feel of the operating of the unit, I will play around with this, to find what my preference is. But for training purposes it sounds like I will benefit from alternating my practices, between using it near the max weight capacity, sometimes, and other times, with it relatively light. This way, I can learn what the subtle, and more pronounced differences are in the weight range of the pilot. And understand how the overall weight changes the feel of the camera. So for heavy practicing, I'll put it around its 8-9lbs close to it's max. and when practicing for lighter rigs, like DSLR's, what is a good general weight to practice with?

Thanks for all the tips and advice everyone. It is greatly appreciated. I think for now i'll just save money, and make a "smarter" camera purchase, rather then a "faster" purchase. As you all mentioned, having no camera is not as of an big issue compared to operator skill, and budgets. Although the FS100 seems alluring because our company has a ton of cannon and nikon lenses, and when that NEX adaptor with the built in ND's comes out, I really might consider getting it. Until then I will just worry about practicing. I have a feeling the other camera competitors to sony will be trying to keep up within the next 3 years anyways. I've ordered the DVD, and pre-ordered the second edition to the operators manual, so hopefully they'll be on their way soon. I don't have much issue getting dynamic(not perfect, but good enough) balance, Every once and a while I like to un-balance the rig, then try to re-balance it to work on my understanding of the physics. I'm sure over time i'll get better with being able to balance it faster. For now. I'll just practice with my 1.25lb mini AVCHD camcorder and put some of the additional weights on it to make it tolerable. Does the weight of the rig you practice with matter? -I'm under the impression practicing with such a light rig, will be beneficial, because it will be more sensitive, and challenging. -I mean, it sends a video signal, thats all that matters for practicing, right? In some cases, I know its good to practice without the monitor, for learning proper forum, but thats not what I'm referring to. Cheers!

Thanks for the advice on the camera choice sam! These are things I should have considered, I still have yet to buy my own camera, and I'm glad you brought this up, because it always seems to be a sticky subject. As a 5D and a FS100 owner, are there anymore pro's and con's you would say there are, when it comes to pilot operating between the two cameras? Or even, some tips for dealing with lighter cameras on a pilot? -I've heard I'll probably need to buy some more of the weights the kit comes with. The kit came with 4 middle weights, and 4 top weights. How much weight is good measure for a heavier rig, to get more inertia and stability? Do you feel that a FS100 will be a good investment, for at least long enough to make the money back through gigs? -I've heard some good things about the FS100, but I always like to hear from an owner. I feel the camera technology seems to be going so fast, that am very hesitant to buy. But I don't have any camera, and I can really shot anything until I purchase one, see my dilemma? I really appreciate your advice, thanks! -Justin

Hi everyone. This is my first post so go easy on me, or better, be as harsh as possible. = ) I am looking for anyone who's keen, to give me any tips or advice to building out my kit. or Learning the system in general. I have been lurking around the fourm a bit, and doing alot research so far, so please point out if there are holes you see in my strategy, or problems you see I could run into. Thanks for your time! My Background, and Story I work a dayjob fulltime with corporate video, commercials and docs. About once or twice a month I shoot Music Videos on weekends with a friend who owns an entertainment company. Since forever, I have always wanted a Steadicam, but could never justify the cost, but recently bought a Pilot-AA for a ridiculously good price, because someone in a neighboring city upgraded their kit, and just wanted to let it stop collecting dust. At my dayjob, we use HVX200's and DSLR's, hence the choice for pilot, since the weight class fits what we already shoot with, and I don't need anything too fancy anyways. Our DP usually just uses our sliders, cranes, and handheld for all of our gigs, so I figured I'd take up steadicam to add some more fun to the stuff we do, as well to show my interest in cinematography with our DP, since I am new to the company. My Goal I am leaning towards purchasing a DSLR and two or three good lenses, then voila, I have my DSLR STEADICAM KIT, so in the future, whenever the situation deems, I can pop off neat a shot or two. I can have fun and practicing this art-form in my spare time, and with music videos, and eventually work it into my dayjob when I am well practiced. Please keep in mind I'm just glad I have a steady job in the industry and my main focus is to just absorb and learn the artform, not "blow all my money on trying to make the biggest and baddest steadicam rig." My Self-Training Strategy My tools thus far: -The Exercises in the Flyer manual - http://www.steadicam.com/images/content/Flyer_Manual_Lo.pdf -Steadicam Posture Article - http://steadivision.com/steadipos.html -Dynamic Stabalizer Primer And I plan to, over time: -Purchase EFP Training DVD -Purchase Steadicam Operators Handbook -Trolling through this forum, and reading up posts here and there, -All the while, patiently waiting for the next Steadicam workshop to come to the region I live in, Toronto, Canada. Do you feel there is anything else, or resources that would help me learn the rig? any tips? One problem I have, is ever since I bought the kit, my friend wants me to come shoot music videos with him immediately, every weekend, for the next 2 or 3 months, on all the gigs hes booked out. I am not ready to do any shooting yet, at what point would it be safe to say "after you have learned how 'X' and 'Y' works, your ready to start practicing on real video shoots" I am not sure if shooting immediately with the rig, will just build bad habits, or if it'll actually be beneficial to learning the rig. And again thanks for your time if you took the time to read this! -Justin