Tilman Holzhauer

dynamic balance: 1. 2. password: steadicam

available again.

reserved until further notice

still available

Battery and charger are also optional if you own already some or prefer a different brand. So, it's: 9000 Euros complete package 8500 Euros without Battery and charger 7500 Euros without Bon FM-073SCH HD monitor 7000 Euros without Battery, charger and monitor.

I included the Bon FM-073SCH in the package but I would also be happy to keep it as on set monitor. So if you think the SD Zephyr monitor with decimator is enough for you or you want a different HD monitor, I will take the Bon out of the package and make you a new deal.

Hello guys! I am selling my beloved Zephyr. I'm a cinematographer based in Berlin, Germany. I tried to learn the craft for one year but realized that I just don't have the time and dedication that it takes. So I had to be honest with myself, I'm letting my rig go to a person who can make more use of it. When I bought it, it was one year old and had little use (another cinematographer:). I used it for one year, only for (ocasional:S) practising and one short film project. The HD-monitor, the V-Mount Battery and charger, the Low Mode Bracket and the Custom Gimbal Grip I bought new myself and they are only one year old in total. The package I'm selling includes: Zephyr Sled System Camera Mounting Dovetail Plate 1/4-20 Camera Mounting Screw 3/8-16 Camera Mounting Screw 2 Section Post System Low Friction Gimbal Custom Gimbal Grip by Frederic Sturm Zephyr Arm System 7“ FM-073SCH 1100nit Bon HD monitor with bracket and cables (HDMI and SDI input, Auto/Manual Flip, False Color, Vectorscope, Waveform, Focus assist, Audio Meter, Pixel to Pixel, H/V Level Meters, great monitor!!) 12V V-Battery Mount Original SD monitor Zephyr with cables Counter Weights (x4) Middle Counter Weights (x4) Docking Bracket Low Mode Bracket Amercian Grip Stand (no Sandbags needed) BNC to RCA Adaptor RCA to BNC Adaptor 7" BNC Video Cable 12 Volt Power Cable Operating Manual Hard Case w/ Wheels Decimator Version 2 with cables Global Media Pro Li190BS V-Mount Battery (190Wh, Power Limit 105W, can be separated into two traveling-friendly 95Wh parts) Global Media SCA2S 2-channel V-Mount Charger custom made weight plate (to use the Zephyr with a light DSLR) custom made hard mount for rigging a car etc I paid 7400 Euros for the basic one year old SD Zephyr, the V-Mount Battery and charger is 650 new, the monitor 1900, custom Grip+weight plate+Low Mode Bracket+hard mount = 10300 Euros. I am asking 9000 Euros for the whole package! It comes with everyting that is needed to start out. If you don't have it already, I can also throw in the Steadicam Operator's Handbook. Since I`ve only had bad experiences with shipping sensitive equipment, I would like to sell this inside germany or at least europe and organize a personal handover. If you need any info or more photos, feel free to ask.

There is an interesting interview about it here: http://soundandpicture.com/2014/11/birdman-interview-steadicam-operator-chris-haarhoff/

Yes..you are right. But they also sell a version that is not matte and both are supposed to have AR Coating: http://displayschutz.3mdeutschland.de/mysunshadedisplay-adqc27.html I think I will order one for my monitor and also try it out:)

I found this german company that sells a similar product: http://displayschutz.3mdeutschland.de/mysunshadedisplay-dqcm30.html

I think, as others have already pointed out, in the marked segment of the low budget "one man shows", the future developement of the Dual Pixel CMOS AF (in Canon 70D, C100, C300 etc.) or similar technologies is much more interesting. In combination with the already existing AF Lock feature and facial regognition, maybe variable speed options for focus changes in the future, in can be a tool for those very small projects, documentaries etc. where the alternative would be a limitation to fixed focus shots only.

It weights about 4kg, so I reach the minimum for the Zephyr regardless what camera I put on it. I can really recommand the burnishing..apart from the darker color it gave the surface great friction/traction. I had several 3/8 16' srew holes drilled into the plate to be able to have mounting options for all kinds of accessories.

I had one of those which had mechanical issues. They have been solved in the end (They took the monitor back, 2 times...to korea..and fixed it in the end) but I have to admit that it required a great amount of effort on my side. I hope they learned something...they wouldn't believe me in the beginning when I was pointing out flaws in their accessory design and when I told them I was unable to put a screw in any of the 1/4 20' screw holes because their were just badly drilled. They clearly had problems with quality control. But, as far as I know, the person that dealt with me has left the company (or was fired?). I quote: "Hi Tilman, I am pleased to hear that. I’ve just taken over your case from Jason, but I know that the mechanical issue of FM-073SCH was a big mess. Please be assured that the same problem will not be repeated when you purchase another monitor. Thanks and best regards, Martin Ku Sales Manager" I have not had the time but when I have tested its function I will write a little review here on the forum

I had been looking for a good (and cheap) solution for me and my Zephyr to be able to use light cameras (DSLR's) in terms of weight. If I would be living in the states I probably would have tried to get one of those weight plates Janice makes, but I am in Germany, had some time and wanted to try something myself. I had myself a custom weight plate made and wanted to share the design with you...no need for everybody to get all the info all over again. So here are two photos of how the plate turned out (It is steel, burnished, that's where the dark color comes from) and a drawing I made. The *.dwg can be opened and edited with the freeware "DraftSight" (rename the file "Weight_Plate_v6.pdf" to "Weight_Plate_v6.dwg", I was not able to upload this file type here) Cheers! weight_plate.pdf Weight_Plate_v6.pdf

..low end version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq0npL8pj14

:) I wished we could all agree on one system...these differences in standard sizes are nothing but trouble (for europeans relying on US technology and vice versa)

To all former Flyer/Zephyr users, I'm looking for a used F Bracket / Low Mode Bracket for my Zephyr, preferably located in Europe. tilman.holzhauer@yahoo.de Thank you!

Most camera work ist trying to let the audience immerse into the emotion/the mood of a scene or into the way the character(s) is/are feeling/experiencing a situation in a subtle way. The tool/the camera becomes almost invisible. A lot of steadycam work does just that. In my optinion, some of the most interesting work that has been done, included introducing the camera itself to the audience. Ed Lachman is giving a good example in this interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhJvnN83HaY It starts with someting like that, just a subtle restlessness of the camera, a little movement. I also remember a particular moment in the Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, a static shot, Kerry wakes up in his bed but there is a subtle movement in the shot that does something to us, makes us observers, as if we were standing there in that room. Especially in movies or documentaries faithfull to the cinema vérité the camera becomes a hole character by itself almost, exposes the filmmaker (as in documentaries) or introduces a hole new outside-perspective. If steadycam, a tool that was originally designed to make any traces of the cameramen's movement disappear is used that way it gets really interesting. The huge range of options is one of the reasons I got interested in that tool: A camera which can be "knowing" or having a mind of it's own, able to move flawlessly, almost godlike, being able to shift its attention and level of autonomy seemlessly. Thats just gread. Thank you for that Garret!

These legs look scary...

Rent an F5 instead and convince production that the 10bit codec that uses sony is fine for postproduction and an excellent way to make you both happy. If you don't do very heavy color correction or green/bluescreen there won't be much of a difference. Of course it's not Prores..but it's 10bit and a good codec. Use a lighter recorder (Samurai/Nanoflash/Pix). The Kipro is old and heavy. If you don't use any recorder you can still use a light AB-battery on top. You can rent a lightweight AB battery mount (with d-tap) that goes on rods anywhere.

I participated in the group buy for the BON FM-073SCH, almost identical with the Ikan MD7 (the BON has some additional features, flip image etc.) and wanted to share with you a document with you I got from BON. I recently bought a Zephyr (SD version) and was figuring out if the yoke/stand BON offers would be mountable on it. The stand has a hole on the bottom to mount it with a screw/bold and they provided me with this PDF with specific data about length, width, height of the diferent parts of the monitor. I also want to mention that Jason from BON answered my questions right away (answer didn't take half a day). As soon as I get the monitor (they will be shipping 3rd or 4th week of december) I can share my experiences if you are interested. 7 INCH-STAND DIM.PDF

Thank you all for your input! In the end I realized that my decision would be come down to the most basic questions I had to ask myself: What do I want to achieve with my rig (what am I going to do with it) and how much money can I spend. Since my plan is not starting a career as professional operator right away (or more precise: starting to learn for a career as professional operator right away) my rig didn't need to me as futureproof and upgradable as for other people. I'm still in University doing a lot of student projects as a DOP and will hopefully be working in that position mainly afterwards. So in the end I went with the Zephyr, having read a lot about its features and shortcomings. I believe it will serve me well to practise your craft and to be using it on smaller projects in the future. And If I treat it well I will be able to hand it over to someone when the time has come to move forward, in a more professional direction. I bought a used Zephyr from one of the very friendly members in this forum and I'am looking forward to make my first steps with it. I missed the Silver Workshop this month but I will be taking a workshop as soon as I find the time. Thank you guys!

Hello Marc, so you say that the Raptor (between 8000 and 13000 Euros, depending on the exact configuration) is comparable to the 18000-22000 Euro Archer2 and far better then Zephyr? Could you point out why? What are the weaknesses of the Zephyr (apart from its payload and inappropriate wiring for big cameras)? Have you flown both systems? What makes the Raptor reach the class of an archer, regardless of the difference in price? What do you think about the argument before: the center post on action sled would not center ground and leads to problems optaining dynamic balance?

just saw that of course the Rebel Elite Pro is a lot more expensive than the Raptor, closer to the Archer in price than the Zephyr. Just found an entirely diferent opintion:

I got some advise from a steadicam operator that has worked several years with the actioncam system (Rebel Elite Pro) and wanted to share that with you: "The system works but as you improve you will notice things that hold you back as an operator. The gimbal for instance....it's sub par compared to the more expensive gimbals but this is one part you don't want to skimp on. I just got a used xcs gimbal and the difference is astounding! Also, the center post on action sled is not center ground (like a rifle would be).....Greg at xcs said because of this you can never obtain a good dynamic balance. I have never been able to get good dynamic balance (spins flat, horizon stays true) with action sled because gimbal is not centered. (Pan bearing needs to be centered precisely to get dynamic). Of course you might have better customer service since you're in Europe but in the end you will not want to stay with that system long. Do yourself a favor, try several rigs .....note the quality, especially in gimbal. If I could go back I would have spent more on a better rig initially, but didn't know any better.....please learn from my mistake." He also told me that he didn't want to be unfair to the actioncam system or bashing the brand, that his problems could be in parts due to the inferior support for actioncam in the US than in Europe. I personally didn't think it was unfair to rate the actioncam products inferior to systems like xcs or pro..actioncam is selling in a completely diferent price range (Zephyr, L'aigle, Glidecam etc.) where they maybe deserve their place, still don't know nothing so I cannot judge. Also, this is just the opinion of one person, maybe other people have to share different opinions. For me the interesting part was that maybe (tell me if I'm wrong) in that price range one has to decide if they want to be able to fly i.e. an Alexa and live with the spedific limitation of the actioncam system or buy, let's say a Zephyr, get better overall quality and accept the limitations of that particular system (to be able fo fly only lighter camera systems). I suppose going up the price range (Artemis, Archer, very(?) old bigger gear) one will have to make fewer trade-offs?