Grayson Austin

It’s your gimbal. Staticly balance the rig with whatever drop time you use with rig nose pointed toward one side of the gimbal yoke. Make it perfectly staticly balance front to back and side to side. Use a very accurate bubble level for both directions directly over the center of the post. Rotate the rig 180 degrees and let it come to rest. If it goes off from perfect balance then your gimbal is out of alignment. Send it in to be corrected. If it passes this test but then goes out when you tilt, then something is shifting ever so slightly in the gimbal usually around the side bearing area. Either way you should send it to Tiffen for realignment and possibly needing to be shimmed to take out the shifting. It is not something you want to do yourself. The Ultra2 rigs could be field adjusted but it was a terrible thing to try and do yourself. Grayson Grant Austin, SOC

Sold. Thanks to everyone who inquired. Grayson Grant Austin, SOC

Pristine condition Tiffen M1 rig with Volt system. *Flat (equals rock solid) M1 topstage. *M1 Camera Dovetail Plate (unused/as new). *Two stage 1.75” M1 Centerpost. *M1 Gimbal with Volt. *Volt Control cable. *Volt Sensor Box Power cable. *Volt Sensor Box and attachment bracket. *M1 Monitor Mount (monitor not included). *M1 lower Junction Box and dual battery plate. *Eight IDX V mount batteries. *One IDX simultaneous Quad Charger. *Tiffen Volt Docking Bracket. *Spare Volt motor belt. *Spare Volt Sensor Box Power Cable. *Spare Encoder Sensor. *Case for M1 Volt Rig. *Case for Batteries and Charger. Price for all: $25,500 US. Buyer pays shipping (shipping account preferred). This rig has been fantastic. The only reason for selling is that i just received my M2 Volt. Serious inquiries only. More photos available. Email only please. I don’t always check the forum. Grayson Grant Austin, SOC graysonaustin@me.com

That is/was an awesome level. Immune to outside forces other than the turn of the earth. An alternative that performed as well with on screen display would be great. Grayson Grant Austin, SOC

The 1.75 post is the M1 post. On the order list it speaks about an adapter to use it with the M2 topstage. You can mix and match but as i stated it is component vs component so the M1 version of the component will be more expensive. If you care at all about payload maximum ratings (i don’t really) then you might not want to pair an M1 post with an M2 topstage and vice versa which would sort of defeat the purpose. I have the full M1 Volt and i have an M2 Volt on order. I will probably be switching fully to the M2 Volt. The 1.58 post is the same diameter as my Ultra2 and i loved that rig. Never had one issue with vibration. Best thing to do is talk to someone at Tiffen about the details or maybe Jerry can chime in. Grayson Grant Austin, SOC

The M1 is a beefier rig, component vs component. The M1 because of this has a higher camera payload compared to the M2. Grayson Grant Austin, SOC

I for one am very happy that Steve has taken the time to address the forum about the Volt technology but if anyone wants to hear from an operator who has owned just about every rig out there and most of the tech we have available instead of one of the guys who invented it, here goes. I have said for years that Steve’s level sensor was the outright best sensor out there and I feel I can say that because I have owned or used them all at some point. The Wagner level sensor was truly immune to inertia so you could flat whip pan it for days without it moving a muscle. Roll the rig out of level and it reacted instantly, as in real time, no lag and precise. I proved this multiple times in videos which I believe at some point I posted here. I can’t remember. My only complaint was that the display was a separate unit and couldn’t be put into the video signal. Well, this is the same (better actually) tech that is at the heart of the Volt system. I have owned both a Betz Wave 1 and now the M1 Volt system which I have had for nearly a year now. The Wave 1 no matter how perfectly the camera was balanced always had a bit of its own inertia to deal with which was especially noticeable during lock offs. It placed all its additional weight and height above the gimbal as well. It could also be fooled during aggressive whip pans. Even the very best operators can’t get around this. The great Larry McConkey has done some absolutely stunning shots with the Wave 1 when it comes to his operating (framing choices, movement, etc) but if you watch closely, you can clearly see the Wave 1 playing catch up with his whip pans when it comes to keeping level. I have seen Larry do better whip pan level on his own without any tech help so I know it isn’t him. I do however think that the Wave 1 is great for handheld or variations of that with a pivoting cage like the Twister or even just plain old on the shoulder handheld. The Volt requires only a little rethinking in how you balance the rig and operate (mostly about settings) but after that short learning curve, operating is operating and you do what you have always done. Remember, this system is still in its infancy as well and can only get better, especially when people like Steve are here actively welcoming input and feedback from us. I have not experienced the bugs that others have spoken about. It doesn’t mean they don’t exist. It just means that any number of things could be at the root of it. I can’t say. I only know that as I use it more, it becomes more natural to me and I am still tweaking my settings for the right feel on each shot but that isn’t much different than tweaking drop time. Of all the tech I have owned or used, the Volt feels the most like regular operating without the artificial feel that some other things introduce like gimbals which only react to your movements. The Volt seems to be the least reactionary of any tech aid including the Wave 1 (owned it), AR (owned it), Ronin2 in two axis mode (own it), Letus Double Helix in single or double axis mode (own it), Arri Trinity (tried it: promising but has some quirks and is heavy for everyday operating). I will be getting the M2 Volt soon as well. That’s how much i like the system. Is it perfect? Nothing truly is. I wish there didn’t have to be a cable connecting the topstage to the gimbal. This does affect your pan inertia no matter how soft and flexible the cable is. I wish the motors and belts were not exposed. I wish the pan encoder sensor cable were not a thin Hirose cable (I hate Hirose connectors) because I see this as an area for problems. I also notice that the Volt does such a good job in the wind that the only axis left for the wind to affect is pan which is still completely free from stabilization. If you have a very broadsided camera and mattebox package, the wind will attempt to pan the camera against your wishes so if the wind speeds are high, I still like a bit of four by double help from the grips (I was hoping I would never have to ask for that again). Also, if desired you can remove the motor belts and use the rig as normal. I don’t advise leaving the belts on as they do induce drag to each axis. I could go on but I won’t. The Volt system like all Tech aids should not be considered a cure all for bad operating. It isnt. Personally I can’t wait for my M2 Volt to be ready and what the future holds for this technology. Thank you Steve and everyone else who had design input into the Volt system. The best advice to take away is that you have to try them yourself for some time. They are different tools and since every operator is a snowflake, some will love the Wave 1 and others will love the Volt. I think it’s great to have choices. My two cents. Grayson Grant Austin, SOC

How did you arrive at $395? Directly from the Tiffen price list, I bought a brand new spare of this cable for $195 US. Grayson Grant Austin, SOC

Thanks for the answers Jerry. I sent you a message about getting some of the protectors. Grayson Grant Austin, SOC

Thanks Jerry, Very helpful. Being an M1 Volt system owner already, it’s nice to hear that new components are interchangeable with the things I already own. After many years of owning just about every professional rig out there, I can say that I really love my Volt rig. What it does is truly innovative. It still feels like operating a regular rig thanks to its ability to be adjusted to your preference of “feel” but it’s impact is both subtle and profound at the same time. As with any rig, there are a few tiny things I would love to see done a bit differently, (one of which is the integration of the encoder ring into the gimbal) but overall it is fantastic. a couple of questions about the M2: If the post size for the M2 is the same as the M1, what makes them different other than length options? Is the two stage post any lighter in weight, etc? Can the V Lock release safety be retrofitted to the M1? I run my battery box upside down and the release is dangerous. Overall is the M2 (in a similar configuration) lighter than the M1? Any chance that the motor strength can be raised from the M1 Volt maximum? Just curious. Also, I wish the motor disengage was a button at the gimbal handle instead of a switch at the control box. As often as that switch gets used, I am concerned that it will go bad sooner than later. Finally, To Andreas, The use of the word “whatever” in response to me is universally known as a rude, disrespectful term to dismiss what the other person has said in a conversation and in my opinion has no place in any conversation between adults but especially not on this professional forum. Then you iced your disrespectful cake with the phrase, “I hope you have joy in your life!”. If you truly cared about me having joy in my life, you would not have been rude and disrectful in the first place, and yes, I have great joy in my life. i tried to give you some advise and instruction on how you might help this forum and other operators better which you could have either taken or ignored. Instead, you took the low road. My last piece of advice to you is this: The next time a veteran Steadicam operator with over twenty five years of experience and multiple Academy Award winning films to their credit including this years Academy Award winner for Best Picture, “The Green Book” tries to give you some advice, if it’s relevant and useful to you, take it. If it isn’t, ignore it and go on with your life but do your best not to be rude and disrespectful to them (or anyone for that matter). This is a small community and you never know when you might need their help someday. Please note that there is no use of extreme punctuation in my posts (like you used in yours) and therefore no tone implied. Just a matter of fact any my opinion. This will be the last time I’ll waste anymore space on the general forum over this silliness. Grayson Grant Austin, SOC

What info did you have to collect? Either you know a few things about the rig or you don’t. The time it took you to respond to my post, you could have posted a brief bit of info and please don’t use my words. Use your own. Grayson Grant Austin, SOC

This is the original forum for discussing steadicam. The Facebook group is a cascade of posts. It is easier to find and reference archived information here which makes this a better place for any info to be posted. If you have info, it would be great to post it here for all to be able to read, see, etc instead of directing someone to go to yet another place. Not everyone has time to scroll through countless posts on a Facebook page just to find a bit of info on a new piece of gear. Grayson Grant Austin, SOC

Sent you a message. Let me know. Grayson Grant Austin, SOC

9500 Euros without shipping direct from flowcine. Grayson Grant Austin, SOC

Selling two of my extra/backup unused/as new Cinegears 400M V2 wireless video transmitter/receiver systems. These systems consistently beat the Teradek Bolt 2000 and many times the 3000 on real sets in real locations running side by side. They are also cross compatible with just about every other wireless system that Cinegears sells so you can have receivers or transmitters in any flavor and cross send to the other (see below for a bonus item). Easily selectable channels and no deep menus to deal with for linking or adding receivers. Cinegears sells this system for $3500. Selling each system (1:1) for $2800. Buy both and have a 1:2 system with a spare transmitter for $5500 and Ill include a 100M receiver (also unused) for free. The 100M is incredible for a directors monitor in that it is just barely bigger than a Sony L size battery and clips right into the Sony L battery plate (or 1/4-20 thread). Each 1:1 system comes with Transmitter and Receiver, antennas for transmitter and receiver, p tap power cables for each, V lock systems for each and a case for everything. Serious only. Email only to: graysonaustin@me.com Additional photos and test video available by email