Jay Ryde

I must admit that I am astounded to read such a post! I cannot believe that there is that much arrogance amongst operators in this extremely hard to-get-into business! I recently did a 'studenty' type job for a bunch of guys, ultra low budget everything! And I tell ya.. It was an opportunity to learn more about my art and I thoroughly enjoyed working with them. I couldn’t give monkeys arse how little experience they had, the fact is they gave me the job.. And I was grateful. If you want to earn respect, you have to give it in the first place!

I very recently did a short film using a 5D mkII mounted on my SC Pilot. They work beautifully together. However I did this without any kind of remote focus. As u can imagine, I had to be incredibly precise with the DoF during many of the tracking shots. To be honest, it was harder than it should have been. Can anyone recommend a quality (not too expensive) remote focus kit that would work with a 5DMkII inc. similar cams. ? thanks, J.

I want to own an MK-V V2 AR system .. but could someone give me one for FREE please? I promise to say thank you! ;) I might even buy you a pint!

I’m guessing of course but SteadiCam have continued to break new ground with the consumer end of the market.. as an owner of a marvellous SteadiCam Pilot I’m dreaming of a day when I’m flying my own sub-£3000 AlienRevolution Accessory for my Pilot!! OK, you can all laugh now and I’ll wake up!

As Ive understood it: I think the idea they have used "perceptual plausibility" is great idea and it appears to work. By moving a 'warping' image they create an artificial "alternative view" of the otherwise single sourced shot. Then using "a cloud" of trackers they are able to imitate a direction and path for the camera. Genius! However, I did see some trade-offs in the demo, wobbly areas in the corners of some of the images and slight motion in one or two of the vertices, but notice these were only at the extremities of the image. I take my hat off to these guys.. well done! Learning to use this software would mean (like steadicam of course), learning how to shoot to use this method. i.e. shooting wide and allowing for “garbage areas” around the frame to be discarded, much like one would use a “garbage matte” in Apple Motion, if you see what I mean?!! Just image what one could do with only a handheld shot! not to mention the sheer convenience of not having the even think about using and carrying around a SteadiCam!!! What about all the unemployed SteadiCam ops??... we’d all have to be Post Production people instead (though most of you probably are anyway?!) heheheh Just a thought! PS: However, nothing looks better than carrying a camera on a SteadiCam.. (of course that’s important ;-) ) I often feel like one of those assault guys on Aliens 2 when they go into the Aliens Nest and start blasting the enemy with their Steadicam guns (apparently based on the SteadiCam idea so I’ve heard?!)

i saw the demo video in FinalCut User.. I’m very impressed with the results though I do wonder how the software would deal with vertical camera shifts as opposed to just walking in a straight line as shown in the video. I didn’t see the name of the software mentioned.. is it available yet? Anyone know about it? source: http://www.finalcutuser.com/2009/06/30/con...-stabilization/

This is all not to mention the added weight of those parts over a quite lightweight little LCD like the one on your rig, which could upset the balance of such a light rig. Perhaps a couple of solid bubble levels and a monitor shade for the current monitor would suffice as an easier and much cheaper solution? Yes I was wondering about the balance.. I think the Pilot only goes up to about 10lbs. To be frank, I don’t think the 5.8"WS monitor is as good as many make out! The image looks distorted, grainy, dull and just disappears under direct sunlight. Im always struggling to see it clearly outside. As for the monitor shade, yes I think I will DIY.. Couldn’t find anything that would fit it that is available. Spirit levels? Well I yet to find one small enough to fit between the monitor bracket (directly under the monitor).. ill keep searching. thanks.

I have a SteadiCam Pilot: Im interested to know if its possible to upgrade the existing 5.8"WS monitor to a Monitor that has an electronic leveller and is generally brighter and clearer?? Also, need a monitor shade. thanks,

Thanks again all of you, I've managed much better now and appear to have a faster set-up time. I managed move the cable as you described.. Iv'e put it through the centre of the monitor bracket. It was pretty obvious really and feel silly I didnt think of unwiding it.. DUH! I've rebalanced my rig moving the Monitor and Battery to its outer-most position. DB is now much quicker to acquire. However, in my case, I found that I had to put the MErlin weights at the bottom to stop the cam from waivering arounf during forward motion. :) SteadiCam: Pilot/ 5.8" Mon./IDX Power Camera: PANASONIC HMC151E AVCCAM Mic: RODE NTG-2 Trainers (Footwear): UMBRO! Bank Account: Empty!

I wish I could find a suitable level for my SC Pilot :'(

Many thanks Tom and Jerry (sorry, no pun intended!), what you both have said makes perfect sense. Jerry, the Pilots Monitor and battery can move back and forth independently, but for some reason SteadiCam have not given enough flex for the monitor to extend further out (maybe they had good reason for this??) The picture you see above shows the monitor at its furthest point possible from the sled's vertical. I am managing to get a relatively good balance dynamically.. I was just a little confused with what I thought was a hard-and-fast rule over the postion of the cam's CG! Overall I am very impressed with this rig and it's quality, as well as the help and support I've received from users such as yourselves. Again, many thanks to both of you.

I forgot to post the pic:

Ive changed my Camera .. Having spoken to many a SC operator and read the SC Op Guide (Grey book), I cannot see how one could balance a Panasonic HMC151 with its CG 3/4" behind the sled post. I've tried every conceivable way but by doing so, just pushes the balance wayyyyy off well over 60 degrees... One could never use the fine tuners for that degree of off-balance or move horizontal post (bit that holds the battery and monitor) to offset it. I've tried balancing with the cams CG more or less directly over the Sled vertical, and it balances perfectly! Managed to get the dynamic balance more or less acceptable! Just unsure why the book says ITS VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE CG 3/4" BEHIND when in fact on my gear, it looks like it cant be done?! Your thoughts would be appreciated thanks...

Just a thought but maybe the problem is what you have on the SC stage?".. judging by those pictures here, theres a whole lot more on the camera and the cam itself of course, than there is on the steadicam!!! Some more thoughts: 1. try moving the QR plate to a more centralised position 2. remove all the gunk from the camera, and try it with just a bare cam (no mics etc..) 3. try a different cam Personally I dont think its the fault of the SC Pilot.

Could anyone recommend a spiritlevel for the Pilot please? Ideally it would be nice to have one mounted on top of the monitor, I use the wide screen monitor, 5.7". many thanks

Is there an 'optimum method' on the Pilot to Dynamically steady the rig? Recently I purchased the SteadiCam Op Guide .. you know, the Grey coloured one! and I must admit, I really wished I'd purchased it sooner.. a very complete and informative read for someone like myself who is still in the learning process. However, the Op guide advises moving the bottom rod (the rod holding the battery and monitor) to acquire a 'Quick Dynamic Balance' whereas the thin users guide and the users video for the pilot mentions nothing of this but only to move the Monitor and Battery independently of each other? Am I just being too picky here? or is there something I should be aware of in this case? Thank you in advance,

Hi, does anyone know where I might get hold of a Monitor Hood for my 5.8" WS Monitor on my SC Pilot ? Im just outside North London, UK. Thanks, :) J.

hi I purchased the Pilot last year.. Its a fine rig.. excellent quality as one would expect. If you can raise to it.. go with the WideScreen Monitor and a couple of IDX batteries... The enduras last ages... Not only does this give u better viewing and longer battery life but also adds a little more stability to the rig making it rock solid for cameras like the V1, Z1 etc. It takes me a little longer than 10 mins to set up dynamic balance but thats maybe because I've watched too many steadicam videos on the 'Perfect Dynamic Balance"!! and watching those sleds rotate in an absolute perfect circle!!! But it really doesnt take long to get a good balance. Just make sure you dont have dangly cables wrapped all over your cam and alike or momnitors sticking out from the cam acting as wind-breaks!!!! Get the Pilot.. looks good (not that, that is really an issue for me), but more importantly, performs really well. Inc Batteries mine was £3300 (5.8" WideScreen Monitor/2 x IDX Batteries) (May 2008) UK.

i've got some good advice, many thanks for your help. In fact today I acquired a SC stand that has adjustable feet so my problem is solved. Chris, I very much appreciated your offer to call. Thank you all. Cheers!

thanks for your reply Chris but the stand im using doesnt appear to adjust the legs as one would with a Tripod; seems like I can only put it on level-ground. If my stand is not level I dont see how I can balance my rig?! The Stand I've got is the Steadicam one I got with the rig.. maybe Im missing something here?

This maybe a silly question but here goes.. I'm using a SC Pilot and balancing stand. I have to do a shoot in a wooded area where the ground is extremely uneven! I cannot set up and balance my rig before entering into the area as its just way too far from level ground. As im carrying my rig in a car to the area along with (u can imagine) lots of other heavy gear, I cannot just put a balanced rig in the back of the car as I’m in fear of doing serious damage to it in transit. What would you guys do in such a case? Many thanks, J.

With my V1E mounted on my SC (SteadiCam Pilot), how do I plug my headphones into the Camera without the cable destabilising the SC ?? :huh:

Hi Jay, you might want to search the forum; there's an entire thread on squeaky arms. Hi Robert, thanks for the headsup but i did do a search and didnt see anything specific... maybe you could post the link here? thanks..

Hello, I've recently noticed on the Arm of my Pilot that I am getting some Squeakiness from the vertical movement. It appears to be from the Release Pin area. Though Ive heard that using Oils such as WD40 and alike on the more delicate parts of the SteadiCam are a NoNo, can one simply Oil with WD40 the release pin area? Again, Im a little uncertain that it is the release pin or the pin joint, but when I hold the pin tight it seems to stop the Squeakiness.. but that could be because I am putting pressure on that part of the rig and that affecting another area maybe? Anyway, the pin is pretty isolated in that part of the rig so Im thinking WD40 would be appropriate? Any thoughts, Thanks. J.