Chris McClain

I've used many steadicams in the past and have the possiblity of a few jobs coming up that will most likely require filming on a red epic or red one. Not sure on the total weight payload of the cameras with all the addons etc so I'm leaning towards finding a good, well taken care of Archer 2 sometime soon! Thanks in advance, Chris

Hey all you fellow flyers!! I recently picked up a canon 5d mk2 and I'm wanting to figure out some kind of setup for use on the steadicam pilot. I know that because of lightweight, the pilot just might do a great job with it, under the right settings. I'm just curious if anyone else here has a 5d/pilot setup and if they'd be soo kind as to share some pictures and some info on setup etc. Thanks in advance:) Regards

I've used the EX1 on my Pilot for a couple of student films. Here's what I would suggest: 1) On the bottom, with the IDX batteries, use 2 of the larger mid weights on each side. 2) On the top, try to get everything up to 8 pounds. The mid weights are 1/4 pound each. The end weights are 1/8 pound each. Looking around on the internet, it seems your stuff weighs: • Sony EX1 (w/ normal battery, lens hood, and 1 SxS Card) = 6.25 pounds • Manfrotto 577 adapter & plate = 0.5 pounds • Sony VCL-EX0877 0.8x Wide Angle Lens Adapter = 0.75 pounds If I've got this right, it totals 7.5 pounds, so add 1 mid weight on each side of the stage (top) to get it up to 8 pounds. If you're running without the wide angle adapter, you'll want 2 mid weights and 1 end weight on each side of the stage. 3) I've flown the EX1, EX3, and V1U, and they were all heavy on the lens side. In all 3 cases, I had to move the QR plate back one hole on the Pilot's top plate. See picture below: This example is an EX3, but you can see how the QR plate is mounted much further back on the Pilot. It hangs off the back a little, but works just fine. 4) Set the battery position all the way back, as far as it can go. Set the monitor position pretty much all the way forward - leave around 1/4" or so to let the monitor swivel down before it hits the weights. See picture above. Always use the Pilot with the battery and monitor at these positions. When you do dynamic balance, just move the whole bottom crossbar forward or back using the hex nut in the middle. Great! I seem to have everything balanced great!!! One more questions. As far as tension goes, how tight are you running with it. I found that I had to tighten the tension all the way so the arms would have slight inclines. Is this what you found as well?? Thanks for your help.

Hey There everyone!! I'm so pumped that I just got my Pilot today and have since been humbled the past few hours getting it balanced. Just wondering if anyone out there with the EX1 and wide angle adaptor lens had any suggestions for weight ect. I'm using the normal size battery, wide angle lens, with the manfrotto quick release:) Any advise would be greatly appreciated:) Thanks guys

Okay, hello and thank you for reading and helping out. I'm new to the forum and I'm looking to buy a steadicam. Here's my question.. I don't know which to buy...I'm using an Ex-1 and It doesn't weigh a lot. Maybe 10 pounds with the battery, wide angle lens etc. Which steadicam would be the best option? The Pilot? The Flyer?? Le?? Also, being that this is the ex-1, do the steadicams require that I use some sort of downcoverter to view on the SD monitor??? Sorry, I'm a total newb here. I've just been using a glidecam 4000/smooth shooter and I'm ready for the real thing. I'd appreciate it if you'd help me out:) Chris