Carl Wiedemann

I've used a Decimator 1 for over two years. I've never had a problem running it off a single battery sled (typically using a 14.4 volt Hytron 140). I plan on picking up a Decimator 2 shortly. Excuse the thread highjack, but does anybody know if the Decimator 2 can send a signal from the HDMI out and the composite out simultaneously? The product info' seems to infer this capability.

Brent, You may want to get a 15mm dogbone to achieve the proper spacing with your motor, rather than trying to use a riser to accommodate the distance of the motor. http://www.cinewidgets.com/ With the flexibility the dogbone allows you can use a baseplate with more surface area rather than a riser. http://store.zacuto.com/universal-baseplate-v3-includes-12-inch-rods.html or http://store.zacuto.com/Mini-Baseplate.html And reemphasizing some of Eric's suggestions: try to find a means to balance the sled with the gimbal closer to the stage. Basic operation (horizon control) will be more difficult with the gimbal near the center of the post. Ditch the rubber washers and try some gaffers tape if you want to reduce slipping and protect gear.

Josh, I've been using an SPX-68 TM for nearly a decade. Works great with consumer grade portable LCD monitors (analog NTSC). I have split the signal out of a camera to both rig and transmitter and this works. However the transmitter is more finicky than a monitor in terms of the signal it will accept, so you need to make sure your video cables are in good shape, particularly if you're using a y-splitter rather than a junction box. I can't testify to how effective it would be with the M-800 receiver. I imagine the quality of your antennae system would be crucial for getting a consistent signal with the M-800. Also: The SPX-68 has a limited frequency range which has worked fine for me, but may be a hinderance if you work in a transmission saturated locale like NYC. Carl

I believe Phil is referring to the dovetail camera mounting plate. A model 3 or 3A plate is identical and will also work for the EFP.

An EFP in excellent condition sold for less than $5,000 on ebay last year. So, it is remotely possible to pick up a bargain. See: http://www.steadicamforum.com/index.php?showtopic=12882&st=0&p=60716&hl=+efp%20+ebay&fromsearch=1entry60716 One thing to check out if evaluating an EFP for purchase is whether the arm is a red or blue spring arm. I think the red spring arm was rated for 26 pound camera payloads. The blue spring arm carries about 8 or 9 pounds more.

As a rough barometer that makes sense, but as an EFP user I'll have to jump in on a particular. The EFP was about $25k in 1994 and I regularly fly 30 pounds of Red cam gear on mine. But this additional data does support the original thesis.

Where is 30lb arm capacity published?... Tiffen Zephyr page: "Features include: 30lb (13.6kg) lift capacity", and "24 pounds net weight camera capacity" http://www.tiffen.com/steadicam_zephyr.html and the brochure PDF states: 30lb. arm lift capacity, 20lb. payload. http://www.tiffen.com/userimages/Steadicam%20Zephyr%20Rack%20Broch-f(1).pdf

Daniel, Have Basson rigs ever had that style sled (as depicted in the photos on the ebay listing?). If the rig in question is a Movcam product this customer support warning from an Australian distributor could explain why the owner is selling. Looks like every major component of the Movcam gear has notable "usage and safety issues". http://www.movcam.com.au/support.htm The support page concludes with this warning: "any purchase from Movcam is made with your own risk until further notice".

Jordan, If my hazy memory serves me correctly Pro Gear (aka Sprint) was based in Denmark and was actively selling various stabilizer components on ebay circa 2004-2005. Seems like they disappeared after a few years. There's some discussion of Pro Gear in the boards from that era. http://www.steadicamforum.com/index.php?showtopic=675 Regarding curious gear on ebay. From whence did the Flycam Prophet Pro derive? Perhaps a Movcam product from China? http://cgi.ebay.com/FLYCAM-PROPHET-PRO-steadycam-steadicam-/120707319619?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c1ab78743#ht_500wt_992

Jaime, The unadorned EFP post gripping area is quite slick. You may want to try a wrap grip of some sort. (Not sure who's still making these for 1.5 inch posts). Or you can improvise your own. I have some textured rubber (which was designed as safety tread for wet floors and steps) on my grip. But you may prefer gloves. I have some utility gloves (Rugged Wear brand) with rubber contacts that I use for cold weather work. This sort of thing is really a matter of personal preference. Carl

Mark, Thanks for posting the images and info'. Can you tell me if indeed the Zephyr arm "Post assembly permits different size post length", as described in the literature? Is the arm post removable? Is the kit supplied with different length arm posts? Looking forward to the results of your 24 pound load test. Carl

Robert, Wow! That was fast. Please share your solution. Did it involve an adapter on the standard post or did you remove the short post and install something longer? Carl

Kevin, There's a prior thread discussing this mass solicitation. Many people listed with the SOA or on Mandy's received this. (I don't think there was a hack.) http://www.steadicamforum.com/index.php?showtopic=13523 It's a typical Nigerian "advance-fee fraud." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigerian_scam If you have any business info' posted on the web you're likely to receive more of these. The broken english, lack of specifics and awkward use of industry terms is usually a giveaway. Also: in many cases if you do a google search of the supplied e-mail address you can find either: other solicitations for a wide range of services or: postings from other people they've solicited indicating a fraud. In this case both. A search shows that jam19brown@gmail.com is also looking for a Petsitter! In the 21st Century any legitimate media company has a website or, if an individual, has some kind of web presence. The interwebs is very helpful for learning about a company before getting into a rate negotiation. Carl

David, Your set up looks great but it appears that you'd need to remove your hand from the gimbal every time you pan more than a few degrees to the right. If you run the video cable down the front of the rig (over the back of the monitor) you'll be able to pan nearly 360 degrees (rather, 180 degrees in each direction). A more convenient way to work until you can run a video cable inside the post.

The phone number in Tomas' reply is Robert Luna's. If you search the forum you'll find many references to his expertise and exceptional work with CP era arms. He serviced my fiftteen year old EFP arm last year. Fast turn around. Arm restored to full function. If you want to invest in a full inspection and cleaning he seems to be the best option in the states. Link: http://yellowpages.heraldextra.com/robert+luna+az+tech.9.76964620p.home.html

Carl, If you do a Google search (or Forum search) for "Steadicam weight cage" or "Steadicam weight plate" you will find many helpful options. There are also many vendors currently making baseplate and rod set ups for DSLR cameras that are useful for bulking up smaller cameras on Steadicams and have the added benefit of having convenient mounting points for accessories. Try an internet search for "DSLR cage" or "DSLR baseplate". Carl

Matthias, I'm also interested in the adapter. ( Jumping in late here and hoping the requests haven't overtaken the output of the initial run.) Carl

Tom, I was one of those last minute bidders. I couldn't bear to see that go for less than the cost of a new Pilot rig. Figured it would make good back up gear. Looks like the rig saw limited use. I'm sure the seller could have received a higher final bid if they'd set up a full week auction, rather than the three day listing. I'm still second guessing myself for not bidding higher. Somebody got a great bargain or made a strategic investment. A knowledgeable person who could evaluate the rig and testify to it's functionality could probably re-sell at a profit.

Zephyr curiosity: I noticed on the pricing information for the Zephyr that it states the lifting capacity as 24 pounds for camera, which is four pounds more than the 20 pound max stated in previous promotional material. Given the new Scout's 18 pound camera capacity it would make some sense from a marketing and sales standpoint for the two rigs to have more than a 2 pound payload variation. I'm sure these details will emerge as the two rigs hit the market over the next month.

Sebastian, The two screws presented in your photo are for adjusting the side to side positioning of the sled in relation to your torso (by changing the arm position). The two socket block screws on the vest are for trimming the position of the sled in front of your torso (perhaps more directly relevant to your current dilemma, although you need to properly adjust both sets of screws to achieve the best arm/sled position). Regarding the screws in your photo. You only want to adjust one of those screws at a time to get the desired arm position, the other should remain nearly flush, otherwise the screws will end up bearing more weight than they're designed for. All of this basic set up information is covered in The Steadicam Operator's Handbook as well as the EFP training video, good resources if you're geographically or financially removed from taking a training class.

The poor form looks like a result of bad habits or poor training. Reminds me of the operators I see using the Flyer or Glidecam and using a camcorder LCD as their primary monitor. Regarding the set up: if the camera is on the heavy side a pound or two of ballast under the battery mount would give him the proper counterweight and a 10 inch arm post would enable him to get camera to the height he's trying to maintain (even with the blue spring arm). Then again Thomas may be correct. The rig could be bottom heavy, in which case it seems like the operator just doesn't have a clue how to balance the rig. Perhaps he left his Allen wrenches at home and is stuck with the gimbal/post in that position.

Mike, Many Merlin and Pilot owners (myself included) have replaced the velcro connections on their vest with buckles. This conversion will make your operating a much happier experience. There's a very long thread describing and demonstrating buckle upgrades on DVinfo.net (including info' on a buckle upgrade that Tiffen offers. Not sure if the Tiffen version eliminates the shoulder velcro. I added a total of six buckles to mine (including two verticals in the back). Very snug. http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/stabilizers-steadicam-etc/136579-modified-steadicam-pilot-vest-velcro-straps-buckles.html Carl

The Rouge zoom, bridge plate and Red batt' will definitely push the weight up. I've always been able to work with clip on matte boxes and have never had to deal with a bridge plate, so hopefully you'll have this option. I've also been able to mount the focus motor from the top. Also: Some Reds are set up with Anton Bauer mounts and can be powered off Dionic 90s, which can trim another pound or two. Wish I had some guidance on a particular matte box.

I regularly work with the Red Cam on an EFP (blue spring arm). Fortunately, I've never had a Red configuration over 32 pounds. This is easier to achieve if you can shoot with CF cards rather than the hard drive. But the Red can easily go over 35 pounds with Red primes, the hard drive and a few other accessories. And you'd really be in a bind if the EFP had an original red spring arm (which has a lower capacity than the later blue spring version). Most of the time I'm working with Red set ups in the 26 pound range and this has worked quite well on the EFP.

Eugene, If you're marketing yourself primarily as a Steadicam Operator then indeed you should have all accessories required to get The Production (director, producer, DP) the shots they want. However, if you have a production company, or are already established as a videographer, and are just looking to add some camera movements to your company's work, then you can work within the limitations of your accessories without disappointing a client. If you're shooting features you need a vehicle mount, wireless video, etc. If you're simply adding some movement to your company's corporate videos or event documentation your client isn't going to be disappointed if you can't do a vehicle mount because you wouldn't put such a shot in the script or book a gig that requires it. Many production companies are purchasing Pilot rigs to move their small cameras and few are purchasing all the accessories that Louis mentioned, yet they are adding visual appeal to their final products. What you need to be looking at first in selecting a rig is picking one which will support the cameras you want to fly and all accessories you might want or need to add (and a rig which can power those accessories). With the two cameras you mention you'd be close to maxed out on the Flyer with the addition of basic accessories. If you're working on productions for which you need to pull focus, transmit video, add a matt box, on board light, etc, you'd need an Archer. If you were working with a DSLR then the Flyer would be great (but in that case you'd definitely need a focus control ASAP). Your requirements depend on the type of productions you're trying to service and your market. Carl