Benjamin Freedman

I don't understand, Brian... Why would you want the Steadicam to seek a particular boom height? Why not just maintain it where it is, and isolate the body movement.... The Tiffen Website clearly states for the Pilot: The Iso-Elastic™ arm is a two-section, articulated, design that can be adjusted while supporting the camera. With this patented, unique design, the Steadicam operator can smoothly and effortlessly raise or lower the arm throughout its 28 inch boom range. The iso-elastic arm is also non-reactive – improving vertical stability and control in all operating conditions, from lock-offs to fast running shots over rough terrain. ... and then lists as features: Frictionless, Silky-Smooth Iso-Elastic Performance I understand some of the bigger Steadicam rigs are truley 'isoelastic', in that they'll stay basically at the height you put them. Can anyone comment on this? And why Tiffen would mislead if the Pilot is not truley IsoElastic? Thanks Ben

Howdy... I have an EX-1 flying on a Steadicam Pilot. I have read that this arm is supposed to be 'iso-elastic', which I've read means that it stays where you put in vertically in space. Well, I have the arm trimmed so that the weight of the sled keeps the arms basically horizontal when hands-off. Right in the middle of their range. I would assume that if I raise or lower the arm, it is supposed to stay basically where I leave it, but I find that if I raise it, it wants to lower back down to center, and if I lower it, it wants to raise back up. To keep it in either an upper or lower position requires constant effort on my part. Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong? Thanks. -Ben