Premium Members Matthew L. Perez Posted January 30, 2013 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 30, 2013 Hello! I've been reading this posting and I have to say thanks for all of the inputs on here. I myself have been looking for a starter rig and I've been leaning towards the Zephyr. I like the idea of archers for the extra weight compacity but the price is a bit out of my range at the moment. I like the Zephyr weight limit to start and it will be good for me since I'm also looking to into Tv production and a bit of freelancing. Something I wasn't sure of is that if I were to purchase a SD version would I still be able to use my own HD monitor? I couldn't find the information and I wasn't sure I was looking in the right place. I'm thinking that both the HD version and SD version both have the same connectors for BNC ports just a different monitor choice? I'm not sure. I have a 7" HD monitor that I use and I figured on replacing the monitor to save myself some money by purchasing the SD version of the Zephyr Rig. Also what would be cables I'd look for if I wanted to use a RED epic or scarlet on the Zephyr? One final thing I'm not sure whether to pick the v-mount or the anton bauer batteries? Which of those two do you both find better than the other? Thanks Matthew Perez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Alan Rencher Posted January 30, 2013 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 30, 2013 Matthew, I believe that the wiring is the same for both the SD and HD Zephyrs, but you should call Tiffen to make sure. I recommend calling Terry West to make cables for RED cameras. The cost per cable is $240. As for batteries, it's user preference. I use only genuine Anton/Bauer. They are more expensive, but you get what you pay for. I was flying an Epic that had a Bebob V-mount on a Switronix plate last week, and it fell off the mount when I switched to low mode. Also, the terminals in V-Mounts have a tendency to wear-out and arc over time. I've seen so many V-Mount plates melt near the terminals and have to be replaced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Victor Lazaro Posted January 30, 2013 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 30, 2013 Hey. Let me know what they say about the HD/SD wiring. Also, be aware that the HD monitor (A rebranded Marshall) is High Bright and therefore outdoor viewable. If you monitor is not HB, then you will be unhappy when that nasty sunlight will prevent you from seeing anything on the screen. (and already with the High Bright I had some tuff moment with cloudy weathers and diffused sunlight. Also, I recommend to fly the Epic with a battery (A/B) on the back for balancing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Mark Schlicher Posted January 31, 2013 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 Second what Alan and VIctor say. I can confirm that the SD Zephyr has an HD video run (BNC top and bottom) plus an SD run (BNC top, multi-pin HIrose for power/video/tally below.) You can either run the HD monitor off of a spare power outlet below (custom cable) and a standard BNC to the HD-SDI connectors, or you can "borrow" the SD video run for HD-SDI by having a custom Hirose power/video breakout cable made (this works just fine, in several peoples' experience). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Victor Lazaro Posted January 31, 2013 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 Second what Alan and VIctor say. I can confirm that the SD Zephyr has an HD video run (BNC top and bottom) plus an SD run (BNC top, multi-pin HIrose for power/video/tally below.) You can either run the HD monitor off of a spare power outlet below (custom cable) and a standard BNC to the HD-SDI connectors, or you can "borrow" the SD video run for HD-SDI by having a custom Hirose power/video breakout cable made (this works just fine, in several peoples' experience). The SD line works for th HD-SDI true, but the monitor signals a 10 points loss of signal strength down to 90% while the HD BNC line keeps at 100%. That is why Tiffen had to add the secondary HD line to keep the sled to HD standard. I use th SD line with the hirose connector at the bottom and it works fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Mark Schlicher Posted January 31, 2013 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 Yeah, my Marshall shows 90% and 80% respectively. But no noticeable side effects for picture. I use the hirose as well, also because I have the Tiffen tally kit which uses a special version of the hirose cable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Matthew L. Perez Posted January 31, 2013 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 Thank you all for the information, I'm definitely going be writing all of this down. You all clarified everything. The batteries choice makes since. While during my steadicam course the v-mounted batteries popped off the rig once or twice while I was practicing because it bumped against me. Though I wasn't are if that as normal thing. I am more used to the anton bauer batteries because of how they lock in better. But now knowing that they both are pretty much the same just user preference makes better sense. Thank you. Also thanks Alan for the referral for the RED cable, I'll probably look into that cable as well. -Matthew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Matthew L. Perez Posted January 31, 2013 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 Where would go to contact Terry West? Does he have a website to contact him from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Baluk Posted January 31, 2013 Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 Where would go to contact Terry West? Does he have a website to contact him from? Terry West: 310-374-5711 or techrat531@verizon.net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sengdao Phirom Posted January 31, 2013 Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 Unfortunately, I have to sell my Glidecam Gold system, because of health reason. I have cancer and can't work as Steady. Op. anymore. I have to pay for my Therapy and all my hospital bills a lot of money, here in Cambodia. The rig been very good to me for the last two years. I took pride of taken care of my equipment, only a couple of small cosmetic scratches on the bottom of the arm. I think the gold system is good for any inspired new Steadicam Op. to get their foot wet before putting too much on investment on their next system. I have fly Arricam LT, 435extreme, 435ES with anomorphic lens, Aaton, SR3, RED with anamorphic lens, Moviecam Compact MKII, Alexa . . . and many other HD cameras. I also have modified and added a mounting bracket the top stage that now you can put for your bartech, scorpio, preston or any other wireless unit on the top stage. As for the arm titanium socket, I also added an additional "stopper", so when you want to use it on WK vest or operate "goofy", the "stopper" will prevent the arm swing back behind your body injure yourself or anyone standing behind you or next to you. Basically it is just a piece of aluminium, if you don't want it, you can use the alan screw driver to unscrew it. ALso, the vest padding is still good. I also have modified the back of the vest, it has two "X" adjustable ratching straps on the lower back, like the steadicam vest,this will prevent the vest to slip and also provide extra support on your back. Here is the basic list: Gold Sled with anton bauer batteries mount, with two cheese plates (film & HD cameras) Gold Vest Gold arm (w/long arm post) Cables (power cables for Red, Arri 24v,12v, Alexa, Aaton 16mm/35mm, video 12v, Panavision 24v, Moviecam Compact MKII, Sony color and B&W tap cables, Denz tap power cable, CEI tap power cables) and some another more . . . Jerry Hill Gorelock 1 docking bracket C stand Jerry Hill Universal low mode cage Pelican custom made case for Gold sled and Gold Arm, Pelican Custom case for Vest. Two big Anton Bauer batteries and charger I also give a special 10 kg, steel plate if, you want to fly smaller camcorders, or DSLR cameras I ask for: US $ 11,500 “negotiable” ( Unfortunately no shipping, because it cost too much from Cambodia ) If you are interest, come to one of the most beautiful country in Asia, have a great time and go home with a good rig ;-) I offer You a free Steadicam training / workshop if you want as well. If you want some pictures, or you have any questions, please don't hesitate to let me know. Email to: mentertainment.production168@gmail.com Phone: +855 ( 0 ) 77 49 66 73 ALL the best and success for 2013 . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Matthew L. Perez Posted January 31, 2013 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 Thank you Mark, for Terry's information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Matthew L. Perez Posted February 1, 2013 Premium Members Report Share Posted February 1, 2013 Another thing popped into mind and it has to with monitors. I have a small 7" monitor it's a Lilliput 668GL-70NP/H/Y. http://www.amazon.com/Lilliput-interface-dedicated-high-definition-Koolertron/dp/B0041I8UAO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359682441&sr=8-1&keywords=7%22monitor I purchased it mainly for my DSLR camera and it works great for that. My question is that would it be hard to power it through my sled of the Zephyr? I saw online the monitor that comes with the steadicam has another cable for power which my monitor does have an input for. I was wondering in order to use that I'd have get another cable to work with the monitor? Also just remember another question. How does the cable for the RED work? Does that plug into the power port that the Zephyr has so that It can run well so I don't have to have tiffen modify sled? Thanks Matthew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Baluk Posted February 1, 2013 Report Share Posted February 1, 2013 That monitor wouldn't fair well at all in any sunlight/outdoor situation... furthermore there's no HD-SDI input in that monitor, so you'd still need a down converter and power that too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Matthew L. Perez Posted February 1, 2013 Premium Members Report Share Posted February 1, 2013 Thanks that's good to know. I wasn't sure where or not it was worth using a monitor. It works for other things. Would you recommend going with the HD model of the Zephyr or look into a marshell monitor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Alan Rencher Posted February 1, 2013 Premium Members Report Share Posted February 1, 2013 The monitor cable that comes with the Zephyr breaks out to a 4pin XLR and BNC connector. Terry can make you cables that will work with other connector combinations. When I bought my Zephyr, I opted for the HD from the get go. You're already spending over $10,000, so you might as well go all the way. I would only opt out of the HD kit of you plan on buying a better monitor, not a cheaper one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.