First time running a Steadicam

[Corey Tokarsky]

Hey everyone, I'm Corey. I am a film student at Edinboro University of PA, we FINALLY got the battery for our Flyer LE. I have afew questions... First, I can't seem to get rid of the roll in the rig, I'm running an HVX on it, as will 99% of the film students, I've tried everything in the DVD and manual, and it still is rolling on me. Second, since this is a community piece of equipment, and that I also run an adapter with my HVX, what are some ways that I can mark my basic setup of the rig so I don't have to balance for square one every time I operate the rig? Thanks in adavance.

 

-Corey Tokarsky

[Brian Freesh]

Hey Corey,

 

Congrats on getting started in this world, if history is any indication, you'll soon be hooked!

 

That sounds just like a school to buy something without all necessary parts!

 

You're roll issue could be a one of many different things. Detailed explanations and even video links go a long way to helping out.

 

Is it rolling when still on the stand, never hanging vertical on it's own? Is it only rolling while you operate? Is it pretty extreme? If it's balanced properly on the stand, it's probably you. So get detailed. Start with how you have everything set up. What kind of battery and how many are on the rig? Are the battery and monitor in line with the camera? How close to the top stage is the gimbal? what is your drop time? How well is the vest fitting, Etc...

 

As for keeping your settings, if you truly do not alter the camera at all every time, you'll learn very quickly exactly where it all goes. You could try leaving marks, but I would be surprised if they weren't removed by someone else. If you're concerned, record where everything is in a notebook. But I doubt you'll need to reference it after a couple times. You also may find you didn't get it perfect the first time, so duplicating it isn't always the best plan. You do want to get specific about your vest settings. After a few times you should be able to get the vest set right for you, and that is what you want to remember. I used to use finger widths to remember where it was when I was in school.

 

Brian |-)~

[Andrew Stone]

I also run an adapter with my HVX,

 

If you are running a Letus or a similar 35mm adapter that may be your problem...but not necessarily.

 

The Flyer is difficult to achieve dynamic balance with as the batteries on the lower spar only swing up and down on a "that" pivot point. The adapter (assuming it is something like a Letus) could be throwing the side to side balance off. The gyro effect of a Letus could make it list in a weird way if the weight isn't evenly distributed on each side of the camera.

 

If you haven't got the HVX to balance properly, I would first strip off all the excess stuff, try to get it balanced with good drop time and all that and then incrementally add your accessories to see where the problem gets introduced.

 

-Andrew