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Steadicam Zephyr


Sean Seah

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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.

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Wow, I'd missed the Scout.

 

On first quick glance, the Scout will occupy pretty much the exact niche the Flyer LE base model held. Customer benefits: low-cost SD sled with a new bottom stage that can be dynamically balanced. An attractive price point. Manufacturing benefits: repurposes parts from the Pilot and Flyer, including the Flyer vest...reducing R&D and parts stocking costs. I noticed that the Steadistand is not included in the published kit for the Scout.

 

Looks like if you want more weight, connectivity, 12/24V and an HD option, the Zephyr is the up-sell. For a price similar to the Flyer LE, you get an upgraded sled and beefier arm (allowing more lightweight RED configurations and more HD Video configurations). From some IBC pics I saw, the Zephyr vest looks to be an updated, upgraded version of the Flyer vest. So now there is a "budget" Tiffen rig that can come closer to the Archer in capability (especially with a 24lb camera payload) without having to make that big jump in price to the Archer.

 

No room between the two for the Flyer, so I'd guess that it will be retired as soon as stock is depleted.

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  • 4 weeks later...

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.

 

 

Carl, sorry, I posted new information on DVinfo over a week ago on this, I should have also posted here. The important part of an email from Tiffen Australia (on why mine is being delayed) was this information:

 

"the designers have up-spec'd the payload capacity of the arm to 24lb (11kg) to give the Zephyr a wider payload range and, just as importantly, to increase the camera payload when the new Tango is operated with the Zephyr. You probably know that Tango currently only operates with Zephyr. The second upgrade was based on a decision to design a vest specifically for the Zephyr rather than simply adapt an existing vest."

 

Also Robin are you referring to the price for the Tango or the Zephyr, surely the Tango won't cost that much? Personally I'm still scratching my head on how many times I'd need to use it anyway, so

I wouldn't be paying a lot for it myself.

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Hi Chris

 

Sorry, re-read my post and realise it was confusing, here is the lowdown:

 

Zephyr system complete with arm vest sled, monitor all in a hard case, $8,995.00

Tango with Zephyr sled only $14,995.00

Tango with complete Zephyr system $19,995.00

Tango with Zephyr sled and vest and G-40 arm $26,995.00

 

All the prices are at www.steadicam.com for more detail.

 

Robin

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After trying out the Zephyr at a recent Tango Demo/steadicam event, I have to say that it is a huge improvement over the flyer, especially in the vest and gimbal department.

The vest feels like a scaled down and lightened up LX vest, and the whole rig feels a lot tougher and more durable than the flyer, whilst still feeling nice and light, good work tiffen, are there any Tango workshops on the cards at the moment by the way Robin?

Can't wait to get my hands on one again, and get practising, great bit of kit.

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Further to Jess's question, Robin .... is there a price on just the Zephyr with a G-40 arm (without the tango)?

Is this going to be an option?

 

If it is an option ... for me its a game changer over the Flyer! And I may well order one!

 

JP

Edited by James Puli
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Further to Jess's question, Robin .... is there a price on just the Zephyr with a G-40 arm (without the tango)?

Is this going to be an option?

 

If it is an option ... for me its a game changer over the Flyer! And I may well order one!

 

JP

 

James. just something you may want to clarify first. In another forum a few days ago Charles Papert said " The G40 has been discontinued--every model of Archer ships with a G50 now, which has 10 lbs more lift capacity (i.e. 40 lbs vs 50 lbs)."

Now, I am not sure whether Charles was referring to the Archer only, or he meant the G-40 was gone altogether so I would use this information with caution, but still worth checking with Tiffen.

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I had heard the G-40 was discontinued as well. But it is included in the Tango pricing structure, so there ya go. I can't imagine Tiffen will ever condone the use of a Zephyr with a G-40 other than with the Tango (since the Zephyr in that case is not taking the extra weight). If you use it beyond spec, that's your own deal, Tiffen will never suggest you do so.

 

In other words, using a G-40 is fine, so long as your camera is 24lbs or less. :)

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Okay. Just got off the phone with Michael, at Steadicam. I wanted to get it "from the horse's mouth." He did confirm, indeed, that the Zephyr model is a 24lb. camera capacity rig. He had stated that around NAB they had not developed the arm yet and that they were flying the Zephyr sled on a Flyer arm. The arrm and vest are NOT Flyer products. The entire Zephyr system is a redesign. So, to end all the confusion, now you know! This rig is going to be so HOT for the new RED cams coming to market!

 

Just a heads up, Michael said that they are out 60 days in filling orders. He said by March they should be caught up.

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