Zephyr first looks

[Brian Freesh]

Thanks Carl,

 

I sent those links to Dan Ikeda at Tiffen, hopefully he can get it changed promptly.

[Craig Kovatch]

Hi Dave.

 

The camera sits about the same height as my head, if not a bit higher. It just feels to high. Even with the arm lowered all the down, I'm still hitting my elbow on it. With the sled mounted, is the arm supposed to be horizontal? Because it isn't. It's angled up about 30 degrees. There's no doubt most if not all of my problems are from inexperience. You pros make operating look waaay easier than it is! With a drop time of 3 seconds, the sled seems to roll quite easily. I figured more weight on the stage would help with this, along with more practice :). Sorry Mark for hijacking this thread.

 

 

 

Craig,

 

What do you mean "having a rough time controlling the sled ..."? The arm should handle the EX1 nicely ...

 

Dave

 

 

 

Hi Mark.

 

Any word on the min/max payloads for the Zephyr? I just got my Zephyr last week, and while I won't be taking a course until the end of June, I'm having a rough time cotrolling the sled with an EX1 mounted. I'm thinking the EX1 is too light for the arm. I've even tried adding additional accessories to the camera to bring the arm down a bit, which hasn't helped much.

 

Thanks.

[Mark Schlicher]

Craig,

 

No worries about hijacking. However, it would be best to post your questions in the newbie section, a lot of helpful folks hang out there.

 

If you haven't already done so, watch the Steadicam EFP Training dvd that comes with the Zephyr. It covers all basic principles, except dynamic balance, which you are not ready to tackle yet, anyway. Do the exercises.

 

Next, buy, read, study, devour the "Steadicam Operators Handbook". Do the exercises.

 

Take a workshop when you can, but do this other stuff, too.

 

 

Finally, for a smaller camera and beginner operator, a shorter (2 sec) drop time is the recommendation I usually hear.

 

Yes, both sections of the arm should hang horizontal. Sounds like a 5lb camera is too light for your Zephyr arm, it definitely is for mine. Tiffens specs seem to be a little off...

 

 

Hi Dave.

 

The camera sits about the same height as my head, if not a bit higher. It just feels to high. Even with the arm lowered all the down, I'm still hitting my elbow on it. With the sled mounted, is the arm supposed to be horizontal? Because it isn't. It's angled up about 30 degrees. There's no doubt most if not all of my problems are from inexperience. You pros make operating look waaay easier than it is! With a drop time of 3 seconds, the sled seems to roll quite easily. I figured more weight on the stage would help with this, along with more practice :). Sorry Mark for hijacking this thread.

 

 

 

Craig,

 

What do you mean "having a rough time controlling the sled ..."? The arm should handle the EX1 nicely ...

 

Dave

 

 

 

Hi Mark.

 

Any word on the min/max payloads for the Zephyr? I just got my Zephyr last week, and while I won't be taking a course until the end of June, I'm having a rough time cotrolling the sled with an EX1 mounted. I'm thinking the EX1 is too light for the arm. I've even tried adding additional accessories to the camera to bring the arm down a bit, which hasn't helped much.

 

Thanks.

[Brian Freesh]

To add to Mark's very useful post:

 

A 3 second drop time will be harder to control, as will the raised arm. Like I said, I assumed the 5 lb camera would be too light. But be sure you have the arm dialed all the way down. Also, there's no reason you should have a 3 second drop time with that camera weight, sounds like your gimbal is too low. Raise it up a bit and your drop time will shorten. Adding weight to the camera (and changing nothing else) will slow the drop time even more.

[Craig Kovatch]

Thanks for the input guys. One last question before I head off to the newbies area. Are you recommending I don't add additional weight to the stage? I was about to order a weight plate but I'm wondering if I should wait until after my course in June.

 

Thanks.

[Brian Freesh]

If the arm is already dialed all the way down, then you NEED to add weight. If you add weight to the top stage and do not change anything else, your drop time will SLOW or the rig will turn over with the camera upside down. I am shocked that you have a 3 second drop time as-is unless your gimbal is very low, or if you are counting fast (lots of people do this). Start with your gimbal just low enough to dock the rig normally, adjust everything else on the rig to get it where you want, and then drop the gimbal if the drop time is too fast.

 

And I take back my phrasing from earlier. There is a reason you should have a 3 second drop time with that weight: preference. However, there's no reason you shouldn't be able to have a faster drop time, if you so desire. If I read coreectly you indicated you would like a faster drop time and were going to add weight to the top stage to fix that. I may have misinterpreted, but only meant to explain that will have opposite of the desired effect unless you move the gimbal up (and/or extend the post)

[Dave Wowchuk]

Well, I dunno guys ... I put up a stock EX1 on my Zephyr tonight, and it flew just fine. The arm was dialled down all the way, and in a resting position the arm bones were below horizontal. However ... I am using IDX Endura 10 batts, and I did add one weight for dynamic balance.

 

And, I also put on my new Marshall 6.5" HD Trans-reflective monitor and it is a HUGE improvement from the basic SD monitor that came with it. And it only cost me $1,800 instead of the $3,000 upgrade option for the HD model of the Zephyr.

[Mark Schlicher]

A very interesting turn of events...

 

Curious if you've tried a fully-loaded-to-24-lbs configuration?

 

The Endura 10 shouldn't be too different in weight from my Hytron 50's...if anything a little lighter.

 

Well, I dunno guys ... I put up a stock EX1 on my Zephyr tonight, and it flew just fine. The arm was dialled down all the way, and in a resting position the arm bones were below horizontal. However ... I am using IDX Endura 10 batts, and I did add one weight for dynamic balance.

[RonBaldwin]

Looks like it's time for one of thos cool weight cages Janice makes so proper testing can be done!

[Dave Wowchuk]

Not yet ... but as soon as I do, I will post my results.

 

 

A very interesting turn of events...

 

Curious if you've tried a fully-loaded-to-24-lbs configuration?

 

The Endura 10 shouldn't be too different in weight from my Hytron 50's...if anything a little lighter.

 

Well, I dunno guys ... I put up a stock EX1 on my Zephyr tonight, and it flew just fine. The arm was dialled down all the way, and in a resting position the arm bones were below horizontal. However ... I am using IDX Endura 10 batts, and I did add one weight for dynamic balance.

[Craig Kovatch]

I'm getting a 3 second drop with the gimble half way down the post, Otherwise it drops pretty quick. I should also note I attached all of the supplied weights to the bottom of the sled. I checked the arm last night and I was able to dial it down a bit more, but it feels like it's binding in that position.

[Mark Schlicher]

Craig,

 

You'll benefit from a weight plate. I recommend the 6 1/2 pound one. Not only will it help with the overall sled weight, to get you well inside your arm's adjustment range, but by putting the weight on the top stage, you will be able to keep your gimbal higher on the post.

 

Again, three seconds is probably too long a drop time. Aim for 2 to 2.5 seconds.

 

If your arm is binding when fully dialed down, then definitely dial it back until no binding.

[Craig Kovatch]

Thanks Mark. Just what I needed to hear.

 

Dave, what was the model # of your Marshall?

[Mark Schlicher]

Craig, you're very welcome.

 

I would add that you should make sure you inform your Tiffen rep of your arm binding and arm lift questions, just so they are aware, and may be able to offer some answers directly.

 

Thanks Mark. Just what I needed to hear.

 

Dave, what was the model # of your Marshall?

[Dave Wowchuk]

My new monitor is the Marshall V-LCD651STX-3GSDI

 

http://www.marshallmonitors.com/products/monitors/V-LCD651STX-3GSDI/index.html

 

Bought it from B&H (special order) for $1,792.00.

 

 

 

Thanks Mark. Just what I needed to hear.

 

Dave, what was the model # of your Marshall?