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Zephyr roll call


Mark Schlicher

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Hello Gents,

 

I've got a shiny new Zephyr, here. Been away from Steadicam for a while, but I'm an alum of the Malibu workshop back in 2000, and have owned a variety of rigs, and have monkeyed around with most of the well known sleds, arms and vests over the years.

 

I got a Live TV gig dropped in my lap this year that I couldn't say no to, which prompted the purchase of the Zephyr. Feeling a bit rusty (and fat) but the technique is coming back, slowly but surely.

 

I'm pleased with the rig, so far. It's a lot of steadicam for the money. Not perfect, but as a mid-range rig there's a lot to like.

 

I'm in the Baltimore/DC area. Nice to be back in the saddle.

 

Dave Bittner

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Welcome back!
The zephyr is a good little rig, I have been flying mine for a good year and half and love it.

Like you said, it's not perfect, but gets the job done nicely.

Have fun with your new toy! Fly safe,

 

Victor Lazaro (I'm in Brooklyn, NY)

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Hey guys! Had my Zephyr for about a month now & couldn't be happier.

I've been a jib operator for the past 7 years & have loved every minute of it, got bit by the steadibug and figured it was another good specialty skill to get into. Got my first gig with the Zephyr booked for the first week of August, but maybe have something before then.

Needless to say I'm excited and can't wait to get home everyday and fly it around the house.

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  • 3 months later...
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Just got mine!

 

I've had the Pilot for a couple years now and have sub-rented the Zephyr for a couple jobs and ultimately couldn't resist, haha. Works wonders on a c300, even managed to balance an Alexa the other day~ Was planning on getting the Marshall 7" Monitor to replace the SD one. As far as I can tell, it's the same model as the one that comes with the HD version of the Zephyr, but other than not having the Steadicam logo boot screen, are there any major differences I'm forgetting?

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Alan,

 

That's something I haven't heard about. Any details on when, how and why it happens? I had an SDI board burn out on a Marshall monitor awhile back but I don't recall the circumstances...seemingly random. Interesting. Alternative monitor?

 

Tim,

 

As far as I know the high-bright Marshall is basically identical (other than splash screen) to the one sold by Tiffen...except the Tiffen unit includes a metal mounting bracket that (in theory) would make a bit more rigid and robust connection to the 1/4-20 screw on the rig. This also eliminates the possibility of a battery mount on the back of the monitor. I didn't have any rigidity problems with my Marshall version of the monitor. I have since purchased a monitor yoke from Tom Wills so it's a moot point anyway.

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the only proof I have is empirical, and I have talked to other ops who have had similar experiences. In any case, I think we can all agree that you will have to have that board replaced at least once in the first two years of ownership (I've talked to some who have had to replace it twice), and you should plan that cost into the initial purchase for comparison.

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Whoa, yeah, I've never had that problem before either. I've used that Marshall on a number of Epic jobs, guess I was lucky?

 

And Mark, that yoke mount looks niiiiiiiiiiiice. What was the price on that guy if ya don't mind me asking? Also, that Anton Bauer accessory plate is all kinds of brilliant.

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Alan,

 

I'm not sure if I accurately communicated my tone...I wasn't doubting or requiring "proof." Sorry if I was unclear.

 

I've just never heard about this specific issue, and I'm curious for any details that can help troubleshoot it (or help to prevent/avoid the situation). For instance, has either Marshall or Red commented on the problem? Is there a technical understanding (such as voltage leakage into the video line) Has anyone had the problem with cameras other than Epic? Did it happen in specific powering configurations? Has anyone had this issue with the new MD series monitors?

 

Looking back at my email to Marshall, I thought at the time of my monitor's failure that it could have been due to a problem with my Black Magic HDMI-SDI converter (which would have been a Canon DSLR job).

 

In any case, I do keep a backup Marshall monitor. But if it's a known issue with Marshall monitors, that's a significant strike against it when considering a purchase, and I'd like to hear as much about it as possible from anyone who has been affected.

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Tim,

 

Check with Tom Wills, he has made a couple of different small batches of yokes, and I believe that the price has varied a bit each batch. It was very reasonable, but talk to Tom. You need to know that, for the 7" (non-MD) Marshalls, you'll need to buy, from Marshall, some little mounting blocks that screw into each side of the monitor to provide the 1/4-20 holes needed. Tom provided mounting blocks for the 6.5" monitors, but they are not compatible with the 7" monitors.

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I think Tom gave that yolk design to Cinema Oxide, and you can order one from them.

 

Mark, I asked Marshall about the issue when I brought it in, but I didn't get very far (no one could answer me, and there were no engineers around). I don't know what the deal is, but it might be a heat issue. Sometimes my bnc connectors get so hot on the monitor that they almost burns me.

 

All I know is that I won't be buying any more Marshall monitors after this one. I was actually just thinking of getting a SmallHD AC7 as a temporary until I get the DP7 HB.

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Hi, I had my HD-SDI board burn this year. (second problem with this monitor, first was the power input burned)

Its a Steadicam branded monitor but as my sled is out of warranty I decided to call Marshall to have a direct contact with the manufacturer. I spoke with a technician who spotted the issue immediately. I sent the monitor to the CA factory (I'm in NYC) A week later I received the monitor with a new board and still no invoice. Turns out they fixed and shipped it back for free.

I asked what the issue was and they mentioned that the board is sensible to differential shocks when being connected. They recommend to connect the monitor prior to turning the camera on. They say also that if the BNC touched the ground while it might ground the circuit, thus causing a spark. Just repeating what I have been told.

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