Professional gear Question

[candace coons]

Hello, I'm a novice steadicam user, and have recently decided to make the investment and purchase the Archer 2. I am currently looking at different add ons and accessories for the Archer 2 and thought I could use some guidance when it came to purchasing cables and wires for professional cameras. I was told that as an operator, one must always be prepared with the cables, wires and connectors for every situation, for every type of job. If there is any information of what type of cables or wires I should invest in for professional jobs, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks so much.

--Candace

[Osvaldo Silvera SOC]

Hello there.

Welcome to the forum.

Use the search function on here and you'll find so much information, it will take you weeks to read it all.

But in short,

The cables you will need will rely on the sort of work you want to do.

Buying every power cable made is a bad idea at first and a bad use of your funds.

One cable that is most likely going to be your most used one is the 4pin XLR Female

This will power most every Sony, Ikegami, Grass Valley, & Panasonic Broadcast Video Camera, both HD and SD.

Start with 2 of those.( it's a good idea to buy frequently used cables in sets of 2, Cause you never know!

 

Another great piece is the Anton Bauer SO-XLR plate ( about $110), It allows you to power most any camera with an Anton Bauer plate from those previously mentioned 4pin XLR Female plugs

 

Finally one other cable I like is the Anton Bauer P Tap Male to 4 pin XLR Female.

Let's say you need another place to grab 12 volts from and your all out on the sled, One of these cables will be able to tap into the P Tap on most every current Anton Bauer plate and provide power for some of your accessories or even a Monitor.

 

So right off the bat

2- 30" XLR4F to Archer 2 top stage power

1- Anton Bauer SO-XLR plate

2- 30" Anton Bauer Male P Tap to XLR4F

 

 

If you get a Red job. wether RED One, Epic or Scarlet, you should be able to use the SO-XLR plate and one of your XLR4F to Archer 2 cables.

Or if you see your operating alot on the Red cameras, then have a specific one made.

 

If you get an Alexa 24 Volt Job and your Archer does 24 Volts, you'd want a straight Alexa to Archer 24 volt cable and a 90 Degree version in case the bracketry doesn't allow the straight version of the plug.

 

Just my humble suggestions....as a start.

 

Fly well.

[Tony Reyes]

I'm new to the Steadicam world as well. Still getting through my first year. I have been "winging" it a lot. I have either powered cameras via their own on camera battery (not ideal, I know) or rented/barrowed what I have NEEDED.

Basically, I have been buying things as I need them, when it seems like I'm going to use it frequently.