Simon Wyndham Posted March 27, 2005 Report Share Posted March 27, 2005 I've read that the Steadicam Flyer can handle cameras up to 15lbs. I can't seem to find any specs on the official SC site, so can anybody hear confirm this? Im looking into an affordable rig, although it is for a PDW510P that weighs around 12lbs with the battery etc. Would the Flyer be too lightweight for such a camera? I also looked at the SK2, but the fact it only has a single action arm put me off. The Magiqcam looks good, but I would prefer a true Steadicam if it was within my budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Mikko Wilson Posted March 27, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 27, 2005 I don't know about the Magiqcam havign never flown one.. but it is an imitation rig and I get the impression it's (just) ok, but nothing special. The Flyer is a fantastic light rig. - the arm rivals the Master/Ultra arm in performance, beats the SK arm hands down. - Also the Flyer has the Vest-Arm adjustment on it which is very important for proper operating. So yeah if you have the funds, i'd definatly sugest the flyer. About weight: First off, take the battery off your camera. - The camera is powered by the battery on the steadicam, it wont' need it's own. (don't forget to get a flyer with teh correct mounts for the batteries you allready have :) ) This will knock a couple of pounds of the cam. - also if you are havign wight probs, you can strip stuff off the camera. - Viewfinder generally goes first, followed by the mic & it's mount. if you are still too heavy then can also pull other bits off like the sun shade from the lense, and maybe the handle etc... However, dont' forget to add stuff like follow focus, x-mitter, etc.. depending on what accessories you plan to use. I fly a Hitachi V-21W with DSR-1 Back and canon 12x ENG Glass; on our Flyer, fully stripped without trouble. Yes the Flyer will handle any camera 4-15Lbs. (that's wight on the stage... cam + accesories, but NOT including Batts) SO if yoru camera is 12Lbs with the battery, then it should fly very nicly on the Flyer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members JobScholtze Posted March 27, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 27, 2005 ore you can wait for the Glidecam v35 release. That's gonna be a knock out for the flyer. It will handle cameras up to 25-30 lbs Found some more photo's from the v35 in the field Link 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Wyndham Posted March 27, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2005 Thanks for the reply Mikko :) I just reweighed the camera (like an idiot I went on the manufactuer specs, and they are without the lens). When I took the viewfinder off it weight 14.97lbs almost bang on the absolute limit of the Flyer. Over time would this put undue stress on the system? I would really need a system that can cope quite happily with the weight. Looks like I may have to save for a ProVid2. Eeek! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Wyndham Posted March 27, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2005 JobScholtze whats the V35? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Wyndham Posted March 27, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2005 Ah sorry, didn't see the picture originally. Thing about the Glidecams is that I've heard loads of people say that they lack the adjustments of the Steadicams? I've also heard that the arms can sometimes be unweildy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members JobScholtze Posted March 27, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 27, 2005 I own the Gold for almost a year now and i can tell you that the arm is great. I try'd the V35 last ibc, it was the prototype, like i said before, this will be a knock out. Very very nice rig, in fact i am gonna order one as running rig. It's gonna be in the price range of 8 k i heard. ANd no, i don't work for them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Mikko Wilson Posted March 27, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 27, 2005 Simon: The system specs are for the maximum normal operating situation - and yeah, that's when the arm maxes out and can no longer hold the rig up level. However operating at these settings will have no negative effect on the rig in the long run - In fact the springs in an Iso-Elastic arm are always stretched the same amount, regardless of their weight setting! (The adjustment doesn't effect spring tension, but rather the lifting efficiency of the spring due to it's lift angle) If you need to bring the cam weight even lower, then pull off that sun shade, and anything else you can. - battery mount, shoulder pad have all come off our cam when necesary. That beeing said, I mostly shoot with slightly smaller cams on our flyer. And you really do want to leave a little more room for accesories like the focus kit, transmitter, tally kit if you run multicamera, matte boxes, etc.. So sounds like the Pro-Vid2 may be a better option for you. - Call Frank at Steadicam and tell him what you have, he'll be happy to help you choose the right rig :-) - Mikko. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Burton Posted March 28, 2005 Report Share Posted March 28, 2005 I might add that MKV do a mod flyer setup, i wasn't able to see it in action however i'm sure somebody has ? So the v35 around 8k would that be $ or euro ? cheers matt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members JobScholtze Posted March 28, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 28, 2005 So the v35 around 8k would that be $ or euro ? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I heard the price will be around $8,000.00. Dollars that is. I am not sure, but saw this on the internet somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members chris fawcett Posted March 28, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 28, 2005 Hi, I have flown an 8.6kg camera on the Flyer. The arm was perfect on full tension. When docked there was 20mm of space between the docking plate and the gimbal. The camera c.o.g. was 75mm. A higher camera c.o.g. might have left no room to dock. (The sled weighed in at 3.8 kg with 2 IDX batteries) I flew that rig all day without discomfort. The total system is so light, I didn't bother to take it off during breaks. I bought one of the first Flyers, and I'm very happy with it. I'm even happier with the support and service I've had from Tiffen. Hope this helps, Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members chris fawcett Posted March 30, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 30, 2005 Sorry Simon, In imperial measures: I have flown a 19lb camera on the Flyer. The arm was perfect on full tension. When docked there was 13/16in of space between the docking plate and the gimbal. The camera c.o.g. was 3in. A higher camera c.o.g. might have left no room to dock. (The sled weighed in at 8lb 6oz with 2 IDX batteries) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Mikko Wilson Posted April 4, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 4, 2005 Hi, I have flown an 8.6kg camera on the Flyer. The arm was perfect on full tension. When docked there was 20mm of space between the docking plate and the gimbal. The camera c.o.g. was 75mm. A higher camera c.o.g. might have left no room to dock. (The sled weighed in at 3.8 kg with 2 IDX batteries) I flew that rig all day without discomfort. The total system is so light, I didn't bother to take it off during breaks. I bought one of the first Flyers, and I'm very happy with it. I'm even happier with the support and service I've had from Tiffen. Hope this helps, Chris <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ...interesting numbers Chris, sound really familer... I'll be happy to confirm those figures, having flown with virtually exactly the same specks.. (I had PAG batteries, not IDX). My logest shoot with the Flyer (with a slgihtly lighter HDV setup) was a 19hr day - with 1hr for lunch, but in flight most of the rest of the time. - Mikko Chris, what's your Flyer's S/N? I'm curious how close ours are... ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members chris fawcett Posted April 4, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 4, 2005 Mikko My S/N is 0169*S Didn?t want to post it in full, you understand. I can?t believe I?ve got 1 1/2 thousandth though. Maybe the sled serial numbers carry on from the Mini. The arm doesn't seem to have a number. Just documented the opening of a new night club, here in Amsterdam. Shot 4 hours of tape in 5 hours. Mmm...fun. Now I have to edit it; maybe some of it's in focus and possibly even the right way up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Mikko Wilson Posted April 4, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 4, 2005 I noticed the same thing about the seemingly high S/N - but I guess the sled is very similar to the mini's. - mainly new monitor, and of course the gimble. I conclude, no S/N on the arm.. - vest has a diffenret S/N too.. :-) ...isn't the Flyer Stage basically the SK stage? "Right way up"? ..do share! - Mikko Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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