Steadicam Pilot & Low Mode

[Tim Wu]

Hi all! New user herrrrre~

 

I've had a Pilot for about 2 years now, and lovin' it. Been doing odd jobs here and there, music videos, docs, what have you. I was wondering if anyone had found a solution for flying a Pilot in low-mode, of if such an adapter for the Pilot gimbal even exists?

 

Luckily, the few times it's been requested it was just for DSLR work, and I was able to swap the position of the camera body and the monitor with surprisingly effective results, haha, but obviously this leaves no room for a Bartech or other accessories.

 

Just thought I'd pick this community's brain, thanks in advance!

[Stavros Papastavrou]

Hi Tim

 

In the "low mode" section in the Pilot manual an accessory is mentioned that can be used for better low mode operating, the low mode "f-bracket" (if I recall).

You should find the order code in the last page where the accessories are listed.

If you don't have the manual you can get it from the Tiffen site, or even better you could make a call on your local Tiffen reseller.

If you are seeking something like the low mode cage the bigger systems have, I'm not sure there is anything like that for the Pilot.

The weight of a thing like that would be troublesome for a such a light system.

Hope this helps

 

Stavros

[Peter Abraham]

An F bracket is essential. It lowers the lens height roughly 7". It also allows you to switch without risking hitting the camera with the gimbal.

 

As you are learning, it is a balancing act. Use a cage and it alters the equation.

 

A hint: undo the set screws on the side of your F bracket and don't tighten them again. Loose, they allow another pivot point.

 

Best,

 

Peter Abraham, S.O.C.

[Tim Wu]

Thank you both so much! I'll definitely look into that F bracket. I didn't realize they made one specifically for the Pilot~

[Victor Lazaro]

Hi all! New user herrrrre~

 

I've had a Pilot for about 2 years now, and lovin' it. Been doing odd jobs here and there, music videos, docs, what have you. I was wondering if anyone had found a solution for flying a Pilot in low-mode, of if such an adapter for the Pilot gimbal even exists?

 

Luckily, the few times it's been requested it was just for DSLR work, and I was able to swap the position of the camera body and the monitor with surprisingly effective results, haha, but obviously this leaves no room for a Bartech or other accessories.

 

Just thought I'd pick this community's brain, thanks in advance!

 

Just get a F-bracket for your gimbal http://goo.gl/rSUyM and flip your pole. the battery and monitor are up and the camera is up side down at the bottom

[Tim Wu]

Oh perfect! Didn't realize the Flyer aks were compatible with the Pilot. Thanks all!

[Elliot Gabor]

I still don't really get the need for an F-Bracket for the pilot. The telescoping center post allows the rig to get pretty low and I don't see an issue of clearance whenever I've seen it inverted to go to low mode. Would you mind explaining the benefit in a different way, maybe I'm missing something.

Edited October 12, 2012 by Elliot Gabor

[Tom Wills]

The idea is that with a low mode bracket, you can get the camera lower, without extending the post. Short posts handle better and are easier to work with in smaller spaces. Also, you'll find that while in low mode, especially if the gimbal is near the top of the post (like it is with a heavier camera), the arm and camera will come very close and could hit in some situations - especially with wider cameras, or cameras with a lot of accessories. . There's also very little room to get your hand in below the gimbal. By using an F bracket, you get more hand room, can have a shorter post, can get the camera lower, and avoid hitting the camera with the arm. It's a very worthwhile trade off, especially for the low price, and the very short few seconds it takes to put it on and take it off.

[Elliot Gabor]

This is making more sense now, thank you.