Which F-bracket for Zephyr?

[John Kopec]

Hey all, about to purchase an f-bracket for my zephyr, however I'm not sure as to which one to buy.

The Steadicam Zephyr manual lists part # 300-7901 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/192877-REG/Steadicam_300_7901_3007901_Mini_Low_Mode_F.html

 

However, when doing a search on BH I also found this one: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/192878-REG/Steadicam_078_7393_01_Mini_low_mode_kit.html

 

Does anybody know the difference and could recommend which one I should get?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

John

[Mark Schlicher]

The more expensive "lowmode kit" consists of two parts: the f-bracket itself (what you see in the link to the 300-7901,) plus a clamp designed to hold on to the top handle of cameras so equipped, to suspend them right-side-up in low mode. It screws to your camera dovetail.

 

The photo of the "lowmode kit" shows the f-bracket sandwiched between the top and bottom halves of the clamp for storage.

 

The 300-7901 f-bracket is the part you must have. With digital video it's so easy to flip an image in post that it's common to leave the camera mounted normally, so that it's upside down when inverted for lowmode. The other problem with the clamp is that the padded handles of video cameras tend to introduce a whole lot of flex and vibration. You will probably seldom use the bracket.

[Carl Wiedemann]

John,

 

The first listing only has the bracket. The second is a kit with the bracket and a low mode clamp. The clamp can be mounted to the topside handle of a camcorder enabling the camera to remain right-side-up when operating in low mode. Whether or not you need the clamp depends the likelihood you'll be flying camcorders in low mode with a need to keep them top side up, rather than shooting with the camera upside-down and flipping the image in post-production.

[Alan Rencher]

This is the one I have: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=orderHistory&A=details&Q=&sku=192877&is=REG

 

...works as advertised.

[John Kopec]

Great, thanks for the quick info guys!

[Victor Lazaro]

if you work with a camera with a top handle, you need the full package, if you work with a RED Epic or don't care about flipping the camera and simply uses the camera upside down (what I do) the the single one is enough.