Achim Girnth Posted June 28, 2005 Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 Hi There, has anyone already gained experience with an SDX900 on a Steadicam Flyer? It is very close to the Payload Limit ... What are the DIFFERENCES between Flyer and a a Glidecam V16 Sled? (Don't say "Look", that is obvious ...) as the Flyer is also a "Low Cost" sled??? I really appreciate any comments ... Achim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members JobScholtze Posted June 28, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 The v16 has a very different arm as the flyer. Flyer has 2 bone's and the v16 one. So the flyer will give you more boomerang. If you are looking for a little more payload, wait for the glide cam v35. This IBC ( amsterdam ) it will be released. Search on this forum for v35 and you will see some pic's. Nice arm, nice sled. Sachtler is coming out with an lightweight rig and Mk-v also i heard. Choice's enough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Achim Girnth Posted June 28, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 Hi Job, thanks for your Reply, going to test both Sytems V16 / Flyer. You own a Glidecam Gold, which is far too expensive for us documentary guys, already invested in the SDX900 which really is woth the money!!! Checked out Your website, great CloseUps in the Musicvideo Raffish! greetings from Gernamy to the Netherlands ... Achim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members chris fawcett Posted June 28, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 has anyone already gained experience with an SDX900 on a Steadicam Flyer? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Achim, I've flown an SDX900 with Lockit box, ZiF 100 lens controller, and radio reciever on a standard Flyer. Albeit, only in the facilities house. It seems fine, and I'm taking the lot to the ex-Soviet republic of Georgia on Thursday to shoot a one-hour documentary about a residential mental institution built in the time of the Tzars. You're right about the camera being close to the Flyer's limit, but the main problem is maintaining space above the gimbal for docking. Here's what you do: Remove the safely retaining pins from the docking plate Remove the viewfinder and battery from the camera Place the accessories (Lockit, reciever, etc.) below the gimbal Use two heavy batteries on the sled (the IDXs are too light, so I took the camera batteries instead) Forget about using a matte box. Gaffer tape whatever glass you need to the lens hood. The arm is a hair below max, but feels super. The rig is responsive, though not rock stable. The vest appears to be comfortable enough to fill a tape. I'll let you know how it goes when I get back in a month's time...if they let me out again. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Achim Girnth Posted June 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 Hi Chris, sounds good to me, I'll try to get grip on testing a sytem here in Germany (seems like Tiffen is not very present in the german market). Would be nice to shre informations (also got my 900 two minths ago and I am very happy with the beast). I hope they let you out again. ;-) My best wishes Cu Achim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members chris fawcett Posted June 30, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 I'll try to get grip on testing a sytem here in Germany (seems like Tiffen is not very present in the german market). Would be nice to shre informations (also got my 900 two minths ago and I am very happy with the beast). <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Achim, I'm based in Amsterdam right now. You are welcome to try out the Flyer any time you are here. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Williams Posted July 2, 2005 Report Share Posted July 2, 2005 I am flying the Sony Z1U on my Flyer. The camera with a Centuy Optics wide angle adapter goes on just fine, as long as I mount to the holes all the way at the back of the plate. But now I'm out of room to move back to compensate for anything else I'd want to hand on the front of the camera (Frezzi light, matte box, etc.) Tiffen does not make a longer plate for this sled. is there another solution? Thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members charlesneufeld Posted July 2, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 2, 2005 Tiffen does not make a longer plate for this sled. is there another solution? Well if you have not maxed out the arm with this setup, you could place a couple oz/pounds of dead weight behind the camera to move the center of gravity forward on the camera plate. I have a couple small plates of powercoated steel for this purpose on odd set-ups. Hope this helps! ~C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Williams Posted July 2, 2005 Report Share Posted July 2, 2005 Thanks - I was trying to avoid adding dead weight but it is a solution. I have plenty of room for more weight on the arm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Williams Posted July 3, 2005 Report Share Posted July 3, 2005 I figured out a solution. I gaffer taped two camera batteries back to back which added the rear end weight I needed and gives me the benefit of another charged battery right on the camera: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members charlesneufeld Posted July 3, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 3, 2005 I figured out a solution. I gaffer taped two camera batteries back to back which added the rear end weight I needed and gives me the benefit of another charged battery right on the camera: It's amazing what and extra pound will do eh? Glad to hear you got it all sorted out! ~C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Mikko Wilson Posted July 4, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 4, 2005 Heh.. I had jsut the same problem with a GL2 on a homebuilt sled. My friend sugested the "vietnam" style battery (like taping to magazines back to back for holding more ammo...) I ended up going for a old bolt taped to the battery to add weight lower instead (still behind the post of course..) Glad that trick worked! - Mikko Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClearVision Posted July 11, 2005 Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 Hi Dave, We are thinking about purchasing the flyer to use with our Z1 and Pannasonic's new HDV cam. How is the set up working for you? How long have you been flying cams? Do you have any more pictures of your set-up we could look at? Thanks in advance, Just really interested on how the Flyer is working on these light HDV cameras. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Williams Posted July 14, 2005 Report Share Posted July 14, 2005 Mike, The Z1U flys very nicely on the Flyer. I am a Glidecam veteran, recently purchasing my Steadicam rig 8 weeks ago. I have used it on a half dozen jobs since then and I simply LOVE it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Burton Posted July 27, 2005 Report Share Posted July 27, 2005 here are some pics of the bottom alen bolt section of my steadicam flyer. and I seem to have buggered the alen threads by using a key that was a tad to small for the bolts. thus rounding off the little bleeders and leaving me with a pretty useless rig. I'm pretty disapointed with the bottom section on a hole but the rest of the rig is remarkable and i'm verry happy using it. Can anybody sugest a quick fix and possibly an upgrade option if you know any. Cheers Matthew Burton Planet-mu.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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