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Tiffen Steadicam M1 modular


Jens Piotrowski SOC

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I tried it at the SOA workshop. It's a nice piece of gear. It had a few issues as any prototype would. I liked the design of the docking bracket (it attaches to the gimbal, instead of under the top stage)

Last thing I heard, they were back on the drawing board, working on making it lighter.

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I tried it at the SOA workshop. It's a nice piece of gear. It had a few issues as any prototype would. I liked the design of the docking bracket (it attaches to the gimbal, instead of under the top stage)

Last thing I heard, they were back on the drawing board, working on making it lighter.

Not sure the idea of docking at the gimbal is good.

The bearing is not a solid part.

Every time we dock, we hammer the balls to the bearing housing.

Eventually, in time, it will fail.

 

Cheers,

 

Ken Nguyen.

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I agree. I don't think a part like that should be getting that kind of abuse. Also when docked the CG of the system is now above the height of the dock, and I don't like the idea of that either. I'm sure it's a non issue tho, as you would likely just pop a Gorelock ring on there anyway...

I'm also not mad on this non standard post sizing. At least make it 2" or 1.5" as options, and then everyone could buy their new gimbal, or integrate parts of it into their current system.

Tiffen is only modular within Tiffen, and when the vast majority of seasoned ops use non Tiffen rigs, then they are only appealing to people who want to buy complete new systems, which drastically decreases their potential market. I'm sure there are many people more inclined to upgrade parts than shelling out on an entire new system. It's always confused me why this seems to be the case.

No disrespect to anyone involved tho, it's good to see new things from Tiffen and I'm sure it will be a great sled when done.

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Here are a few shots of the rig I took Last time. (sorry for potato picture and selfie)

If my memory is good, the docking is more on the gimbal grip than on the gimbal bearing. The CG is still under the docking bracket since it should be somewhere in the middle of the handle, but yes, might me an issue when building or adding and accessory. It does allow you to bring the gimbal much higher since you don't need a docking ring. Also, the bracket has a rubber padding where the rig rests, which avoids the *clonk* when dropping the rig on it.

post-12830-0-37096600-1410139590_thumb.jpg

post-12830-0-33552300-1410139628_thumb.jpg

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26 inches bottom of sled to top of dovetail plate. Docking on ring has same shock as docking on gimbal; new gimbal dock is different and will reduce shock. Or you can use Gorelock or other, your choice.

 

As for why not compatible with other manufacturers (stage, posts, monitor mount, base) - there would be too many compromises and features lost, too much weight with adapters, etc.

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Why not deliver it standard with a 1.5" or a 2" post instead of starting a new size? XCS offers different sleeves for all common post sizes out there. Something similar would let people use your new equipment on their current sleds, same with the monitor brackets. Maybe someone has an old PRO and is looking for a new gimbal... Or has a gimbal they like and need a new sled in 1.5 or 2"

I can understand your post connector point, but there other changes that wouldn't make it such a closed system.

Will there be a gimbal handle with a 5/8" hole?

 

Rich.

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Tiffen has a really strange idea about "Modular" since it won't play with any of the other "Modular" rigs on the planet. And lets not forget the 1.56" center post was for "Increased rigidity" when they (Okay CP) adopted it for the Master series. The real reason was so that PRO owners couldn't use a CP Gimbal when they and I quote "Shopped in the valley"

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I'd say 50% of the time I dock my sled and the other 50% the grip docks it for me. I can imagine the fun they will have supporting the weight of the sled while trying to chase that gimbal yoke and handle as it rotates around the post, aiming to clip it into the dock at just the right angle without knocking it, you'd need 3 hands.

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I must say that where I live I think modularity is the most important feature of my rig as i can't just drive down the road to the manufacturer. I have a 1.5" post therefore if I want to change/upgrade my gimbal I can choose between PRO/XCS/MK-V. Also if I want to pick up a used one it is much easier. Also as many ops before have done I can pick and choose parts that I think/like best.

 

If something breaks it is quicker/cheaper to ship in part I need rather than an entire sled or i would have to dissemble the thing, which although is possible who really wants to take apart your rig the night before...

 

 

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I'd say 50% of the time I dock my sled and the other 50% the grip docks it for me. I can imagine the fun they will have supporting the weight of the sled while trying to chase that gimbal yoke and handle as it rotates around the post, aiming to clip it into the dock at just the right angle without knocking it, you'd need 3 hands.

You should try it! Can be done easily with normal compliment of hands. LOL.

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