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LVSC

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Hey guys, i bought for my studio a steadicam 2 years ago, to be honest we never used it because we could never balance it again

 

now i moved to the US and wanted to go back to video , i just got the Steadicam Solo from Tiffen, after watching 20 videos and 3 days i could not figure out

 

how to balance this steadicam, is there anyone who could help me via Skype? i really don't know what to do anymore

 

i was trying to work on the weights, gimbal, extend the pool, getting crazy and can't feel my hands anymore

 

Please advise

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Hi,

Take a deep breath, it is doable. It takes time and some patience the first times but it becomes second nature quickly. If you are still having some issues, there are some great Steadicam Workshops available all around the US where professionals will teach ou how to use this awesome tool. The 2 days workshops from Tiffen should be enough to get you started http://www.tiffen.com/steadicamworkshops/

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Hey Guys Thanks

 

First of all i want to be able to stable it without even talking about workshops from tiffen

 

Thanks Sustaining i will private msg you, i appreciate the help

 

I really tried to flow up the manual, tutorials i am missing something for sure

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Hi, you could get a copy of the Steadicam Operator's Handbook. It's got lots of great instructions with pictures on how to set up and operate your rig and can be used to get your head around the basics before going on a workshop. Alternatively you could reach out to a local operator for a half or full day's instruction?

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Mount your camera on the top. Put the supplied weights on the bottom. Make the center post as short as possible. Now hold the handle with one hand and tilt the post until it is parallel to the ground (camera lens is pointing towards the floor). Now slide the gimbal (the ring that is around the center post and connected to the handle) either up or down the post until the camera does not want to tilt down to the floor or to the ceiling. If the camera wants to go towards the floor then slide the gimbal up toward the camera. And the opposite if the weights want to go towards the floor. If you can't slide the gimbal up far enough then extend the post which will move the weights away from the camera and make it more bottom heavy. And if it is way too bottom heavy and you have to slide the gimbal too far towards the weights then remove some weights. Once you have it close to even then slide the gimbal up towards the camera just a little bit so that it takes maybe 3 seconds for the weights to drop down to the floor and the post is pointing at the ceiling. Now once you get it close you want to have the post straight up and down and you will either have to move the camera left or right on the top stage via the small knob on the right to balance it side to side. If you can't turn it far enough to balance you may need to mount the camera in a different hole on the dovetail plate. Same thing with balancing front to back. If there is another knob there turn until the camera stays level or loosen the dovetail plate in the top stage and slide the camera dovetail forward or back as needed and tighten the dovetail in place. Yu may need to mount it in a different hole there too if that is an option. If it is too front heavy mount the camera further back and visa versa.

 

If you can't figure this basic principle out take a class as others have suggested. If you do figure it out start charging $2000/day like everyone else. Good luck and USE YOUR REAL NAME!

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hey while we are at it I just bought an airplane, never used one before but I don't want to bother with all those lessons and stuff, so could someone Skype me and talk me through this flying gubbins as i want to be up in the air making money as soon as pos. Thanks.

 

P.S. anyone want to send me some of their clients contact as I want to let them know I'm available for a lot less.

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Stephan What is your problem, if you don't want to help don't

 

You know how many people like me i help start there way in photography, flash, setup, editing, hundreds for years,

Just asked 10 minutes help to stable the steadicam, you just spent 2 minutes basically about nothing.

 

1. i don't know workshops where i live

2. does it make sense to take full day course just to stable a steadicam, millions can do this by themselves for some reason i can't

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LVSC,

 

If you live or work in Las Vegas, as your avatar suggests, then there are training sessions given there by Robert Starling. Additionally there are many things to learn about operating the Steadicam that are beyond just balancing it which you may benefit from by taking a course. Let's just say it's not as easy as it looks. Perhaps you are coming across a bit arrogant to those that have worked so hard to learn this skill or who have offered advice that is not exactly what you have asked for.

 

Regardless, did you try what I suggested?

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Hey

Lawrence

 

Why Arrogant, I am helping people in forums since 12 years now, did some of them took my clients i guess, did some of them cut me in prizes, i am sure, but this is helping people when you can and getting help when you need it.

 

I got the Steadicam to add value of 10% for my photography, i have not intention to be steadicam operator, just thought someone cal explain me what i am doing wrong when i try to balance it after i read the manual, online tutorials and much more.

 

Sorry if it's a closed forum for professional only, but i could not get a simple answer just how to balance the steadicam, i am not looking for a short course online to summarize what all of you learned with sweat just few minutes to help me stable the damn thing.

 

Wish all of you great year

i will try again what you have wrote me

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Lvsc;

 

1) let's start with a name. We deal in real names here.

 

2) since you won't relent with this 'I need self help mode', and we have tried to help. This forum has helped five digit requests by newbies.

 

Mount your camera to your rig and put up a few pictures of what's wrong.

 

3) your descriptions of "stabilize" the rig are too vague.

 

4) balancing the rig is one thing stabilizing it during operating it is your job. Two separate subjects.

 

5) this is quickly dissolving into a nasty discussion and since we know nothing of your "helping others" we only see the ungrateful responses.

Janice

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Like i said i will try again and try to send pictures or video.

 

Stephen what does it show? it does not show anything beside i need more help

 

If i would tell every forum member (dpreview and d-spot and much more) to get a course to master the first basic step i think i could open my own academy.

 

i will try again and keep you posted, like i said, i tried to play with balancing the steadicam over several hours, moving everything i am just missing something

 

p.s Robert Starling is an operator and renting equipment i didn't see any workshop that he does.

 

Josh

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