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New Steadicam Aero


John E Fry

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Looks like we have two new Steadicam models on offer now from Tiffen: the Aero 15 & Aero 30.

 

The Aero 15 comes with a 'lightweight' arm & vest, and the 30 appears to come with a Zephyr arm & vest. Not sure what the sled differences are yet but will get in touch with Robin at Tiffen UK & see if I can take a closer look.

 

Anyone had a play with an Aero yet? First impressions?

 

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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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I don't get why they designed the top stage in this way, you can not increase pan inertia with the extra weights (only at the lower spar), although this was one of the best features on the Pilot. Still, the rig looks very impressive, if I didn't own a Pilot, I would probably buy an Aero. The built-in quick release system, the gimbal grip, the 1000 nits monitor and the better vest (even on the Solo, full metal) are huge improvements over the Pilot. The sled looks way more robust, and the system is priced very competitvely.

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Just received my Zephyr which I think was one of the last batches, and it came with what I suppose is an Zephyr-arm as John said, but labeled as an A-30 arm, so I can at least confirm that.

I wonder if that means that the "A-30" can carry more than the suggested 30 lbs? It would be unfortunate for you to have a crippled zephyr as in previous posts it seemed that the zephyr sled with monitor and battery will not weigh 7 lbs and be able to balance a 23 lbs camera package. Have you checked to see what the max your arm can carry is?

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I wonder if that means that the "A-30" can carry more than the suggested 30 lbs? It would be unfortunate for you to have a crippled zephyr as in previous posts it seemed that the zephyr sled with monitor and battery will not weigh 7 lbs and be able to balance a 23 lbs camera package. Have you checked to see what the max your arm can carry is?

 

If the A-30 arm is the same or better than the Zephyr arm....then the Aero-30 is going to have a higher payload capability than a zephyr, which would be weird no?

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I wonder if that means that the "A-30" can carry more than the suggested 30 lbs? It would be unfortunate for you to have a crippled zephyr as in previous posts it seemed that the zephyr sled with monitor and battery will not weigh 7 lbs and be able to balance a 23 lbs camera package. Have you checked to see what the max your arm can carry is?

 

Yeah, that was the first thing I checked. And as far as I can tell it's the very same arm, with the same range, just with another name that goes with the new line.

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  • 2 weeks later...
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Is it common for the Zephyr arm to lift 42lbs before sagging? If so then mine is in good shape.

The rating of the Tiffen are often under their actual lift capacities, so I'm not surprised of that. Also the lift capacities from tiffen are camera payloads, so that's why the number might be small that the actual lift capacity.

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I don't get why they designed the top stage in this way, you can not increase pan inertia with the extra weights (only at the lower spar), although this was one of the best features on the Pilot.

 

 

Huh?

 

The stage weights are there to make a lighter camera, heavier - more above gimbal mass. If you want to adjust pan inertia, you can still do so on the lower sled as you could with the Pilot before it.

 

My guess would be the arms are the same, just with a different name.

 

James

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hello !

 

I've been really interested in this new Aero Steadicam lately. I had the possibility to try it today at the SATIS (exhibition in Paris France). Of course, I asked a lot of questions about it.

 

The Aero arm, vest and Gimbal are indeed the Zephyr one, with a different name on it. I was told the weight capability is also the same (so about 30lbs). Now I understand the Aero15/30 names.

 

The seller (who is the official Steadicam importer in France) told me that they replaced the Pilot and Zephyr by the Aero 15/30 only for marketing matters and to fight the brushless gimbal market. Which it them pretty hard under 20lbs capacity. That's also why the Aero30 is much cheaper than the Zephyr (5.500 vs 9.000+).

 

That's all I know I guess. If you have questions, feel free to ask. I'm still in contact with the guy, since I think about buying the rig.

 

Fred

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