Erwin Wehner Posted May 23, 2006 Report Share Posted May 23, 2006 As my first Steadicam I just bought a STJR. Since actually no longer balancing settings and weights are recommended camera specifically I found it very hard to adjust the system from scratch. I have no monitor or light on the STJR, only the Panasonic NV GS 400, which is about 830 grammes. I chose hole 5 and one medium weight only with stopper "heavy". Can you please help me with your experience? Thanks a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Erwin Landau Posted May 24, 2006 Premium Members Report Share Posted May 24, 2006 Hi, As a new member and first time poster, I assume that you didn't realize that you are one of the only ones that does not use his real name. Please do so and somebody will answer your question. We are very up tight about that. And if that does not work for you, I'm sure that you will be welcome at www.steadiforum.com. Sincerely, The moderator team. Erwin"I'm a very up tight fellow... yeah right"Landau Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erwin Wehner Posted May 24, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2006 My name is Erwin Wehner, I´m 54 years and make movies as a hobby since many years (starting with super8, then S-VHS and now mini-DV). I always hated my shaking camera drives and so worked mainly with a fixed tripod. This obviously makes movies somewhat static. Only some weeks ago I learned about steadicams for amateurs and got the STJR last week in New York City. Now - as I experienced after putting the things together - it needs a lot of practice to keep the camera really steady and soft flying. Being ready to do that training my purpose with the question to the forum is to get maybe some help, that this training at least starts with the right settings. And here I am not sure, whether I got it right. Best regards Erwin Wehner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members JobScholtze Posted May 24, 2006 Premium Members Report Share Posted May 24, 2006 I think you should go to http://www.dvinfo.net/ There are many jr users there. I dont think that most of the forum members use the jr overhere, so you wont find a lot of help. I would help you if i could, but i never saw the freaking thing. Its more big rigs overhere. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Erwin Landau Posted May 24, 2006 Premium Members Report Share Posted May 24, 2006 Welcome Erwin, Having operated the big rigs for a while, I found that the small non body mounted stabilizers are quite a different beast to balance and operate. Even dough the same rules and physics apply... quite a different beast. Garrett and Ted Churchill made a video tape that used to come with the Steadicam JR. I actually believe it was a 2 parter. It was very much in structure like the famed "EFP manual" video tape. So it taught you everything you needed to know from balancing up to advanced operating tips. That's the problem when you buy used (If you did) that half of the accessories are missing... Tiffen made a similar training DVD again for the Merlin. Actually, try Tiffen (818-843-4600 ext. 17, Kyle Young) and give them a call maybe they still have a JR tape lying (and manual hard copy) around. If you can't get the JR, try to get the Merlin DVD. Not quite the same but close enough (and it's free). And if that doesn't work, try the other forums that are more for small format cameras and rigs... Good Luck, Erwin"I suck at operating the JR"Landau Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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