Rare adapter (female 1/2 to male 5/8) needed!

[Martin Robausch]

Hi Guys!

After working with some gimbals (Ronin 1 & 2, as well as the RS2) and other stabilisation systems such as ready rig, I recently got myself a Steadicam package, consisting of a Zephyr Vest, the A30 arm as well as the Steadicam Steadimate  (for the Ronin’s).

Although this works well, I nevertheless wanted to assemble some sort of the “poor man’s Trinity” and got a sled as well. Unfortunately, I decided to not go with the Aero Sled, because I was a bit shocked about its price when purchased solo (roundabout 3K USD here in my central European home) – compared to the very attractive package prices (my complete 3-part package was cheaper than the Aero sled alone).

Anyways, so I bought a sled from another brand and quality-wise I am satisfied so far, but as a complete Steadicam-newbie, I am struggling – not a big surprise you might say - with a very basic challenge.

As you might know, the A 30 arm has a ½ - do you call it pin? – which shall settle the sled, but my sled (differently to the Steadymate) has a 5/8 hole on its (arm)end, which I thought can`t be the biggest problem, but it is…

I can`t find any adapter which has on its one end a ½ hole and on the other end a 5/8 pin anywhere in the net. Without it I am not even able to give the system a first try. For security reasons I checked with a “baby-pin” from a light stand and yes, exactly this pin size would be needed to hook up the sled.

So now my question is: does anybody here can help me with a link to such an adapter please?

[Jarrett P. Morgan]

Any local machine shop should be able to turn one for you, but I would be hesitant to put too much weight on a 1/2" pin. If you end up putting a bunch of leverage on it with a trinity type shot" it could fail. I would 100% do stainless steel if you could. Just be careful to not overload the arm or the posts. 

[Martin Robausch]

1 hour ago, Jarrett P. Morgan said:

Any local machine shop should be able to turn one for you, but I would be hesitant to put too much weight on a 1/2" pin. If you end up putting a bunch of leverage on it with a trinity type shot" it could fail. I would 100% do stainless steel if you could. Just be careful to not overload the arm or the posts. 

Many thanks for your hint, I already thought about it. I just wanted to make sure that I am not simply missing an offering every other Steadicam community member knows but i don`t... 

[Nicola Paoli]

Hi Martin,

did you solve your problem at the end? Were you able to get a custom piece?

I just saw this post because I am going to have exactly the same problem with my rig. Zephyr vest+A-30 arm, and a sled that accepts 16mm pins. I am a bit unsure who to ask around here.

I saw there is this adaptor:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1433013-REG/photogenic_904793_adapter_stand_1_2_5_8.html

that might be kind of what you were looking for perhaps? However, a light stand pin is not a fully shaped pin for steadicam use.. so I was a bit doubtful.