Should I buy a Steadicam Pilot ?

[Nick Brian Walters]

You know, this sounds exactly like a problem I heard of just a little bit ago, and that is that there was an obstruction, a metal shaving in this case, in with the bearings...you may want to check that out. If you're unable I'm sure any kind of mechanic would be able to figure out how to take it apart and check.....but I'd still get the Pilot and sell the Proaim. If you can fix the problem you'll definately get more of your investment back.

[Bart Wierzbicki]

I've read on a forum that if I buy the Steadicam Pilot, I should immediately buy also a steadistand for balancing it.

Is it true ?

Yes, you'll need a stand. You'll also probably want 8 extra middle weights, the EFP DVD, and a scale. Follow the links above for details.

 

I already ordered the EFP DVD.

What you mean with scale ?

by the way ... I have sold my proaim. :rolleyes:

[Dave Gish]

What you mean with scale ?

See post #2 of this thread:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/stabilizers-ste...t-lock-off.html

[Bart Wierzbicki]

Ok, My steadicam has been sold and last week I saw the Steadicam Pilot.

My god that thing is light ... Really impressive.

I reserved it now and this week I'll go back and I'll pick it up. :lol:

I'm really looking forward to it and I'll keep ya all informed.

[Charles King]

Ok, My steadicam has been sold and last week I saw the Steadicam Pilot.

My god that thing is light ... Really impressive.

I reserved it now and this week I'll go back and I'll pick it up. :lol:

I'm really looking forward to it and I'll keep ya all informed.

 

 

Wow! That was quick Bart. Congrats to u

[Bart Wierzbicki]

Yihaaa ! :lol:

 

Today is the day to pick up the Steadicam Pilot ! The 4 hour countdown has started !

[Amando Crespo]

Yihaaa ! :lol:

 

Today is the day to pick up the Steadicam Pilot ! The 4 hour countdown has started !

....Fantastic about your sensations!!.

You´ll recive some big boxs.... And your troubles will become. :P :P

What can I do with this all rare iron parts?...Ahh!, funny...It icludes an small tv screen! :P.

Be carefull and take it easy with your new gear. Check all the screws and parts, get good charge for the batts... Don´t forget think in a workshop

And enjoy :P :P

[Amedeo Fabroni]

Hi Bart,

Steadicam Pilot is a wonderful rig!

Compliments for your purchase. Which camera do you use?

Regards,

Amedeo

[Bart Wierzbicki]

:( * Bad News * !!

I just went to the shop to pick up the pilot.

It looked really nice ... a big bagpack and in it the Pilot.

Then I asked about the wheights ... There was nothing there. :angry:

So it seemed that it was not complete. An Allen key and other screws were also not inside. pff

Then the called another shop of them to ask if they still have a pilot on stock but that was not the case.

I asked them how long it would take to have it delivered.

The price I had to pay for the complete VLB System is 3.700 Euro.

Then they told me that it would take up to 6 weeks to have another pilot delivered. BUT that it's going

to be a new model and it will cost 4.400 Euro.

 

Then I told them that I have just sold my Steadicam to pick up this Pilot because I have a production in

3 days. (ok ... that was a little lie :blink: , but I wanted them to come up with a solution for it).

So they told me that they also had a Steadicam Merlin in the store and now they are going to get

the wheights and screws from that Merlin. I told them that I am having a Canon XHA1 for the steadicam

and they are going to build it up with an XHA1 to see if everything is working and everything is complete.

So I have to give them a call in about 2 hours. Hopefully they will have some good news for me. :lol:

 

First I was thinking of cancelling my purchase there because I saw that Adorama and BH had some Pilots

in store, but it's Usa. So I'm a little bit afraid about the connectors, power outlets etc.

So now I'm just waiting and meanwhile I'll just keep myself busy with watching the EFP Training Video. :P

[Dave Gish]

Some Pilot's have shipped incomplete in the past. They put a little paper in there to say that they will ship the extra stuff and a free gift. If the store can loan you some Merlin weights, then that would work until your weights come in.

 

By the way, you can pick up a spare hex driver here for $3.68:

http://www.filmtools.com/bon532thanst.html

It's probably worth having a spare in case you lose it.

Edited February 27, 2009 by Dave Gish

[Amedeo Fabroni]

:( * Bad News * !!

I just went to the shop to pick up the pilot.

It looked really nice ... a big bagpack and in it the Pilot.

Then I asked about the wheights ... There was nothing there. :angry:

So it seemed that it was not complete. An Allen key and other screws were also not inside. pff

Then the called another shop of them to ask if they still have a pilot on stock but that was not the case.

I asked them how long it would take to have it delivered.

The price I had to pay for the complete VLB System is 3.700 Euro.

Then they told me that it would take up to 6 weeks to have another pilot delivered. BUT that it's going

to be a new model and it will cost 4.400 Euro.

 

Then I told them that I have just sold my Steadicam to pick up this Pilot because I have a production in

3 days. (ok ... that was a little lie :blink: , but I wanted them to come up with a solution for it).

So they told me that they also had a Steadicam Merlin in the store and now they are going to get

the wheights and screws from that Merlin. I told them that I am having a Canon XHA1 for the steadicam

and they are going to build it up with an XHA1 to see if everything is working and everything is complete.

So I have to give them a call in about 2 hours. Hopefully they will have some good news for me. :lol:

 

First I was thinking of cancelling my purchase there because I saw that Adorama and BH had some Pilots

in store, but it's Usa. So I'm a little bit afraid about the connectors, power outlets etc.

So now I'm just waiting and meanwhile I'll just keep myself busy with watching the EFP Training Video. :P

Is there a new model of the Pilot ?

Amedeo

[RobinThwaites]

Hi Bart

 

Where are you in the world. Please e-mail me direct to my desk at robin.thwaites@tiffen.com.

 

Robin

[Bart Wierzbicki]

ok ... some news ... good and bad. :rolleyes:

 

It seems that they were able to get the steadicam to work ... they balanced it

for the Canon XHA1 and they used the wheights from the Merlin.

The bad thing is, that they cannot connect the Lcd monitor while there are some video cables

or parts not in the box, but they told me I can buy those things in every audio store.

It seems that normally there is also a large Allen Key included, but that is also missing.

They are giving me a small Allen Key from the store. :lol:

Ok ... I'm going to pick it up now. Talk to you soon guys. :P

[Erik Brul]

Bart,

I suggested the store 'Fotokonijnenberg' .. which store did you now bought the rig ?

And, sent a mail to Robin from Tiffen Europe (see 2 post up) .. maybe they can help you out quick !

 

Erik

[Bart Wierzbicki]

Bart,

I suggested the store 'Fotokonijnenberg' .. which store did you now bought the rig ?

And, sent a mail to Robin from Tiffen Europe (see 2 post up) .. maybe they can help you out quick !

 

Erik

 

I GOT HIM !!! :lol:

I bought it at Fotokonijnenberg.

I picked it up and they told me that they have called some people. (I think someone from Tiffen)

And it seems that the wheights are not standard delivered with the Pilot.

You have to buy them optional.

So the only thing I'm missing at the moment is the Allen Key and the video cable to connect the camera

to the LCD screen.

I'm busy now balancing it. :rolleyes: