Roger Heyward Posted April 21, 2009 Report Share Posted April 21, 2009 hi everyone, i have, recently, been designated as the new steadicam guy with my production team. The steadicam we have is over 10 years old. it is the Tiffen Steadicam SK2. We use a JVC550 on it with a 140 Anton-Bauer Battery. As you can imagine, it is no light load, especially for a 5"5 150lb guy. I calibrated it perfectly according to the instructions, but the vest wants to lean on me. How can I fix this? I believe my problem is that the chest is loose on the shoulders. The chest is one big unit as you can see in this pic ( http://files.indierents.com/photos/f/93975...k-II%20copy.jpg ). Does anyone have any thoughts? thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Matteo Quagliano Posted September 22, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 22, 2009 Today I experienced this and I want to share and see if it's good or not I have a brand new Lx vest, I feel it's a bit loose on the shoulder back pad in a way still has to take my form. So I lift the rig with the vest open and then I thight all the buckles with the sled pushing down. At first a great feeling of control over the arm, setting it perfectly for the shot. But didn't affect my operating that much, still need a workshop. My 2 cents mq Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Mark Schlicher Posted September 22, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 22, 2009 Roger, Which way is it leaning? Forward, or to one side or the other? I've never used the SK but it looks like it doesn't have a modern socket block with the kind of adjustments necessary for correcting either side to side or forward lean, like all modern Steadicam models do. If you don't have the Holway/Hayball book ($35 on sale on the Tiffen site) or the EFP training video ($20 from Tiffen), get them immediately...they not only talk about these adjustments ("threads") but are a wealth of information on all things Steadicam. They will get you started until you have a chance to get to a workshop. For "falling forward" adjustment, try wedging a folded up towel under the bottom of the front of the vest...the idea is to tip the connection point away from you on the bottom to compensate for the sled's tendency to fall away from you. As for side to side, I don't know of a trick other than making sure your vest is adjusted snugly and squarely. To fit your vest, close all the clasps on the right side, leave them open on the left. Fit the vest over your head and close the clasps from the top down. First the shoulder, then tug down on the front of the vest until the shoulder pads firmly engage your shoulders. Then close the chest buckles, making sure they are snug but don't impede breathing or circulation. Tug down again. Make sure the vest is adjusted so that the hip pads are centered at your hip bone, then close the bottom clasp. That's the basics. I'm pretty much a newbie myself and experienced operators may have more to offer. hi everyone, i have, recently, been designated as the new steadicam guy with my production team. The steadicam we have is over 10 years old. it is the Tiffen Steadicam SK2. We use a JVC550 on it with a 140 Anton-Bauer Battery. As you can imagine, it is no light load, especially for a 5"5 150lb guy. I calibrated it perfectly according to the instructions, but the vest wants to lean on me. How can I fix this? I believe my problem is that the chest is loose on the shoulders. The chest is one big unit as you can see in this pic ( http://files.indierents.com/photos/f/93975...k-II%20copy.jpg ). Does anyone have any thoughts? thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members William Demeritt Posted September 22, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 22, 2009 Roger, When you say the vest is "loose on the shoulders", do you mean there's a gap between the tops of your shoulders and the vest? Ideally, once locked into the vest, it should rest right on your shoulders with no room to get fingers in. If the vest is leaning on you, namely leaning towards the arm when geared up, then it sounds like the vest has excess space when locked into you. The vest should be snug everywhere it makes contact with you, but not to the point of extreme discomfort. If there's excess room at your shoulders, you should be able to lower the "chestplate". While not wearing the vest, loosen the red knob on the "chestplate", and then pull the silver pin to allow the plate to slide down. Push it down a spot or two, and try the vest on, see if that solves the problem. Also, try adjusting the velcro on the pads on the waist and the lats to make them more snug for you. hi everyone, i have, recently, been designated as the new steadicam guy with my production team. The steadicam we have is over 10 years old. it is the Tiffen Steadicam SK2. We use a JVC550 on it with a 140 Anton-Bauer Battery. As you can imagine, it is no light load, especially for a 5"5 150lb guy. I calibrated it perfectly according to the instructions, but the vest wants to lean on me. How can I fix this? I believe my problem is that the chest is loose on the shoulders. The chest is one big unit as you can see in this pic ( http://files.indierents.com/photos/f/93975...k-II%20copy.jpg ). Does anyone have any thoughts? thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Matteo Quagliano Posted September 23, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 Load it with the clamps tight but not close. Close them after you load the rig. To me it's perfect to fit your body and have control over the arm with no slip sensation. Let me know if it works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Matteo Quagliano Posted September 28, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Hi people, can I have a feed back on my guess? Is it a good one or not to tighten the vest after loading the rig? many thanks mq Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members William Demeritt Posted September 28, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Hi people,can I have a feed back on my guess? Is it a good one or not to tighten the vest after loading the rig? many thanks mq I prefer to never make vest adjustments while under load. If I strap in and then put on the rig to find that my waist needs adjusting or something similar, I'll typically dock, adjust and mount up again. To me, adjusting the vest while under load seems like it would take as much time as docking, fixing and mounting up again. Just my preference, really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jerry Holway Posted September 28, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 hi everyone, I calibrated it perfectly according to the instructions, but the vest wants to lean on me. How can I fix this? I believe my problem is that the chest is loose on the shoulders. Roger- I hope you are not relying on the instructions that came with the SK2, but have taken a workshop, or at least watched the EFP DVD (available from Tiffen)... FYI, IMHO, there's no possibility of a truly heavy load with the SK2 for a guy that's 5'10" (my height) - but without training, any Steadicam can seem heavy. Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinThwaites Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 Hi All If I am reading this right you are talking about adjusting the tightness and fit of the vest with the arm and sled in place. If you do this it is impossible to get a good fit because the load will skew the front spar off sideways just as if the vest were too loose. Get the vest to a good fit first and then think about the rest of the system........and take a workshop! Robin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Matteo Quagliano Posted September 30, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 30, 2009 Thanks Robin, I understand what you mean. But if I feel the shoulders part to be too much rounded how can I get it closer to my shoulders? The chestplate it's already down. If I load it (no undocking) and make the sled push down (being careful about centering the push) then close the snowboard like straps I feel it gets better fitted, even after docking the sled and open the straps. It's a new vest, very rigid, it might be that. I think in few months of using it will get better. mq Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinThwaites Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 OK here is what I would do: 1 Take a workshop :) (did I already say that?). 2 Leave the vest quite long and sloppy at the top and get the hips right first, front pad just over the hip bones and tight. 3 Adjust the length of the vest to bring the shoulder pads down on the shoulders. 4 If not completely happy with this temporarily loosen the over centre catches on the waist band, stick your thumbs in the band and pus/wriggle it downwards. re=tighten. 5 Adjust chest straps - note tht many people leave these too loose which allows the front spar to move side to side or slop forwards drastically affecting the socket block setting. Other people do other things but this works for me and the majority of people I fit the vest onto at numerous exhibitions and workshops. Robin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Matteo Quagliano Posted October 2, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 Many many many thanks, Robin. I'm frustrated for not having take a workshop yet... In my future there's one for sure, untill then I'll keep relying on you guys. The best help in the world. mq Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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