HVX powered by Steadicam Flyer?

K

kevinM

Well-known member
I just bought a Steadicam Flyer that has 12V onboard power from Sony V-Mount batteries. These IDX batteries would no doubt power the camera for a long time.

Is there a power adapter that would allow me to safely power the HVX using the Steadicam? There is a jack in the battery compartment of the HVX that uses 6.7V or something like that. Has anyone used this power jack instead of the power adapter supplied with the camera?

Also, I have to say, after balancing the HVX on the Steadicam Flyer, this is the way to go with this camera. I've been using the Merlin and it works well but there is no comparison to a vest mounted system. Very smooth!
 
The power coming out of the flyer will be around 14 volts so you will need a power regulator or you will fry the hvx !!! (i dont think the hvx comes with a regulator built in)

You can get a lead with regulator made up no problem ask around for local help.
I used to own a flyer and yes you will be very happy together :O)

I miss mine :(....... but I know it's in a good place :)
 
Congratualtions on your rig Kevin! Isn't the HVX on the Flyer fantastic? :)

You need a power converter from the 12v down to the DVX.
I haven't used one, but the one here should work: http://www.dvxuser.com/articles/charger/ (towards the bottom, there's a Pannasonic adapter.) You should just be able to plug the XLR cable that came with your rig into this converter and then into the HVX. And yes, this would run your camera for ages on a good v-mount battery.

Then again, you could just buy a couple more DVXuser batteries for your HVX, that's still a pretty long run time and saves your rig batteries for the monitor and other gear.

Have fun and fly safe!

- Mikko
 
Thanks for the comments.

Mikko, that adapter looks like it will work. I think you may be right, by the time I find a good way to mount it on the rig, it might just be better to buy another HVX battery.

Thanks again.

Kevin
 
A good place needs a Marshall

A good place needs a Marshall

Hi Matt,

Yes, Your ol' Flyer is taking a nap in the basement right now. She's all sweaty from all that running around, getting ready to meet mr. Thwaite and friends. And I can't wait for the workshop :-)

I really can't make up my mind whether to buy a Marshall for onboard and maybe also fit it on the Flyer instead of the regular lcd, or use the Flyer lcd as an onboard monitor too. Even though it's a good and bright lcd for SD, it's not that revealing on focus, and I'll start working in 1080i/25p now... mmm decisions, money aarrrgh
 
Hey Søren :O)
Yes the flyer monitor was never designed for HD cameras but you should be using the focal distance markers in the view finder for judging distance (I like using feet). It takes time to master but isn't that hard once you get a good sense for distance.
Your going to learn so much with robin it's scary, with all the big rigs to play on, the time will go very fast....enjoy
 
kevinM said:
Thanks for the comments.

Mikko, that adapter looks like it will work. I think you may be right, by the time I find a good way to mount it on the rig, it might just be better to buy another HVX battery.

Thanks again.

Kevin
Click to expand...

Kevin you realy want to use the battereys on the camera to be honest anyways. It helps keep the weight up and the more weight the better she flys !
The only problem with the flyer is it's very light weight and sensertive, the bigger the rig the steadi'r the ride. Aslo the arm is gong to operate better at or near it's max load.
Think about adding a 35mm adaptor, matte box etc...
 
focus, boy!

focus, boy!

Yes, I am already using distance readout for focus (m/cm, wish the macro had readout too), with a varizoom remote mounted beneath the red handle. Actually works fine for flying, with deep dof. I am no longer intimidated by the Steadicam discipline: I'll never take the time to become a smoothly operating pro with perfect slow and nice lockoffs, but as my use is mostly for running after kids, I can live with that, and hire you for the delicate work ;-)

No, it's really for handheld and tripod work in HD that I need a better monitor. I'll be using my MPIC 35mm adapter a lot, I can see now, as it is be-a-u-tifillll with various nikkors and a Lensbaby, try it!! (I also recommend the Nikkor 17-35mm 2.8 AF zoom and the 55mm Micro Nikkor!!) But with shallow dof, the focus'd better be where it's supposed to be. I wish marshall would implement a pixel for pixel button... and half the ´price :-)

Take care, Mate.

(sorry to hijack fellas, but I thought the info hidden in the post might be relevant to some:beer: )
 
mikkowilson said:
Congratualtions on your rig Kevin! Isn't the HVX on the Flyer fantastic? :)

You need a power converter from the 12v down to the DVX.
I haven't used one, but the one here should work: http://www.dvxuser.com/articles/charger/ (towards the bottom, there's a Pannasonic adapter.) You should just be able to plug the XLR cable that came with your rig into this converter and then into the HVX. And yes, this would run your camera for ages on a good v-mount battery.

Then again, you could just buy a couple more DVXuser batteries for your HVX, that's still a pretty long run time and saves your rig batteries for the monitor and other gear.

Have fun and fly safe!

- Mikko
Click to expand...
Yes, our AG-HVX200 version of the converter (there is a typo there "HDX") will handle the power needed for the camera. We have a very liberal 30 day return policy. No risk - if you don't like it, send it back for a full refund
HTH
 
4mat said:
Kevin you realy want to use the battereys on the camera to be honest anyways. It helps keep the weight up and the more weight the better she flys !
The only problem with the flyer is it's very light weight and sensertive, the bigger the rig the steadi'r the ride. Aslo the arm is gong to operate better at or near it's max load.
Think about adding a 35mm adaptor, matte box etc...
Click to expand...


After flying the HVX for a while, I agree about the weight. I originally balanced the Steadicam with two of the larger IDX batteries on the sled and had to raise the post so high that the gimbal was below the half way point just to get the drop time close to 2 seconds. I'd have to add alot of weight at the camera end to counter both batteries.

I took one battery off and it works fine but is very touchy. I haven't tried it outside yet but i bet even a little wind will make it hard to control.
 
I first flew my DVX100 on my Steadicam Flyer for my first DVXUSERfest entry--my what a dream! The whole rig was so light, I was actually decent! Anyway, I flew it with a five-pound Anton Bauer ProPack14, powering the sled. The DVX, I powered with the standard, on-baord Panasonic batteries. I think the gimbal was right around the middle of the post? Anyway, it balanced awesome.

Now that I have my full-sized Sony DSR450, I fly that with new Anton Bauer ProPak14s I bought recently, powering the sled (and the camera via the 4-pin cable). This worked out pretty well with the gimbal riding a few inches below the top collar. The camera flies without a brick, and I usually pull the EVF off of the 450 to center the gimbal even a bit lower. But the Flyer arm takes the weight beautifully.

Remember, the key to effortless Steadicam operation is PERFECT balance in every axis! I use the "two-second" drop rule for the slight bias toward the sled end.
 
Yeah, I'll add in here that the HVX could really use another 2-3lb to fly best on the Flyer. As stock it's a little light for my taste.
A nice big battery on the camera. A mattebox, and a radio mic reciver or two or perhaps a keylight, will put it right at the light sweet spot of the rig (it has two, depeding on the counter balance batteries)

- Mikko
 
Oh yeah. I forgot, I did have extra weight on my DVX--I had a metal BEC wireless receiver bracket, a Lectrosonics receiver, a Audio Technica short shotgun, a flourescent obie light, and a DVX battery on my DVX when I flew it on my Flyer.
 
Along with everyone else, I agree that with the Flyer you want weight on the camera. I have the Dolgin Engineering adapter, and have used it when I fly the HVX w/P+S adapter and some of the bigger Zeiss superspeeds. But the gain is not that advantageous as the Dolgin adapter weighs about half of what a battery would weigh anyway.
 
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