Tiffen announces new low cost Steadicams at NAB 07 - *** Now Shipping! ***

mikkowilson

mikkowilson

Steadi-Guru
Tiffen/Steadicam is announcing multiple new options in the low-cost stabilizer market at NAB 2007.

PilotMerlinArmVest.jpg

Steadicam Operators Peter Abraham (left) and Mikko Wilson (right) demonstrate the new Steadicam Pilot and Merlin Arm & Vest systems at NAB 2007


The new Steadicam Pilot (pictured, left) is a low cost (around $4,000) Steadicam for cameras weighing up to about 10lbs. It features:
  • A double section silky smooth Iso-Elastic arm with an amazing 28" boom range - which is equal to or more than any other arm on the Market except for Steadicam's own higher end arms. The arm uses the same technology as the highly regard Flyer and G-series Steadicam arms.
  • A telescoping carbon fiber sled that is internally wired for 12v power and Composite video.
  • A tools free micro adjustable X-Y camera stage with removable camera plate.
  • The Steadicam Pilot is available initially with a choice of a 3.5" color 4:3 LCD monitor and a 12v AA battery back (The "co-pilot"), or a 5.8" 16:9/4:3 color LCD and V-mount/Anton Bauer battery mounts (The "pilot").
  • The sled base is highly adjustable for quick and easy balancing by moving the monitor, battery, and entire base. PLUS the base also accepts standard Steadicam Merlin counterweights to be screwed on in various locations as necessary to quickly add stabilizing mass.
  • The Pilot comes with a super light weight low profile vest with standard features for fast adjust-ability of fit, a fully adjustable "socket-block" to trim the arm to fly level and the option to mount the arm on either side of the operator.
  • The sled and arm both break down into components for light and compact transportation. You can fit the whole system into a backpack.
When you don't need the capacity and features of the Steadicam Flyer, the Steadicam Pilot is the perfect rig for most 1/3" cameras.


The Steadicam Merlin can now carry more weight thanks to an optional upgrade of an all-metal gimble that allows the Merlin to carry cameras weighing up to 7lbs. (this would get tiring quickly, so...)


The same arm and vest from the Steadicam Pilot system, are available as a kit with the metal Merlin Gimble and additional Merlin counterweights, as the "Merlin Arm & Vest" system (pictured, right) which allows the operator to shoot with a 7lb camera payload on the Merlin for (quite literally) hours! It's so light and comfortable that the camera will run out of tape before the operator tires..
  • The same arm as the Pilot provides for that huge 28" boom range - that can be increased by simply flying the Merlin off the arm into "handheld mode" mid shot (I tried this today myself, takes a bit of practice but very doable).
  • The arm breaks down into 2 pieces for fast transportation with the folded Merlin and the packed lightweight vest.
Prices:
The official list prices:
The Steadicam Merlin Arm & Vest. Includes metal gimble upgrade for Merlin and some extra counterweights. (Does not include the Merlin itself) - $1995

The Steadicam "Pilot". With 5.8" 16:9 monitor & professional (V-mount/AB) Battery mount. (Includes all you need, including the dock - but not the stand itself [as many people allready have a stand) - $3995

The Steadicam "Co-Pilot". With 3.5" 4:3 monitor and 12v AA battery pack. Includes the same other gear as the Pilot. - $3750


- Mikko
 
mikkowilson said:
The new Steadicam Pilot... is a low cost (around $4,000) Steadicam
Click to expand...

Boggle!

Can I seek a little clarity - in that the Flyer has dropped in price based on the 2007 Tiffen price list to about $4k? Even if the battery & monitor system are additional, then that's an amazing price cut (was about $7.5 - $9k). Or is this a smaller Flyer?

Second question: are you saying that the Merlin combo uses the Flyer arm? IIRC, I saw a Flyer arm and the CES Merlin arm side by side in a pic - the latter being a 2/3 scale replica. But if a Merlin (albeit with uprated components) becomes a sort of quick release Sled/Shoulder Mount, I can see sense in that too, especially combined with the idea that the new Flyer is smaller...

Or perhaps I should stop blathering and let NAB take its course. :-D
 
The Flyer has not changed. It's still $7k+

The Pilot is a totally new rig that uses the same "mini-Flyer" arm (and vest) as the Merlin arm/vest


So, You've got the Merlin for handheld at $850 [MSRP]
The Flyer (up to 15lbs) at $7k, the Pilot (<10lbs) somewhere around $4k, and then the arm&vest for the Merlin (<7lbs) somwhere under the Pilot.

Once I hear more exact pricing, I can make up a little chart of the options.

- Mikko
 
mikkowilson said:
The Pilot is a totally new rig that uses the same "mini-Flyer" arm (and vest) as the Merlin arm/vest


So, You've got the Merlin for handheld at $850 [MSRP]
The Flyer (up to 15lbs) at $7k, the Pilot (<10lbs) somewhere around $4k, and then the arm&vest for the Merlin (<7lbs) somwhere under the Pilot.
Click to expand...

Serves me right for posting before the second cup of coffee. Pilot <--> Flyer - didn't get the pun, now 'by jove I've got it'.

Thanks for the clarity,

Matt - waiting on the third cup of coffee after a Sunday night FCP/NAB info orgy.
 
The Merlin Vest and Arm will be available prety much immidiatly.

The Pilot is still undergoing final development (the rigs at NAB are prototypes), there is no promised ship date (pre-orders are beeing taken), but it won't be very long.

- Mikko
 
mikkowilson said:
it won't be very long.
Click to expand...

I can barely contain my excitement.

In which case, here's a question for the Steadicam crew:

If I get a Merlin, plus a vest and arm rig, so I can fly NOW, is there an upgrade path to the Pilot sled? IOW, puchase a Merlin bundle, add the sled later rather than buy the full Pilot rig later?

I am assured by a good friend and Merlin user (Rick Young - he should be dropping by the booth today) that I'll want a Merlin anyway...
 
Wow, I think they hit the nail on the head with the Merlin Rig. I'll be taking a very serious look at that! Thanks for the thorough report!
 
Matt; yes there will be an upgrade path to the Pilot from the Merlin / Arm / Vest. It'll probabaly simply involve buying the Pilot sled seperatly (price as of yet undetermined) and then either keeping, or selling off, the Merlin.

- Mikko
 
Mikko,
any chance you can post a few detail pics of the arm, like the socket block connection, the elbow or connection to the Merlin end?
thanks,
g
 
Yes, I second the plead.

Gary,

I'm glad you're OK. After that tragedy in Virginia my thoughts were on you.

E.
 
I have a Glidecam V16 and would welcome the option to switch to a Pilot for my HVX200. What options will be available? Any low mode option? When will more details be available? Thanks!
 
Wait, so can you buy the Merlin with the new Gimbal WITHOUT the arm and vest?

I don't really need it since I'll be doing really short takes, and only occasionally at that. Plus I have access to a PA who is a body builder, so...

But I have an HVX so I gots to get that gimbal!
 
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