Good steadicam options for af-101

cckid

cckid

Well-known member
Hi,

just got my af-101, still waiting for a proper nikon adapter and in the meantime doing a research for a good steadicam...I have just seen on vimeo a presentation on vimeo of the steadicam scout...it is a bit pricey but looks mighty good...how would it compare to steadicam pilot in terms of usefulness for the af-101...does anyone has any personal experience?...I intend to use it mostly with photo lenses specially the nikon 17-35 2.8 and tokina 11-16 2.8 and when birger comes out also with the canon 16-35 2.8 lense...
 
That's a good question. I'd think you'd need a wireless remote follow focus like a Preston. That's pricey. I wonder what ever happened to the Redrock Micro Remote. Fall 2010 is long past.
 
I would recommend the Scout because it's so easy to underestimate how big the difference is between 10 and 18 lbs when it comes to gear. Trust me, after a short while, you will want the extra capacity! Having said that, I own an AF100 and a AB mount Steadicam Pilot (I bought it before the Scout was announced). It works great for most configurations, but I did max it out with one setup:

- Marshall 7" monitor (in place of the standard def monitor that comes with the pilot)
- Zeiss ZE Primes (Nikon mount)
- Chosziel Fox wireless follow focus with an FMG-6 motor

I did not have a matte box or any other accessories. I had the springs as tight as they could go, and I was just barely getting the arm at the proper level. It was still flying smooth, and the added weight added some inertia, which made it feel better. If you do plan on only using Canon lenses with the Birger mount, the Pilot will work wonderfully, but if you want to use anything heavier with a follow focus, it's going to be tough.
 
I've used the Pilot with the AF-100 and the Lumix 14-42. I wouldn't call it ideal, but it's definitely a workable setup. Flying low was an issue, as I couldn't get enough weight on the top to balance it properly. I briefly tried putting the Chroziel mattbox on, but even without the follow-focus, the springs (as noted above) were at the edge of their limit. Flying the HVX seems a better setup with the Pilot. - Tim
 
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TimTheFoolMan said:
I've used the Pilot with the AF-100 and the Lumix 14-42. I wouldn't call it ideal, but it's definitely a workable setup. Flying low was an issue, as I couldn't get enough weight on the top to balance it properly. I briefly tried putting the Chroziel mattbox on, but even without the follow-focus, the springs (as noted above) were at the edge of their limit. Flying the HVX seems a better setup with the Pilot. - Tim
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The AB mount Pilot that I own has enough weight to fly in low mode gracefully. Do you have the AA version?
 
arencher said:
The AB mount Pilot that I own has enough weight to fly in low mode gracefully. Do you have the AA version?
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Yes, I have the AA.

You can fly the AF100 low? I stripped everything off, mounted the top handle to my Manfrotto plate assy on the Steadicam, and it was still too heavy to balance with the weights provided. - Tim
 
I have the old Stedicam Mini, it was made for the DSR500 class cameras (15-22lbs). And it works very well for the AF100.

I use IDX batteries, and by stacking different battery combos I can always balance the rig the way I like with different lenses.

It did not come set up for it, but it is possible to invert the system for low POV.

It still works well after all these years, a very well made product. If I had to replace it I would probably be looking at the Scout.
 
Yes indeed I agreee...the scout sounds tempting...newer technology...can fly in low mode quite easily and is also future proof since it can take a bit more weight than pilot and would serve me well even when I upgrade to epic-s....although the steadicam flyer demos and used units seem also as a very good choice...
 
I got rid of my X10 when the AF100 came out. I'm thinking for short basic indoor moving shots. At the least, fly just the camera minus handles and a pancake Lumix 20mm f.17. You can simply go Merlin with that or am I wrong? I've seen Wedding Videographers fly 5Ds on Merlins and this rig stripped down isn't that much heavier, is it? Forget about pulling focus on steadicam shot, focus infinity and get the moving shot you need to tell your story. Pull focus on stationary shots.

Personally, I say tell a story, don't draw attention to how clever you are or how hard the shot was to get. Your content will be judged holistically, rather than on one shot. Yes there's the argument for the money shot, but aah, I'm a story teller. I like my seams and innards to be invisible, not distracting folk with their greatness.
 
Shooter,

Talking about pulling focus.

With the Birger mount and remote only $1,500 or so. This will be the first time I will be using remote focus pulling on my Stedicam. Just in time as this camera will be more demanding to keep in focus.

Most of my Stedicam shooting has been with 2/3" or 1/2" chips so focus has been easy. But I have also shot with the 5D, with no problems. Just block your shot so you keep the action in your DOF, that is what is so great about Stedicam, it moves very fast with the action.

A few times I have had an assistant pull focus on a lens using a zip tie around the lens with 4" left sticking out. If they are careful they can pull focus w/o upsetting the camera, this takes some practice as a team though.
 
cckid said:
Yes indeed I agreee...the scout sounds tempting...newer technology...can fly in low mode quite easily and is also future proof since it can take a bit more weight than pilot and would serve me well even when I upgrade to epic-s....although the steadicam flyer demos and used units seem also as a very good choice...
Click to expand...

If you plan on flying an Epic in the near future, you can actually find complete Flyer LE RED packages used with all the accessories pretty cheap. That's the route I'm going to take.
 
TimTheFoolMan said:
Yes, I have the AA.

You can fly the AF100 low? I stripped everything off, mounted the top handle to my Manfrotto plate assy on the Steadicam, and it was still too heavy to balance with the weights provided. - Tim
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The Anton Bauer batts really add the proper counter balance. I only use the Merlin weights to make the top stage heavier with DSLRs. You can convert yours to Gold-Mount (AB) or V-Mount pretty easily. You just have to buy the plate and attach all the wires.
 
dtzfilms said:
I got rid of my X10 when the AF100 came out. ......... Forget about pulling focus on steadicam shot, focus infinity and get the moving shot you need to tell your story. Pull focus on stationary shots.

........ I like my seams and innards to be invisible, not distracting folk with their greatness.
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Are you serious when you say "forget about pulling focus".
Pulling focus is used to HOLD Focus and when the camera and the subject(s) are moving..it becomes kind of more difficult and more important that focus is maintained. An infinity focus in a steadicam shot is unlikely to do the business.

An out of focus subject can really expose your "seams and innards" !

Those using steadicams with anAF100 are really going to chose lenses and systems that can be remotely focussed. What was easier with small chip cameras has now become significantly more difficult.

In fact even more difficult than 35/16mm film cams with their established (proper) cine style lenses and available remote focus systems
 
Maybe something between infinity and trying to pull focus would be sufficient - like a depth of field that safely contains the followed action, but is relatively shallow?? Guess it all depends upon what, exactly, you're following with your steadicam.
 
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