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

Mikko - Thanks again! This is exactly what I needed. I'll see if I can pickup a used stand somewhere.

As for the handle clamp, its not really necessary since flipping in post is not an issue for me. Also, if you're using a long sled in "quick n' dirty low mode", like your picture here:
http://www.mikkowilson.com/photos/St...s/IMG_9566.htm
then it doesn't look like the gimble will interfere with the stage, but I might be missing something here.

Ing Poh Hii - Check out these batteries:
http://www.thetwistergroup.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=LIC-970G%20D40675&source=nx
For $62 each, these will go a long way with your XH-A1, and you won't have to re-balance your rig for different sized batteries.
 
Thank you dogman-x, I thought of buying couple of same size battery after replying you, I am looking at the local shop here, not as cheap as the website you gave me, but after the shipping charge, it is more or less the same so I will get one here first.

thanksss~
 
dogman;
You are right that neither part of the Low-mode kit is necessary, just often preferred.

In long mode like that, the post in deed doesn't interfere with the stage. However if you have a heavier camera, and not as much counter-weight then the stage gets closer to the gimbal and can get in the way.

Also, by flipping the gimbal, you actually move the sled lower in relation to the bottom of the arm too. It is useful if you want to get even lower than normal low-mode. In that photo you point out, the camera is about as low as it will go, however with an F-Bracket, the camera could rest on my foot, and almost touch the floor! If you need that extra 6-8inches, then the F-Bracket is *really* useful :)

Again, not something commonly used for Event DV, but great for film-making, etc..

- Mikko
 
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Stand options

Stand options

I've got a Manfrotto 420 stand/boom, and I was wondering if its minimum height (131cm) is so high that it will cause problems with mating the arm to the sled to start flying it.

If it is too high, the shorter stands I have are all pretty lightweight, so in looking for something else, does the "Steadistand" by any chance fit inside the "back pack transporter" that is included with the Pilot?
 
hey,
its been really interesting following this thread since i too am eagerly awating the pilot to be released.

the one thing that hasnt been discussed at all i think is the vest.
i've seen a lot of pictures by now and every time i see the vest i ask myself if it's really durable and if the velcro is a good idea.

i mean, it's important to configure the rig to ones exact specifications and desires so where are the fastening belts that i adjust once and then just snap together?
with velcro straps the vest will be worn differently every time you put it on right? thats not a good thing right?

i just tried this rig out a week ago and the vest was really nice. http://www.abc-products.de/english/HM_Gforce_pro_e.htm
i haven't tried the pilot vest yet but i am a bit sceptical..

prove me wrong people!!

any news on the release date?

thanks!

chris
 
dyedudedelux said:
i just tried this rig out a week ago and the vest was really nice. http://www.abc-products.de/english/HM_Gforce_pro_e.htm
Click to expand...

Heh, you think that vest is comfortable, wait until you try a Steadicam one!


You do raise a really good question though. I too was rather skeptical about the velcro-only design. I use an EFP vest, which doesn't have to be re-adjusted at all when you put it on, it's always the same adjustment.

But the Merlin/Pilot vest is really really light! And the rigs it's flying are also really light, so you don't have to have such a strong and "beefy" vest to support it.

I'm used to the "hooks" of my EFP vest, and the Snap-Clips of the Flyer vest, so I was expecting the Pilot vest to be slower to put on, but it's really not at all. You just pull it on, pull the velcro straps across - tightening them as you do - and press them down and you are done! You just pull it on snugly and that's it! The system is so light that you really don't have to be super finicky about how exactly the vest is fit. Just snug it up and you are good to go.

When first trying the Pilot (and especially with the Merlin) I tried to imagine doing it in a bigger vest, and it felt like a rather silly idea. The rigs themselves are so light and nimble, that a lightweight sleek vest compliments them very well.

The only "problem" is the noise the velcro makes when you take it off .. but then again, the clips make a "snapping" sound too.

Also, to compare to the larger current Steadicam vests; they all use ratchet buckles like you'd find on ski-boots or Rollerblades. These too ratchet in and adjust as you put them on. Again, you learn really quick how tight to pull them as you pull on the vest and then "re-adjusting" isn't an issue.


The largest issue with pre-adjusting a vest is always the length of the vest anyway, and that's done at the central spar, and doesn't change at all when you take the vest off. Also of importance is pre-setting the "fixed" positions of the straps so that they have just the right amount protruding at the front to fasten, but again, those sides of the straps don't move when you take off the vest.


In fact, I find that the Pilot/Merlin vest, like the bigger vests, actually sits better, because that final little trip to make is just the right amount of "snug" happens automatically as you put it on. If I put my EFP vest on after a big lunch, I might have to take more time to actually make it a little larger, but the Newer vests just tighten up the right amount every time to my liking.


- Mikko
 
Reading this thread: I don't regret getting a Merlin Arm/Vest combo first, but boy that Pilot is only a couple hundred more, if I could've just waited just a littler longer!!

Oh well.

When the time comes where I can truly afford to upgrade, and I feel my skill at
achieving balance along with getting good shots need to move up, I'm going straight to the Flyer.

But back to the last comment, I agree w/Mikko: The Merlin/Pilot vest is "just right" for the rigs it was built for. Lean, yet very strong.
 
Well mikko,


That about did it for me.. I'm convinced! :)

All i need to do now is wait for the goodness to be released... Living in Germany it's going to be a bit longer I suppose but I'll just have to live with that. OR I could spend some extra money I don't have lying around anyway and fly to the states for a day to pick one up.. Oh and I'm gonna also need a hot blonde Steadicam professional Operator and EXPERT to teach me.

Right.

Well that's all settled then.

Thanks for the info!

chris
 
oh.. one more question:

how many AA batteries does the pilot take with the the aa-model? any idea how long it would last? AB and VL batteries are quite expensive. 2 batteries plus a charger... thats another 1000 bucks at least!

thanks!
 
strangways said:
I've ordered the Pilot ($245 for a bigger 16:9 monitor? Yes please!) with the AA battery mount. I'll be testing it upon arrival to see how long a AA set power the monitor, and will post results here.

I'm thinking that it won't run on rechargeables... 8x 1.5 volts (alkaline AAs) is 12 volts, but rechargeable AAs are 1.2 volts, so, you'd need 10 NiMH AAs for the Pilot or Co-Pilot, right?
Click to expand...

So it looks like 8 AAs for 12 volts total (1.5 volts each). 1.2 volt NiMH rechargables may work if the monitor can go down to 9.6 volts. Still awaiting results from Strangways. Otherwise we're stuck with 1.5 volt AA expendables.

I'm also wondering if 4 RCR-V3 Lithium rechargables would work. These are 3.2 volts and are the same size as 2 AA batteries. See example here:
http://thomasdistributing.com/shop/...P_id=&osCsid=4fc7da5b99071e50c9a0f949ff0a8ec8
Two sets of batteries (8 RCR-V3s) and chargers for the offline set (4) would cost around $150. It all depends on if the Pilot battery pack accepts the oval shape of a CR-V3 battery.
 
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The pilot comes with a box for 10 (or was it 9) AA batteries, allwoing the system to run on Rechargable AA cells.
Included is a "blank" "battery" that you drop in to use the right amount (8?) of regular non-recharageable batteries.

I can't recall those numbers off the top of my head, but the system is designed and comes with all you need to use either rechargables or regulars without touble. - Those Steadicam engineers think of just abotu everything!


And yes, any small monitor can be mounted on the Pilot/Co-pilot. It has a standard 1/4"-20 threaded mount for the monitor.

- Mikko
 
Pilot arrived in Canada

Pilot arrived in Canada

I just got word that my Steadicam Pilot has landed at Kingsway Motion Picture in Toronto, and I'll be going to pick it up tomorrow.

Photos, info, comments, and answers to any questions will arrive here soon after!
 
a3.jpg
Pilot arrived in Japan.
I'm pretty good.
 
First notes

First notes

It figures that my Pilot would arrive when I'm really busy with lots of other things! That being said, I do have a few 'first impression' notes to share:

*) Doug from Kingsway Motion Picture in Toronto is a good guy to deal with. Very helpful.

*) Ships in a really huge backpack that has custom-cut foam for all the parts.

*) Includes QuickStart guide, VHS training videos in PAL and NTSC, from the Steadicam SK (they must have a warehouse full of these, they also included them with the Flyer) I would highly recommend downloading the Flyer manual from steadicam.com for more operating and training instruction.

*) Works with the low-mode kit F-bracket from the Flyer (same mount size)

*) Feels a lot like a Flyer in operation.

*) Easier to dynamic balance and with more post height adjustability than the Flyer. The extendable post is a great way to change drop-time (bottom heaviness) easily while sill wearing the rig.

*) 5.8" LCD is quite nice, but typically limited viewing angle. Has 4:3/16:9/wonky anamorphic/two zoom level modes, brightness/contrast/tint/backlight, horizontal/vertical flip. Overall, I'm happy with it, and would HIGHLY recommend it over the smaller Co-Pilot monitor!

*) Uses 10 AA batteries (with the AA pack option, of course) which supplies 12 volts with NimH batteries. Alkalines give 15 volts, which is fine for monitor, but you can order 2 dummy batteries separately if your camera can only take 12 volts. Haven't tested runtime yet.

*) Vest is comfy, and supports the rig just as stably as the Flyer vest supports that rig. Just be careful when you undo the velcro first time out of the package. I ended up with several velcro straps detached from the hip pads and it took a while figuring out how it was all supposed to go back on.

*) Has a velcro "arm keeper strap" on the vest, that so far I haven't figured out a good way to hold the arm with, but it is a great place to tuck the allen wrench, which is needed only for adjusting the gimble on the center post.

*) My girlfriend laughed at me and took pictures when I tried it out at her house, and not having a camera handy, flew a phonebook all around the kitchen.

I hope to take a few pics, compile some notes, tips, and a review when I get some more time. Also, to anyone who is interested and is in the area of Hamilton, Toronto, or somewhere in between, I'd be happy to arrange test flights for other people.

I was only willing to take the plunge into owning the Pilot because of Colin Akoon's generosity in letting me and others try out his Flyer at a DVXuser group meeting years ago at Creative Post. I would be happy to pay that kindness forward to others.
 
Hey there...

Does anyone know if a "V-Mount to NP Adapter" would fit and work with the VL version of the Pilot?

one like this:
home


Thanks!
 
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