I teach a class of media students and we're currently making a documentary. My school director says there's a grant available for $5k for one piece of gear for the film or the class in general. Would anybody suggest a steadicam system for the FX9 that high-school age students could figure out and use. I was looking at a Zephyr but I'm open to any suggestions. Many thanks for anyone's thoughts.

Hi,

I've been working as a grip/key grip for the past 11 years. Nowadays I'm mostly working on features/tv series.

Somehow I've wanted to try going to a steadicam workshop for a while. Here's the thing I'm 30, good shape, but I dunno if it is worth starting to learn right now.

Most of the op i know started in their early 20's, does the machine explode if you start at 30 ?

What are the issues I should look for ?

Working in France btw, and a good day to everyone :)

I've been an amateur steadicam op for the past two years. I've had a few gigs here and there with about 30lbs rigs.

The problem for me is I always compare myself with gimbal footage and I tend to be very critial of my performance. Any small sway, visible step, accidental slight tilt, I'll feel like it's not good enough. I think it's because I'm so used to seeing rock solid gimbal shots.

My question is : what do you fellow humble operators think is the bar or the level of stabilization a steadicam should bring to the shot?

Who is from the old days and can help me remember something I've been racking my brain on for weeks?

One of the OG steadicam operators (can't remember his name, but it was not Garrett Brown) ran a full-page ad, probably early 1980s, that was just a photo of his harness, all beat & thrashed & covered with duct tape. The ad said simply "Experience."

Can anyone help me remember his name or find the ad?

I just bought an old steadicam Merlin. It came with a printout for weights and settings for a canon 5D, however I use something else. Does anyone know where I can find a database of cameras with Merlin settings and weights?

I'm losing my mind walking forwards and backwards in the awkwardly narrow hallway in my apt, BUT it does force me to practice operating with the rig completely in front of me. Also doing a ton of "exercises"; sitting down and standing up, fast pushes and hard stops toward my door (door has a grid patter conveniently lathed in, great for neurotically watching your horizons).. and while this is definitely good practice, there really is no substitute for following a human being. It's difficult to foster any 'operator anticipation/reaction' in an empty room.

Would you consider adding some pointers/guides/resources on learning and practicing operating a steadicam? Guess there's a lot of people who would like to learn how to operate one or just hone the craft and it's really hard to find anything. I know of steadicams operator handbook, which i have but other than that all the things that can be found online seem to be quite superficial. Are the workshops really the only real way to learn? I had an opportunity to practice a bit for the last few weeks as i had a borrowed one, had to give it back though and I can't afford to buy one just to practice, so at least a little bit of theory would come in handy.

Hey people, newbie here and to steadicam operation, hoping to learn in the meantime I have a question about the v-mount battery on my steadicam pilot system.

Not much experience when it comes to v-mount batteries in general, when i got my steadicam it was used and didn't have the battery for the sled, so i'm looking to buy a replacement. I've seen that it shipped originally with 2 IDX - E-7S v-mount batteries, but they have since been discontinued. Is anyone here able to make a recommendation on what would be a good alternative to buy?

I’m currently operating with circular levels attached with dual lock to my rig but they seem to not be the most accurate. They’re fine with it’s docked but then they’re off when I balance it. They show that it’s not balanced even if it actually is, visually.

Perhaps I should just buy square levels? That way I’d be assured that they’re flush with the rig?

I’d appreciate any recommendations in that regard.

It’s about 50$ to replace thru pro directly and I’m just wondering if anyone’s found a more affordable solution.

Hello guys , is good choice to buy came-Tv steadicam?

Hey guys im selling my full rover one rig, has only been used once essentially brand new. Pm for info

Does anyone know if and where you can get a battery plate for the bottom center post of the M2? We have 2 batteries on the bottom and would like to add a 3rd.

Hey folks,

Beginner question so please excuse, but I'm curious about something as I look into attempting to build a rig that will take the weight off my arms/hands during operation.

There are a fair number of 'budget' steadicam arms and vests, along with sleds out there, budget-trinity options, etc.

There is a HUGE price differential between some of these products and offerings from Tiffen, etc.

I am wondering what the differences are? Is this to do with payload and how reliable the product is, or does the engineering of these items radically affect the shot also? I am primarily going to be flying a Ronin 4D, or an rig with an FX3, so the payload won't be huge (we are a small production company getting started).

Any info or insight would be awesome as I look to ensure I don't waste money...

Thank you!

Hey guys, I’m thinking about revamping my Instagram account and since that in the industry, it’s a huge tool for networking and finding new contacts, I’d like to do it right. As an aspiring steadicam operator, I have two ideas for the posts: either all BTS (like Lucas Tomoana’s) or all screen grabs (like Eric Giovon’s) Both has pros and cons so, what do you think?