Trinity 2

46 threads in the archive

Trinity 2 in the catalogSpecs and owners

Note (as of October 2026)Curt O. Schaller, the developer of Artemis and Trinity, has no longer been with ARRI since the end of 2025. To our knowledge, ARRI currently has no dedicated team and no official contact persons for its stabilizer systems. In our view, the future of this line is uncertain. If you are buying new, get written confirmation from ARRI beforehand on how long service and spare parts are guaranteed. Have used rigs checked by the manufacturer before you buy.

Based on 46 threads · 23 cited

AI draft, not reviewedDraft, written by AI from the archive, every statement linked to its source — not yet reviewed.

Trinity 2 is a capable rig, but you need to know where it bites: ARRI recommended in 2024 not to install SUP 3.0.10, and head software 3.0 was withdrawn in July 2025 over serious pan axis and pan module defects 1 2. Power is the next trap, so feed the EXT-IN port on the head base with 24 V through ARRI's dedicated cable, part K2.0048481 14 15. When you balance, go lower assembly, then head, then camera in the head, and know that you can fly without the pendulum if you hold neutral balance 21.

The questions 6

Is Trinity 2 SUP 3.0 firmware safe to install or buggy?6 threads · latest 2025

In short

Buggy. ARRI recommended in 2024 not to install SUP 3.0.10 1, and head software 3.0 was officially withdrawn in July 2025 over serious pan axis and pan module defects 2.

How the pros do it

If you're on SUP 1.5 (November 2023), stay there 1. Operators who rolled back to 1.5 ran stable through multiple later jobs 1.
Check whether you need the pan axis before you decide, because pan axis operation requires SUP 3.0 or later 1. Remote control wheels and OCU-1 already work with 1.5 1.
On 3.0.10, expect motors that take about 15 seconds to engage and often need repeated power cycles 3. Expect tilt vibration at motor initialization and when returning to home 3.
Rolling back to 1.5 resolved most issues for operators 1. One operator still needed a reflash of the head to 1.5 at the manufacturer, and some problems persist after a downgrade 1.
Don't treat SUP 4.0 as the fix, because overcurrent protection is missing in SUP 4.0 4. A later software test after the 3.0 withdrawal showed only minimal improvement 2.
With an ALEXA 35 on V-mount or Gold Mount batteries, SUP 3.0 can cut power from a minor touch or docking 4. B-mount systems are unaffected, and ARRI recalled this in July 4.

Caution

Firmware 3.0 can throw an e-stop error that shuts down the Trinity 2 completely, with vibration and uncontrolled spinning of the head 5. SUP 4.0 lacks overcurrent protection, so finger crush force continues after initial contact, and unstable pan module startup can damage main cables 4.

Opinions differ here

Some operators report good overall experiences despite critical bugs, noting the T1 also took about two years to reach reliability 2. Others reverted to SUP 1.5 after production incidents, including removal from jobs because of SUP 3.0 instability 4. Several operators have simply stayed on earlier firmware rather than upgrade to 3.0 5.

What changed

Earlier, in November 2023, SUP 1.5 was the stable baseline operators rolled back to 1, today in 2025 head software 3.0 has been officially withdrawn by the manufacturer 2.

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Why does my Trinity 2 cut power to my ALEXA 35?4 threads · latest 2026

In short

Most likely the sled can't deliver the current its motors spike to, and two Gold Mount batteries consistently shut down 6. Radio transmitters near the sled can also kill the whole system 7.

How the pros do it

Check your battery setup first: three 12 V batteries or BeBob 24 V batteries (20 A per unit) gave enough current, while two Gold Mount batteries caused intermittent shutdowns regardless of brand, age or charge 6.
Add a B-Mount battery as a second supply, which is what operators are doing to fix the dropout 6. The problem does not show up on 26 V B-Mount batteries 6.
Look at the power consumption on the battery hanger display, because older or cheaper batteries may not carry a demanding setup 7. Going to a three-battery configuration can resolve those shutdowns 7.
Keep wireless mic transmitters away from the sled, since close radio transmitters caused total shutdowns of headbox, camera and powerbox 7.
Watch for current spikes from the motors at mechanical stops, when the head is pushed to the limit, or from light cable contact at the outer ring 6.
Don't trust the 24 V reading as a charge indicator, since it often sits near 27.7 V regardless of battery state 8. Use the 14 V display on the RCP instead, as shutdown happens at 12.5 V 8. A firmware update (SUP 4.0) is in development for the head cutting power to the A35 on touch 9.

Opinions differ here

Operators disagree on the size of the load: one calculation gives roughly 6.25 A at 24 V 6, while observed spikes went into the high teens of amperes 6. They also differ on the cause, since one operator first blamed batteries and power, then found radio interference was the real culprit 7, while others point to motor current spikes with two Gold Mount batteries 6.

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Why does my Trinity 2 drift in pan or roll?4 threads · latest 2026

In short

Pan drift on a docked Trinity 2 is linked to low-friction gimbal bearings settling under load, and to a geometry that magnifies pan errors compared to Steadicam® 10 11. Roll drift during combined tilt and roll moves has been reported across firmware versions including SUP 4, and Follow Mode partly eases it 12.

How the pros do it

Check the dock connection and move the gimbal as close as possible to the center of the stud post, then see if the drift speed changes 11.
Clean and inspect all gimbal bearings, not only the pan axis, before you call it a defect 11.
Set the sled up like a Steadicam®: lower the camera on the rods, dial in drop time, lock the gimbal tilt and fly classical High or Low mode 10.
Add a gyro: one operator reports a 2×2 gyro at the nodal point below the post beats a single KS4, and a KS4 at about 70% of rated speed also helps 10.
Use Trinity arm swings to start booms so the guide hand does not add pan impulses, and watch the bubble level instead of the monitor on linear shots 10.
For roll drift, turn on Follow Mode 12. If drift appears the moment an MGT-2 is connected to a Remote Head Unity 2 via LBUS, it clears when you unplug the cable 12.

Caution

One operator had an uncontrolled high-speed endless pan on a Trinity 2 remote head that could not be stopped via RCP and needed physical intervention to halt the head 13.

Opinions differ here

Operators don't agree on whether pan drift is normal or a defect 11. Several Trinity 2 users see pan drift and put it down to bearing clearances under load and the low-friction design 11. Others with older Trinity 1 gimbals, and some Trinity 2 users, report no drift from the factory or after service, which suggests it is gimbal-specific 11.

What changed

Earlier, in 2025, operators were waiting for a production-stable firmware after ARRI pulled SUP 3.0, while today, in 2026, SUP 4 is out and one operator still reports roll drift with it 13 12.

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What cables and power source do I need for Trinity 2 accessories?4 threads · latest 2025

In short

Feed the EXT-IN port on the Trinity 2 head base with a 24 V source 14. Use ARRI's dedicated external power cable, part K2.0048481 15.

How the pros do it

Give the EXT-IN port on the head base 24 V, because it powers the head and everything mounted above it 14. Ports marked 12 V keep putting out 12 V on their own 14.
Use ARRI's dedicated BHM-2 to TRH-2 cable for external power 14. ARRI explicitly does not recommend unregulated power sources or D-Tap connectors for this 14.
If you order the external power cable, the part code is K2.0048481 15. It connects to the battery hanger module or takes 2×XLR for external input 15. It vanished from ARRI's Trinity 2 cables page, but third-party suppliers stock it 15.
Match plates and camera cables to your cameras before the job 16. Cables come as 12/24 V XLR, 24 V Mini-Power and RED connectors 16. For an ALEXA 35, the correct plate is the SAM-6 16.
For batteries, ARRI recommends PAG, and bebob B-Mount is mentioned as an alternative 16. Several operators fly Core SWX Nano 150 or Helix Max 150 and get nearly a full shooting day without a swap 16.
With the RCP-3 and wireless wheels, the RCP-3 needs external power on its 2-pin Lemo, and it then feeds the wheels and the ERM-TX 17. The ERM-RX on the Trinity 2 gets its power over the FS-CAN cable from the Trinity, so it needs no separate power cable 17. A BMS-3 V-Mount plate can supply the D-tap for the RCP-3, but that uses up a D-tap you might need elsewhere 17.

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Which cameras, plates and cables work on Trinity 2?4 threads · latest 2025

In short

Only ARRI and Sony Venice 1/2 are officially listed for Trinity 2, and other bodies need a practical test 18. Plates are SAM-2, SAM-4 and SAM-6, and cables are 12/24 V XLR, 24 V Mini-Power and RED 16.

How the pros do it

Start with ARRI or Sony Venice 1/2, since those are the officially listed cameras 18. For anything else, test it, ideally at a rental house with several bodies 18.
Operators have mounted ALEXA Mini, Mini LF, XT/XT Plus, Amira, ARRI 235 and 416, RED DSMC2, V-Raptor, Komodo, Blackmagic G1/G2/12K, Z-Cam, Panasonic and other box cameras on Trinity, with counterweights adjusted per lens 18.
Pick the plate to match the camera: SAM-2, SAM-4 and SAM-6 are available, and SAM-6 is the right one for ALEXA 35 16. An Apex plate with SAM-0 on an ALEXA 35 adds about 1/4 inch of height and risks clearance problems with focus scale markings and side rod brackets 16.
Pick the cable to match the camera: 12/24 V XLR, 24 V Mini-Power or RED 16.
RED bodies need a specialized bracket to attach the ARRI mounting plate, and that bracket also works for other cameras 18. A Venice 2 has been flown on a SAM-0 plate with a single 150 g top weight 19.
The Trinity 2 ring diameter matches Trinity 1, but the clamp plate sits slightly higher, so a camera that fits tightly in T1 may not fit in T2 18. Don't expect nodal alignment with SAM-2 or SAM-6 on Mini LF or ALEXA 35 on the Steadicam® T2 head 20.

Caution

Sony Venice with Master Anamorphic or large anamorphic lenses plus counterweight approaches the Trinity 2 arm capacity limit, because T2 has less arm capacity than Trinity 1 18.

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How do I balance my Trinity 2, and do I need the pendulum?4 threads · latest 2025

In short

Balance the lower assembly, then the head, then the camera in the head, and you can fly without the pendulum if you hold neutral balance 21. Keep it for precise booms and quick pan-roll compensation in Omega mode 21.

How the pros do it

Balance the lower assembly with a Mickey or Skater, without the head 21.
Balance the head without the camera, then put the camera in and make it neutral in all head positions 21. The 16-point test alone is not enough, because true balance only shows with the camera in the head 21.
The head is not factory-perfect: Trinity 2 is better than Trinity 1, but the tilt-lock side is heavier 21. Add head weight if it fights you, for example about 100 g at the rear right, to cut wobble and motor load 21.
Neutralize the gimbal with about 30 g opposite the post clamp 21. Watch the cable sag in the internal cable or main head cable, because it pulls the head sideways 21.
Set up the pendulum last: with two 50 g weights, one operator found it completely neutral locked and minimally tail-heavy unlocked 21. Balanced this way, you can remove or attach the pendulum without losing balance 21.
Keep the DUB 3 centered and leave it alone in normal operation 22. If the side-to-side adjustment resists, it may be locked, and wiggling the DUB 3 freed it for one operator 22.

Opinions differ here

Some operators say the pendulum aids precise booms and quick pan-roll compensation in Omega mode, and that fully neutral balance is hard to hold during high booms 21. Others have flown for years without it, and only brought it back for Superpost shots and very low moves with whip-pans 21. Without it, off-axis pans are easy to hold but vertical boom moves are harder to do smoothly 23.

What changed

Earlier, in 2023, the pendulum was described as the thing that creates drop time on the pan axis 23, while today, in 2024, several operators report flying for years without it in full neutral balance 21.

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Sources 23

All 23 sources

What operators found

Still argued about

Often in the same threads

Trinity 116, Artemis10, ALEXA 357, Volt6, Low Mode3, OS 3603, MDR2, Top Stage3, DRW-12, Gimbal Bearing2, KS-42, KS-62

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