2008Steadi-Newbies forum
Choosing between Steadicam Pilot and Flyer rigs for different shooting scenarios
18 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.
What the thread found
- The Pilot model supports camera payloads up to 10 pounds and works well for event videography without requiring lens adapters.
- The Flyer model supports payloads up to 19 pounds, making it suitable for setups with 35mm lens adapters, cinema cameras, and associated accessories like matte boxes.
- Using a 35mm lens adapter on a steadicam provides shallow depth of field similar to film but requires additional equipment including wireless focus control and a dedicated focus puller.
- Learning to operate a steadicam rig takes considerable practice regardless of which model is chosen.
- Steadicam rigs can be tested through two-day workshops that provide both Pilot and Flyer equipment for hands-on training.
- The vest component adjusts to fit different body sizes.
- Shallow depth of field achieved through lens adapters may not be necessary for steadicam work since camera movement already directs viewer attention.
Depends on
- The thread discusses camera setups from 2008, so equipment specifications and market considerations may have changed.
- Whether lens adapters are necessary for steadicam shots remains unresolved in the discussion with no definitive answer reached.
- Workshop availability in specific geographic regions was unknown at the time of the discussion.
- The practical necessity of lens adapters varies depending on project type, with no universal recommendation possible.