What the thread found

• The TS-5 lightweight carbon fiber version can be balanced on a PRO arm with Angenieux zoom lenses instead of primes by positioning the vertical camera's center of gravity under the gimbal and the horizontal camera's center of gravity far back, reducing front-heavy characteristics.
• Using zoom lenses like the 15-40 or 16-42 on the TS-5 allows operators to minimize lens changes during shooting, though this requires tape-on round filters rather than built-in filter systems.
• The TS-5 has significant pan limitations due to gimbal yoke contact with the front mirror box housing, requiring operators to compensate by panning with body movement rather than the gimbal, which can be problematic during tight corners or hard-mounted shots.
• A shooting configuration of the TS-5L with 16-42 zooms, two Epic cameras, three batteries in standard configuration, and a K4 gyro resulted in a total rig weight of approximately 79 pounds, with the complete Steadicam system approaching 100 pounds.
• The primary operational challenge with 3D Steadicam work is the increased physical size and length of the rig rather than weight alone, which severely restricts movement range and makes low-mode shots significantly more difficult than conventional single-camera operation.
• Hard-mounting the rig whenever possible is recommended for 3D work to manage the handling difficulties caused by the rig's size and configuration.
• The TS-5 requires umbilical connection to a 3D control station where operators manage video feeds and system control, which keeps focus and iris motors off the rig itself.
• Significant physical conditioning and training improved the operator's ability to sustain the weight and control the rig effectively over long production days.

Depends on

• Experience is specific to the carbon fiber TS-5 with particular lens configurations and Epic cameras; performance may differ with other camera bodies or lens choices.
• Filter solutions for zoom lenses mentioned are workarounds (tape-on filters) rather than integrated systems, limiting optical quality compared to built-in filtration.
• The operator's physical training regimen was intensive and extended over three months; results depend on individual fitness levels and dedication to conditioning.
• Production configuration included many support boxes and wireless systems that added weight and complexity; baseline rig weight and capabilities may differ in simpler setups.
• Limited testing time was available in the original comparison with the Element Technica Neutron, so some conclusions were preliminary.

Gear in this thread

MDR

Parts

Low Mode

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