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2010Steadi-Newbies forum

Equipment progression strategy for steadicam operators starting with lightweight rigs

16 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.

What the thread found

  • A down-converter box is essential for work with higher-end cameras like Red systems, making it a worthwhile early investment despite weight considerations.
  • Lightweight down-converters such as the RedByte Decimator add minimal weight to a rig setup.
  • An HD wireless transmitter mounted at the bottom of the post with a cable running down allows for better balance compared to other mounting configurations.
  • Flying a Red camera on a lightweight rig typically requires carrying additional equipment including matte box, filters, lens package, hard drive, on-board monitor, time code generator, down-converter, HD transmitter, iris and zoom motors, cables, and potentially a battery, which collectively exceed typical lightweight rig weight limits.
  • Before investing in a full larger rig, operators should determine their target market and level of commitment to the profession.
  • Attending a formal workshop before making major equipment purchases helps inform better purchasing decisions.
  • Arriving to professional sets unprepared with inadequate equipment can damage professional reputation and may result in not being hired again.
  • The market for different camera systems varies by geographic region and production type, making it important to research what equipment is actually used in your local market.
  • Used rigs from established manufacturers offer good value for upgrading from entry-level systems.
  • As camera technology evolves toward lighter options like certain DSLRs and newer cinema cameras, the viability of lighter stabilizer rigs may improve over time.

Depends on

  • Discussion references specific models and market conditions from 2010; camera technology and market preferences have changed significantly since then.
  • Recommendations about Red workflows are specific to the camera generation available at that time.
  • Geographic considerations mentioned are specific to Toronto and Los Angeles markets.
  • Some participants disagreed about whether lower-budget productions would adopt heavier cinema cameras like the Epic and whether lighter alternatives like the Scarlet would materialize.
  • Weight limits and accessory requirements vary depending on individual vest, gimbal, and personal physical capacity.

Parts

Base Plate

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