2006Cameras (Film/Video/HD) forum
Sony XDCAM camera balancing and handling on camera stabilization rigs
20 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
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.
What the thread found
- The XDCAM camera body weighs approximately 9 kilograms without battery and lens.
- When fully equipped with lens, follow focus, transmitter, and back battery, the total weight reaches approximately 14 to 15 kilograms.
- The camera is inherently front-heavy with any lens attached, requiring weight added to the back for proper balance.
- The camera can be balanced on stabilization arms using additional batteries mounted at the back.
- The camera has a thumbnail function on the LCD screen that allows reviewing shots without rewinding.
- The camera includes a flip function in the menu for reversing the image when shooting in low mode.
- XDCAM can be flown on small stabilization rigs with proper weighting and balancing techniques.
- The camera works with disc recording instead of tape, with discs formatting automatically when inserted.
- A camera rig totaling approximately 19 kilograms represents the practical limit for small gimbal stability.
Depends on
- Balancing depends on the specific lens and accessories being used.
- The front-heavy characteristic applies to the XDCAM with any lens.
- Wireless video and follow focus add weight requiring different balancing approaches.
- The weight limit of 19 kilograms is based on user experience with one specific gimbal setup, not a universal specification.
- Reports of disc handling behavior differ slightly between users.
Gear in this thread
Parts
Same gear or parts
- 2026Repairing shorted BNC video lines in an ARRI Artemis 1 sled: interim workarounds and permanent solutions.FacebookSteadicam operators group
- 2026Proper clamping force on gimbal saddle clamps with heavy cameras: risk of over-tighteningFacebookSteadicam operators group
- 2026Upgrading an M1 Volt gimbal from 1.5-inch to 1.75-inch center rod: insert replacement procedure and encoder ring considerations.DisputedFacebookSteadicam operators group
- 2026Powering camera, monitor, and accessories simultaneously on ARRI Artemis with BMS battery bricks and matching battery plates.SteadiHub