2007Steadi-Newbies forum
Battery weight considerations for steadicam rigs regarding operator load, rig balance, and camera height
19 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Heavier batteries like AB Hytrons (4.5-5.5 lbs each) reduce operator fatigue compared to lighter alternatives like Steadicam PowerCubes or IDX E10 batteries (1.7-2 lbs each), but affect rig dynamics differently.
- Heavier batteries positioned at the bottom of the rig increase stability but reduce maneuverability, while lighter batteries have the opposite effect.
- Rig length is determined by the total battery weight and placement rather than individual battery choice alone—heavier batteries require shorter overall configurations for proper balance.
- Camera height is primarily controlled by extending or shortening the lower arm below the gimbal to counterbalance weight above it, not by battery weight itself.
- A mixed battery approach using different weights for different components allows flexibility without committing to a single heavy or light system.
- Lithium ion batteries in standard mounts offer weight savings over traditional battery types while maintaining capacity.
Depends on
- No measurements or testing data provided to quantify the balance and maneuverability differences mentioned.
- Discussion focuses on AB and V-Mount systems; may not apply to other mounting standards.
- Specific camera models mentioned (435, HD variants) are from 2007 and technology has evolved significantly.
- The Global Media Pro lithium option was mentioned as planned rather than tested by participants.