2013Steadi-Newbies forum
Identifying a Steadicam SK-2 kit acquired at government auction and assessing its value and practical utility
13 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- The Steadicam SK-2 is designed to stabilize video cameras weighing between 9 and 19 pounds in operation.
- A Steadicam SK-2 kit includes a vest with padded waist and hip support and aluminum chest piece, an arm with gimbal handle, a monitor, a center post that can be removed for inverted low-mode shooting, and a low-mode kit with sushi plate and F-bracket for positioning the camera at the bottom of the sled.
- Proper balance of a Steadicam requires counterweighting, typically using batteries positioned to offset the camera and monitor weight.
- The SK-2 is not suitable for aerial-to-aerial photography work.
- Used SK-2 equipment typically sells in the range of $2500 to $5000 depending on condition and included accessories.
- Learning to operate a Steadicam effectively requires dedicated study and practice, often beginning with instructional books on the subject.
- Government agencies have periodically acquired Steadicam equipment through equipment procurement programs but sometimes had insufficient training or operational need, resulting in auction sales of unused or underutilized gear.
- A Flyer LE model offers greater versatility than an SK-2 for the same maximum camera weight and comparable used market pricing.
Depends on
- The exact market value estimate of $2500 to $5000 represents guidance from experienced operators but actual resale value depends heavily on condition and buyer demand at the time of sale.
- Operating Steadicam equipment part-time as an untrained operator may not be economically viable or professionally appropriate given the skill and training requirements of the work.
- The SK-2 represents older technology compared to more modern Steadicam platforms available on the used market.
- Disagreement exists regarding realistic resale pricing, with some suggesting significantly lower values than the $2500 to $5000 range.
Parts
Same gear or parts
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- 2026Lemo connectors on the ARRI Artemis sled: pinout, polarity verification, and powering low-mode monitors and Volt battery.FacebookSteadicam operators group
- 2026Mounting the TIFFEN Volt brain: rigidity comparison between ARRI rod mounts and CamJam mounts to minimize vibrationsDisputedSteadiHub
- 2026Low mode and flipping the image: what to check on the camera before the dayOperator practice