2025From a Facebook group: The Steadicam Group
Whether to build a Steadicam® system or upgrade an entry-level vest for ARRI ALEXA 35 and Sony Venice camera rigs.
What the thread found
- Entry-level vests are not designed for the load of ALEXA 35 or Venice cameras; the metal parts in budget systems cannot support heavy rigs and wear out within months.
- A functioning setup for these cameras requires a back post and plastic shells, which entry-level systems lack.
- Purchasing used professional rigs is currently the better option; the secondhand market offers good deals.
- Operators should check specialist forums regularly for available equipment.
- Building a Steadicam® system from scratch rarely justifies the effort; even operators with access to CNC manufacturing question the investment.
Depends on
- Camera weight and load rating of the vest model.
- Market availability of used professional systems at the time of purchase.
- Access to machine shops for custom fabrication.
Gear in this thread
Same gear or parts
- 2026Mounting the RIA-1 wireless receiver on ARRI Trinity with ALEXA 35FacebookArri Artemis Trinity
- 2026Power distribution failure of D-Tap step-down splitters on a Venice 2 rig, and proper AKS accessory power supply methods.DisputedFacebookSteadicam operators group
- 2026Power loss on Trinity 2 / Artemis 2 with large cameras (A35, Venice): causes and battery solutions.DisputedFacebookArri Artemis Trinity
- 2026Eliminating vibration with the ARRI ALEXA 35 on Steadicam®: rigid mounting plate options to bypass the dovetail systemFacebookThe Steadicam Group