2010Steadi-Newbies forum
Static and dynamic balance setup for Steadicam with Canon 5D Mark II and Bogen adapter
16 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Static balance requires a level camera and vertical sled regardless of where the camera center of gravity sits, but dynamic balance depends on proper center of gravity positioning for the rig to pan flat.
- Adding weights to the top stage of the rig changes the overall center of gravity of the camera mass as a unified system above the gimbal.
- A drop time of 2.5 seconds can be functional for lightweight rigs, though some operators prefer faster drop times depending on working style.
- The rig exhibits a noticeable tactile quality or feel when approaching proper balance, though this sensation is difficult to describe verbally.
Depends on
- Setup uses a custom wooden adapter plate to mount Bogen connector to Pilot plate due to mismatched mounting holes, placing camera center of gravity forward of the recommended position.
- Drop time and balance performance observations are from a single operator with a specific camera and lens combination.
- No specific weight total is confirmed for the described setup, making it unclear how close the rig is to commonly cited optimal weight ranges.
- The claim about rigs performing better with more weight around 10 pounds is reported secondhand but not verified in this discussion.
Parts
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