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2012Cameras (Film/Video/HD) forum

Steadicam rigging techniques for the RED Epic camera

14 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.

What the thread found

  • The RED Epic requires rear ballast weight such as batteries or a Boxx to achieve proper balance on Steadicam rigs.
  • An 11 pound weight plate has been successfully used when flying the Epic.
  • A RED breakout cable is necessary to connect Preston start/stop control cables to the Epic, and this cable must be obtained separately from production or the camera rental house.
  • Multiple operators prefer using a rod-mounted hot-swap dual battery plate with two Dionic HC batteries positioned at the rear for counterbalancing.
  • A zoom sliding base plate can serve as a weight solution when using iris rod brackets and sliding base plates.
  • The RED Epic can be powered from the Steadicam rig electronics rather than requiring independent camera power, which simplifies cable management.
  • Mounting accessories like the Boxx to the XCS base plate with velcro attachment and routing the Decimator to the camera side provides good weight distribution.
  • Mounting monitors on articulating arms can create balance issues if crew members adjust monitor position during operation, necessitating rebalancing.
  • The Epic restarts in just over ten seconds when powered off, which is faster than some other camera models.
  • Preston Redmote can function as an on-off remote device when a dedicated on-off cable is not available.

Depends on

  • This discussion addresses setups specific to Optimo zoom lenses and Steadicam configurations from around 2012.
  • The weight and balance recommendations apply to frame rates of 5K at 1:85 aspect ratio with specific headroom requirements.
  • One negative experience with monitor positioning on an articulating arm does not represent a universal problem with that mounting method.
  • The ten-second restart time claim comes from a single operator's experience and may vary based on specific Epic firmware or configuration.

Parts

Dovetail Plate, Base Plate

Same gear or parts

  1. 2026Eliminating vibration with the ARRI ALEXA 35 on Steadicam®: rigid mounting plate options to bypass the dovetail systemFacebookThe Steadicam Group
  2. 2026Swapping the camera between tripod and rig: the cheapest upgrade most operators never makeOperator practice
  3. 2026Operating a Steadicam® Zephyr without Volt: drop time, horizon control, and the effect of upper-rig weight distribution on balance.DisputedFacebookSteadicam operators group
  4. 2026Swapping an ARRI ALEXA 35 between tripod/studio and Steadicam® mounting: baseplate choice and fastest workflow.FacebookSteadicam operators group
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