2006Sled forum
Choosing a lightweight steadicam rig for a 2.5 kg HDV camera
20 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- The Steadicam Flyer is a dedicated lightweight rig suitable for small cameras and costs approximately $7000
- Lightweight HDV cameras can be bottom-heavy on standard steadicam rigs, requiring added weight to achieve proper balance
- A weight cage kit costing 300-400 euros or dollars allows adaptation of existing steadicam rigs to lightweight cameras without purchasing a new system
- The Steadicam Flyer has a 15 pound capacity limit and cannot support additional heavy accessories like Mini35 adapters or Movietube systems
- The Steadicam Flyer can be balanced using swing adjustments rather than sliding rods
- Adding 2 kg of external weight secured with adhesive-backed fasteners can improve drop time and dynamic balance on lightweight camera setups
Depends on
- The Steadicam Flyer Special Edition is not recommended as it costs more for the same functionality as the standard model
- Balancing lightweight cameras on rigs designed for heavier systems requires careful tuning and experimentation
- The specific camera model mentioned in the original question may not have been correctly identified by all participants