2013Camera Stage/Donkey Box forum
Image vibration issues on Steadicam Ultra 1 during movement
13 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Ensure the camera is firmly secured with both front and rear ends supported on the stage to eliminate vibration.
- Accessories attached to the sled, such as monitors or wireless transmitters on extension arms, can transmit vibration to the image even if not rigidly mounted.
- Loose or improperly tightened rails in the fore-aft and side-to-side directions can cause image vibration; adjusting these screws in small increments of one-eighth turn or less while testing stage movement may resolve the issue.
- The side-to-side slider mechanism can be a source of vibration and may require adjustment using its adjustment screws.
- Post-to-top stage set screws should be checked for tightness as a potential vibration source.
- Lens mounting issues can cause vibration in the image if the lens is not mounted securely.
- Drop tests and listening for unusual sounds can help diagnose whether vibration originates from the rig itself.
- Wedge clamps, originally designed by Cinema Products, can address specific mounting play issues that cause vibration.
- The fore-aft and side-to-side bearing adjustment on Ultra 1 units can cause vibration issues, particularly when adjusted to the ends of their range.
Depends on
- Specific adjustment tolerances and procedures were not fully detailed in the discussion.
- The wedge clamp solution is no longer manufactured by the original maker, limiting availability.
- Some participants reported ongoing issues without clear final resolution.
- The discussion spans different Steadicam models including Zephyr, so not all solutions may apply to Ultra 1 specifically.
Gear in this thread
Parts
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