SteadiHub
2006Steadi-Newbies forum

Monitoring and focus pulling setup for steadicam HD shooting with small cameras and 35mm lens adapters

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

DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.

What the thread found

  • When shooting standard definition with a small camera like the HVX200, any basic LCD or green screen monitor can display the signal from the camera
  • For HD monitoring on a budget, use a down-converter in line between the camera and monitor to reduce the high-definition signal to standard definition that most affordable monitors can display
  • Maintaining focus on steadicam rigs with 35mm adapters requires either a deep depth of field with wide lenses or a remote focus system with a motor and receiver mounted on the rig
  • Remote focus systems for steadicam typically include a wireless control knob with transmitter and a motor receiver on the rig that turns the lens focus ring
  • Adding a motor and receiver for remote focus to lighter stabilizer rigs can exceed the maximum safe payload weight, potentially compromising stability
  • Monitors that can flip or invert the image are useful when using 35mm adapters since the image may appear upside down
  • Using a 35mm lens adapter on small chip HD cameras on steadicam adds weight and complexity that may not be justified compared to using the camera's native lens
  • Native camera lenses on 1/3 inch chip cameras provide sufficient depth of field for most stabilicam work and avoid the focus challenges of 35mm adapters
  • Simple wired remote focus controls designed for cinema lenses can sometimes be adapted to work with 35mm adapters through custom mechanical interfacing
  • Down-converters like the AJA HD10MD3 are compact options for converting HDSDI signals to SDI or composite signals for use with standard definition monitors

Depends on

  • Weight limitations depend on the specific stabilizer model and rig configuration
  • Some down-converters require specific connectors that must be verified in advance based on camera output format
  • Remote focus system costs range from several hundred to several thousand dollars, creating significant budget constraints for independent filmmakers
  • The effectiveness of adapted budget remote focus solutions remains unproven compared to professional systems
  • Advice regarding specific monitor models and their availability was current as of 2006 and may not reflect current market conditions

Gear in this thread

BFD

Same gear or parts

  1. 2025History of wireless focus and lens control systems for Steadicam®: from cable-based Cinema Products and Seitz to Preston digital, and European solutions by Chrosziel, cmotion, and ARRI.FacebookSteadicam operators group
  2. 2018Identifying polarity of 2-pin Lemo power cables for BFD and Teradek unitsFollow Focus
  3. 2018Compatibility between analog Bartech follow focus handsets and digital motor systemsFollow Focus
  4. 2016Comparison of wireless follow focus systems: Bartech versus DJI FocusFollow Focus
Read the original threadAsk about this threadThe answer cites the archive