2009Operating forum
Adjusting Steadicam drop time and using wind breaks for windy outdoor filming
17 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Lighter camera rigs like a 13-15 pound setup require significantly faster drop times than heavier rigs to maintain adequate inertia, with approximately 1.5 seconds or faster recommended instead of the standard 2.5-3 seconds used for large rigs.
- Wind conditions require even faster drop times than normal operating conditions.
- Laying chicken wire just under the sand surface on beaches provides better footing for the operator.
- Wind breaks made from two doubled (hollow, not solid) 4x4 wooden beams arranged in a V-formation pointing toward the wind direction effectively redirect wind to the sides rather than allowing it to swirl around solid structures.
- Solid single 4x4 wind breaks are better than no protection but less effective than V-shaped configurations due to wind swirling around the edges.
Depends on
- The suggestions come from beach and boardwalk specific shooting environments.
- Wind break effectiveness depends on the shooting direction relative to wind direction and available space for setup.
- Drop time preference remains individual and requires personal testing and adjustment.