2005Sled forum
Operating an SDX900 camera on a Steadicam Flyer sled with payload and balance considerations
21 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- The Flyer sled can accommodate an SDX900 camera with accessories near its payload limit, but requires careful weight distribution and removal of non-essential components to achieve proper balance.
- The Flyer arm has two bones while the Glidecam V16 has one bone, resulting in different handling characteristics with the Flyer exhibiting more boomerang effect.
- Maintaining adequate clearance above the gimbal for docking requires removing safety pins, the viewfinder, and battery from the camera, then positioning accessories below the gimbal instead of above.
- Using camera batteries as counterweights on the rear of the sled can provide necessary balance without adding dead weight, and can serve as backup power sources.
- The Sony Z1U camera flies well on the Flyer sled when mounted at the rear holes of the plate, but this positioning leaves little room for front-mounted accessories like matte boxes or lights.
- Gaffer tape can be used to attach auxiliary optics like wide-angle adapters or lights directly to the lens hood as a workaround when mounting space is limited.
- The Flyer rig remains responsive when operating near maximum arm extension, though stability may not be as solid as heavier configurations.
Depends on
- Configuration details are specific to SDX900 and Sony Z1U cameras from the mid-2000s era.
- Field deployment experience reported for one documentary shoot; long-term reliability data not provided in thread.
- The Glidecam V35 mentioned as an upcoming alternative with higher payload was in pre-release status at time of discussion.
- Tiffen apparently did not manufacture extended mounting plates for the Flyer sled to address balance issues with certain camera and accessory combinations.
- Some users reported hardware durability issues with the sled's bottom section Allen bolt threads.