2013Steadi-Newbies forum
Flying an Arri Alexa camera on a Steadicam Zephyr rig: power, mounting, and weight considerations
13 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- The Zephyr-to-Alexa power cable uses a 3-pin LEMO connector on the Zephyr end and a 2-pin Fischer connector on the Alexa end, and must be wired correctly for either 12V or 24V operation depending on the battery plate used.
- The Alexa draws a minimum of 85 watts and requires 10.5-34V DC power; running it at 24V via the optional secondary battery mount is essential because the camera's power draw exceeds the internal power cabling amperage rating of the standard Zephyr setup.
- An optional secondary V-mount battery plate offered by Tiffen for the Zephyr allows mounting additional batteries below the sled to power the camera independently from the main rig power system.
- The Alexa has a non-flat mounting plate on its bottom that differs from standard camera dovetails; a proper Steadicam adapter plate designed specifically for the Alexa is required for secure mounting.
- A custom slimline adapter plate can reduce mounting weight by approximately half a kilogram compared to standard dovetail plates, making the Alexa more balanced on the Zephyr.
- With the camera stripped to body and lens only plus a battery brick, the Zephyr handled the Alexa's weight reasonably well, performing similarly to a Red Scarlet with full accessories.
- The Alexa is flyable on the Zephyr if weight is properly distributed and power is correctly configured, contrary to common forum discussion suggesting it overloads the arm.
Depends on
- Setup details were not tested with full accessories such as matte box, wireless follow focus, or video monitors simultaneously.
- The custom slimline adapter plate mentioned was obtained through unknown sourcing and may not be readily available.
- Power cable sourcing on secondary market (eBay) carries uncertainty about quality and specifications.
- The 100-degree Texas heat environment caused gaff-tape shims to soften, affecting mount stability after 30 minutes.
- Discussion does not provide exact specifications or recommended manufacturers for the custom adapter plate.
Gear in this thread
Parts
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