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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

Zephyrcatalog

Parts

Follow Focus

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