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Trinity 1

25 threads in the archive

Trinity 1 in the catalogSpecs and owners
Note (as of October 2026)Curt O. Schaller, the developer of Artemis and Trinity, has no longer been with ARRI since the end of 2025. To our knowledge, ARRI currently has no dedicated team and no official contact persons for its stabilizer systems. In our view, the future of this line is uncertain. If you are buying new, get written confirmation from ARRI beforehand on how long service and spare parts are guaranteed. Have used rigs checked by the manufacturer before you buy.

Based on 35 threads · 24 cited

AI draft, not reviewedDraft, written by AI from the archive, every statement linked to its source — not yet reviewed.

The Trinity 1 still flies a lot of cameras, and you can run an ALEXA 35 on it in 24V mode with the ARRI camera cable K2.0010540 1. Balance the sled neutral first, then counterweight the head on its own, and only then add the camera 1415. If it vibrates, check the extended telescopic post flex against the gimbal head before you blame anything else 16.

The questions 9

How do I power my ALEXA 35 on Trinity 1?5 threads · latest 2026

In short

Run the Trinity 1 in 24V mode with the ARRI camera cable K2.0010540 1. A Trinity 1 with the 24 V upgrade putting out 31.6 V sits inside the camera's 20.5–33.6 V input range 2.

How the pros do it

  1. Set the Trinity 1 to 24V mode and use ARRI camera cable K2.0010540 1.
  2. Don't reuse a Mini cable wired for 12 V, because the camera won't power up on it 3. Wrong wiring doesn't damage the camera, it just fails to start 3.
  3. If you build or check a cable, cable manufacturers wire camera pins 2, 3, 4 to ground and pins 6, 7, 8 to the sled's 24 V output 3. The ALEXA 35 power socket is angled, so use a right-angle connector to avoid strain 3.
  4. Mount the camera on the Universal Adapter Plate UAP-3 (K2.0034179) 1.
  5. If the camera gets no power, check the cable's pin assignment first and carry a second original ARRI cable to compare 2.
  6. Stick to onboard batteries or ARRI power supplies, because operators saw intermittent power failures on other external sources 2.

Opinions differ here

Sources differ on the ALEXA 35's nominal voltage: the camera needs 24 V to start, but some sources cite 28 V as nominal 3.

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Is buying a Trinity 1 still a good investment?4 threads · latest 2026

In short

The used market is flooded with Trinity 1 units and some operators see no worthwhile return right now 45.

How the pros do it

  1. Germany has over ten Trinity operators chasing about three jobs 4, while in NYC directors and clients frequently request the Trinity 5.
  2. Run the numbers. A new system costs about USD 90,000 with expected day rates around USD 5,000 4, and one earlier analysis put payback at roughly 56 to 80 jobs at 1,000-1,500 USD extra per shoot 6.
  3. A Trinity 1 retrofitted with a 360-degree upgrade costs about half of a new Trinity 2 for similar functionality 4, and a modified Trinity 1 is named as a lower-cost entry point 5.
  4. Advertising justifies the premium rates 4, but narrative features often don't pay appropriately 4.
  5. Tilt by joystick is hard to modulate and causes headroom problems 6, the system is heavier and does worse in strong wind than a traditional Steadicam® 6, and it is a poor fit in tight spaces 4.
  6. Ask for current photos of the actual unit, cross-check serial numbers and confirm the seller's ownership history 7.

Opinions differ here

Some say it stays viable in advertising and that about 15 operators keep steady work in the Middle East 4. Others report an amortized Trinity 2 with no Trinity work for a whole year 4, and some currently see neither a Trinity nor a roll head as a worthwhile investment 5.

What changed

Earlier, in 2022, one analysis said a Trinity needed roughly 56 to 80 jobs at 1,000-1,500 USD extra per shoot to pay off 6, today, in 2025, mature markets are oversupplied and Trinity 1 units flood the secondhand market 4.

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How do I rig a Sony Venice 2 on Trinity 1?4 threads · latest 2025

In short

Strip most of the cage down to a basic camera support plate, mount the focus motors on top, and balance with heavy 150-series batteries or an ARRI sled counterweight 8. The Venice 2 fits because its dimensions match the Venice 1 without rear recorder 9.

How the pros do it

  1. The Venice 2 is tall, so use a basic camera support system plate or equivalent with most cage components removed 8.
  2. On Trinity 1, take off the camera's bottom baseplate and keep the top plate, which adds the weight the rig head needs 9.
  3. The Venice 2 is bottom-heavy, so put the focus motors on top of the rig 8. A Preston MDR4 mounted above just barely clears the Trinity motor heads with longer lenses 9.
  4. The nodal point sits slightly low, but top-mounted motors compensate with weight stacking 9. One operator balanced with a single 150 g top weight, and a second cforce mini motor or Cinetape would have made even that unnecessary 9.
  5. Use heavy 150-series batteries or an ARRI sled counterweight to get proper balance 8. For side balance, light 15 mm rod holders worked 9.
  6. If you want to centre the camera without the full ARRI plate set, custom riser plates at about EUR 80 (small) and EUR 125 (large) are an option, and the designer says they fit the Venice 2 10. Plan setup time when you switch between Steadicam® and sticks, because the top handle, monitor and accessories all have to go back on 8.
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How do I fly Trinity 1 in X-Mode, Javelin or low mode?4 threads · latest 2025

In short

For X-Mode, you disable the tilt motor, lock the tilt axis and balance the sled horizontally on the Bottom Stage, and you add a light gyro 11. For Javelin, you balance the head and sled perfectly, and for low mode you pair the Trinity 1 bottom stage with an Artemis 1 top stage 1213.

How the pros do it

  1. X-Mode setup: disable the tilt motor in the RCP-3, lock the tilt axis, and deactivate or remove the pendulum 11. Then balance the sled horizontally and fore-aft via the Bottom Stage, as for Omega operation 11.
  2. X-Mode tilt: you tilt by rolling the post, which feels jittery 11. Add inertia by putting mass far outboard on the Bottom Stage with flat-oriented arms, longer arms and batteries at the arm ends 11.
  3. X-Mode gyro: a single Kenyon KS-2 or KS-4 covers most shots 11. A Kenyon KS-6 significantly restricts range and speed, and whip moves are out with any gyro 11.
  4. X-Mode reach: Superpost and post-extenders get the rig to the center line of a long table 11.
  5. Javelin: get head and sled balance perfect so hand load is minimal 12. Add a small gyro at the sled base if sound recording allows, and small weights under the Trinity 1 ring 12.
  6. Low mode: pair your Trinity 1 bottom stage with an Artemis 1 top stage to go below the ring configuration 13. The reverse works too, and an Artemis 1 bottom stage drops the power cables between bottom and top stage 13.
Caution

Trying X-Mode without the locked tilt, balanced Bottom Stage and outboard mass puts you at risk of gimbal lock 11.

Opinions differ here

Operators split on Javelin snaking: one group blames operator technique and the high pan inertia in Javelin mode, while others point to the large distance between gimbal and optical center 12. Gyro benefit in X-Mode is contested too, since it varies by shot type and operator preference 11.

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How do I balance my Trinity 1 properly?3 threads · latest 2025

In short

Balance the sled neutral first, then counterweight the Trinity 1 head on its own, top and bottom stage 14. Only then add the camera and fine-tune it neutral in every head position 15.

How the pros do it

  1. Balance the lower assembly with a Mickey or Skater without the head 15. Mount the head with no camera next, and expect a big imbalance on Trinity 1 14.
  2. Put counterweights on both the top and bottom stage before the camera goes on 14. The tilt-lock side of the head runs heavy, so plan for that 15.
  3. Use the aftermarket head brackets to stop the loop where fixing the top stage throws off the bottom stage 14. A tilt lock offset bracket and battery slider plates for the bottom stage also help you reach neutral 14.
  4. You can skip these accessories, but expect more adjustment cycles 14.
  5. Balance the head without the camera, then place the camera neutral in all head positions and make final adjustments 15. Head lateral balance is coupled, and fore-and-aft is shared between the tilting and non-tilting parts 15.
  6. On Trinity 1, removing the camera's bottom baseplate and keeping the top plate adds weight to the head 9. Check the balance with the camera in the head, because the 16-point test alone is not enough 15.

Opinions differ here

Operators split on the pendulum, though that thread is about Trinity 2 15. Some fly it locked or barely engaged, and several have flown for years without it in full neutral balance 15. Others say it helps with precise booms and quick pan-roll compensation in Omega mode 15.

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My Trinity 1 vibrates or drifts when I pan - what's wrong?3 threads · latest 2025

In short

On a Trinity 1, vibration was often extended telescopic post flex working against the gimbal head 16. Snaking or drift can also come from imperfect head and sled balance, or from a long gimbal-to-optical-center distance in Javelin mode 12.

How the pros do it

  1. Use a post extension and keep the PID as low as possible, since post flex against the gimbal head was often the cause on Trinity 1 16.
  2. Mount weights without the ARS-1 adapter, keep batteries and RCP close to the sled, use stainless steel rods for the battery mounts, and tension the payload tightly in the camera cage 16.
  3. Get head and sled balance perfect so hand load is minimal 12.
  4. If sound recording allows, mount a small gyro at the sled base, or a larger one in wind on extended sleds 12.
  5. Add small weights under the Trinity 1 ring, which works on Trinity 1 but not on Trinity 2 12.
  6. For drift, check the dock connection, move the gimbal as close as possible to the center of the stud post, and thoroughly clean all gimbal bearings, not only pan 17.

Opinions differ here

One group blames operator technique and cites high pan inertia 12. Others see a system effect, because the large distance between gimbal and optical center magnifies small gimbal errors into visible lateral movement 12.

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Where do I mount my focus wheel and monitor on Trinity 1?3 threads · latest 2025

In short

The sources give no settled spot for a focus wheel on the Trinity grip, and several operators call manual focus there impractical 18. For the monitor, they point to the base of the battery rack, and the SmartSystem Horizon (Lite) is reported suitable for Trinity 1 and 2 19.

How the pros do it

  1. Start with your lens type, because the focus solution depends on whether you run broadcast or cinema lenses 20.
  2. On Trinity 1 with broadcast lenses, ask the manufacturer about the G-Zoom Trinity Edition 20.
  3. With cinema lenses, use a focus amplifier with an analog motor from the same manufacturer for manual focus pulling 20.
  4. If you go with a Tilta Nucleus Nano handwheel, leave the Nano-M motor name at 1, because the wireless connection drops when you change it 18. How to attach the handwheel to the Trinity grip stayed unresolved in discussion 18.
  5. For the monitor, the SmartSystem Horizon (Lite) is a self-balancing arm made for AR operation, with a goggles-style parking bracket that removes play when stowed 19. One operator also tested an older MK-V holder at the base of the battery rack on a Trinity 2 in AR/X-mode and found it much easier and more natural 19.
  6. Roll-head makers like hdAir/Cyclo offer monitor holders with slip rings and robust locking as an alternative 19. Check the monitor weight and the balance shift before you mount anything, so rig stability and operator fatigue don't suffer 19.
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How do I set up remote control and pair the Trinity 1 hand unit?2 threads · latest 2025

In short

Put the Trinity 1 head into pairing mode, then power on the remote when the pairing counter hits 4 seconds 21. For the control layout, hand wheels are preferred for tilt, while the OCU-1 suits compact setups 22.

How the pros do it

  1. Put the Trinity 1 head into pairing mode and wait for the beep, which should come after 5 seconds per the manual 21.
  2. If the head won't pair, press the remote's pairing function while the remote is still powered off 21.
  3. Power the remote on when the pairing counter reaches 4 seconds, not at the start of the sequence 21.
  4. Use the same routine to re-pair a head that was previously paired with different wireless wheels 21.
  5. Pick your tilt control first, because many operators prefer hand wheels for tilt and treat roll precision as less critical 22.
  6. For a compact build, mount one MasterGrip wheel (about USD 1,300 at the time) on a Spud or shoulder rig with a 703 bolt, so the second operator stays close and can still talk to you 22.

Opinions differ here

Hand wheels are seen as the best but least flexible option, and the standard ARRI dual-wheel setup is seen as bulky 22. The OCU-1 is praised as versatile, even for manual focus pulling, and one operator found it enough for all earlier jobs 22. No consensus came out of it, and the open trade-off is keeping wheels for precision while using the OCU-1 only on compact setups 22.

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What software and firmware problems should I expect with Trinity 1?2 threads · latest 2025

In short

The sources list no Trinity 1 firmware bugs, because the reported software problems are on TRINITY 2 23. One operator notes the T1 also needed about two years to become reliable 24.

How the pros do it

  1. Don't assume the SUP 3.0 regressions hit your T1, because those findings rest on a TRINITY 2 frame and behavior may differ on TRINITY 1 23.
  2. Treat the T2 problems as a separate case: head software 3.0 was officially withdrawn in July 2025 over defects in the pan axis and pan module 24.
  3. If you want 360-degree rotation on a T1, the OS360 retrofit from service partner Optical Support is regarded as solid with very good support 24.
  4. Plan for lead time on retrofit kits, since supply delays on kits such as the Live Kit exceeded eight months 24.
  5. One operator built a third axis for the T1 with an Alexmos gimbal controller and a custom slip ring 24.
Caution

On T2, SUP 4.0 lacks overcurrent protection, so finger crush risk continues at full force after initial contact 23. The T2 pan module's unstable startup can also damage main cables 23.

Opinions differ here

Operators disagree on how bad the T2 situation is, and the sources flag it as disputed whether the problems are overstated 24. Some report good overall experiences despite critical bugs 24, while others reverted to SUP 1.5 after production incidents and even lost jobs over SUP 3.0 instability 23.

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Sources 24

  1. 1Powering the ALEXA 35 on the Trinity 1 and mounting plate options at market launch.Facebook · Arri Artemis Trinity · 2022
  2. 2ALEXA 35 receives no power from Trinity 1 with 24 V upgrade despite correct voltage outputFacebook · Arri Artemis Trinity · 2025
  3. 3ALEXA 35 power cable compatibility with ALEXA Mini/Mini LF cables and sled-mounted battery supplies.Facebook · The Steadicam Group · 2023Disputed
  4. 4Market saturation of ARRI Trinity systems in 2025: demand collapse, rental rates, and ROI viability across regions.Facebook · Arri Artemis Trinity · 2025Disputed
  5. 5Trinity vs. 360-degree roll head: practical job prospects and system flexibility for operator investment decisions.Facebook · Steadicam operators group · 2026Disputed
  6. 6ARRI Trinity system: practical strengths, weaknesses, economics, and return on investment versus traditional Steadicam®.Facebook · The Steadicam Group · 2022Disputed
  7. 7Detecting fraudulent used-equipment listings: copied photos and text in a Trinity 1 sale.Facebook · Steadicam operators group · 2023
  8. 8Rigging the Sony Venice 2 on an ARRI Trinity 1: height accommodation, balance, and counterweight solutions.SteadiHub · 2025
All 24 sources
  1. 9Mounting Sony Venice 2 on ARRI Trinity with SAM-0 plate: build configuration and balancing strategies.Facebook · Arri Artemis Trinity · 2024
  2. 10Centering Sony cameras in the ARRI Trinity T1 using custom-made riser plates instead of ARRI factory plates.Facebook · Arri Artemis Trinity · 2024
  3. 11Flying the ARRI Trinity in X-Mode (Omega-style, camera lateral to body) for table-top passes using tilt control via post rotation.Facebook · Arri Artemis Trinity · 2023Disputed
  4. 12Snaking (lateral drift and parallax) in ARRI Trinity Javelin mode: causes, post-correction limits, and mitigation techniques.Facebook · Arri Artemis Trinity · 2022Disputed
  5. 13Mixing ARRI Trinity and Artemis top and bottom stages to achieve low-mode operation and weight reduction.SteadiHub · 2025
  6. 14Balancing an ARRI Trinity 1 head on the sled before camera attachment using counterweight brackets and offset plates.SteadiHub · 2025
  7. 15Achieving neutral balance on ARRI Trinity 2 without the pendulum in all positions, and balancing the asymmetrical head.Facebook · Arri Artemis Trinity · 2024Disputed
  8. 16Low-frequency vibration in ARRI Trinity 2 during pan with tilt down ~45° and post nearly horizontal: design issue or setup.Facebook · Arri Artemis Trinity · 2023Disputed
  9. 17Pan drift on ARRI Trinity 2 gimbal when docked and balanced—normal bearing play or defect?Facebook · Arri Artemis Trinity · 2025Disputed
  10. 18Attaching a Tilta Nucleus Nano focus handwheel to an ARRI Trinity and wireless motor pairing limits.Facebook · Arri Artemis Trinity · 2022
  11. 19Mounting a monitor at the battery rack on ARRI Trinity 2 in AR/X-mode: holder options and balance considerations.Facebook · Arri Artemis Trinity · 2025
  12. 20Focus pulling on ARRI Trinity: G-Zoom for broadcast lenses versus focus amplifier for cinema lensesFacebook · Arri Artemis Trinity · 2023
  13. 21Pairing an ARRI Trinity 1 head with a remote hand unit after previous pairing with different wheels.SteadiHub · 2025
  14. 22Remote control setup for ARRI Trinity: OCU-1 and MasterGrip wheel versus standard hand wheels for tilt and roll precision.Facebook · Arri Artemis Trinity · 2023Disputed
  15. 23TRINITY 2 software regression from SUP 1.5 to SUP 3.0/4.0: motor behavior, control modes, and stability issues with workarounds and downgrade recommendation.SteadiHub · 2025
  16. 24ARRI Trinity 2 software issues in 2025: head firmware problems, update caution, alternatives, and operator tuning requests.Facebook · Arri Artemis Trinity · 2025Disputed

What operators found

Still argued about

  1. 2026Trinity vs. 360-degree roll head: practical job prospects and system flexibility for operator investment decisions.FacebookSteadicam operators group
  2. 2025ARRI Trinity 2 software issues in 2025: head firmware problems, update caution, alternatives, and operator tuning requests.FacebookArri Artemis Trinity
  3. 2025Pan drift on ARRI Trinity 2 gimbal when docked and balanced—normal bearing play or defect?FacebookArri Artemis Trinity

Often in the same threads

Trinity 216, ALEXA 354, Artemis4, Top Stage4, OS 3602, KS-62

All threads

  1. 2026Trinity vs. 360-degree roll head: practical job prospects and system flexibility for operator investment decisions.DisputedFacebookSteadicam operators group
  2. 2025ARRI Trinity 2 software issues in 2025: head firmware problems, update caution, alternatives, and operator tuning requests.DisputedFacebookArri Artemis Trinity
  3. 2025Pan drift on ARRI Trinity 2 gimbal when docked and balanced—normal bearing play or defect?DisputedFacebookArri Artemis Trinity
  4. 2025Mounting a monitor at the battery rack on ARRI Trinity 2 in AR/X-mode: holder options and balance considerations.FacebookArri Artemis Trinity
  5. 2025Market saturation of ARRI Trinity systems in 2025: demand collapse, rental rates, and ROI viability across regions.DisputedFacebookArri Artemis Trinity
  6. 2025ALEXA 35 receives no power from Trinity 1 with 24 V upgrade despite correct voltage outputFacebookArri Artemis Trinity
  7. 2025Mixing ARRI Trinity and Artemis top and bottom stages to achieve low-mode operation and weight reduction.SteadiHub
  8. 2025Pairing an ARRI Trinity 1 head with a remote hand unit after previous pairing with different wheels.SteadiHub
  9. 2025Balancing an ARRI Trinity 1 head on the sled before camera attachment using counterweight brackets and offset plates.SteadiHub
  10. 2025Rigging the Sony Venice 2 on an ARRI Trinity 1: height accommodation, balance, and counterweight solutions.SteadiHub
  11. 2025Nodal point alignment of the Steadicam® T2 head with SAM plates and large-format cameras.SteadiHub
  12. 2024Achieving neutral balance on ARRI Trinity 2 without the pendulum in all positions, and balancing the asymmetrical head.DisputedFacebookArri Artemis Trinity
  13. 2024Mounting Sony Venice 2 on ARRI Trinity with SAM-0 plate: build configuration and balancing strategies.FacebookArri Artemis Trinity
  14. 2024ARRI Trinity 1 Live upgrade (NAB 2024): broadcast mounting plates, tally integration, and control optionsFacebookArri Artemis Trinity
  15. 2023EXT-IN port on ARRI Trinity 2 head base: power distribution to head, accessories, and cameraFacebookArri Artemis Trinity
  16. 2023Flying the ARRI Trinity in X-Mode (Omega-style, camera lateral to body) for table-top passes using tilt control via post rotation.DisputedFacebookArri Artemis Trinity
  17. 2023Detecting fraudulent used-equipment listings: copied photos and text in a Trinity 1 sale.FacebookSteadicam operators group
  18. 2023Camera compatibility with ARRI Trinity 2: mounting options and weight limits.FacebookArri Artemis Trinity
  19. 2023ALEXA 35 power cable compatibility with ALEXA Mini/Mini LF cables and sled-mounted battery supplies.DisputedFacebookThe Steadicam Group
  20. 2023ARRI Trinity 2: handling preference between Yoke and MasterGrip for non-tilt shots, and monitor holder edge interferenceDisputedFacebookArri Artemis Trinity
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