Hi all. . .

I have an Indicam Pilot system with dual upgraded arms. I am using an HVX and want to be able to attach my Ikan V8000HD monitor and battery to the Indicam. Will a Noga arm do the trick? Or is something else recommended?

Thanks much.

Stephen

Hi Stephen!

How are you enjoying the Pilot?

I don't use an external monitor on mine but I would think you can mount the monitor and battery on the bottom sled plate, replacing the weights. Mount the monitor on the front side of the bottom plate and the battery on the back side of the bottom plate. You will have to adjust the exact placement so that the sled remains in balance but it should work.

Stephen,

Here is a shot of one of the monitors we messed around with. It works but we'd still like a bit more solid mount holding it.

We prefer the side mounted monitor for a number of reasons but we suppose it's all in what you are used to using.

Tery
Indicam

Thaz a nice removable mounting for the LCD Terry. Using the Sony Batt in an idea I have too but it is not easy to get a monitor to conform to the voltage. Most r running on 12V now..

Sean,

The battery adaptor and monitor come as a unit. The battery adaptor converts the Sony Li Ion battery to 12V.
Check the Nebtek website:
www.nebtek.com

Tery
Indicam

wow thaz nice. But it would be tough to ship it all the way to SG.. BTW they have a really nice HD Field monitor now..

Sean,

An HD field monitor is nice but not necessary for a steadicam type work because you are using the monitor mostly for framing and not for picture quality. If it's a good price (not likely) then why not.

I like the monitors from NEBTEK because they can be used outdoors without a hood. They have an active matrix screen.

Tery
Indicam

Terry,
I already have a varizoom swit high rez 7" monitor, and would eventually like to use it on my indicam. One problem is that I bought it with Canon battery adaptor. The battery fits right on the back of the monitor.
Is the monitor too big, and how would I mount it?
Bruce S. yarock
www.yarock.com

Bruce,

You would need some kind of mount with a standard thread pattern (1/4" x 20). You would then mount it on the front of the bottom plate with the battery on the other side. You would need extra weight on the battery side as shown in the picture. You want both sides of the bottom plate to be equal in weight at the center for ease in balancing.

The Nebtec monitors I have used work well and they aren't very heavy so everything worked out OK. I personally don't use the bottom mounted monitor so someone else will have to chime in with their recommendations.

Tery
Indicam

I've never operated a steady device before...

So the monitor on the lower part helps by doing what exactly?

The monitor on the lower part helps you to frame the image properly while watching where you walk.

Pietro,

The bottom mounted monitor came about because it was the only way to frame a shot with the cameras that were available on the origional Steadicam systems. We now have cameras with their own built in monitors and we can use either system.

I prefer the side mounted monitor as I don't have to worry about an extra battery and carrying the charger etc. Also, with our system, it's easier to balance using the side mounted monitor while keeping the bottom plate equal in weight front and back.

I know there are benefits of using the bottom mounted monitor as Chris has stated. You can see the ground directly in front of you as you walk and there aren't any problems with possible blind spots such as viewing the side monitor as you are pointing the camera towards the right (where the monitor is on the other side of the camera and harder to see). I have found ways around that shot so it hasn't been any problem for me during my shoots.

Tonga was great by the way and we are planning on going again in a few years.

Tery
Indicam

The bottom mounted monitor came about because it was the only way to frame a shot with the cameras that were available on the origional Steadicam systems.

Not so fast there, Mr. T! The monitor didn't find its way to the bottom until the 2nd production model of the Steadicam, aka the Model 1. Let's set the wayback machine to 1972...

1) Garrett Brown's homebuilt prototype. Seen here with Arri 2C and fiber optic viewfinder that physically mounted to his eye. He quickly realized that having two separate images going to the brain was not the way to go.
2) Later prototype as used on the very first feature to incorporate Steadicam, "Bound for Glory". Black-and-white CRT bolted to top of the camera.
3) Early production prototype on "Rocky". Monitor still on top. Note assistant with 1/4" videotape deck recording Garrett's moves.
4) First production model, Steadicam35, still with dedicated 2c and top-mounted monitor.
5) Second production model, Universal Model 1. This allowed for a variety of cameras to be mounted, including video and sound 35mm. Yours truly brandishing his newly acquired (but substantially used) stock Model 1 in 1989. The extended lower assembly resembled a sled, and this is where the name came from that is still in use today.

Fascinating stuff, Charles. Thanks!

OK Charles,

I sit corrected.

I really didn't mean the very first series because my "way-back" machine doesn't go that far back. Thanks for the pictures by the way. I suppose I was doing a poor job at suggesting that the most logical place for the extra weight of the monitor and battery turned out to be at the bottom of the sled where it could counter the weight of the camera. There were no small and light side mount monitors in those days.

I know that most professional Steadicam operators still prefer the monitor on the bottom of the sled just like most operate with the sled on the left side of the body. I suppose it's the standard with many years of success.

I was just a baby with a foot in my mouth when the earliest steadicams came out. Well, actually I was old enough but not aware of the steadicam systems until later in life. Better late than never!

Tery
Indicam

OK Charles,

I sit corrected.

Smart man--it's easier on the ankles.

(Puts his stabilizer sled and arm on the stand and sais...)

Well Charles, you know you have to conserve energy any time you can.

I certainly don't mind being corrected and especially not by you my friend.

Any chance of seeing you at NAB this year? I'm not certain I will be going but if I can find a place to stay then maybe. It would be great to see you and Amy again. Tell her "Hi" from me.

Tery
Indicam

I skipped last year but might consider it this year. It's possible I might have some product to hawk which will make it more likely.

Charles,

Gee...I hope that product is an advanced steadicam training video!

Tery
Indicam

Sadly, no, but that is still floating around my head--I've been teaching an advanced Steadicam workshop through the Steadicam Guild and it is helping me clarify some thoughts for the long-promised video (which I think is still timely).

Being out of work due to strike is opening up many more possibilities for getting projects like this one done, although I did just get called today for a movie out of town which means there goes another push...!

Dang...I forgot that the strike affects a whole lot of people besides the writers.

Hope you can get to work soon.

Tery
Indicam

Hi Terry, could u provide a photo of the top post for the connections to the monitor. Thks.

Sean,

We just drilled a small hole in the top and bottom of the post and fished a thin coax cable through. We made sure there was extra inside (coiled if possible) so the bottom extension could be used if needed.

You have to solder the bottom phono plug after fishing it through the post.

Attached is a picture of one of our test set-ups. You can see the cable coming out of the post near the top and then plugged into the camera.

Hope this helps. I still prefer the built-in side mounted monitor myself though.

Tery
Indicam

Nice! Thanks Terry.