Hi all - just purchased a Steadicam Jr second hand. Want to us it with my XM2 (GL2) with the long-life BP 941 on the back.

Any hints/tips on settings?

Hi Paul,

Thinking of this combo myself, how much and where for the Steadicam if you don't mind me asking? That new Merlin's a tad pricey at the minute isn't it?!

Ha Ha, he probably outbid me on ebay for the "ferret shelter" steadicam.

I was able to use a big battery and anamorphic adapter pretty successfully with the JR. The battery and adapter balance each other out pretty well. I'd suggest adding a wide angle lens. Deep focus wide shots are best with the Steadicam. Also, I added a Manfrotto 394 quick release plate.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=5563&is=REG

It helps give you more vertical height, which in my situation made it much more stable. Without the quick release assembly I had to unscrew the collar around the gimble almost all the way out.

The plate also gives you a bubble level (yes!) and way more flexibility to adjust the camera from side to side because the mounting screw is able to shift back forth in its groove. Without the plate, I had to max out the side to side adjustments on the JR.

Actually since my camera is too light, I've had to add the larger battery and wide angle lense. Then I've got a Bogen quick release plate ( like yours a lot, but I've already got another type). Because I have a similar problem with side to side weight, I've added some car tire (tape on) weights to the bottom of the stage. They don't look so great, but are functional and only visible from the bottom.

Thanks for the replies guys - yes it was a purchase of ebay!

Just to confirm - are you suggesting that I should put on the WD-58H to counteract the big battery?

Paul.

The WD-58 is great. It would way about the same as the anamorphic I was using. I had a GL1 by the way. I believe the GL2 is a little lighter and longer.

So have you gotten the rig to ballance properly? I am curious what settings you used. I have a Jr. I am trying to use with a GL2 and BP-945. I think I have it balanced, then it wanders a bit. Requires continuous fine tuning of the sled. Which, of course, means it isn't balanced at all.

SO, I am looking to see what other people are using settings-wise. Mine was also an eBay purchase, and as a result does not have the video with it.

Hi Otto ... I got mine balanced with the battery and without the w/angle lens by putting in the middle hole right at the the back. Like you I find it does require a fair bit of constant tweaking - anyone else found this?

It's much easier to use the plastic stand straight off as well!

Unfortunately I've hit a problem ... the plastic gromit that you screw in the hole in front of the main locking hole (i.e. to stop the camera rotating left to right), has snapped off, blocking the hole pretty damn well! Obviously, if the camera can move to left or right this will effect the balance - anyone got any suggestions?

Paul.

Tiffen sells a spare parts kit for something like $35, which will include replacement locator pins (the part you snapped off), so you can just drill out the remains of the old one.