Steadicam Pilot - Getting Started Q & A

Hart Boyd · May 19th, 2008, 08:14 AM

I was watching a webcast on MacVideo ( http://www.macvideo.tv/camera-techno...ticleid=100761 ) where Garrett Brown is being interviewed and he talkes about new accessories for the Pilot such as LANC control @ 7:26 in the clip. Any one heard anything else about this or other accessories?

Sean Seah · May 19th, 2008, 09:58 AM

I was thinkin if buying the Pilot first followed by the other way may be an issue too if the arm doesnt fit. I noticed the Pilot arm has a short stud while the Merlin arm seem to have a longer and bent stud.

Steven Davis · May 19th, 2008, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Gish

Let me know how it works when you get it back and what it looks like they did. Mine seems to be working without any noise at the moment using the white grease, but if there is a factory mod that eliminates this issue altogether, then I'm interested.

Dave, it seems to be better, I don't hear the noise. When they got it from me, they said, it was tweaked and they replaced some of the hardware.

I was supposed to get an email regarding what they did exactly, but I haven't gotten it. Either way, there was something or somethings wrong with it. I had about a two week turnaround.

Dave Gish · May 23rd, 2008, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Seah

I was thinkin if buying the Pilot first followed by the other way may be an issue too if the arm doesnt fit. I noticed the Pilot arm has a short stud while the Merlin arm seem to have a longer and bent stud.

You can buy the Merlin arm post here:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._Arm_Post.html

You can also buy the Pilot arm stud here:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._Arm_Post.html

So whatever one you buy, you can switch to the other one for less than $50.

Sean Seah · May 23rd, 2008, 07:51 AM

Ah thanks for the info!

Tyler Schlombs · June 4th, 2008, 07:24 AM

what a great thread...

I've been looking for quality information on the pilot, and I think I hit the motherload.

Has anybody here used both a steadicam and a glidecam in the same weight class? I'm looking to use several different cameras around 2-5 pound range.

Any comments on pros/cons between the two rigs?

Thanks

Charles Papert · June 4th, 2008, 07:29 AM

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...833#post887833

(also try searching under "pilot"--your mother lode will further reveal itself!)

Tyler Schlombs · June 4th, 2008, 08:02 AM

Charles,

Thanks for replying so fast. I have been looking in these forums for quite a while now, and I realize most of the information has come from you directly.

You say that the steadicam uses iso-elastics instead of springs for tension. Is there ever a benefit to using springs?

Charles Papert · June 4th, 2008, 08:11 AM

Uh...I did??! Please link to thread where I suggested that so I can correct it!

The Pilot (and all models above it) use springs in the arm to achieve iso-elasticity, which essentially means that the tension is uniform throughout the boom range (or as close to it as possible). Many of the competitive units out there have much less uniformity, resulting in a bouncier arm that requires more force to raise or lower.

Tyler Schlombs · June 4th, 2008, 08:18 AM

http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.ph...ighlight=pilot
post #8

"The arm is pretty sleek looking but functionally it is not different than their previous arms, or the Indicam arm; a single set of springs attached to a fixed point in each section. This design is economical but it only creates the appropriate tension at the center point of its travel; once you boom up and down it "wants" to return to the center point, adding a certain amount of bounciness to the shot. This can be overcome by the operator but it is a whole different animal than the iso-elastic designs being used by the Tiffen Steadicams or the canister system used by GPI, which demonstrate the same lift characteristic throughout their range."

It is very possible I am just confused.

Charles Papert · June 4th, 2008, 08:33 AM

Thanks Tyler, I've reworded that post slightly.

Confusion is perfectly acceptable; my understanding of the engineering behind the various models of stabilizer arms is rudimentary at best. Basically enough to get by as an operator...! I just know a good arm when I use it (and conversely, a bad one). Some 12 years ago I attended the unveiling of the PRO arm which was really the first one that demonstrated truly smooth operation, and I was ready to write a check ($22K!) right then and there. The Pilot arm, like it's big brothers, has a very similar feel and for a fraction of the cost, and capacity, of course.

Tyler Schlombs · June 4th, 2008, 08:45 AM

Thanks for clearing that up.

I guess my question needs rephrasing as well. I have seen the difference between the "springs only" models and the "springs with iso-elastic technology." The ones with iso-elastic seem to stay where they are put when boomed up and down. From what I have read, they are much easier to boom, and cause less strain on the wrist.

So, what I was trying to ask was, when would the "non-iso-elastic" apparatuses be beneficial? (besides the cost)

Dave Gish · June 4th, 2008, 09:17 AM

Charles,

Do you ever work on the East coast? Do you need a PA?

Dave Gish · June 4th, 2008, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyler Schlombs

The ones with iso-elastic seem to stay where they are put when boomed up and down.

Not really. The Steadicam brand arms just boom very smoothly.

Sean Seah · June 10th, 2008, 11:07 AM

EX1 RCA Cable Question.. I like to know how u guys with the EX1 connect the LCD screen to the EX1. I noticed the connector is not the same as the Z1. Its some special conn. DO u buy the original n cut it short? Or is the conn available out there?

May 19th, 2008, 08:14 AM	#61
Hart Boyd Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 148	LANC Control on Steadicam Pilot I was watching a webcast on MacVideo ( http://www.macvideo.tv/camera-techno...ticleid=100761 ) where Garrett Brown is being interviewed and he talkes about new accessories for the Pilot such as LANC control @ 7:26 in the clip. Any one heard anything else about this or other accessories?

June 4th, 2008, 07:29 AM	#67
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...833#post887833 (also try searching under "pilot"--your mother lode will further reveal itself!) __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

June 4th, 2008, 08:11 AM	#69
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Uh...I did??! Please link to thread where I suggested that so I can correct it! The Pilot (and all models above it) use springs in the arm to achieve iso-elasticity, which essentially means that the tension is uniform throughout the boom range (or as close to it as possible). Many of the competitive units out there have much less uniformity, resulting in a bouncier arm that requires more force to raise or lower. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

June 4th, 2008, 08:33 AM	#71
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Thanks Tyler, I've reworded that post slightly. Confusion is perfectly acceptable; my understanding of the engineering behind the various models of stabilizer arms is rudimentary at best. Basically enough to get by as an operator...! I just know a good arm when I use it (and conversely, a bad one). Some 12 years ago I attended the unveiling of the PRO arm which was really the first one that demonstrated truly smooth operation, and I was ready to write a check ($22K!) right then and there. The Pilot arm, like it's big brothers, has a very similar feel and for a fraction of the cost, and capacity, of course. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

May 19th, 2008, 09:58 AM	#62
Sean Seah Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,498	I was thinkin if buying the Pilot first followed by the other way may be an issue too if the arm doesnt fit. I noticed the Pilot arm has a short stud while the Merlin arm seem to have a longer and bent stud.

May 23rd, 2008, 07:51 AM	#65
Sean Seah Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,498	Ah thanks for the info!

June 4th, 2008, 07:24 AM	#66
Tyler Schlombs Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Toronto Canada Posts: 26	what a great thread... I've been looking for quality information on the pilot, and I think I hit the motherload. Has anybody here used both a steadicam and a glidecam in the same weight class? I'm looking to use several different cameras around 2-5 pound range. Any comments on pros/cons between the two rigs? Thanks

June 4th, 2008, 08:02 AM	#68
Tyler Schlombs Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Toronto Canada Posts: 26	Charles, Thanks for replying so fast. I have been looking in these forums for quite a while now, and I realize most of the information has come from you directly. You say that the steadicam uses iso-elastics instead of springs for tension. Is there ever a benefit to using springs?

June 4th, 2008, 08:18 AM	#70
Tyler Schlombs Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Toronto Canada Posts: 26	http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.ph...ighlight=pilot post #8 "The arm is pretty sleek looking but functionally it is not different than their previous arms, or the Indicam arm; a single set of springs attached to a fixed point in each section. This design is economical but it only creates the appropriate tension at the center point of its travel; once you boom up and down it "wants" to return to the center point, adding a certain amount of bounciness to the shot. This can be overcome by the operator but it is a whole different animal than the iso-elastic designs being used by the Tiffen Steadicams or the canister system used by GPI, which demonstrate the same lift characteristic throughout their range." It is very possible I am just confused.

June 4th, 2008, 08:45 AM	#72
Tyler Schlombs Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Toronto Canada Posts: 26	Thanks for clearing that up. I guess my question needs rephrasing as well. I have seen the difference between the "springs only" models and the "springs with iso-elastic technology." The ones with iso-elastic seem to stay where they are put when boomed up and down. From what I have read, they are much easier to boom, and cause less strain on the wrist. So, what I was trying to ask was, when would the "non-iso-elastic" apparatuses be beneficial? (besides the cost)

June 4th, 2008, 09:17 AM	#73
Dave Gish Major Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Riverdale, NJ Posts: 468	Charles, Do you ever work on the East coast? Do you need a PA?

June 10th, 2008, 11:07 AM	#75
Sean Seah Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,498	EX1 RCA Cable Question.. I like to know how u guys with the EX1 connect the LCD screen to the EX1. I noticed the connector is not the same as the Z1. Its some special conn. DO u buy the original n cut it short? Or is the conn available out there?