smooth shooter accessories?
 

Hey guys
I was wondering if any of you got suggestions regarding smooth shooter accessories thet would make balancing somewhat easier?
Because balancing it right now takes me forever.
Vic

What aspect of balancing is causing you the most grief, Victor? i.e. which axis?

I'm shooting with XL2 and the thing I'm mostly concerned is that it takes forever for me to balance the whole thing; sometimes it goes to back and forward and sometimes sideways... in other words, bit frustrating
I was also wondering if bottom mount monitor would help
thanks
Vic

If you don't allready have one, it might be a good idea to buy a quick release plate that matches your tripod so that you can quickly switch the camera back and forth without having to re-balance ever time.

- Mikko

Victor,

Is your drop time OK? Does your sled want to stay upright? If not it can make any kind of balancing almost useless. I just did a camera change for a movie shot and had a hard time getting a good balance until I realized I didn't follow my own rules of getting a decent drop time balance first.

Mikko's suggestion is great. Once you balance the rig left to right then get a fairly close front/back balance with the camera stage. Lock it down and final balance the rig with the quick release (providing it has front to back adjustment).

A bottom mounted monitor has it's advantages but it is also a lot harder to get good dynamic balance compared to your current bottom plate. At least that is what we have found in test with our system.

Terry
Indicam

Thanks for suggestions
Mikko, yes I do have a quick release plate and next time I'll use it (bogen).
and Terry I'll try your way of balancing and eventually I might even take a steadicam class in the city (ny)
Thanks again
Vic
P.S. why did not I buy a Flyer instead???