Steadicam Pilot - Getting Started Q & A

Joe Lawry · November 26th, 2008, 09:01 PM

Just took my screw and put it in a lathe.. now it works perfectly! cheers

Charles Papert · November 26th, 2008, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Gish

Every camera operator should have at least one of these...

Yes indeed, but has your screwdriver been immortalized in TV history??!!!

The very first thing I bought for my own kit (was still using a rental rig) was a mega-screwdriver with a wide bit like the one Dave illustrates but about twice as long. Many cameras back then only had a single mounting point so you had to tighten the crap out of them to keep them from rotating on you. I went for the longest one I could find to maximize torque. This sucker was menacing.

On the pilot of "Scrubs", there was a scene where the Janitor threatens Zach Braff's character with a big screwdriver. The one that the prop department provided was not nearly as imposing so I offered mine up (see it in action here, about :30 into the clip).

Towards the end of the first season, that scene was called back with a new intern arriving at the hospital, and the screwdriver made its second appearance on network TV. Too bad it didn't get residuals.

The story has a tragic end; not long after this my old friend disappeared from my frontbox. Petty thievery brought an end to our long working relationship.

Craftsman Big-Ass Screwdriver: 1988-2002. RIP.

Dave Gish · November 26th, 2008, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charles Papert

Yes indeed, but has your screwdriver been immortalized in TV history??!!!
...
On the pilot of "Scrubs", there was a scene where the Janitor threatens Zach Braff's character with a big screwdriver. The one that the prop department provided was not nearly as imposing so I offered mine up (see it in action here, about :30 into the clip).

Can't top that! Very cool...

Dave Gish · February 21st, 2009, 12:43 PM

bump..........

Charles Papert · February 21st, 2009, 09:22 PM

Dave, this thread is a nice resource that has received good responses so I have stickied it. Mazel tov.

Randy Panado · February 22nd, 2009, 03:01 AM

Great thread! Answered a lot of my questions :).

Danny O'Neill · February 23rd, 2009, 11:04 AM

I found something in my local hardware store to help stop the camera moving about on the stage.

In the UK in B&Q you can get Draper Slip Mat. Its like a thin, rubbery, foam like substance which feels tacky (sticky). A slice of this under your quickrelease plate (or camera) and it wont budge an inch.

I got a roll of it for about £5 although you only need a small ammount, used the rest on my dash board and rugs :)

Randy Panado · February 23rd, 2009, 04:36 PM

How many mid weights should I buy if I'm flying a Xh-A1 and plan to later fly an EX-1? Would 2 be enough?

Dave Gish · February 23rd, 2009, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy Panado

How many mid weights should I buy if I'm flying a Xh-A1 and plan to later fly an EX-1? Would 2 be enough?

I would buy 8. Unfortunately, Tiffen just raised the price on middle weights from $6 each to $25 each, but it looks like you can still get the $6 price here:
Steadicam 801-7920-05 Balance Weights, Steadicam

Randy Panado · February 23rd, 2009, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Gish

I would buy 8. Unfortunately, Tiffen just raised the price on middle weights from $6 each to $25 each, but it looks like you can still get the $6 price here:
Steadicam 801-7920-05 Balance Weights, Steadicam

Thanks for the heads up. Does the pilot come with 4 end weights already? If so, I need to call and get my order fixed to include 2 more end weights.

Dave Gish · February 23rd, 2009, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy Panado

Does the pilot come with 4 end weights already?

The Pilot comes with 4 middle-weights and 4 end-weights. I've ordered an extra 8 middle-weights, for a total of 12. For lighter cameras like the XH-A1, I use all of my weights (12 middle weights, and 4 end weights).

Randy Panado · February 23rd, 2009, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Gish

The Pilot comes with 4 middle-weights and 4 end-weights. I've ordered an extra 8 middle-weights, for a total of 12. For lighter cameras like the XH-A1, I use all of my weights (12 middle weights, and 4 end weights).

Okay sweet. All set then :).

Richard Siberry · May 5th, 2009, 08:24 AM

Has anyone tried using the Pilot with an XHA1 and Letus 35mm adapter? Can it still handle the weight when using a long lens, eg. 300mm f4, approx. 3lbs? Not sure what the entire rig would weigh as I don't currently have an adapter, both it and a stabilizer are on my shopping list, just trying to determine which stabilizer.
Thanks, Rich.
Montauk Rocks - Oscail Films

Dave Gish · May 5th, 2009, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Siberry

Has anyone tried using the Pilot with an XHA1 and Letus 35mm adapter?

See here:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/stabilize...f-adapter.html

Charles Papert · May 5th, 2009, 10:40 AM

What exactly were you thinking to shoot at 300mm on any type of Steadicam...?!!

February 21st, 2009, 09:22 PM	#110
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Dave, this thread is a nice resource that has received good responses so I have stickied it. Mazel tov. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

February 23rd, 2009, 11:04 AM	#112
Danny O'Neill Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Northampton, UK Posts: 915	I found something in my local hardware store to help stop the camera moving about on the stage. In the UK in B&Q you can get Draper Slip Mat. Its like a thin, rubbery, foam like substance which feels tacky (sticky). A slice of this under your quickrelease plate (or camera) and it wont budge an inch. I got a roll of it for about £5 although you only need a small ammount, used the rest on my dash board and rugs :) __________________ mintyslippers.com

May 5th, 2009, 08:24 AM	#118
Richard Siberry Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: New York, NY Posts: 30	XHA1 with 35mm Adapter Has anyone tried using the Pilot with an XHA1 and Letus 35mm adapter? Can it still handle the weight when using a long lens, eg. 300mm f4, approx. 3lbs? Not sure what the entire rig would weigh as I don't currently have an adapter, both it and a stabilizer are on my shopping list, just trying to determine which stabilizer. Thanks, Rich. Montauk Rocks - Oscail Films

May 5th, 2009, 10:40 AM	#120
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	What exactly were you thinking to shoot at 300mm on any type of Steadicam...?!! __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

November 26th, 2008, 09:01 PM	#106
Joe Lawry Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 418	Just took my screw and put it in a lathe.. now it works perfectly! cheers

February 21st, 2009, 12:43 PM	#109
Dave Gish Major Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Riverdale, NJ Posts: 468	bump..........

February 22nd, 2009, 03:01 AM	#111
Randy Panado Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 643	Great thread! Answered a lot of my questions :).

February 23rd, 2009, 04:36 PM	#113
Randy Panado Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 643	How many mid weights should I buy if I'm flying a Xh-A1 and plan to later fly an EX-1? Would 2 be enough?