Steadicam JR quick release? at DVinfo.net

Pat Chaney · June 18th, 2004, 12:21 PM

Just got myself a Steadicam JR. I haven't had a chance to set it up yet, but it seems clear that getting a quick release adaptor would be a good idea.

Any recommendations on what would be most suitable? It will be used on a PDX10 if that makes any difference.

Kevin James · February 22nd, 2005, 11:27 AM

I know we are expecting a new "JR" soon, but I am not sure of what price point it will hit and what sort of quick release system it will have. I doubt it will be compatible with my 503 and 505's. I am looking at putting this on a "JR":

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=241139&is=REG
I know it has a sliding plate, but shouldnt it work if you were careful to slide it into the exact same position when you mount?

John C. Chu · February 23rd, 2005, 08:03 AM

The "problem" with that sliding plate (and I'm no expert) is that: If you have a fairly heavy camera--this may bring the total weight over the limit.

Anytime you add weight to the top....you sometimes have to also add weight to the bottom to counterbalance the top--effectively "doubling" the added weight of the Quick release plate.

The plate also raises the center of gravity of your camera--so that can be an issue with the JR when you adjust the pistol grip. Z axis...

Of course, if your camera is light and you needed weight anyway....this will be a good set up.

You can make a mark on the plate so you know where to re-attach your camera.

If you don't put it back "exactly" one turn of the JRs fore/aft knob should get it perfect.

Marco Leavitt · February 23rd, 2005, 12:37 PM

I'm very interested in this quick release plate for my JR. Do I understand this correctly, and the plate will slide back and forth until you tighten it in place with the knob? That's perfect for the JR, since I would be able to add or take off filters without having to change mounting holes under the camera. Raising the center of gravity would also be a good thing in my case. How heavy is this beast? I'm already pushing the 4 lb limit, although I've got plenty of weights left. I'm pretty sure the JR could handle a fair amount of more weight though.

Tony Hall · February 23rd, 2005, 10:00 PM

I'd recommend getting a small top loading quick release plate. The sliding plate will make it difficult to keep your balance when you've removed your camera.

It will be difficult to balance if you're camera is more than 3 pounds because it not only adds weight to the camera side but it shifts the weight of the camera over a notch which a science guy could explain, but we know from common sense that it makes a big differnce (like a teeter totter).

Marco Leavitt · February 23rd, 2005, 10:45 PM

The more I look at that thing, the more unsure I am about what it does exactly. Can someone please explain exactly what a sliding plate is?

Kevin James · February 23rd, 2005, 11:15 PM

The point of that plate (for me) is so that I can use the existing plates on my DVC30's that slide right into my 503 and 505 heads. That adapter allows you to turn anyhting with a threaded screw into a compatible quick release system for bogen 50x series QR plates.

John C. Chu · February 24th, 2005, 08:40 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by Tony Hall : I'd recommend getting a small top loading quick release plate. The sliding plate will make it difficult to keep your balance when you've removed your camera.
-->>>

(I hope I'm not sounding like a wet blanket)

I have that same top loading Bogen QR that I've used on my JR. It has a silver lever which requires *quite* a bit of force to release the plate(when removing the camera). It works pretty for me and my old camera.

The downside for me personally is this: since the receiver assembly itself is mounted to the stage of the JR with just one screw...the receiver tends to rotates on the JR's stage unless I hold on real tight when I remove the camera. (I know...a pain in the butt.)

Other than that...it works well.

One more thought:

You guys should also consider mounting the QR plate the on the lower spar itself and leave the camera mounted directly on the JR.

You can then put the folded JR(with camera still attached) directly on the tripod.

[And of course--the plate will cause another re-balancing issue is this will make the JR "front heavy"--but useful if you need to add weight there....]

June 18th, 2004, 12:21 PM	#1
Pat Chaney Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Berkshire, UK Posts: 107	Steadicam JR quick release? Just got myself a Steadicam JR. I haven't had a chance to set it up yet, but it seems clear that getting a quick release adaptor would be a good idea. Any recommendations on what would be most suitable? It will be used on a PDX10 if that makes any difference.

February 23rd, 2005, 10:00 PM	#5
Tony Hall Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: springfield, OH Posts: 344	I'd recommend getting a small top loading quick release plate. The sliding plate will make it difficult to keep your balance when you've removed your camera. It will be difficult to balance if you're camera is more than 3 pounds because it not only adds weight to the camera side but it shifts the weight of the camera over a notch which a science guy could explain, but we know from common sense that it makes a big differnce (like a teeter totter). __________________ Tony "Good taste is the enemy of creativity" - Picasso Blog: http://www.tonyhall.name

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February 22nd, 2005, 11:27 AM	#2
Kevin James Major Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 204	I know we are expecting a new "JR" soon, but I am not sure of what price point it will hit and what sort of quick release system it will have. I doubt it will be compatible with my 503 and 505's. I am looking at putting this on a "JR": http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=241139&is=REG I know it has a sliding plate, but shouldnt it work if you were careful to slide it into the exact same position when you mount?

February 23rd, 2005, 08:03 AM	#3
John C. Chu Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Rego Park , NYC Posts: 665	The "problem" with that sliding plate (and I'm no expert) is that: If you have a fairly heavy camera--this may bring the total weight over the limit. Anytime you add weight to the top....you sometimes have to also add weight to the bottom to counterbalance the top--effectively "doubling" the added weight of the Quick release plate. The plate also raises the center of gravity of your camera--so that can be an issue with the JR when you adjust the pistol grip. Z axis... Of course, if your camera is light and you needed weight anyway....this will be a good set up. You can make a mark on the plate so you know where to re-attach your camera. If you don't put it back "exactly" one turn of the JRs fore/aft knob should get it perfect.

February 23rd, 2005, 12:37 PM	#4
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	I'm very interested in this quick release plate for my JR. Do I understand this correctly, and the plate will slide back and forth until you tighten it in place with the knob? That's perfect for the JR, since I would be able to add or take off filters without having to change mounting holes under the camera. Raising the center of gravity would also be a good thing in my case. How heavy is this beast? I'm already pushing the 4 lb limit, although I've got plenty of weights left. I'm pretty sure the JR could handle a fair amount of more weight though.

February 23rd, 2005, 10:45 PM	#6
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	The more I look at that thing, the more unsure I am about what it does exactly. Can someone please explain exactly what a sliding plate is?

February 23rd, 2005, 11:15 PM	#7
Kevin James Major Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 204	The point of that plate (for me) is so that I can use the existing plates on my DVC30's that slide right into my 503 and 505 heads. That adapter allows you to turn anyhting with a threaded screw into a compatible quick release system for bogen 50x series QR plates.

February 24th, 2005, 08:40 AM	#8
John C. Chu Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Rego Park , NYC Posts: 665	<<<-- Originally posted by Tony Hall : I'd recommend getting a small top loading quick release plate. The sliding plate will make it difficult to keep your balance when you've removed your camera. -->>> (I hope I'm not sounding like a wet blanket) I have that same top loading Bogen QR that I've used on my JR. It has a silver lever which requires quite a bit of force to release the plate(when removing the camera). It works pretty for me and my old camera. The downside for me personally is this: since the receiver assembly itself is mounted to the stage of the JR with just one screw...the receiver tends to rotates on the JR's stage unless I hold on real tight when I remove the camera. (I know...a pain in the butt.) Other than that...it works well. One more thought: You guys should also consider mounting the QR plate the on the lower spar itself and leave the camera mounted directly on the JR. You can then put the folded JR(with camera still attached) directly on the tripod. [And of course--the plate will cause another re-balancing issue is this will make the JR "front heavy"--but useful if you need to add weight there....]