Tiffen steadicam solo User Manual Download Page 15 | Manualshive

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Tiffen steadicam solo User Manual Download Page 15

15

User’s Manual

Balancing the SOL

O

Test for Drop time

Support the

SOLO

firmly with the

Gimbal Handle.

With your other hand, rotate the

Post

so it’s horizontal.

Release the Post and observe

how fast the SOLO drops.

Count the number of seconds until

the

Post

passes vertical.

Your target for the

Drop Time

is 2

seconds.

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Summary of Contents for steadicam solo

Page 1: ...User s Manual Solo User s Manual v 01 01 p n LIT 821000 ...

Page 2: ...ion What NOT to do Beyond the Basics of STEADICAM STEADICAM Training MONOPOD MODE Monopod Operation Maintenance Useful Accessories Contact TIFFEN 11 12 19 22 24 31 37 38 40 41 4 3 6 User s Manual NOTE It s important to read this manual thoroughly so you can have your SOLO up and running maybe literally in just a few minutes Let s get started ...

Page 3: ...nting wings folded out monopod shooting is stable in all three axes tilt and roll obviously but now also pan and with SOLO also balanced in Stea dicam mode at any desired length you can smoothly lift off and walk run or climb stairs like your favorite moves from the movies You can hoist the camera up for ceiling height aerials or invert it to skim the floor and then seamlessly return to monopod or...

Page 4: ...alance Adjuster Knobs Gimbal Handle and Post Grip One to support and one to control the rig Yes the handle is supposed to be loose 4 section post Post Locks Length increases for MONOPOD MODE or for Beyond Basic STEADICAM Operation Getting to know the SOLO Back to Table of Contents ...

Page 5: ...Wings With 8x Weights They re folded now but you ll spread them and be flying soon Swivel Foot For use in MONOPOD MODE Or for resting the rig after a long STEADICAM shot Tools Allen Wrenches Next Mounting your camera Back to Table of Contents ...

Page 6: ... or tape or film Attach ALL camera accessories in a compact setup with no loose wires Make sure the LCD screen is flipped open and positioned for easy viewing It ll affect the balance Find the center of balance of your camera Use a pen or something round to find the Fore and Aft balance point Back to Table of Contents ...

Page 7: ...er s Manual Mounting your camera Mark the point with a piece of tape on the side of the camera Rotate the camera 90 and find the Side to Side balance point Mark this point as well Back to Table of Contents ...

Page 8: ...mera screws Center the Camera to the QR Plate by using the Fore and Aft and Side to Side marks you made NOTE Some cameras like DSLRS may have balance points OUTSIDE of the camera body In that case you would mount the QR Plate to the camera FIRST and use the pen to find and mark the balance points Back to Table of Contents ...

Page 9: ...te NOTE The QR plate will work in either direction but make sure to mount it parallel to the lens Mount camera to Top Stage with QR Plate Slide the QR Plate into the Top Stage position your Fore and Aft mark at or slightly behind the CENTER of the Post Tighten the Lock knob to ensure the QR Plate won t slide Back to Table of Contents ...

Page 10: ...p just yet We ll learn how to set up the SOLO to fly in the next section Mounting your camera Using the Side to Side Adjuster Knob align your Side to Side mark with the CENTER of the Post Next STEADICAM MODE Back to Table of Contents ...

Page 11: ...11 User s Manual STEADICAM MODE Now for the fun part Back to Table of Contents ...

Page 12: ...Weights 25 Post extension Camera is 8 10 lbs Start with 4 Weights 27 Post extension Quick reference guide to SOLO setup Balancing the SOLO Rest the SOLO With your camera mounted rest the Swivel Foot on a solid surface Fold down The Wings Pull the Tab while rotating each Wing down Back to Table of Contents ...

Page 13: ...click into place Picking up the SOLO Carefully pick up the SOLO support it by the Gimbal Handle alone and allow the Post to hang without touching anything Observe how the SOLO is balanced Fore and Aft and Side to Side both axes Back to Table of Contents ...

Page 14: ...he weight UPHILL to balance Use the Fore and Aft Adjuster Knob to balance the Post vertically Use the Side to Side Adjuster Knob to balance the Post vertically When the Post is vertical in BOTH axes move on to test your Drop Time Back to Table of Contents ...

Page 15: ...OLO firmly with the Gimbal Handle With your other hand rotate the Post so it s horizontal Release the Post and observe how fast the SOLO drops Count the number of seconds until the Post passes vertical Your target for the Drop Time is 2 seconds Back to Table of Contents ...

Page 16: ...y the Gimbal Handle Extend Post 2 by an inch or so if possible OR add 2 more weights to the Wings Screw additional weights under the existing weights Always use the same number of weights on each Wing and in the same positions Quickly re test your Drop Time and continue adjusting until you re in the zone Back to Table of Contents ...

Page 17: ...by an inch or so if possible OR remove 2 of the weights from the Wings Unscrew locking nut and remove the weight Always use the same number of weights on each Wing and in the same positions It s all about balance Quickly re test your Drop Time and continue adjusting until you re in the zone Back to Table of Contents ...

Page 18: ... the Balance Adjusters will be to get the Post PERFECTLY vertical Continue these adjustments until the Post remains vertical in both axes with a 2 second drop time You might repeat each step several times until you find that sweet spot That s just the process of properly balancing any STEADICAM Take your time Well done You re now in Static Balance You re ready to fly SOLO Static Balance Quick Refe...

Page 19: ...ls where the SOLO goes and how it flies Use either hand and alternate if necessary Post Grip hand guides the rig preventing unwanted movement IMPORTANT Use a VERY light touch on the Post Index finger and thumb are directly underneath the Gimbal Basic STEADICAM Operation Back to Table of Contents ...

Page 20: ...the SOLO with the Post Grip do your lifting with the Gimbal Handle only The Posture Stand upright don t bend over Hold the SOLO as close as possible without contacting your body Allow the SOLO to move independently of your body Basic STEADICAM Operation Back to Table of Contents ...

Page 21: ... you re going before you start Adjust your grip on the Post when starting stopping to prevent the SOLO from swaying Finesse the beginning and end of each move with your arms Basic STEADICAM Operation Next What NOT to do Back to Table of Contents Practice practice practice For more operating tips and lessons keep reading ...

Page 22: ...22 User s Manual What NOT to do Bend over Hold POST away from the Gimbal Contact rig with body What NOT to do Back to Table of Contents ...

Page 23: ...User s Manual Support rig by the Post Hand Contact Top Stage with Gimbal Handle Touch the Camera while operating Next Beyond the basics of STEADICAM What NOT to do What NOT to do Back to Table of Contents ...

Page 24: ... the same weights with a more compact Post With the Gimbal FURTHER from the camera you can lengthen the Post for additional lens height or to go lower in Low Mode Gimbal Adjustment Lay SOLO on a table when adjusting the Gimbal Height Use the included 9 64 Allen Wrench to loosen the Gimbal Lock screw Beyond the Basics of STEADICAM Back to Table of Contents ...

Page 25: ... THE GIMBAL LOCK SCREW before testing Careful Don t over tighten this screw Move the Gimbal CLOSER to the camera for a faster Drop Time Move the Gimbal FURTHER from the camera for a slower Drop Time Beyond the Basics of STEADICAM Back to Table of Contents ...

Page 26: ...in Dynamic Balance as long as the weights are placed symmetrically on the Wings Pan Inertia Adjustment Why To make the SOLO more or less resistant to panning Leave the camera where you have it Dynamically Balanced and re balance with ONLY the weights This maintains the Dynamic Balance it s like magic Tip Once you have the Drop Time CLOSE to your target you might choose to make small changes to the...

Page 27: ...e FASTEST panning TAKE AWAY more weights equally from the Wings and place the remaining weights as CLOSE to the Post as possible Remember to re adjust the SOLO so it is in Static Balance after changing the weights by moving the Gimbal or adjusting the length of the Post Back to Table of Contents For additional adjustment possibilities more weights can be purchased ...

Page 28: ...ditional tilt and roll resistance and to reach lower in Low Mode that s next Again leave the camera and weights where you have them Dynamically Balanced Extend the 2nd Post section with the Wings Move the Gimbal away from the camera and set the Drop Time to 2 seconds Back to Table of Contents ...

Page 29: ...oser to the ground or fly over a surface Re adjust your LCD screen so you can see it with the SOLO inverted make sure all accessories are locked down tight With SOLO balanced in Long Mode adjust the Gimbal approximately 2 FURTHER AWAY from the camera This will make the SOLO top heavy Back to Table of Contents ...

Page 30: ...anced go chase your dog or kids You should still operate with your POST hand below the Gimbal not on the foam grip Beyond the Basics of STEADICAM Back to Table of Contents NOTE The camera will be upside down so the picture will have to be rotated when you re editing Unless you like it upside down NEXT STEADICAM training ...

Page 31: ...peripheral vision to watch your footing while looking at the camera screen Practice on smooth level surfaces at first Walk the Line Why To learn to isolate the camera from your body movements and create accurate frames Make a tape line on the floor 10 20 feet long Add a crosshair at eye level on the wall at one end STEADICAM Training Back to Table of Contents ...

Page 32: ...e the entire time The SOLO should remain centered over the line as if it s on tracks Walk forward and backwards with the frame centered on the crosshair Concentrate on maintaining a level horizon the camera shouldn t look like you re on a boat STEADICAM Training Back to Table of Contents ...

Page 33: ...rating Tilting UP slide your Post hand down a LITTLE and use your finger tips to support the Post Tilting DOWN slide your Post hand down a LITTLE and use your finger tips to tilt the Post Practice with a wide lens and then try a telephoto lens See how each have their own challenges STEADICAM Training Back to Table of Contents ...

Page 34: ...lk the line and Tilt from one mark to the other Begin on one mark start walking and end your walk centered on the 2nd mark Panning Well Why To learn to control camera framing without effecting the horizon Add a long horizontal tape line through the eye level crosshair and put a crosshair on either end This will be your Panning line STEADICAM Training Back to Table of Contents ...

Page 35: ...lens and a telephoto lens to see the difference it makes Booming up and Down Why Because it s easier to control headroom with Booming than tilting Practice holding the SOLO as low as possible and raising it above your head keeping the post vertical then back down Walk the line and keep your TOP crosshair at the top of the frame Walk forward AND backwards and maintain your frame in both directions ...

Page 36: ...ed with the SOLO and only with continued practice can you become a SOLO professional TIP For additional information on training the Steadicam Operator s Handbook written by Jerry Holway and Laurie Hayball is a comprehensive guide to becoming a successful operator In addition to this The Steadicam Workshops may be for you For more information visit www thesteadicamworkshops com NEXT MONOPOD MODE ST...

Page 37: ...37 User s Manual MONOPOD MODE NEXT MONOPOD Operation Back to Table of Contents ...

Page 38: ...Wings by pulling the Tabs and folding each Wing to the Post there s no need to move the Weights Extend the Post by opening each Section Lock and extending the SOLO to your desired height Operate with the Swivel Foot on the ground for stability Back to Table of Contents ...

Page 39: ...re s no need to use the Gimbal Handle in MONOPOD MODE Lean forward to tilt down Lean backwards to tilt up Take your shot TIP If your SOLO is already balanced for Steadicam mode take note of each Post section length perhaps make marks on the Post so you can quickly return to this position MONOPOD Operation Back to Table of Contents ...

Page 40: ...ews Test by opening and closing the Post Lock to ensure that the Post is unable to move when locked but still releases easily CAUTION Over tightening the Post Lock screws may DAMAGE the Post Surface cleaning Use a soft damp cloth to remove dust and fingerprints DON T use aggressive solvents or abrasives Next Useful Accessories and contact TIFFEN Back to Table of Contents ...

Page 41: ...pauge NY 11788 Phone 631 273 2500 1 800 645 2522 Tiffen Steadicam Address 2815 Winona Avenue Burbank CA 91504 Phone 818 843 4600 ext 7910 1 800 593 3331 Tiffen International Ltd Address Eastside Complex Pinewood Studios Pinewood Road Iver Heath SL0 0NH United Kingdom Tel 44 870 1001220 Fax 44 1869 321766 email info tiffen com www tiffen com 2014 The Tiffen Company All rights reserved STEADICAM is ...

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