Tiffen Steadicam Steadimate Operator'S Manual Download Page 4

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Table of Contents

A word from Garrett Brown

The Steadimate System

Steadimate components

Setting Up

Preparing the Steadimate

Installing the Steadimate

Balancing

Upright or Inverted Mode?

Balancing Upright Mode

Balancing Inverted Mode

The Vest

Vest components

Fitting the Vest

The Arm

Arm components

Connecting the Arm and Vest

Steadimate Operating

Lifting the system

Adjusting the Arm

Check your threads

Operating modes, tips and tricks

Accessories

Maintenance and Cleaning

Contact Tiffen

Summary of Contents for Steadicam Steadimate

Page 1: ...P N LIT 816790 Rev A ...

Page 2: ...l Rev A P N LIT 816790 Steadicam and SteadimateTM are trademarks of The Tiffen Company Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners All specifications stated within this manual are subject to change without notice ...

Page 3: ... 2016 The Tiffen Company Written by E Barthelman ...

Page 4: ... Upright or Inverted Mode 10 Balancing Upright Mode 12 Balancing Inverted Mode 18 The Vest Vest components 26 Fitting the Vest 27 The Arm Arm components 28 Connecting the Arm and Vest 29 Steadimate Operating Lifting the system 30 Adjusting the Arm 31 Check your threads 32 Operating modes tips and tricks 34 Accessories 38 Maintenance and Cleaning 39 Contact Tiffen 41 1 ...

Page 5: ...ur work look jerky and irregular as you pass foreground objects Steadimate floats your gimbal like a Steadicam sled so the inherent inertia of the rig in space is fingertip detectable and your booming and traveling moves are Steadicam smooth In addition Steadimate is the only support mechanism that is neutrally balanced in two isolated axes for effortless pan and tilt all others make the rig extre...

Page 6: ...3 ...

Page 7: ...teadimate System Isolates camera from operator The Steadimate Links The Arm to motorized gimbal Allows fingertip control The Steadicam Steadimate is the link between motorized gimbals and the traditional Steadicam Arm and Vest Together the Steadimate System provides additional stabilization and neutrally balanced tilting which result in smoother shots and less work for the operator 4 ...

Page 8: ...etched Post Block Connection point for the Steadicam Arm Various Arm Post sizes available Integrated tilt hinge Handlebar Clamp Attaches Steadimate to handlebar of your motorized gimbal Tilt Balance Lock Screw 4mm Allen key included for tightening Clamp Inserts 25mm and 30mm inserts included Balance Pin Install on top of tuning stand Verify system balance Tilt Balance Mechanism Adjusts tilt alignm...

Page 9: ... This gives us the maximum range of adjustability in either direction You may need to turn the Knob in either direction depending on how the Steadimate was stored Take a moment to confirm that the Clamp Inserts are correctly sized for your motorized Gimbal They re sized to fit either 25mm or 30mm handlebars With the Clamp Locks and Lock Screw loose the Inserts simply snap in place 6 ...

Page 10: ...lock position while the system is on the tuning stand Never loosen the Post Clamp while balancing or while the Steadimate is mounted on the Arm Install two Balance Weights at the bottom of the Steadimate Post The weights can be used for fine tuning the top to bottom or tilt CG of the Steadimate later Great when adding or removing small accessories or swapping lenses 7 ...

Page 11: ...d remove the right side handle Note If you prefer operating a Steadicam in Goofy Mode you may choose to remove the left handle and install the Steadimate on the left side instead Add ALL required accessories and build a compact setup without loose components We ll be balancing the entire Steadimate System not just the camera Keep heavy accessories like batteries close to the Steadimate Handlebar c...

Page 12: ...we ll be using the Tilt Balance Adjuster to fine tune this in the Balancing alancing section soon Slide the Steadimate onto the handlebar in place of the handle Note For optimum performance and safer operation keep the space between the Handlebar Clamp and the base of the pan motor as narrow as your build will allow Tighten the Handlebar Clamp Locks by hand and securely tighten the Tilt Balance Lo...

Page 13: ...tention to detail just as you experience while setting up a motorized gimbal or traditional Steadicam for the first time Read through the process and take your time Note always balance the Steadimate with the motorized gimbal powered on and performing properly Tilt the camera down and note the angle at which the Steadimate comes to rest Then tilt up to see what the balance window angle is between ...

Page 14: ...s You may also remove or change your accessories to lighten the system If the changes you make achieve an upright Steadimate then go on to the next page However if the Steadimate is still more than 45 from vertical you ll balance in Inverted Mode starting on page 18 If the Steadimate is truly inverting where the Handlebar is below the Post Block then you must balance in Inverted Mode This is most ...

Page 15: ... The Tilt Balance adjustment enables us to precisely center the Steadimate with the motorized gimbal along the vertical axis And by adjusting the location of the Post Clamp on the Post we can place the center of gravity of the motorized gimbal just below the tilt axis of the Post Block The goal is to make the system tilt and pan with fingertip control Let s get started Balancing While still on the...

Page 16: ...ock Screw to realign the Steadimate on the handlebar Turn the Tilt Balance Knob in either direction until the handle stays vertical The direction you turn depends on which side the Steadimate is tilting You ll be able to feel the weight on the grip getting lighter when you turn the correct direction When you re close try letting go completely to make sure the Steadimate remains perfectly vertical ...

Page 17: ...motion If you re a Steadicam Operator this is equivalent to setting your Drop Time Set the balance Try tilting the Steadimate to aim the camera lens toward the sky Does it tilt with fingertip control or is it heavy Note we ll be testing the balance of the system on the Balance Pin but doing adjustments on the tuning stand Then repeat until it s perfect If your Steadimate System is light to the tou...

Page 18: ...nd slide the Post Block one number down the Post scale and re tighten the Post Clamp With more Steadimate experience you ll gain a sense for how far to move the Post Clamp Until then let s move one increment at a time Return the Steadimate to the Balance Pin and test tilt the system Find the resting points for tilting up and down and make sure they are within the 45 tilt window Repeat the last two...

Page 19: ...ilting slightly again If necessary go back and re center the Steadimate using the Tilt Balance Knob as previously described in this manual If you lower the Post Clamp too far you ll find the tilt window increasing beyond the ideal 45 included angle or going horizontal Simply revert back to the previous Post Scale setting that worked well Balancing 16 ...

Page 20: ...ffort and also further isolates your camera Now skip on ahead to page 26 to learn about the Vest and Arm With the Post Block height set correctly you can later add or remove weights when accessories lens swaps or personal preference require small quick changes to the CG of the system Upright Mode Balancing 17 ...

Page 21: ... location of the Post Clamp on the Post we can place the center of gravity of the motorized gimbal just below the tilt axis of the Post Block The goal is to make the system tilt and pan with fingertip control Let s get started Prepare for Inverted Mode Reverse the motorized gimbal mount at the handlebar so the camera will be pointing away from you Adjust the Post Clamp height to number 5 on the Po...

Page 22: ...imate handle vertical Slowly loosen your grip to test whether it will remain vertical on its own or if it tries to tilt fore or aft Usually the Steadimate will tilt one way or the other Your motorized gimbal is powered on right Tilt your monitor for ease of viewing with the handlebar at the bottom 19 ...

Page 23: ...It shouldn t be necessary to loosen the Tilt Balance Lock Screw unless your initial alignment was way off Always return the System to the tuning stand before loosening the Tilt Balance Lock Screw to realign the Steadimate on the handlebar Turn the Tilt Balance Knob one way or the other until the handle stays vertical You ll be able to feel the weight on the grip getting lighter until it is centere...

Page 24: ... the operator s walking motion If you re a Steadicam operator this is equivalent to setting your Drop Time Set the balance Try tilting the Steadimate to aim the camera lens toward the sky Does it tilt with fingertip control or is it heavy This time we ll be testing the balance of the system on the Balance Pin but doing adjustments on the tuning stand Then repeat until it s perfect If your System i...

Page 25: ... Block one number down the Post scale and re tighten the Post Clamp With more Steadimate experience you ll gain a sense for how far to move the Post Clamp Until then let s move one increment at a time Return the Steadimate to the Balance Pin and test tilt the system Find the resting points for tilting up and down and make sure they are within the 45 tilt window Repeat the last two steps until the ...

Page 26: ... Is it tilting slightly again If necessary go back and re center the Steadimate using the Tilt Balance Knob as previously described in this manual If you lower the Post Clamp too far you ll find the tilt window increases beyond 45 included angle Simply revert back to the previous Post Scale setting that worked well Inverted Mode Balancing 23 ...

Page 27: ...reduces tilt and panning effort and also further isolates your camera Now we ll learn all about the Vest and Arm With the Post Block height set correctly you can later add or remove weights when accessories lens swaps or personal preference require small quick changes to the CG of the system 24 ...

Page 28: ...Inverted Mode Balancing 25 ...

Page 29: ...erformance and most comfort out of the system Shoulder Pads Shoulder Connector Socket Block Interface for the arm Adjustable height Hip Pads Adjustable buckles Chest Straps Adjustable buckles Note If you already have a Steadicam kit you can use your Vest and Arm with the Steadimate Just get the correct Insert for the Post Block to match your Arm Post and you re ready Hip Strap With lower back padd...

Page 30: ...he left side of the vest and slip the vest on Close the Shoulder Connector Leave all other Buckles open until the end of fitting Connect the chest straps and center the Chest Plate on your chest Pull down on the Chest Plate to seat the shoulder pads on your shoulders Adjust the overall Vest length so the Hip Pads are centered over your hips Be sure the Hip Straps are horizontal on the Pads and tig...

Page 31: ...Springs Socket Quick Release Pin The Steadicam Arm supports the weight of the Steadimate System while helping isolate the camera from the operator s movements and facilitates booming up and down The lifting strength of the arm is adjustable to accommodate a wide range in payload It also incorporates Side to Side Adjustment Wheels which help align the lifting axis to your body General components of...

Page 32: ... Arm Socket into the Socket Block of the Vest Then use the Thumbscrew Bolts to secure the connection Important Always keep a hand on the free end of the arm or you risk hitting someone something or even yourself in the face If you re slender the top Thumbscrew will be most of the way in If you re more generously proportioned the top Thumbscrew will be some turns out from there Always dial the top ...

Page 33: ...ur motorized gimbal is roughly at your chin level bow to the Steadimate and place the Arm Post into the receiver on the Post Block Keep your knees straight and bend at the hips Take a step towards the Steadimate and stand up straight Let the arm take the weight and compress You can now lift the Steadimate System clear of the tuning stand and step back Docking again is the exact opposite rest the h...

Page 34: ...y above horizontal by about 5 10 With the arm in the middle of its boom range does it rise or fall Turn the Forearm Lift Adjustment Knob clockwise to add lifting strength or counterclockwise to reduce the lifting strength Make small adjustments until the Forearm segment is lifting the Steadimate System just above horizontal Repeat the adjustment on the Upper Arm section in the same way Look to get...

Page 35: ...the rig is neutral Then re tighten the bottom Thumbscrew If the rig tends to move towards you loosen the top Thumbscrew until the rig behaves and then tighten the bottom Thumbscrew Remember both Thumbscrews must be snug before you get to work Typically your side to side adjustment won t need to be changed but if the System does move to one side you can correct it here Remove the arm and add or sub...

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Page 37: ...ntrol allows increased accuracy and repeatability of shots More importantly you can truly fly the camera now letting the inertia of the rig increase the spacial stabilization Before we explore Steadimate Operating remember that you re still able to pick up the motorized gimbal by hand for traditional operating No need to replace the original hand grip or rebalance the Steadimate This allows you to...

Page 38: ...am operating we start and finish every move with the arm At the start of a shot before taking a step move the Steadimate System in the direction of travel and then follow along on foot At the completion of the shot stop walking first and bring the camera to rest with only your arm movement And if you don t have to step don t step We can extend our range of movement by sitting down or kneeling Or b...

Page 39: ...e to do handoffs with an operating partner for trick shots like going through windows or over tables Slide your hand down from the Steadimate Hand Grip onto the top of the arm press down and bow slightly Your partner is able to lift the Post Block off the Arm and take over The reverse also works picking up the rig from your handheld buddy Practice these tricks off set and get in sync with your par...

Page 40: ... certain shots or you wish to raise the lens a little Reverse the motorized gimbal orientation on the handlebar so the camera faces forward Adjust the Post Block height so the Steadimate tilts with that familiar fingertip control For more information refer to the Inverted Mode Balance section starting on page 18 37 ...

Page 41: ...r website at www Steadicam com for the latest innovations in camera stabilization Arm Post Inserts Available For and 5 8 and posts Use the Steadimate with various brands and models of arms Balance Weights Additional lb weights Flipped Bridge Plate Allows the arm to cross your body Narrow operating for doorways 38 ...

Page 42: ...cloth to wipe dirt and grime off the hard parts of the vest Since the vest pads are removable they can be hand washed and air dried Not a bad idea after a few shoots in warm weather Check the mechanical pieces occasionally for wear damage and fasteners that may have come loose The Arm Like the rest of the system cleaning the arm is just a matter of wiping it with a microfiber cloth sprayed with wi...

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Page 44: ...Contact Tiffen 41 Tiffen International Ltd Pinewood Studios Pinewood Road Iver Heath SL0 0NH United Kingdom Tel 44 1753 783 960 Email info tiffen com ...

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