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Related Manuals for Steadicam Steadimate-S
Summary of Contents for Steadicam Steadimate-S
- Page 1 Steadicam Steadimate-S ® ™ LIT-900000, RevA...
- Page 2 40 years ago, and continues to innovate solutions for today’s cinematographers. In combination with a Steadicam A-30 or A-15 arm, and Zephyr or AERO vest, the new Steadimate-S greatly reduces operator fatigue and increases operating time by carrying the system weight on the hips through a spring arm and vest.
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Page 3: What's In The Box
What’s in the box? Bearings pre-installed Gimbal handle and yoke Outer clamp ring Inner clamp Clamp bushings Base bracket (15mm LWS) Anti-rotation 3/8” screw Tripod extension (4) Thumbscrews 1/4”-20 screw... - Page 4 (2) 15mm rods Weights (4) 1/4 Lb (6) 1/2 Lb 1/2” balance stand adapter (2) Clamp adapter pads for other gimbals (6) M4 screws 3mm Allen wrench tiffen.com/steadimate-s for the full list of compatible stabilizers and applicable accessories and adapters.
- Page 5 3mm Allen wrench, and a little patience. To view the companion install video, visit: tiffen.com/steadimate-s Build, balance and test your stabilizer before adding the Steadimate-S parts. Make sure you include everything necessary for the camera and stabilizer; the batteries, memory cards, monitor or microphone.
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Page 6: Attaching The Base
Attaching the base Remove the tripod from the bottom of the handle. Attach the base bracket in place of the tripod, with the tripod extension screw. NOTE: if your stabilizer has TWO threaded holes, add the anti-rotation screw as well. Insert the 15mm rods into the base bracket, then add two thumbscrews to clamp the rods. - Page 7 Attaching the inner clamp Wrap the inner clamp ring halves around the top of the handle, with the Steadicam logo facing up. For Ronin-S, be sure the four pockets inside the clamp index with the four ribs on the stabilizer.
- Page 8 Attaching the outer clamp ring Use the 3mm Allen wrench to crisscross tighten each of the four screws a little bit, starting with the bottom screws, until the clamp is snug. NOTE: the pan motor must be free to rotate, don’t clamp the motor! Install the bushing surfaces inside the outer clamp halves,...
- Page 9 Attaching the gimbal handle Use the 3mm Allen wrench to tighten both screws evenly until snug. The ring should spin freely on inner clamp. TIP: if ring doesn’t spin freely, loosen the four INNER CLAMP screws slightly, and re-tighten starting at the bottom. Attach the gimbal handle with yoke to the outer clamp ring using two thumbscrews.
- Page 10 Balancing your Steadimate-S equipped stabilizer is similar to balancing any handheld stabilizer. The goal is to balance the complete system so that the stabilizer handle hangs vertically from the Steadimate-S gimbal handle, but tilts up and down with a light touch, and uses the least additional weight.
- Page 11 Balancing Lift the system by the Steadimate-S gimbal handle, and observe if the stabilizer handle hangs vertical. If necessary, loosen the thumbscrews and slide the weights fore or aft until the handle hangs vertically. TIP: move weights “uphill” to center the handle.
- Page 12 Re-distribute the remaining weights, or adjust the weight rods to keep the handle vertical. Test how much effort it takes to tilt the system up and down. Continue removing weights until the handle is easy to tilt. When you’re close to achieving fingertip control of the tilt, try removing or adding the small weights, until it’s perfect.
- Page 13 Balancing Repeat the balancing steps until the effort required to tilt the stabilizer is minimized, and suits your operating style. TIP: take note of the number and position of the weights for your camera setup, so you can balance quickly next time! Make sure all weights, and all four thumbscrews are tight after balancing.
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Page 14: The Steadicam Vest
Just like setting up the ® Steadimate-S, taking your time to properly fit the vest will ensure you get the highest performance and most comfort out of the system. Take a look at the general components of a Zephyr vest:... - Page 15 Putting on a Steadicam vest The length of the vest should place the waist low over the hip bones, yet still allow your legs to lift for climbing stairs. The center spar should stay centered on your torso and not slip to either side.
- Page 16 The fit should be very snug, but not straitjacket tight. You must be able to breathe! The socket block should move with you, and not shift under load. Close the chest buckles first, and finish with the hip buckles. Your vest should fit as well as the vest in these pictures!
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Page 17: The Steadicam Arm
The Steadicam arm Before you add the arm The Steadicam arm supports the weight of the Steadimate-S 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, but the adjustment knobs can only be turned with the arm loaded. - Page 18 Attaching the Steadicam arm Two turns out Confirm that the side to side adjustment wheels are set as follows: The top knob is first turned all the way in, and then TWO turns out. The bottom knob turned all the way in.
- Page 19 Adding the Steadimate-S Add the Steadimate-S system to the arm post, and boom up and down. Like balancing, we must observe how the arm behaves, and make adjustments. If the arm is lifting too much, or too little, adjust the lift knob...
- Page 20 TIP: remember these settings, so you can attach the arm quickly every time! Repeat the arm adjustments as needed until the Steadimate-S system is neutral when sitting slightly to your operating side, in balance with your vest. You’re just about ready!
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Page 21: Operating Tips
And yet, you can still quickly take advantage of handheld opportunities when needed, and then go right back to Steadimate-S mode with the arm and vest, without losing a beat. Your posture is very important to getting the most out of your Steadimate-S equipped stabilizer. - Page 22 Then slide the weight rods to re-center the handle. Learn to look away from the camera, to spot your footing. If walking backwards more than a few steps, ask someone to guide you around obstacles. Enjoy flying your Steadimate-S!
- Page 23 Tiffen reserves the right to change specifications, accessories, etc. without prior notice. There is no implied or expressed warranty regarding this material. STEADICAM , Steadimate™, Steadimate-S™, Zephyr™ and AERO™ are trademarks of ® the Tiffen Company, LLC. All other trademarks and product names appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.
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