Can I use the Red touchscreen with a Steadicam Zephyr?

[jimhare]

Looking at the Zephyr, but would want to use the Epic Touchscreen instead of the SD/HD monitor. Is this a normal thing to do? Seems obvious but I don't seem to see people doing it.

I would use the 10ft LCD cable.

And what about the battery? I have a Red plate to Epic cable to use V-Lock, but do I need a 4-pin to Epic instead?

Pros and cons to all of this?

 

[Mark Britton]

If you are asking if it would be possible to mount an Epic LCD in place of a traditional SD or HD monitor on a Zephyr, the answer is yes, it is possible. But having a heavy and stiff cable running down beside the sled instead of using an HD/SD monitor cabled via built in wire harness does make it more difficult to operate a rig. The operator won't be able to pan the sled as far or freely, as the external cable will eventually come in contact with the gimbal support or arm. Securing the cable (taping/tacking it down) as best as is feasible without compromosing the free movement of the sled/gimbal is something I'd recommend, having a cable swinging and swaying freely when you accelerate/deaccelerate often adds noticable bobbles in horizion/framing in the footage.

In my book the first option is to use a monitor wired off the rig's internal wire harness if possible. A decent downconverter runs about $450 USD, so if it's a SD monitor, I use that as needed. If for some reason the monitor on the rig dies, or my downconverter isn't having a good day, If I can still see the monitor in the shot, I would personally prefer to mount the monitor on top of or beside the camera on a noga arm or support before I run a cable down beside the sled. Running a cable down the outside of the sled is something I've done, but it's pretty much a last resort.

 

[Adam Eden]

Jim. Don't touch anything on the steadicam. I will talk to you more about this when I see you this week.

The screen on the zephyr is more than adequate for the epic. Just make sure you order the screen with the sdi input.

Once you learn about static and dynamic balance you will understand what I mean. Go and buy jerry holway's guide to steadicam operation it will be the best thing you can ever buy if you are serious about steadicam.

 

[jimhare]

@ Mark - Thanks for the great and detailed advice, much appreciated!

@ Adam - looking forward to seeing you this week. Will definitely be guided by your experience.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Bob Gilles]

Just leave the touchscreen on the Epic body, use the Zeph's screen for monitoring below, it can easily handle the weight, I fly tall cameras on it all the time:


I would insert a link to a picture, but that function is disabled today on Reduser.

 

[Bob Gilles]