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Steadicam Flyer LE

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King Cheung

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Dear All,
I bought a Steadicam Flyer LE, but as you know, it just has a SD monitor, and to my understanding, it just cannot be used for R1.
Any suggestion? Is there any upgrade version of this model?
Thanks.
King
 
All the Steadicam guys I know still use SD monitors on their rigs, when working with the RED One they just use a RedByte Down Converter.
 
Thanks for your quick response, Sam.
As I am still waiting for my R1, may I ask you what RedByte Down Converter is? Can I set it on the Menu?
Also, I just look at the Steadicam, and it has only a BNC connector named as video. Do you think I can use it to connect to R1.
Thanks a lot in advance.
King
 
The RedByte (no connection to RED) Down Converter (just did some research, the "Decimator" is the actual name and it seems RedByte are now using that name too) is a nice little box which you can run the cameras HD-SDI output to and it will send out and analog SD signal to your Steadicam's monitor. More info at http://www.decimator.com/
 
But I think I need to take care of the power as well. At least, I will need a cable for it to connect the R1 and the Steadicam.
Thanks.
 
Another solution to check out : http://www.aja.com/products/converters/converters-hd-hd10md3.php

I use the AJA hd10md3 downconverter for my Steadicam monitor and to feed a wireless video transmitter for the director. It's more expensive but AJA quality (and tech support) is superb. I power it from the Red's D-tap.
 
King Cheung said:
Thanks for your quick response, Sam.
As I am still waiting for my R1, may I ask you what RedByte Down Converter is? Can I set it on the Menu?
Also, I just look at the Steadicam, and it has only a BNC connector named as video. Do you think I can use it to connect to R1.
Thanks a lot in advance.
King
Click to expand...


Hi Cheung

Since I use our HD monitor for my steadicam work, I have a used RedByte for sale. If you are interested, for a quote contact: info@actionproducts.ch


Regards
Brian
 
Oooops

Hi, King
I just completed my Steadicam Flyer LE / RED combination and have gone through all the gyrations to figure things out (Down-converters/cabling/power/wirelessFF, etc.)

Give me a PM if you have any specific questions.

Take care.

Sean
 
By the way, getting a fully functional Red to fly at 19lbs 'ish on a Steadicam Flyer takes some doing... and some consessions... and some quick-thinking on-set depending on what the Director wants. But it can be done... just barely.

Sean
 
That's great, Sean. You are so nice!
I am in the process ordering my R1 at this moment. But my immediate question is about the weight. I know LE can take only less than 20lbs. Is it configuration still under 20lbs?
Anyway, yours sounds great!!
Thanks a lot.
King
 
By the way, I know Steadicam makes a customized Red version of the Steadicam Flyer... if you have this one, disregard the following. But I'm assuming you have a regular Flayer LE (Like me) and plan to use it for your Red.

My maximum Red rig weighs in at 20.5lbs (Everything / Top of sled)... I know, it's 1.5 pounds over the maximum Steadicam Flyer weight of 19lbs but it seems to work fine. I figure there's a little "play" in the spec.

I know my rig is "not" the best solution. But it's a combination that works with some gear I already have and works well for me. I could easily spend another 4 or 5 thousand dollars and optimize the set-up...but....

Here are the elements of my rig (Like I said, just a suggestion that works for me)

Red body
Red 18-50mm Zoom
Element Technica 15mm rod mount (Mounted onto front of the Red)
2 lightweight ET 15mm 6' rods
Bartech wireless FF (Receiver and M1 motor)
Chroziel 440-03 4x4 mattebox
Schneider 4x4 filters (Pol, ND selection)
Decimator downcoverter
Custom bracket (Made it myself) to mount the Decimator and Wireless FF receiver to Red's rear top-bracket holes.
All the necessary short-and-thin cables (BNC, etc.)

This is the "maximum" weight scenario for me. If I'm indoors, I can usually get away without any filters and sometimes even without the mattebox. I can leave off the wireless FF and motor if it's a "set-distance" tracking move.

One problem I get is with my mattebox and the 4x4's, I get vignetting from 18mm to about 22mm at 4K. At 2K or 3K, there is no vignetting. But I'm fine if I stay between 22mm and 50mm.

Like I said, there are compromises.

Take care.

Sean
 
By the way, may I just use the Red LCD to replace Flyer LE's SD monitor? Of course, in this case, I probably need to buy a longer cable.
Thanks.
King
 
King Cheung said:
By the way, may I just use the Red LCD to replace Flyer LE's SD monitor? Of course, in this case, I probably need to buy a longer cable.
Thanks.
King
Click to expand...

On the original Flyer (non-LE) the RED Pro 7" LCD swapped out nicely with the Flyer LCD as it had the same 1/4"-20 threaded mount. Not sure about the LE. You will need the longer LCD/EVF cable which may hamper some pans. Unfortunately the RED LCD can't flip the image upside down for quick low-mode work.
 
I had a flyer and sold it because it was hard work flying the RED. It's just not the right rig for the camera.
 
1. Yes... you can use the Red monitor on the Flyer LE. Like previously mentioned, you'll need the long monitor cable (Drape it from the front of the sled by the camera's lens and over the back/top of the monitor....keep it taut so it stays out of the way)... if you need to flip the monitor (Low-mode, etc.), you'll need to fashion a custom bracket. Also, the Red monitor is visually not good off axis... compromise, compromise.

2. Another factor that would greatly help is if you're using Nikons or other very lightweight lenses. That will go a long way to getting your payload down to 75% to 80% of the Flyer's weight capacity.

3. I agree with Mr. Horwell, "It's just not the right rig for the camera." From a design standpoint, I think one should not go to 100% of something's limit. I like to stay near 75% max. I happen to have already had a Flyer LE so I can make it work for some of my own personal stuff but it's not a professional solution. One really needs the next level up (Steadicam) that can handle the mid-size/weight cameras (IMHO).

Take care.

Sean
 
1) The better visibility of the Steadicam LCD makes using that with a Decimator my personal preference over the RED LCD.

2) Be aware that the older "Flyer" and current "Flyer 24SE" were designed for 15lbs. The "Flyer LE" is designed for 19lbs.
The sled is different but that shouldn't matter, it's the arm you want to watch out for.
If the joint segments between the two arm sections and the lower arm and socket block connector have three holes, it's the old 15lb arm. If they have two holes, it's the 19lb LE arm. (Or a 10lb Pilot arm - watch out for that!)
 
Sean Laskey said:
By the way, I know Steadicam makes a customized Red version of the Steadicam Flyer... if you have this one, disregard the following. But I'm assuming you have a regular Flayer LE (Like me) and plan to use it for your Red.

My maximum Red rig weighs in at 20.5lbs (Everything / Top of sled)... I know, it's 1.5 pounds over the maximum Steadicam Flyer weight of 19lbs but it seems to work fine. I figure there's a little "play" in the spec.

I know my rig is "not" the best solution. But it's a combination that works with some gear I already have and works well for me. I could easily spend another 4 or 5 thousand dollars and optimize the set-up...but....

Here are the elements of my rig (Like I said, just a suggestion that works for me)

Red body
Red 18-50mm Zoom
Element Technica 15mm rod mount (Mounted onto front of the Red)
2 lightweight ET 15mm 6' rods
Bartech wireless FF (Receiver and M1 motor)
Chroziel 440-03 4x4 mattebox
Schneider 4x4 filters (Pol, ND selection)
Decimator downcoverter
Custom bracket (Made it myself) to mount the Decimator and Wireless FF receiver to Red's rear top-bracket holes.
All the necessary short-and-thin cables (BNC, etc.)

This is the "maximum" weight scenario for me. If I'm indoors, I can usually get away without any filters and sometimes even without the mattebox. I can leave off the wireless FF and motor if it's a "set-distance" tracking move.

One problem I get is with my mattebox and the 4x4's, I get vignetting from 18mm to about 22mm at 4K. At 2K or 3K, there is no vignetting. But I'm fine if I stay between 22mm and 50mm.

Like I said, there are compromises.

Take care.

Sean
Click to expand...
Hi Sean,

I'm looking to get a similar setup going for my Flyer LE, too, and I was wondering what you do about transmitter to director's monitor? Have you encountered that?

James
 
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