Steadicam Zephyr - Setup & Overview - MagnanimousRentals.com

Jonah does a run-through of setup and calibration for the Steadicam Zephyr.
Rent the Steadicam Zephyr here: magnanimousren...
Zephyr is Steadicam’s offering for camera systems between 9-24 lbs. It offers a host of features not found on its latter counterparts that allow for easier and more precise calibration, with smoother overall operation. A Steadicam gives you the ability to execute unrestricted smooth camera movements, making it ideal for long takes and intricate moves. The Zephyr sled has an adjustable center post and mounting points for weights, allowing you to customize the camera’s height. The dovetail mounting system and independent adjustments for the monitor and battery make this system easy to balance, and make corrections on the fly, especially when compared to the Steadicam Pilot or Scout, much easier.
The Zephyr’s payload makes it ideal for kitted cinema cameras and broadcast cameras. While lighter systems can accommodate stripped-down cameras, the Zephyr can accommodate larger camera systems with cine glass. The Zephyr will accommodate cameras such as the C300, EPIC, or SCARLET with reasonable accessories, such as matte boxes and lens control. The Zephyr can accommodate cameras such as the Arri Alexa, but you’ll want to accessorize conservatively. The Zephyr is a great step up from the Pilot or Scout; people who are used to the Pilot or Scout are going to settle into the advantages of the Zephyr immediately. It’s gonna leave you a ton of room to expand to larger and heavier camera systems. People that are not experienced with Steadicam, we certainly suggest that you check out a Pilot or Scout first, and get used to a Steadicam with a lighter system before you move to something heavy. Remember that any Steadicam takes a lot of practice to master. If you want great results on the first go-around, talk to us about hiring a professional Steadicam operator, and you won’t be disappointed.
Operating a Steadicam can be compared to choreography: you going to want to practice your moves, and leave plenty of time to master them before you shoot them. For best results, we suggest that you use a wireless lens control system and have an AC pull focus for you. You’re not going to be able to touch this lens or use a manual follow focus while you’re operating, as it’s going to interrupt the smooth motion of the Steadicam. If you don’t have a wireless lens control system, we suggest that you employ a wide-angle lens with deep depth-of-field so you can try to make sure that everything’s going to be in focus while you’re moving. I’ve found that it’s useful to have camera tape, a grease pencil, and a marker handy. The camera tape is going to be useful in taping down wires as well as marking the sled, especially if you plan on transitioning between low mode and standard mode. Using camera tape is going to ensure that no adhesive is left on the sled or on the camera, and your grease pencil is going to be useful in marking your center of gravity on the camera, and should easily wipe away.
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[@nicolapaoli4561]

Even after some years this video is interesting and useful, thank you!
A little thing, though: you don't use the monitor to achieve dynamic balance. The monitor should just stay still once you find the right position for your posture, and you have to compensate only moving the battery and the camera, instead.

[@bobgilles1]

Update: you never have to remove the dovetail safety screw, save time, open the dovetail clamp wider and just set the camera
onto the top stage. Tighten and go

[@sammybennett]

6:01 There is no need to remove the safety pin at any point - It’s there for a reason! Just lower the camera onto the top stage, don’t slide it in.

[@RobKaczmark]

Wow, this has been extremely helpful. Magnanimous is great!!

[@avtpro]

I have a Pilot and strip down my RED Scarlet so it's not too heavy. It works fine but MAN!!! I could have used this video 3 years ago. Thanks it was great. Just came back from a shoot Saturday. SteadiCam Pilot was great but there's only one screw for the SteadiCam to sit on. There's needs to be a better cheese plate that will sit the Scarlet on TWO SCREWS!! Thanks again.

[@CandyHam]

thanks a bunch for this well-produced guide

[@MagnanimousMediaChicago]

Thanks! We have more videos that are helpful coming soon!

[@TheOmnihouse]

You will probably have better control if you balance with a shorter sled, with the gimbal closer to the camera.

[@TheEditingShop]

I'm an aspiring operator just finishing my degree in Film production and I need to get my hands on one of these! Been using the Scout for 2 years now but I need to upgrade.

[@jackwenman777]

TheEditingShop what you doing now out of interest as this comment was 4 years ago :-)

[@mattwardpictures]

With reference to how tight the vest should be, didn't Garrett Brown say "Breathing room is overrated"?

[@jmagnanimous]

A tight vest does have it's advantages and can certainly limit un-intended movement translated into the sled. However, considering the physical exertion required for some shots I'd hesitate to advise restricting respiration when there is often an excess of $60K worth of gear on the platform. This video is for people new to or training on the Zephyr. Experienced operators know what they are doing and what they can handle.

[@simongentry]

thank you Johah - do you rent the zephyr still? i shoot with the sony f55, a zeiss milvus prime like the 85mm 1.4 (heaviest) arri top plate, and the atomos inferno - i use sony vmount batteries. do you sell them too? many thanks, simon

[@StephenLemieux]

I got the Proaim Steadicam Stand Holder, but the pins are too big for the Zephyr's handle. Can you recommend a rack with a balance pin I can use with the Zephyr's handle?

[@MagnanimousMediaChicago]

Here is a link to the one we use with our Steadicam Zephyr, amzn.to/3uh3x2w

[@StephenLemieux]

@@MagnanimousMediaChicago That's the one I own, but the handle hole is smaller than the peg on that one.

[@PrakashGupta-sf5gp]

Can u share the tutorials of Steadicam 😊

[@jamarjones4259]

I still cant get rid of wobble how do I get rid of wobble for better dynamic equilibrium