Tiffen STEADICAM FLYER LE Operating Manual
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Tiffen STEADICAM FLYER LE Operating Manual

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Operating Manual
p/n LIT-602740

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  • Page 1 ® Contents ™ Operating Manual p/n LIT-602740...
  • Page 2 Hauppauge, New York 11788 631 273-2500 800 645-2522 631 273-2557 fax www.steadicam.com steadicam@tiffen.com www.tiffen.com Technical Support 1-818-843-4600 ext.17 Manufactured in the United States of America © The Tiffen Company, LLC, manual version 4/14/2008 written by J. Holway & L. Hayball...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Use a second video camera to record your exercises – how you stand and move is critical for great operating. STEADICAM, UltraBrite, and Ultra are registered trademarks of the Tiffen company. The Tiffen Company, 90 Oser Avenue, Hauppauge, NY 11788 • 631-273-2500 • 1-800-645-2522 • www.tiffen.com Tiffen Steadicam Operations, Glendale, CA • 818-843-4600 • 1-800-593-3331...

  • Page 4: Overview

    Tiffen continues to be the industry leader with the new, affordable Overview Camera Stabilization System. Based on the innovative and award-winning features of the Steadicam Flyer, the new ® Flyer-LE has been further ™ redefined with upgraded sled features, an ergonomically...
  • Page 5 A featured system combines the Flyer-LE with ™ Dual Charger Tiffen PowerCube and two ™ batteries . These robust batteries will provide plenty of amps for any film or video camera.

  • Page 6: The Flyer-Le Sled

    The Flyer-LE Sled ™ The Flyer-LE Sled ™ Camera mounting Stage platform connectors Fore/aft adjustment knob Side to side adjustment knob Post Post clamp...
  • Page 7 Docking collar Dovetail lock Gimbal Gimbal handle PowerCube ™ Batteries Monitor bracket Battery mount...

  • Page 8: Getting Started

    Prepare the stand and docking bracket Set up the stand and docking bracket: Getting Started • Set up your stand at about chest height. • Use one or more sandbags to stabilize the stand. • Put the docking bracket on the stand and tighten the docking bracket locking knob.
  • Page 9 Adjust the battery position and Remove the dovetail from the attach the batteries: stage and set aside: • Rotate the battery mount down at • Loosen the dovetail locking knob least 45º. about one half turn. (If you unscrew • Attach both batteries onto the this knob all the way the spring battery mounts.

  • Page 10: Attaching The Camera

    Attaching the camera to the sled We attach the camera to the sled via a dovetail plate. With the Flyer-LE, this plate has a rack for adjusting fore-aft balance on the left side, safety stops on the right side, and Attaching the several holes for mounting screws.
  • Page 11 Connect the power and video cables and test • Now move the dovetail as little as possible until one or more screw holes are accessible. Choose • Connect the BNC to BNC video holes as far apart as possible for cable (use the BNC to RCA maximum stability.

  • Page 12: Balancing

    Balancing the sled The Steadicam works, in part, by the careful balancing of components (camera, monitor, accessories, and battery). We always balance the sled to help us get the shot, Balancing so that the operator does the least amount of work to aim the camera. There are several components of balance.
  • Page 13 Look at the Steadicam from the side. If the sled is tipped up or down: balance point of the gimbal • Hold the center post vertical. • Loosen the dovetail locking knob. • Move the camera forward or backward by turning the fore-aft knob until the camera is level.

  • Page 14: The Vest

    The Vest The Vest Shoulder connector Shoulder pads Adjustable spar Chest pads Chest Chest plate connectors release pin Adjustable velcro straps ® pads Socket block height adjustment Socket block...

  • Page 15: Putting On The Vest

    Putting on the Vest Please read the vest instructions • Pull out the chest plate release pin completely before you try to put the vest and adjust the center spar up or on. It is very helpful to have a friend help down so the hip pad sits centered you the first time you put on the vest.

  • Page 16: The Arm

    The Arm The Arm Arm post Forearm section pin to lift adjustment separate arm knob for packing Arm post release Upper arm section screw lift Socket quick adjustment release pin knob Rod ends Double action hinge Steel springs Socket Mounting the arm to the vest The arm mates with the vest via an adjustable socket in the arm and a female socket block on the vest.

  • Page 17: Setting Your Threads

    Determining your threads is part of basic operating technique Adjusting your threads For almost all operators, regardless of • If you have big pectorals and a flat body type, the typical adjustment for the stomach, the top screw is almost “side-to-side”...

  • Page 18: Picking Up The Sled

    Picking up the Sled Undocking, setting your threads, and docking the sled With the vest on and the arm attached to the vest, undock the rig: • Face the sled and bow at the waist. Do not bend your knees. It is helpful to have a friend spotting you the first time you do it.
  • Page 19 Practice replacing the sled in Holding the Steadicam might feel awkward at first. Don’t the docking bracket worry – you will gain control and endurance rapidly as you practice. The first time is typically the most annoying, • Step up next to the docking stand because there are so many adjustments to make before with the camera aimed to the left.

  • Page 20: Adjusting The Lift

    Setting the lift capacity of the arm The arm tension is adjusted at the factory for the heaviest camera it can hold so the arm does not bottom out when you put the camera and sled on the arm for the first Adjusting the Lift time.
  • Page 21 CAUTION: IF YOU REST YOUR RIGHT HAND ON THE CONNECTING ARM, KEEP YOUR FINGERS OUT OF THE SPACE BETWEEN THE ELBOW AND THE ARTICULATING ARM. A SUDDEN RISE OF THE CAMERA COULD INJURE YOUR FINGERS IF THEY ARE IN THIS SPACE. •...

  • Page 22: Basic Operating

    Hand grips The two-handed technique was invented by Garrett Brown while working on The Basic Operating Shining, and it has been the preferred method of operating ever since. Basically, the right hand does the work of positioning the sled in space (moving horizontally and vertically relative to the body), and the left hand aims the sled (and therefore the camera) by panning...
  • Page 23 Basic movement More Practice and Training Practice moving around in the Steadicam For operators who have not yet taken a workshop, we (once again!) strongly urge you and get used to the way it feels. Walk to do so, as it is the quickest way to learn how to operate a Steadicam properly. around.

  • Page 24: Dynamic Balancing

    Dynamic Balancing the Flyer-LE ™ A Steadicam sled is in dynamic balance combination that balances the sled both when the center post remains vertical as statically and dynamically. There is some Dynamic Balancing the sled is panned (and this is critical) at leeway as to the required precision of any and all panning speeds.
  • Page 25 We put the rig in dynamic balance by you are in static balance, spin the sled from horizontal — unless you add some first choosing the monitor position and again. Is it better or worse? Again, you weight to the monitor. Adding weight then placing the camera close to its final have two choices for moving the battery.

  • Page 26: Low Mode

    Configuring the sled for low mode In order to configure the sled for Low Mode low mode operating, you must: • Flip the monitor and the camera upside-down. • Attach the F-bracket to the gimbal. Use the provided safety pin. •...
  • Page 27 Tip: Many video cameras – or video cameras with film lens adaptors – do not have a proper way to mount a dovetail above the camera. We suggest you use the “bottom” dovetail for low mode, shooting upside down. You will need to flip the image in post production, so be sure that’s okay before you shoot.

  • Page 28: Powercube ™ Batteries

    PowerCube Batteries and the Flyer-LE ™ ™ The PowerCube batteries are rated at 6.0 At the 30 watt discharge rate, the battery Ah, 14.8V. Please read the literature that voltage drops slowly for about 3 hours Batteries comes with each battery and charger for from 16.1 volts to the “knee”...
  • Page 29 Discharge Characteristics of PowerCube Discharge Condition: 30W, 11V (EDV) Ambient Temp.: Room Temp. Discharge Time: 184.6min (92.3Wh) Elapsed Time [min]...

  • Page 30: The Monitor

    Standard 7” Color LCD Monitor p/n 602-7500 The Monitor Monitor lock 7” color LCD monitor with optional frameline generator p/n 302-7500-01 (available on the SE version - see opposite page for specs)
  • Page 31 PWR (Power ON/OFF) Press this button to turn the monitor on/off. When the power is on, the LED on monitor will light up. SEL (Menu Selector, AV1/AV2 Selection) 1. Long press this button to switch menus. The cycle is as follows.
  • Page 32 Optional 7” HD/Composite 16:9 LCD Monitor p/n 257-7500 The Monitor...
  • Page 33 & & & & & & & &...

  • Page 34: Supplied Accessories

    Supplied Equipment and Accessories Accessories (not all items standard on all versions of Flyer-LE’s) Hard case, black, LE 011-0345-01 Cable, 3 ft video 078-4122-01 Cable, 3 ft BNC CBL-017715 Cable, 12 volt power, HD 078-7351-01 Monitor, 7” 16:9 602-7500 Monitor, 7” HD 16:9* 257-7500 Monitor 7”...

  • Page 35: Recommended Accessories

    Disclaimer: There is no implied or expressed warranty regarding this material. Specifications, accessories, etc.are subject to change without notice. The Tiffen Company, 90 Oser Avenue, Hauppauge, NY 11788 • 631-273-2500 • 1-800-645-2522 • www.tiffen.com Tiffen Steadicam Operations, Glendale, CA • 818-843-4600 • 1-800-593-3331...

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