3
Table of Contents
Overview
4
The Zephyr
™
Sled
6
Getting Started
8
Attaching the Camera
10
Balancing
12
The Vest
14
The Arm
16
Setting Your Threads
17
Picking Up the Sled
18
Adjusting the Lift
20
Operating a Steadicam
®
stabilizer will take time and effort. One key to great operating is setting up and
balancing your sled properly. Another is adjusting the vest to your body, and setting the arm to properly lift
the load.
The next steps are learning how to balance yourself with the rig, how to stand and walk, how to prevent
pendular effects as you move, and what each hand is used for.
This manual is to be used to instruct you in setting up and using your Steadicam
®
Zephyr
™
stabilizer system.
If you have not already done so, we strongly urge you to take a 2, 3, or 6-day Steadicam
®
workshop for
the best possible training and start to your career as a Steadicam
®
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workshops at www.steadicam.com).
The Zephyr
™
is not a push-button magic stick that instantly creates great images. It’s a precision instrument
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effort to learn. The more effort and practice you put into operating, the better you will be, so it’s important to
develop good habits from the beginning.
Several two-hour sessions will get you started, but an operator can always be more skilled with a
Steadicam
®
stabilizer and also be more effective and artistic in choosing how to start, move, and stop the
camera. In the beginning, it’s helpful and more fun to have a friend work with you. Take turns practicing
and spotting for each other. Use a second video camera to record your exercises – how you stand and move
is critical for great operating.
STEADICAM
®
, UltraBrite
®
, Ultra
2®
and Scout
™
are trademarks of the Tiffen Company, LLC.
Basic Operating
22
Advanced Techniques
Dynamic Balancing
24
Low Mode
26
Accessory for lightweight cameras
28
Zephyr
™
sled connectors and pin-outs
29
Accessories
30
Cases and Packing
31
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