Working Class Hero Films - Hi, I found a picture which may make it easier for you. http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.aboveallproductions.com/images/EQUIPMENT%2520IMAGES/STEADICAM2.png&imgrefurl=http://www.aboveallproductions.com/Equipment.html&usg=__5Kq8rr_VvwJMJboaeNHTMQoGoV8=&h=200&w=172&sz=89&hl=en&start=32&zoom=1&tbnid=xu_cmzqfYD9B1M:&tbnh=155&tbnw=132&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsteadicam%2Bflyer%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1440%26bih%3D780%26tbs%3Disch:10,591&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=163&vpy=524&dur=338&hovh=155&hovw=133&tx=80&ty=108&ei=E6yCTIGtGoa6jAe1iNXmCA&oei=_auCTIigL9-K4gaao73TCw&esq=2&page=2&ndsp=33&ved=1t:429,r:16,s:32&biw=1440&bih=780 As you can see the shaft of the steadicam has a stand which the user can utilise to calibrate the X and Y axis to ensure that the steadicam will be as flat as possible. What you need to do it find something that you can mount your steadicam too in order to calibrate those axis. When I used to use it I would mount up the entire rig with the camera, lenses, cables all ready to go. Once this was done then calibrate the axis one by one. It is normally easier to work with the front/back swing getting it as vertical as possible. Once you have done this then work with the horizontal axis and replicate exactly the same as you’ve done with the vertical axis. When you have completed both of these pick up the bottom of the steadicam shaft where the weights are with just your thumb and index finger, pivoting it to a horizontal position and releasing it to let it swing. By doing so this will allow you to adjust the amount of weight that you have. If you have too much then it will obviously swing very quickly causing overswing and very little swing if you have too little weight. You want to try and replicate a pendulum effect but making it slightly softer so that the dynamo won’t go out of control. I hope this helps. I know it may sound long-winded but it is really easy to do it’s just time consuming and a lot of fine tuning. If you want to know more then please just drop me a message in my ask box.

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Hi,

I found a picture which may make it easier for you.

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.aboveallproductions.com/images/EQUIPMENT%2520IMAGES/STEADICAM2.png&imgrefurl=http://www.aboveallproductions.com/Equipment.html&usg=__5Kq8rr_VvwJMJboaeNHTMQoGoV8=&h=200&w=172&sz=89&hl=en&start=32&zoom=1&tbnid=xu_cmzqfYD9B1M:&tbnh=155&tbnw=132&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsteadicam%2Bflyer%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1440%26bih%3D780%26tbs%3Disch:10,591&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=163&vpy=524&dur=338&hovh=155&hovw=133&tx=80&ty=108&ei=E6yCTIGtGoa6jAe1iNXmCA&oei=_auCTIigL9-K4gaao73TCw&esq=2&page=2&ndsp=33&ved=1t:429,r:16,s:32&biw=1440&bih=780

As you can see the shaft of the steadicam has a stand which the user can utilise to calibrate the X and Y axis to ensure that the steadicam will be as flat as possible.

What you need to do it find something that you can mount your steadicam too in order to calibrate those axis. When I used to use it I would mount up the entire rig with the camera, lenses, cables all ready to go. Once this was done then calibrate the axis one by one. It is normally easier to work with the front/back swing getting it as vertical as possible. Once you have done this then work with the horizontal axis and replicate exactly the same as you've done with the vertical axis. When you have completed both of these pick up the bottom of the steadicam shaft where the weights are with just your thumb and index finger, pivoting it to a horizontal position and releasing it to let it swing. By doing so this will allow you to adjust the amount of weight that you have. If you have too much then it will obviously swing very quickly causing overswing and very little swing if you have too little weight. You want to try and replicate a pendulum effect but making it slightly softer so that the dynamo won't go out of control.

I hope this helps. I know it may sound long-winded but it is really easy to do it's just time consuming and a lot of fine tuning. If you want to know more then please just drop me a message in my ask box.

Thank you very much! You’ve been really helpful :)

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