Tiffen Steadicam Steadimate Operator's Manual
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P/N: LIT-816790
Rev. A!
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Steadimate Operator's Manual
Rev. A
P/N: LIT-816790
Steadicam
®
and Steadimate
TM
are trademarks of The Tiffen Company.
Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
All specifications stated within this manual are subject to change without notice.
© 2016 The Tiffen Company. Written by E. Barthelman.
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Table of Contents
A word from Garrett Brown 2
The Steadimate System 4
Steadimate components 5
Setting Up
Preparing the Steadimate 6
Installing the Steadimate 9
Balancing
Upright or Inverted Mode? 10
Balancing Upright Mode 12
Balancing Inverted Mode 18
The Vest
Vest components 26
Fitting the Vest 27
The Arm
Arm components 28
Connecting the Arm and Vest 29
Steadimate Operating
Lifting the system 30
Adjusting the Arm 31
Check your threads 32
Operating modes, tips and tricks 34
Accessories 38
Maintenance and Cleaning 39
Contact Tiffen 41
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A word from Garrett Brown
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The Steadimate System
Motorized Gimbal
DJI Ronin and Ronin-M
Freefly Movi M5, M10 and M15
The Vest
Adjustable to fit most operators
Provides connection to the Arm
The Arm
Supports the Steadimate System
Isolates camera from operator
The Steadimate
Links The Arm to motorized gimbal
Allows fingertip control
The Steadicam Steadimate is the link between motorized gimbals and the traditional
Steadicam Arm and Vest. Together, the Steadimate System provides additional stabilization
and neutrally balanced tilting which result in smoother shots and less work for the operator.
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Steadimate Components
Hand Grip
Tilt Balance Knob
Balance Weights
Fine tune counterbalance
Standard ¼”-20 threads
Post Clamp
Tools-free lock
Set position of tilt axis
Handlebar Clamp Locks
Secures Steadimate to handlebar
Post Scale
Laser-etched
Post Block
Connection point for the Steadicam Arm
Various Arm Post sizes available
Integrated tilt hinge
Handlebar Clamp
Attaches Steadimate to handlebar of
your motorized gimbal
Tilt Balance Lock Screw
4mm Allen key included for tightening
Clamp Inserts
25mm and 30mm inserts included
Balance Pin
Install on top of tuning stand
Verify system balance
Tilt Balance Mechanism
Adjusts tilt alignment precisely
The Post
Balance Nut
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Setting Up
Prepare the Steadimate:
Loosen the Handlebar Clamp Locks
and Tilt Balance Lock Screw.
Center the Balance Nut within the Tilt Balance
Mechanism by turning the Tilt Balance Knob.
This gives us the maximum range of
adjustability in either direction.
You may need to turn the Knob in either
direction, depending on how the Steadimate
was stored.
Take a moment to confirm that the Clamp
Inserts are correctly sized for your motorized
Gimbal. They’re sized to fit either 25mm or
30mm handlebars.
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Prepare the Steadimate
Loosen the Post Clamp and slide it all the way
up until it reaches the 0 position and then
retighten the Post Clamp.
Caution: Only adjust the Post Block position
while the system is on the tuning stand. Never
loosen the Post Clamp while balancing or while
the Steadimate is mounted on the Arm.
Install two Balance Weights at the bottom of
the Steadimate Post.
The weights can be used for fine tuning the
top-to-bottom or tilt CG of the Steadimate
later. Great when adding or removing small
accessories or swapping lenses.
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Setting Up
Is your motorized gimbal dialed in?
Proper setup of your motorized gimbal is critical to accurately balancing the Steadimate
System. Refer to the manual from your motorized gimbal manufacturer for directions on
proper tuning. Test handheld in single operator mode before going any further.
With the motorized gimbal resting on the
tuning stand, remove the right side handle.
Note: If you prefer operating a Steadicam in
Goofy Mode, you may choose to remove the
left handle and install the Steadimate on the
left side, instead.
Add ALL required accessories and build
a compact setup without loose
components. We’ll be balancing the
entire Steadimate System, not just the
camera.
Keep heavy accessories, like batteries,
close to the Steadimate Handlebar
clamp so the weight is well supported.
Caution: placing excessive weight far
from the Steadimate Handlebar Clamp
could over-stress the carbon fiber tube.
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Installing the Steadimate
From the profile, visually align the Steadimate
with the central axis of the pan motor. The
Stedimate should be parallel to the vertical
surfaces of the motorized gimbal when
everything is centered.
Just get it close, we’ll be using the Tilt Balance
Adjuster to fine tune this in the Balancing
alancing section soon.
Slide the Steadimate onto the handlebar in
place of the handle.
Note: For optimum performance and safer
operation, keep the space between the
Handlebar Clamp and the base of the pan
motor as narrow as your build will allow.
Tighten the Handlebar Clamp Locks by hand
and securely tighten the Tilt Balance Lock
Screw with the included 4mm Allen key.
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Balancing
Upright or Inverted Mode?
With the motorized gimbal powered,
place the Post Block on the Balance Pin
so the Steadimate System is free to
move and not contact anything.
Keep a hand on the Steadimate grip
and observe its balance behavior.
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Balancing the Steadimate system for the first time requires patience and attention to
detail, just as you experience while setting up a motorized gimbal or traditional Steadicam for
the first time. Read through the process and take your time.
Note: always balance the Steadimate with the motorized gimbal powered on and performing
properly.
Tilt the camera down and note the angle at which the Steadimate comes to rest. Then tilt up to
see what the “balance window” angle is between the two resting points.
Also check to see if the Steadimate will stay parked vertical when the camera is exactly level.
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Upright or Inverted?
If the Steadimate remains upright, within 0-45˚ of vertical, you’ll be balancing in Upright Mode.
Most setups will be upright, just like operating a traditional motorized gimbal.
Flip to the next page to start Upright Mode Balancing.
If the Steadimate is between 45˚ and horizontal, confirm that the Post Clamp is set at
number 0 and try adding 2 more Balance Weights. You may also remove or change your
accessories to lighten the system.
If the changes you make achieve an upright Steadimate, then go on to the next page.
However, if the Steadimate is still more than 45˚ from vertical, you’ll balance in Inverted Mode,
starting on page 18.
If the Steadimate is truly inverting, where the Handlebar is below the Post Block, then you
must balance in Inverted Mode.
This is most common when using heavy monitors with light weight motorized gimbals or when
larger accessories are placed high on the top handlebar.
Jump to page 18 for Inverted Mode balancing.
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