Tiffen steadicam aero User manual
Operator’s Manual
LIT-825000
Revision: A
Steadicam AERO Operator’s Manual
LIT-825000
Revision: A
Steadicam®is a registered trademark of The Tiffen Company. Steadicam®AERO™is a trademark of The
Tiffen Company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Specifications stated within this manual are subject to change without notice.
Please see www.tiffen.com//warranty.html for warranty details.
© 2016 The Tiffen Company. Written by E. Barthelman.
Table of Contents
A Word from Garrett Brown 1
Get to Know the Steadicam AERO 3
AERO components 4
Operating Accessories 7
Setting Up 9
Assembling the AERO Sled 10
Mounting your Camera 13
Balancing 19
Static Balance 20
The Steadicam Vest 27
Fitting the Vest 28
The Steadicam Arm 29
Connecting the Arm & Vest 30
Lifting the System 31
Adjusting the Arm & Threads 32
Steadicam Operating 35
Operating 101 36
Weights & Post Extension 41
Goofy Operating 45
Advanced Operating 47
Dynamic Balance 49
Maintenance 53
Cleaning 54
Electronics & Connectors 55
Contact Tiffen 57
A Word from Garrett Brown
Dear Friends,
Congratulations on your new Steadicam® AERO™.
I’m amazed to say that Steadicam operating is now 40 years old and the equipment is
seventh generation—and both are more sophisticated and more vital than ever!
As each new Steadicam gets better and tougher, as great cameras become ever smaller, our
lightweight versions increasingly resemble our ‘big rigs,’ with the same features and perks
that help top operators nail difficult shots.
The AERO™ is a true Steadicam top to bottom. It’s arguably stronger and more capable than
any rig in its class, and is certainly a user-friendly choice for beginners. If you’re a newbie,
get your hands on The Steadicam Operators Handbook and watch the “EFP Training Video”.
AERO is also a superb ‘run & gun’ rig for veterans and flat-out stunts. It’s rigid and precise
and has all the bells and whistles you're used to. In fact, a lightweight Steadicam, harshly
operated for violent moves, yields much more realistic action sequences than handheld!
And an excessively-light camera (what a concept!) can easily be brought up to inertial snuff
with supplied weights added to the proprietary corner-mounts on the stage. That makes
AERO a terrific rehearsal rig before you have to lug your heavy metal through those 10
minute shots!
In short, the AERO is brilliant –precise, tool-free, super-adjustable and super strong. It has
the same center post that is used on the Steadicam Zephyr model sled, and an even more
rigid stage, so with the A-30 Arm and Vest your AERO can support camera payloads up to 20
pounds!
Good luck with your new Steadicam AERO™ and good shooting!
It’s the best light Steadicam ever!
Best,
Steadicam® Inventor
Philadelphia, 2016
www.garrettcam.com
1
2
Get to Know the Steadicam AERO
Gimbal Handle
Connection to Arm
Control Boom height
Stage
Power and Video connections
Fine balance adjusters
The Steadicam AERO is designed to be precise, user-friendly, and versatile enough to fly a
wide range of cameras for a variety of productions. The AERO is tools-free so you can quickly
make adjustments to your Sled in order to suit the shot or your operating preferences. Take a
moment to familiarize yourself with the components and features of the Steadicam AERO.
Monitor Mount
Pivots for easy viewing
Balance Weights
The Post
Extendable from 22.5” to 35.5”
Indexed sections
Gimbal Grip
Control camera pan and tilt
Knurled grip surface
Battery Mount
Multiple battery mounts available
V-Lock shown in this manual
Post Lock
Locks Post length
Quick Release Plate
Slide-in loading
Safety catch
Cross Rod
The Sled
Base
Quick disconnect from Cross Rod
3
AERO Components
Fore-Aft Knob
Laser etched directions
Graduated Scale
Lock Lever
Secure Quick Release plate to Stage
Side-to-Side Knob
Laser etched directions
Graduated scale
BNC Video Jack
HD-SDI connection to Base
Release Button
Press to free Quick Release plate from
Stage
P-tap Power Jack
12 Volt output
The Stage
Bubble Level
Horizon confidence level
Weight Threads
Four ¼-20 tapped holes
Place Balance Weights at corners
Docking Ring
Rest Rig on Dock here
Fore-Aft scale
Graduated reference scale
4
Get to Know the Steadicam AERO
Gimbal Grip
Control camera pan and tilt
Knurled grip surface
Gimbal Handle
Connection to Arm
Control Boom height
The Gimbal
Quick Release Plate
Balance Weights
.25 lb each
¼-20 threaded
Gimbal Lock Knob
Adjustable clamping handle
Secures Gimbal to Post
Pan Bearing
Center of balance
No maintenance
Rod mount holes
Focus motor mounting
Fore-Aft scale
Graduated reference scale
5
AERO Components
Battery Input 3-Pin Mini-XLR
Plug in battery cable to power sled
5A self-resetting fuse
12 Volt
BNC Video Jack
HD-SDI connection to Top Stage
Base Front
Base Rear
Monitor Mount
¼”-20 threads
Fits most monitors
Angle adjustable
Monitor Power 3-Pin Mini-XLR
Power your monitor
5A self-resetting fuse
12 Volt
Cross Rod Clamp Knob
Loosen to slide Cross Rod in Base
Tighten to lock Cross Rod
Base Locking Knob
Locks the upper Base section to the lower
Base section
Base Release Safety
Depress to unlock the Base
to detach Cross Rod from
Post for storage and
transport
6
Table of contents
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