User ’s Manual Solo User’s Manual v. 01.
TABLE OF CONTENTS User’s Manual Welcome to STEADICAM! 3 Getting to know the SOLO 4 Mounting your camera 6 STEADICAM MODE 11 Balancing the SOLO 12 Basic STEADICAM Operation 19 What NOT to do! 22 Beyond the Basics of STEADICAM 24 STEADICAM Training 31 MONOPOD MODE Monopod Operation 37 38 Maintenance 40 Useful Accessories, Contact TIFFEN 41 NOTE: It’s important to read this manual thoroughly, so you can have your SOLO up and running (maybe literally) in just a few minutes.
Welcome to STEADICAM! A letter from Steadicam® inventor, Garrett Brown. Dear Friends, Congratulations! Your Steadicam SOLO™ is a professional shooting instrument. It’s also a brand new critter -- a radical hybrid that crosses-over seamlessly from Steadicam to monopod and performs tricks in between that neither can do alone.
User’s Manual Getting to know the SOLO Top Stage Quick Release (QR) Plate, Lock Knob and Release Button. Balance Adjuster Knobs. Gimbal Handle and Post Grip One to support and one to control the rig. Yes, the handle is supposed to be loose! 4-section post Post Locks. Length increases for MONOPOD MODE or for Beyond Basic STEADICAM Operation.
User’s Manual Getting to know the SOLO Wings With 8x Weights. They’re folded now, but you’ll spread them and be flying soon. Swivel Foot For use in MONOPOD MODE. Or for resting the rig after a long STEADICAM shot. Tools Allen Wrenches.
User’s Manual Mounting your camera Build the camera exactly as you plan to use it Install the battery and media card (or tape or film!) Attach ALL camera accessories, in a compact setup with no loose wires. Make sure the LCD screen is flipped open and positioned for easy viewing. It’ll affect the balance. Find the center of balance of your camera Use a pen or something round to find the Fore-and-Aft balance point.
User’s Manual Mounting your camera Mark the point with a piece of tape on the side of the camera. Rotate the camera 90° and find the Side-to-Side balance point. Mark this point as well.
User’s Manual Mounting your camera NOTE: Some cameras (like DSLRS) may have balance points OUTSIDE of the camera body. In that case, you would mount the QR Plate to the camera FIRST and use the pen to find and mark the balance points. Fasten QR Plate to your camera Remove QR Plate from the Top Stage and remove the 2 camera screws. Center the Camera to the QR Plate by using the Fore-and-Aft and Side-to-Side marks you made.
User’s Manual Mounting your camera Fasten with the appropriate camera screw. Do not over tighten, but ensure the camera will not rotate. NOTE: The QR plate will work in either direction, but make sure to mount it parallel to the lens. Mount camera to Top Stage with QR Plate Slide the QR Plate into the Top Stage, position your Fore-andAft mark at or slightly behind the CENTER of the Post. Tighten the Lock knob to ensure the QR Plate won’t slide.
User’s Manual Mounting your camera Using the Side-to-Side Adjuster Knob, align your Side-to-Side mark with the CENTER of the Post. Don’t pick it up just yet! We’ll learn how to set up the SOLO to fly in the next section.
User’s Manual 11 STEADICAM MODE Back to Table of Contents Now for the fun part!
User’s Manual Balancing the SOLO Quick reference guide to SOLO setup: Camera is 2-5 lbs Start with 1 Weight 23” Post extension Camera is 5-8 lbs Start with 3 Weights 25” Post extension Camera is 8-10 lbs Start with 4 Weights 27” Post extension Rest the SOLO With your camera mounted, rest the Swivel Foot on a solid surface. Fold down The Wings Pull the Tab while rotating each Wing down.
User’s Manual Balancing the SOLO The Tabs should *click* into place. Picking up the SOLO. Carefully pick up the SOLO, support it by the Gimbal Handle alone and allow the Post to hang without touching anything. Observe how the SOLO is balanced Fore-and-Aft and Sideto-Side (both axes.
User’s Manual Balancing the SOLO Use the Fore-and-Aft Adjuster Knob to balance the Post vertically. Use the Side-to-Side Adjuster Knob to balance the Post vertically. When the Post is vertical in BOTH axes, move on to test your Drop Time. Back to Table of Contents TIP: Always move the weight UPHILL to balance.
User’s Manual Balancing the SOLO Test for Drop time Support the SOLO firmly with the Gimbal Handle. With your other hand, rotate the Post so it’s horizontal. Release the Post and observe how fast the SOLO drops. Count the number of seconds until the Post passes vertical. Your target for the Drop Time is 2 seconds.
User’s Manual Balancing the SOLO If your Drop Time is MORE than 2 seconds, is completely neutral or the SOLO inverts when held by the Gimbal Handle: Extend Post #2 by an inch or so (if possible.) OR add 2 more weights to the Wings. Screw additional weights under the existing weights. Always use the same number of weights on each Wing and in the same positions. Quickly re-test your Drop Time and continue adjusting until you’re in the zone.
User’s Manual Balancing the SOLO If your Drop Time is LESS than 2 seconds (the SOLO drops too fast): Retract Post #2 by an inch or so (if possible.) OR remove 2 of the weights from the Wings. Unscrew locking nut and remove the weight. Always use the same number of weights on each Wing and in the same positions. It’s all about balance. Quickly re-test your Drop Time and continue adjusting until you’re in the zone.
User’s Manual Balancing the SOLO Repeat the Fore-and-Aft and Side-to-Side balance. The slower the Drop Time, the more critical the Balance Adjusters will be to get the Post PERFECTLY vertical. TIP: To ensure accurate leveling, you may want to attach a tiny bubble level on the gimbal, on the camera or another horizontal surface of the SOLO. Continue these adjustments until the Post remains vertical in both axes with a 2 second drop time.
User’s Manual Basic STEADICAM Operation The Grip The Hand on Gimbal Handle supports weight of rig. A STRONG grip controls where the SOLO goes and how it flies. Use either hand and alternate if necessary. Back to Table of Contents Post Grip hand guides the rig, preventing unwanted movement. *IMPORTANT* Use a VERY light touch on the Post Index finger and thumb are directly underneath the Gimbal.
User’s Manual Basic STEADICAM Operation Use this hand for panning and tilting the camera. Don’t LIFT the SOLO with the Post Grip, do your lifting with the Gimbal Handle only. The Posture Stand upright, don’t bend over. Hold the SOLO as close as possible without contacting your body. Allow the SOLO to move independently of your body.
User’s Manual Basic STEADICAM Operation The Walk Walk normally, don’t bend your knees too much and use gentle footsteps. It’s best to know where you’re going before you start. Adjust your grip on the Post when starting/stopping to prevent the SOLO from swaying. Finesse the beginning and end of each move with your arms. Practice, practice, practice! For more operating tips and lessons, keep reading.
User’s Manual What NOT to do! What NOT to do! Bend over. Hold POST away from the Gimbal. Contact rig with body.
User’s Manual What NOT to do! What NOT to do! Support rig by the Post Hand. Contact Top Stage with Gimbal Handle. Touch the Camera while operating.
User’s Manual Beyond the Basics of STEADICAM Gimbal Placement. Why? With the Gimbal CLOSER to the camera, you can remove weights from the Wings which makes the SOLO lighter. Or you can use the same weights with a more compact Post. With the Gimbal FURTHER from the camera, you can lengthen the Post for additional lens height or to go lower in Low Mode. Gimbal Adjustment. Lay SOLO on a table when adjusting the Gimbal Height. Use the included 9/64” Allen Wrench to loosen the Gimbal Lock screw.
User’s Manual Beyond the Basics of STEADICAM Slide the Gimbal. And then RE-TIGHTEN THE GIMBAL LOCK SCREW before testing. Careful! Don’t over-tighten this screw. Move the Gimbal CLOSER to the camera for a faster Drop Time. Move the Gimbal FURTHER from the camera for a slower Drop Time.
User’s Manual Beyond the Basics of STEADICAM Make BIG Gimbal Placement changes until you’re close to the 2 second Drop Time and then make smaller changes to get it perfect. Tip: Once you have the Drop Time CLOSE to your target, you might choose to make small changes to the Post length to fine tune your Drop Time without using any tools. Dynamic Balance Why? So the SOLO spins flat with no wobble, the Post stays vertical. This is important when panning or going around corners.
User’s Manual Beyond the Basics of STEADICAM For the SLOWEST panning, ADD more weights equally to the Wings, but place them as FAR from the Post as possible. For the FASTEST panning, TAKE AWAY more weights equally from the Wings, and place the remaining weights as CLOSE to the Post as possible. Remember to re-adjust the SOLO so it is in Static Balance after changing the weights by moving the Gimbal or adjusting the length of the Post.
User’s Manual Beyond the Basics of STEADICAM Long Mode Why? For additional lens height, additional tilt and roll resistance and to reach lower in Low Mode (that’s next.) Again, leave the camera and weights where you have them Dynamically Balanced. Extend the 2nd Post section with the Wings. Move the Gimbal away from the camera, and set the Drop Time to 2 seconds.
User’s Manual Beyond the Basics of STEADICAM Adjust for Static Balance if necessary. Low Mode Why? To get closer to the ground or fly over a surface. Re-adjust your LCD screen so you can see it with the SOLO inverted, make sure all accessories are locked down tight. With SOLO balanced in Long Mode, adjust the Gimbal approximately 2” FURTHER AWAY from the camera. This will make the SOLO top heavy.
User’s Manual Beyond the Basics of STEADICAM Pick up the SOLO inverted and check your Static Balance with a 2 second drop time. Once the SOLO is balanced, go chase your dog or kids! You should still operate with your POST hand below the Gimbal, not on the foam grip. NEXT: STEADICAM training Back to Table of Contents NOTE: The camera will be upside down, so the picture will have to be rotated when you’re editing.
User’s Manual STEADICAM Training Starting out Start with the camera system OFF and get used to walking with the SOLO. Later, power up the camera and start framing shots. Use your peripheral vision to watch your footing while looking at the camera screen. Practice on smooth, level surfaces at first. Back to Table of Contents Walk the Line Why? To learn to isolate the camera from your body movements and create accurate frames. Make a tape line on the floor 1020 feet long.
User’s Manual STEADICAM Training Walk the SOLO along the line so the crosshair is centered in the frame the entire time. The SOLO should remain centered over the line as if it’s on tracks. Walk forward and backwards with the frame centered on the crosshair.
User’s Manual STEADICAM Training Practice with a wide lens and then try a telephoto lens. See how each have their own challenges? Tilting Well Why? To improve your accuracy when Tilting the SOLO. Hand position can change from traditional operating: Tilting UP: slide your Post hand down a LITTLE, and use your finger tips to support the Post. Tilting DOWN: slide your Post hand down a LITTLE, and use your finger tips to tilt the Post.
User’s Manual STEADICAM Training Add a long vertical line through the eye-level crosshair and put crosshairs on either end. Practice Tilting from top to bottom and back again without walking. Walk the line and Tilt from one mark to the other. Begin on one mark, start walking and end your walk centered on the 2nd mark. Back to Table of Contents Panning Well Why? To learn to control camera framing without effecting the horizon.
User’s Manual STEADICAM Training Stand at the far end of the line and try panning from one end of the Panning line to the other while maintaining your horizon. Now, walk the line and pan along the Panning line, keeping it parallel and center of frame. Try a wide lens and a telephoto lens to see the difference it makes. Booming up and Down Why? Because it’s easier to control headroom with Booming than tilting.
User’s Manual STEADICAM Training Now walk the line and keep your BOTTOM crosshair at the bottom of the frame. NEXT: MONOPOD MODE Back to Table of Contents Congratulations!!! You now have taken your first step in making beautiful, smooth, STEADICAM shots. Though, don’t forget it takes practice to become skilled with the SOLO, and only with continued practice can you become a SOLO professional.
User’s Manual MONOPOD MODE Back to Table of Contents NEXT: MONOPOD Operation
User’s Manual MONOPOD Operation Looks easy, and it is! Unlock the Wings by pulling the Tabs and folding each Wing to the Post, there’s no need to move the Weights. Extend the Post by opening each Section Lock and extending the SOLO to your desired height. Operate with the Swivel Foot on the ground for stability.
User’s Manual MONOPOD Operation Hold the camera as you would hold it handheld, with one hand on the grip, the other on the lens. There’s no need to use the Gimbal Handle in MONOPOD MODE. Lean forward to tilt down. Lean backwards to tilt up. Take your shot.
User’s Manual Maintenance Post Lock Adjustment If your Post is slipping while in operation: Use the provided Allen Wrench. With the Post Lock CLOSED, gently tighten the screws. Test by opening and closing the Post Lock to ensure that the Post is unable to move when locked but still releases easily. CAUTION: Over-tightening the Post Lock screws may DAMAGE the Post. Surface cleaning Use a soft, damp cloth to remove dust and fingerprints.
User’s Manual 41 Useful Acessories and Contact TIFFEN Useful Accessories Docking Mount (804-7900) Docking Stand (601-7910) Additional Weights (821-7900) Solo Arm Vest Kit (821-7930) 1/4-20 Camera Screw (078-1121) 3/8-16 Camera Screw (078-1122) 1/4-20 Spacer (601-7411) Steadicam Operator’s Handbook (LIT-900001) Contact Tiffen The Tiffen Company Address: 90 Oser Avenue Hauppauge, NY 11788 Phone: 631-273-2500 * 1-800-645-2522 Tiffen-Steadicam Address: 2815 Winona Avenue Burbank, CA 91504 Phone: 818-843-4600
