Pilot evolution

[Emanuele Chiocchio]

Hi, I'm very new to video so, please, be patient with me. I'm a happy owner of a full Merlin system (arm+vest) and I've successfully balanced it with my Nikon D5000 and almost all my 35mm lenses, even the heavier ones (14-24mm, 24-70mm and so on). After some days of practice, I've decided to upgrade to the Pilot to have the possibility to mount heavier DSLR bodies so I bought the AAS version (it will arrive in the next days).
Since I don't want to stick with AAs I've searched the internet and found a very useful post here by a Pilot user that managed to install SONY's li-ion BP-U60 successfully (http://www.pauljoy.com/gear/steadicam-pilot-bp-u-conversion/). That solves brilliantly the "power" aspect but I've another question that I hope you can answer. I would like to install an HDMI Marshall monitor in the future and connect directly to my DSLR. Is there a guide or an on-line resource to see how to make this mod? I apologize if this topic was discussed before.

Thanks in advance,

Best.

Emanuele

[Charles King]

Hi and congrats on your first post. That batt mod is a very smart idea. I liked it when I first saw it. Now for the Pilot /monitor mod, have you considered the weight of the monitor you will be using? I asked because, depending on the size and weight it may cause havic with your dynamic balance. Meaning it might be too front heavy to be adjusted. I think the lightest I've seen is around 900g or so. Not sure. what's the max weight of the Pilot again?

[Emanuele Chiocchio]

Hi Charles, thanks for the wellcome.
Since my Pilot isn't here I can answer only in theory. I think that dynamic balance should be achievable: the max load for the Pilot is 10lbs. and I would like to put a Marshall V-LCD651ST-HDMI (http://www.lcdracks.com/monitors/V-LCD651ST-HDMI.html) that is relatively lightweight at about 600grams (1.3Lbs.) and the Sony BP-U60 battery (350 grams + adapter and mount for another 400grams) onto the other side replacing the AAs and obtaining a good equilibrium of weights. What do you think? Correct me if I'm wrong.
Here I've found a user that apparently modded the Pilot adding a Sony battery AND an HDMI monitor but there's no photograph documenting the display mod.
http://www.cinema5d.com/viewtopic.php?p=31680
All in all, my humble opinion is that Tiffen should offer to Pilot's current users an upgrade path to HDMI/Sony battery.

Ciao,

Emanuele

[Charles King]

That is a nice mod. I do not think addingmounting an HDMI to the Pilot should be any difficult. The mount on that guys sled looks like the original mount to me. The mount screws should be similiar. Why not wait until you get your Pilot and just from there? Or you could send an email to the owner of that unit and require about his mod.

[Emanuele Chiocchio]

That is a nice mod. I do not think addingmounting an HDMI to the Pilot should be any difficult. The mount on that guys sled looks like the original mount to me. The mount screws should be similiar. Why not wait until you get your Pilot and just from there? Or you could send an email to the owner of that unit and require about his mod.

Thanks for the good advice, Charles. I'll wait for the Pilot to arrive and then start modding it. I'll post some step-by-step images too. Yes the mount for the battery is the original one.

[Charles King]

Will be expecting those pics. Thank you.

[Emanuele Chiocchio]

My Pilot AA arrived two days ago and I've started to -REALLY- enjoy it. After some practice with the Merlin, this seems to be easier to balance and fly: take into account that I've bought my first steadicam 20 days ago. Just ordered from B&H the Dolgin plate + Sony battery&charger to make the mod. As far as the pieces arrive, I'll start the mod and make some photographs to illustrate it. 

Ciao,

Emanuele

[Charles King]

Congrats. I do hope you enjoy your Pilot. Btw what rig did you buy 20 years ago?

[Emanuele Chiocchio]

Congrats. I do hope you enjoy your Pilot. Btw what rig did you buy 20 years ago?

"days" not "years" I've bought the Merlin about 20 days ago.

Emanuele

[Charles King]

Sorry, my bad.

[Billy Taylor]

i checked out the blog you put up Emanuele, and i am impressed with that mod. looks like it simply belongs...one would wonder WHY it already doesn't exist!!
when i read about the pilot i myself wondered why it did not take the large LiIon batts...

[Emanuele Chiocchio]

i checked out the blog you put up Emanuele, and i am impressed with that mod. looks like it simply belongs...one would wonder WHY it already doesn't exist!!
when i read about the pilot i myself wondered why it did not take the large LiIon batts...

Hi, Billy. I can't answer WHY* a SONY Li-Ion version of the Pilot doesn't exist already but I can say that it works like a charm and is much more professional looking than the AAS. Moreover the BP-U60 battery lasts VERY long and is relatively lightweight (one can use the BP-U30 that is half the size/weight/price). As promised to Charles some time ago, here are some shots of the mod: it's incredibly easy to do and doesn't seem a DIY anyway; you can see the charge status at the touch of a button; switching battery is a blink of an eye;  the mod is fully reversible; it's relatively cheap and extremely versatile. I would suggest all the Pilot AAS owners to perform this mod ASAP.

You need the following: SONY BP-U60 or BP-U30 Li-Ion batts http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/526424-REG/Sony_BP_U60.html ($249 or $117) - Dolgin EX-V adapter plate ($49) http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/606287-REG/Dolgin_Engineering_EX_V.html - SONY Charger for BP batts http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/526427-REG/Sony_BC_U1.html ($124). And a screw driver.

How to. Simply unscrew the Pilot battery holder for the AAs (put it in the closet), then open the Dolgin adapter (it's made of two durable, hard plastic shells) and fix it to the Pilot through the four original screws, close the Dolgin adapter. End.

Weights.
Original Steadicam Pilot battery holder (as seen in the last picture) and 10 rechargeable AAs (Eneloops) = 382grams (13.47Oz)
Dolgin adapter and SONY BP-U60 = 470grams (16.57Oz); with BP-U30 = 264grams (9.31Oz)
The SONY solution weights about the same (88grams more with BP-U60) or is lighter (118grams less with BP-U30), lasts longer, has an electronic residual charge indicator on top, has all the advantages of Li-Ion vs. Ni-Mh, is more compact and easy to carry, can be replaced at the speed of light, is way cheaper than IDX/AB solutions, is durable, offers a standard system and a battery that one can buy almost everywhere. Last but not the least, it's professional looking. In other words, it's the way to go. IMO

Right click on the images to see in a separate window in full-size.











This is the original piece to put into the closet and forget.



There are some other mods to greatly improve the Pilot, IMO: an HDMI monitor like the new ultralight 5,6" SmallHD DP-SLR and a vest without velcro straps for example.

Hope to be helpful.

Ciao,

Emanuele

*Just my humble guess but I think that Tiffen agreements with IDX prevent a SONY BP-U Pilot to be sold. This solution would be the best selling of all Pilot's variants IMO, killing all the others, AAS included.

[Billy Taylor]

@Emanuele ...did i mention that you are BRILLIANT for this mod!? this is saved to my favourites...I so definitely want a pilot. The youtube video in and of itself was totally great...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTIzOZJemc0
I understand that it will hold my SONY Z1U so that is exciting...i have to shoot more weddings!!

[Emanuele Chiocchio]

@Emanuele ...did i mention that you are BRILLIANT for this mod!? this is saved to my favourites...I so definitely want a pilot. The youtube video in and of itself was totally great...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTIzOZJemc0
I understand that it will hold my SONY Z1U so that is exciting...i have to shoot more weddings!!

Thanks, Billy. 

As said in my first post, I'm a newbie when it comes to video and stabilization systems. The Pilot is my second Steadicam (I've a Merlin too) so I've no experience with the big rigs such as the Clipper or the Ultra (saw them in photographs only ) but from my humble point of view the Pilot is a wonderful tool and is capable of very good results. I'll post some test footage made with my modified Pilot ASAP.

Ciao,

Emanuele

[Billy Taylor]

@Emanuele...I like how the arm handles the merlin AND the pilot... my goal is to have a pilot but until i can get the funds i will creep up the ladder bit by bit until i can achieve it...