Steadicam has released a new hybrid gimbal system, designed to work with the Ronin RS2, RS3, and RS3 Pro. The Steadimate-RS is available in packages, one with just the collar, yoke, and base, as well as two other ones including an arm and a vest. Let’s have a closer look.
Steadimate-RS Gimbal Yoke, Base, and Balance Stud
all prices excluding sales tax/VAT
Hybrid stabilizers have been around for a while now. They have become so indispensable for larger productions, that nowadays in Hollywood productions it’s unlikely to find purely mechanical stabilizers anymore. The benefits are obvious: you are combining the organic fluidity of mechanical systems with the ability to program and integrate into a larger ecosystem of tools, that motorized gimbals offer. The vest and arm combination also arguably provides better weight distribution and support than the pairing of a Ronin with an Easyrig, which became quite common after the first iteration of the Ronin was introduced. The ability to achieve more complex movements with the hybrid gimbal is also a given. And it does not even have to be a top-of-the-line system like ARRI’s Trinity or the “endless” gimbals made by Basson Steady to offer those advantages. So the rationale behind Steadicam’s new Steadimate-RS might be to have those advantages trickle down to more affordable price classes.
Steadimate-RS packages
So, as I mentioned, this expansion to the Ronin RS ecosystem comes in three packages. There is just the collar/yoke and base package, as well as two different packages including an arm and a vest. There’s the Steadimate-RS A15 Kit including an A15 arm and Aero Vest, while the Steadimate-RS A30 Kit includes an A30 Arm and Zephyr Vest. The kits offer load capacities of 15lbs (6.8kg) and 30lbs (13.6kg) respectively. If you already own a Steadicam arm and vest, here is a list of compatible kits:
- Solo arm & vest
- Pilot arm & vest
- Aero 15 arm & vest
- Aero 30 arm & vest
- Zephyr arm & vest
- Merlin 2 arm & vest (requires new post, item #801-7291)
- Non-Steadicam branded: Compatible with ؽ” stabilizer arm posts
The Steadimate-RS‘s mechanical gimbal and pan bearing attach to the 1/4″-20 mounting holes of the Ronin NATO ports. The Ronin’s arm can then be mounted without tools, using dove-tail mounting and the adjustment also doesn’t require tools. Balancing larger lenses is made easier with the vertical “T-Slot” channel, which allows moving the counterweights up and down as well as laterally. The Steadimate-RS features 15mm diameter rods with 60mm spacing. The balance weights are available both in 1/2 lbs and 1/4 lbs, with 1/4″-20 male and female threads. True to Steadicam standards the whole construction is corrosion-resistant stainless steel and anodized aluminum. Low mode is possible without any hardware reconfiguration.
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Pricing and availability
The Steadimate-RS base package is priced at $395, with the Steadimate-RS A15 Kit coming in at $1395 and the Steadimate-RS A30 Kit at $2995 (MSRP) respectively. All are available for pre-order now. For more information visit the Tiffen Website.
So what do you think? Are you eager to try the Steadimate-RS with your Ronin RS? Do you prefer other offerings over this one, and if so why? Let us know in the comments!
