Tiffen Axis is a new electronically assisted camera stabilizer and the first by Steadicam to offer Volt technology for roll, tilt, and pan axes for increased direct control of framing and enhanced stability. The company claims to have faster set-up times, too. When used with the supplied arm and vest, the Axis supports up to 20 lb loads (9kg). But maybe the greatest surprise here is the more manageable price for such a product (sub $9,000).Tiffen is an American manufacturer that has been serving our filmmaking industry for over 80 years. Maybe their best-known products are glass filters. Steadicam, invented in the early 1970s by American cinematographer Garrett Brown, was a revolutionary product that allowed smooth handheld action shots. In the year 2000, Tiffen acquired the Steadicam brand.Over the years, many attempts have been made by different companies to produce similar products, at times at a cheaper price point. The dream of flying a camera and achieving a smooth action look “like in the movies” captured the imagination of many.“Flying a camera” – the alternativesIn 2013, Freefly launched its Mōvi line of brushless gimbals and introduced the M10, a 3-axis handheld electronic camera stabilizer. Although built with a different concept in mind, suddenly, the idea of “flying a camera” became more affordable. It took several more years, but then a herd of gimbals made by a large amount of manufacturers flooded the market. Those, alongside Steadicam and “steadicam-like” products, continue to coexist today, aiming to cater to different sectors of our industry depending on the size of the camera they use (weight is a big factor here), along with the production budget.Steadycam AxisWhat differs between the new Axis and another system made by Steadicam is the fact that this one is electronically controlled, allowing the company to shave off some of the weight that is associated with such a product. The heart of the system is “volt technology.” For example, turning the motor up enhances resistance, making the camera feel heavy and helping with panning the device easily. This helps when operating cameras that weigh less than fully configured cinema cameras. If you want to find out more, please head to the article and video we made during CineGear, exploring that technology. Basically, it allows the Steadicam operator to gain complete control where the lens “goes in space” and composes his frame. Bottom line, according to the company, this smaller, lighter rig offers the same level of stability as its larger, heavier counterparts.Pricing and availability Shipping of the new Tiffen Steadicam Axis is estimated to start this month, and the package will include:Steadicam Axis Sled with 3-Axis Volt System and MonitorSteadicam A-30 ArmSteadicam A-30 VestDocking BracketYes, there are cheaper original Steadicam products out there, but at $8,995, aimed for the professional filmmaking world, this new electronic stabilizing system might be very interesting to explore. For additional information, please head to the company’s page here. What do you think about the new Steadicam Axis? Do you see yourself investing in such a product, or are you happy with the way you are currently flying your camera? Please share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.
