David Baldwin

I go out for my monthly National Guard maneuvers and come back to all this... Thanks for posting everybody. Didn't mean to open up a can of worms, fellas. :huh: Rob Van G, Mr. Holway, Will, and certainly others, you guys definitely helped me understand the whole tool-free gimbal thing a little better. For the record, the gimbal in question is a Progear 1.5" (I know, I know... I've read ALL the posts dealing with those dudes. Still, I got if off of Ebay for $400 and it will allow me to get my mk-v lite system up and running with my flyer arm. Interesting to hear that the VZ has that sleeve that runs the length of the grip. That's the kind of thing I was talking about when I asked the question in the first place. Thanks everybody. One day I'll get me one of these gimbals you fellas are talking so passionately about. 2LT David "1st BN 184th Infantry" Baldwin

Hey David. I met you during Peter's class at Birns and Sawyer a year ago. I'm with Robert and Eric on the Camos and I think David Hable is a true gentleman. I'm very happy with my TX/Camos set-up from Cramped Attic. David Baldwin

Thanks, Rob. Dave

Here's the dumbest question in a while: :unsure: Is replacing the gimbal hex screw with a a kipp handle all it takes to make a gimbal "tool-free"? Dave "hardly technical" Baldwin

James, that pic is inspiring! I know the dudes from Redrock Micro and with your permission, I'd love to forward them that picture. Everybody else, thanks for the tips and info. With a little bit of ghetto-izing, I could get this thing up and running soon enough. The flyer has been great to learn on, but alas it is time to go a little chunkier. I'll keep the flyer arm and vest (and monitor) for now and get around to a G-50, a comfy, quiet vest, and some other sort of monitor down the road. Dave "looking forward to some crosshairs and framelines one day" Baldwin

Thanks for weighing in fellas. Erik, thanks for pointing out some potential problems. I wasn't thinking about the arm post. I know they run in different lengths, but I need to check on the diameter. Dave

Hey everybody. Anybody out there using this set-up on the regular? I'd like to know how it's working out for you. David Baldwin

Call David Hable up at cramped attic in BC. His stuff is a little bit more than that, but you can always get it fixed, by him, in a reasonable time. David "satisfied cramped attic customer"Baldwin Los Angeles

Sean, Rob, thanks for weighing in... I've traveled abroad a couple of times, but I usually don't pack nothin' but a toothbrush and a speedo. Dave "bon soir" Baldwin

Hey fellas Traveling to Halifax, Nova Scotia for a weeklong infomercial shoot. The director's mother (seriously) emailed me my flight itinerary and while looking through the fine print I noticed that Air Canada says that all bags 50-70lbs are subject to excess baggage fees and NO bags will be accepted over 70lbs. Yikes. My pelican 1660 that I keep my Flyer in is about 80lbs. Now I suppose I can start parcelling things out here and there to make the weight cut-off, but 70 lbs max seems a little severe. Any experiences with Air Canada and their leniency at check-in? Thanks everyone. David Baldwin Los Feliz

So my move doesn't have to look like it's on a dolly? Pphffwwheeeww...What a relief. I'll still strive for good framing and horizontal integrity, but now that I know it doesn't have to look like it's on a chapman I'll sleep much better at nite. Dave "shaky 'til the day I die" Baldwin

Hey Mikko, I played around with an archer courtesy of Mr. Rush and Mr. Holway at cinegear last weekend. Out of 6 billion people on earth, you were probably one of the 25 most- stoked that day! The archer's nice! Let us flyer-owners know how it's working out for you. Dave "feel like I'm playing the vioiin with the flyer's skinny post, but otherwise it gets the job done " Baldwin

Kyle With the set up you described, I guarantee you that you will be fine with the Flyer arm. I've used the M2 with a dvx, hvx and the z1. I'm sure a postal scale will be more accurate, but I do just fine with the old "tare" method that I learned in chemistry class. Weigh myself without the gear, and then weigh myself with gear. David

Hey John, Aaton a-minima. Replete with genio, rods, mattebox and some weird canadian channel 59 UHF transmitter. Well under the 15 Lbs. limit. I messed around with an SR2 once, and the flyer arm held up. We had some short ends in the mag and a smallish prime and it was just for a minute or so. Dave"I think it can hold more" Baldwin Los Feliz

I'm with you, Lars. I will definitely listen to what Erwin and Afton have to say on this matter. I needn't whore myself just for the chance to work with equipment I have yet to work with. That's really not doing anybody any good. If they've got money for FF, they've got money for the operator, right?! I'm eager to acquire the skillset necessary for this profession, but I'll be patient and do what's right by everybody in the end. Thanks for weighing in guys, and I appreciate the prompt and professional advice. Dave

Afton, With less than a year of operating under my belt, I forgot to mention that I work exclusively with non-thesis level student films. I would never go around charging cut-rate prices for jobs that the real pros should be doing. Seriously! Dave "Digging the way Erwin gives himself cool nicknames all the time" Baldwin

Hey folks, I've been asked to do a S16 (a-minima) 1-day shoot with my flyer using a focus system for the first time. The extra equipment is being provided and I'm pretty excited about it. Thing is, chica who's producing is giving me the "no money" routine. I've read comments by professionals in this forum that discourage or straight up condemn working for free. I understand the reasons behind this. I understand that it does everybody a disservice. I just want to get competent and take advantage of the learning opportunity. Should I do it? Should I flat out demand a minimum at least? I normally charge $400 with gear for a day with my bare-bones 12V Flyer. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks for the forum. David Los Angeles

After posting my lengthy treatise, I looked over my prose and was embarassed that I referred to Larry McConkey as Phil Mcconkey. Ladies and gentlemen, I am a football fan (and no Mikko I'm not talking about Ari Hjelm!) and even though I am a Redskins fan, you gotta respect a former Navy helicopter pilot who grabbed it and took it to the "1" in Superbowl XXI. Sorry Mr. McConkey, but it's 6:00a.m California time, and I gotta go to bed! David Hoping you "old" guys will start resting on your laurels.

Hello to all, I finally heard back from Gabi at Chrosziel. They will NOT be bringing the "rig" to Cinegear as it is not yet available in the U.S. If any of our brothers and sisters abroad knows anything about this rig (I know there was a small thread earlier, where one chap I believe from the UK had checked it out) please let us know. And while we are on the subject of newer products/competitors to Steadicam/Mr. Smith's stuff/and Mr Paddock's stuff: are these newer body rigs considered taboo amongst the many of you who have been working with and improving this gear since it's inception? Should I be honing my interest on the three above mentioned companies to stay in good graces with the only forum I will probably ever belong to? Just a question from a Flyer owner looking to upgrade and to join the select field of what I believe to be the best job on any show by far. And as always, my gratiitude to whomever puts the hours and money (is there any way to help out monetarily or do Tiffen, glidecam, and varizoom cover the bills?} into running this invaluable resource. It is a privilege to be a member of this online community. And sorry to Rob Van G. for my flippant first post, which was my first post online in ANY forum, and I thought I was sending a short message out to millions of online poseurs, not a forum read and contributed to by the likes of Howard Smith and Phil Mcconkey. Rob, I learned my lesson, and will treat this forum with the courtesy and respect it deserves. David Baldwin USC graduate student The only steadicam operator in a school filled with wanna-be directors. Los Angeles

Hello to all, Does anybody know if Chrosziel is planning on making it to this year's expo in So Cal? I tried emailing them with this question but no response...I'd really like to try out their product. Thanks guys. David Los Angeles

David I called Cino just as you suggested. He told me to come in anytime. Thanks for the advice everyone. By the way, the gaffer-tape-to-the-handle-using-the-low-mode-bracket-and-cheap-electrical-plates-as-weights works like a charm for anyone needing a $10 solution. Thanks for the quick fix James! With gratitude, Dave B.

All, Thanks for the advice. Bob, I'm cutting my teeth and most of my setups (all 4 of them) have been very simple, and I've never actually worked with any FF devices. Soon though! Chris, thanks for the balancing tips, that set-up never occurred to me. Nikk, are you talking about a cage that is separated by four posts like a practice cage? I appreciate the info guys. I'll contact Modern as David suggested. Dave B.

Hello to all, My name is David and I work with a 12V Flyer mainly on student productions at SC. Mostly I've been working with the a-minima, so weight hasn't been a problem. I have some HDV stuff to shoot in March, and I'm looking for suggestions as to where to pick up machined weights, suitable for the smaller cameras (DVX100, Z-1, etc.) Any tips would be appreciated, and my gratitude to whomever puts the time and effort into running this online resource. Thanks, David Los Angeles

Mikko Thanks so much. Your comments are most helpful. David

Sorry Rob! I was just trying to keep things succinct... My name is David and I am a grad student in cinema/television at USC here in LA. I recently purchased the Flyer from Birns and Sawyer to use with the aaton a-minima primarily. Anyhoo, I've been contacted by several students from USC to shoot projects, mostly in HD format. I am not that familiar with digital cameras and and do not know if I can use HD cameras with my PAL/NTSC monitor or if I need a down converter, or much of anything. Any help in bringing me up to speed and some suggestions would be most helpful. David Baldwin Los Angeles