Erwin Landau

Jess, keep in mind that the PRO was designed with the PRO monitor in mind... the LCD thing came way later. There is a reason Tiffen does not sell the U2 without the monitor and that for me is a big draw back as a costumer... but had founded reasons in the company politics. Not going there... There are a couple of guys that use the XCS with LCD... Jon Myers comes to mind... works fine... if you like LCD's that is... haven't used one yet that i liked enough to ditch my two TB-6 monitors... I crashed 3 times very heavily were the battery rails got bend... I think I had one little scratch at the "impact housing" of the AB battery... again keep in mind that these batteries are not that fragile... like the older style purpose build Steadicam batteries... they are build for ENG use... I can't remember the last time I saw the guys in the field when they are news gathering, being gentile with the batteries... that's why it's called impact housing. When you get a new car do you drive without the headlights on because the switch is at the other side of the steering column? It's a learning curve... big enough for some that Greg is always sending out a loaner before he sells you a rig. Some people have trouble adjusting... most don't. I took a Pro Workshop a couple of years back and it was an annoyance to me that i had to reach to the top to adjust... i was instinctively reaching down... If you take the time to dynamically balance... yes of course you can achieve dynamic balance if you know what you are doing... all the same rules apply... move up Hill... that will never change unless the gravity inverts and we all get sucked into space... The whole idea of the XCS Camera plate is that you mount the camera perfectly on it's CG... Ted Churchill comes to mind in the EFP video and his Iris rod balancing skim... did it from day one... just didn't have the appropriate holes in the plate to actually achieve it until the XCS plate came along... the only real time I have to do any real adjustment is during lens changes... as of late with all the lightweight zoom lenses... rarely have to do that either... Works for me!

Hey Ron, It's a general misconception that the Ultimate is a "heavy rig". It seams so... Mine is 19.2 Lbs, sled only no batts, Ergo handle with attached Preston MDR. Only rig weights in at 17.4 Lbs. Please make a note of that. The philosophy behind the design is that 95% of the weight are below the gimbal with a very short distance from the gimbal to the Camera plate which is achieved by eliminating any adjustments on the top. This keeps the rig very short... PRO has the Junction box and the Donkey box on top, the Ultra has multi post, tilt stage and the motorized camera platform on top... don't for get the weight distance ratio of 3 to 1 between the bottom and the top of the rig. I like it short, that's why I cut it down to 16 inches and I can still fly a fully loaded 535B.

I have never seen a battery on the back of a PRO Monitor. If you use a stock PRO from GPI, it will balance just beautifully. If you use an LCD you might want to use an additional battery...

It's very hard to be objective about that topic I guess... Why do you drive a Ford or a Volkswagen over a Chevy? Why do you like Sushi but hate Tofu? I used to own a Super Post and used it twice in 3 years... I also owned gyros and used them twice in four years... yes it's true that if you own a particular piece of equipment it's more likely that you use it more often... I started with a 3A that Clairmont Camera was kind enough to let me run around with ... I used the Master Series at my first workshop that i took... disliked it very much as my Knee just wanted to make contact with the K-section... used the original Ultra Prototype for a week... as well as the ProVid, ProVid2, EFP, SK and Mini... but I only had the "Aha moment" when i saw my first PRO, actually Charles Papert's PRO 1. I owned 7 models of the PRO. I saw the Ultimate very soon afterwards and didn't get it. Finally after gathering enough experience on set and operating I finally got it and my Ultimate. The rig is one of the original first run and is almost 12 years old, and had only one failure in that time. (the 12 Volt power supply burned out... but as i was flying a Moviecam and all lights were still on as well as all parts still worked, I ignored the smoke coming from the Lower Electronics Housing and finished day... free special effects I guess) I had it for now 6 years and it's like a hammer, I take it out of the case, use it and put it back in the case, period. You can actually use it as a hammer.. or baseball bat... I crashed several times... the camera was gone, the battery was scratched... only thing I ever bend was the battery rails... twice. But that was it. The center post has 16 conductors... most of them I don't use. It's HD capable... which I don't use. The MDR plug is connected with the onboard plug... so that you can trigger the recorder via the remote follow focus... which I no longer use... You can use up to 3 batteries... I never use more then 2. It has transmittable frame lines which I use all the time, it has build in double frame lines and a digital level that i use all the time. I used many different rigs over the years. I build a bunch of let's call them creations. I returned to an almost of the shelf rig from Greg Bubb. Quality is great. Costumer Service is second to none (which manufacturer would open up his shop on a weekend or get up in the middle of the night or a holiday... Actually George Paddock did that for me and opened the shop on Presidents day, or was it thanksgiving)... I started with a PRO vest as my first one that i paid out of my pocket... had a DSD then a Klassen and now a PRO again. Owned a 3A arm because that was what I could afford at the time... later bought a PRO Arm and have owned it now for over 8 years... Tried and am still trying every arm I can get my hands on... but nothing compares to my beat up and trusty PRO arm... that works the same way it did when I got it so many years ago. Try every rig you can get your hands on and over time you will develop a certain taste or distaste for certain manufacturers and find the right one for you. The more you operate, the more you will start developing habits and mis-habits that will shape how and with what you operate. I like my post short so i chopped it down to 16 inches... I like to operate with my monitor in the table top position, use only 2 batteries ... always have my canatrans high on top and on a custom plate velcroed... all my cables are right angled, al power cables are coiled... and everything goes out the window once you have to make the shot work... You will see the light eventually... won't be the same light as I saw but some kind of bulb will go off and you will in a couple of years spend way to much time in the middle of the night to defend your decision... AKS are coming and going but the Sled, Arm and Vest are staying. And I just realized I am going on and on.... sorry.... you will ask 40 guys and you will get 40 answers... Check the for sale section and see what comes up all the time for sale and what you never see for sale. There are almost 400 PRO Arms in existence... how many have been for sale in the last couple of years as individual items? I counted 7 in about the same time frame... And how many are looking for a used one... That should tell you something... Talk to owners and ask them why they like there equipment. You'll get a way better inside then asking what they like better... many have an opinion without the knowledge or the experience with a certain piece of equipment... but people still get into pissing matches. Just my experience, nothing else. Good Luck! Erwin

Still for Sale!

Contact: Randy Stone email: Randyandclaire@mac.com

Can't delete in marketplace, sorry! For stuff like that you have to contact Tim directly.

No no... I saw that guy last month in San Francisco... He is a freelancer for NBC...

Contact; Christopher Ivins 1 (310) 994-1033 steadicam@ivinscam.com

You had to spoil it...

Cart? F*** the cart. Way cooler then a cart. Patience... my friend, Patience. In the works...

You forgot to mention the "great" Lowmode bracket and the shitty video tap... and you can't remove the eye piece... It looks like somebody took a Platinum and shaved off some corners... from my memory it's close to a lightweight in weight... so not really a light camera....

Peter, I owned several PRO Vests and went through several Backmount generation starting with the DSD Deluxe and ended with the Klassen Carbon front, single hinge. PRO Vest 6 pounds, Klassen Deluxe 12 pounds. Kevin, Give Walter a call, I'm sure he can hook you up with a demo or steer you towards an op in your area... hands down he provides one of the best costumer service in our niche Profession. Always an open ear and ready and willing with solutions... and that is true for his entire studio.

Watch it Buddy, or I'll call the DMV on your "small" cart. BTW: the new one is bigger... inside... even swallows the rig whole... I checked the tires... It says "not for Highway use" ... Oh well I'll drive it on the Autobahn then...

Check this thread: http://www.steadicamforum.com/index.php?showtopic=10561 But it's the same Power as the F-23 and Genesis... I don't use the Y connector (Ultimate). Last Time I used a F-35 it was the regular Hirose Lens Port run and stop like used for the F-900.

Thank You, The Cart has been sold!

Try Christoph Ivins 310-994-1033 He upgraded to a Preston and had/has 2 BFD's for sale.

And here we go... It's time to move on. http://www.steadicamforum.com/index.php?showtopic=10846

Original Steadicam Cart Prototype Aluminum Camera Cart. Length 51 1/2" (55” collapsed with pull handle); Width 25”, Height 42”. When collapsed the cart’s height is reduced to 7”. The Aluminum Steadicam Case Cart is fully collapsible and the four main wheels fit inside the cavity for easy shipping. It is held together by four round posts (2 additional posts for push/pull action that are removable) which attach to a bottom and top shelf by using telescopic locks operated with a 5/32 Allen wrench. All accessories are attached to the posts in the same manner.
 The Top Shelf is adjustable and can be set at any height. Currently determined by the shipping cases, but can be set, without them , at any hight). The Top shelf has a weight capacity of 200 pounds. The Bottom Shelf has a weight capacity of 800 pounds. The 10” heavy duty foam filled carefree wheels are detachable by sliding them out of a rail unit secured with a spring lock button. The cart breaks down to a self-contained travel case. The cart includes:
 6 heavy-duty vertical aluminum 29 1/2” posts. (2 with push handles)
 Adjustable top shelf and stationary bottom shelf. 50.5” x 24” with a 3” lip. Carpeted shelfs.
 Full width push/pull handle when collapsed, 2 hand push/pull handles when erect.
 Four removable 10” heavy duty foam filled carefree wheels, (two swivel w/ locks, two fixed) 
Two huge recessed 3" casters for transporting the collapsed "case". 
Weight: 98 pounds (with wheels) Steadicam riser with bumper (standard 5/8" Pin) Build in umbrella/rain gear holder Vest holder (for steadicam style front mount vest, removable) Steadicam docking stand holder (removable) Stand front box with front box holder Sand Dune Wheel Kit ($500.- value) And many spares. 3 ATA equipment cases (with leads for shipping) - Vest and arm case fits: klassen backmount vest, any steadicam arm (butt leather lined shoot ), space for hardmount and other AKS. (Inside lined with carpet, case has wheels) - Accessory case with two draws, one large with no dividers, one small with 6 compartments lined with carpet. - Battery case space for 12 batteries (AB Dionics, Trimpacs, Hytrons, Proformers or Power Cubes) and 2 chargers as well as numerous compartments for AKS. (Inside lined with carpet) 1650 Pelican for optional Wheels and mounting AKS Free for local buyer only: Steadi cart loading and transport assembly with ramps for Van loading (2x 6 foot and 2x 8 foot ramps) Note: Only for local delivery. Or you figure out shipping (big hassle) Spend almost $8000.-. Price $4500.- Contact: Erwin Landau Phone: +1-818-448-2639 Email: steadicam@landaucamera.com Location: California For Pictures check: http://www.steadicam-ops.com/database/soaC...p?recordID=4156 http://www.steadicam-ops.com/database/soaC...p?recordID=4157

What kind of movies are you working on???

Well, he is in the business. =) What business... Last time he told me he was standing around at Street corners... Erwin "Confused" Landau

For steel: http://www.filmtools.com/arri-339801-lens-support-rods.html Carbon fiber: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/6273...ter_Carbon.html

You are on set, the DP calls for an Iris pull and you give him... your I-Phone??? I came across that little piece of equipment/I-phone app: http://www.plcelectronicsolutions.com/ Anybody heard about it or used it? Sounds promising...

SOLD!

SOLD!