Orlando Duguay

I own one that works beautifully and a good operator friend of mine has been using one heavily for over 4 years with absolutely zero problems. The thing is pretty bulletproof and Howard is based on the east coast so it is pretty easy to get parts/repairs for it.

Thanks for the input guys! I'll be heading back to panavision in a couple of weeks and I'll bring in my rig to test out a few different configurations. I'll report back with my findings!

Have any operators been shooting with Panavision anamorphics recently? Specifically the Anamorphic Primos on the 4:3 Alexa?

I'm doing some research for an upcoming project and the director wants to use Anamorphic lenses and of course he likes the look of the Primos.

I went to Panavision Hollywood yesterday and got a demo of a bunch of different Anamorphic lenses from different series on the Alexa. I didn't hear any mention of the CFP lenses. The only primos I saw had close focus at about 3'6". Does anyone have experience with the Anamorphic CFPs? Updated specs (not listed on Panavision website)?

Also I had some questions about flying anamorphics in general. How do you typically contend with close focus issues, specifically when shooting wider lenses such as the 25mm or 30mm? I feel like using a diopter would severly limit the flexibility of the shots you can achieve. I would love to hear some anecdotes from anyone who has experience tackling these issues.

Lastly regarding the Anamorphic Primos, has anyone flown these on the new Alexa 4:3? The camera+lens+rails+mattebox is quite heavy on its own and is ridiculously long, not to mention if there was a codex attached. See the pic below to get an idea. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Orlando

The new Atlas arm with gray canisters weighs in at 11.2 lbs.

This item has sold. Thank you

for inquiries please email me at: orlando@ogdproductions.net

Antlers with three different weight settings and different post heights in a custom pelican case (included).

Everything in excellent condition.

$750 + Shipping

This item has sold, thanks.

PRICE DROP $1900

PRICE DROP $2,000

Fantastic condition PRO DBII with Preston MDR mounting bracket. Just serviced by Jack at GPI and given a clean bill of health.

Asking $2100, local pick up preferred (LA).

orlando@ogdproductions.net

Thanks everyone for the input! I spoke with my accountant about this and he said I absolutely do have to pay use tax, but at least that is another tax-deductible expense at the end of the year. I just wanted to feel out how common is was for people buying used to actually pay this tax.

Thanks again!

Also does anyone pay personal property tax on their gear?

What are people's experience paying tax when buying used items on the steadicam forum marketplace? It looks like every purchase is subject to a "use tax".

http://www.boe.ca.gov/ads/news06.htm

How have people gone about paying this? And if you did not pay any use tax on an item purchased on the forum, were you still able to write the purchase off as a business expense?

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

Orlando

I've climbed it in a day, it's a tough hike, but totally doable if you go later in the summer when the snow levels are lower. What dates are you planning on going? You also have a very good chance of getting your three day permit at the ranger station when you arrive. People often cancel last minute and there will be extra permits available.

orlando,

 

I gotta ask what lens that is you had on there. Before I opened up the photo and could only see the thumbnail, I thought that my ongoing joke of putting the 12-1 on a 5d on a sled had come true! Regardless, that lens looks beastly, I thought I'd seen em all!.

 

Tom

Hey Thomas,

It was the Red Pro 18-85mm, it is indeed a beast.

Orlando

Thanks for all the support guys. I guess I've learned my lesson. Next time if a script calls for a snow shoot, I'll know exactly what's realistic and what to ask for before the first day of shooting.

Thanks again!

One word , : Roll-a-ramp .

 

roll-a-ramp web site

 

 

I have the grips department rent some every time I have to move in deep snow. You can make them as long as you want but for portability , I' d recommend having two sections of 15' . I so much love those I even considered buying some but it takes too much space in my truck. You unroll them, flip them over and voila: a cat walk capable of supporting 2000lbs.

 

Cheers.

 

Frederic

That's a great suggestion. I will definitely insist on a rollaramp next time I'm in snow. Thanks!

Hi Everybody,

I just finished a very difficult 4 day shoot up in Mammoth Lakes, CA and I was hoping I might be able to get some pointers from some of the more experienced ops out there that might have found themselves in similar situations.

Our first day on set was in blizzard conditions with 3 feet of fresh powder (it took us half the morning just to get the production vehicles dug out, chained up, and driven to set). We were at 8,000 feet in elevation and I was provided with snowshoes to prevent from postholing up to my waist. After the first few shots I was winded (a combination of the altitude, walking in snow, and a fairly heavy rig, picture below). We also had a bulky Element Technica rain cover on the camera which impeded my operating because it kept putting pressure on the gimbal. The very cold weather didn't help my situation either, with temperatures down to 10 degrees F, I had to wear thick gloves and bulky clothing which partially restricted my movement.

Then they asked me to do several 50 meter "running shots" in medium close-up of an actor running through the snow towards camera. I had to operate in Don Juan because operating backwards with snowshoes was out of the question At the end of the day we ended up getting a few decent shots, but I pretty much felt like a kindergartener the whole day, unable to operate to my normal standards. I wanted to be able to deliver the shots that the director had envisioned, but we were constantly restricted by the elements and my ability to move through the deep snow. We had to simplify many shots and compromise on complex movements because of my inability to deliver stellar results in these conditions.

I am still fairly new to steadicam, I have been trained by experienced operators and have been operating fairly consistently for about a year, but I've never worked in snow before. I was wondering if anyone could give me tips on how to better work in deep snow, at high altitude, and in cold weather.

Thanks!

Orlando

Thanks Janice!

Glad to hear you got my emails. I'm not in a terrible rush, so feel free to get in touch with me when things are a bit less busy for you.

Thanks again!

Orlando Duguay

That sounds great. Thanks!

Unfortunately GPI no longer makes the inverters :( , they were great though. I fried mine on a shoot last year and Jack said it was irreparable. Now it looks like the best option is Kenyon Labs (http://www.ken-lab.com/). Their inverters are cheaper, but the mounting options aren't as elegant as with the GPI inverter.

Hi Guys,

I'm looking to buy a couple of weight plates or a practice cage that would add roughly 20-30 lbs to my rig. I'm looking to practice on a PRO arm with a DV camera but replicate the weight of a fully loaded 35mm or Red One rig. I've tried contacting Janice Arthur (I've sent two emails and a pm through this forum), but I haven't gotten any response. I'm looking to buy a practice cage pretty soon, so is there anyone who knows where I could buy one or maybe help put me in touch with Janice?

Thanks a lot!

Orlando