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RobinThwaites

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Posts posted by RobinThwaites

  2. HD video tap

    in Brackets/Widgets

    Posted

    Hi Thomas

     

    Before there were down converters this was standard practice for the F900. Wrap a Sony XC999 (Pulnix in the UK) in foam and gaffer tape, unscrew the c-mount lens a tiny bit so it would close focus and then jam it in the eyepiece. The advantage is that you can engineer it to see the LEDs around the finder.

     

    Robin Thwaites

    OpTex

  5. first time buy

    in Steadi-Newbies

    Posted

    Hi Steven

     

    The rig at Ravensbourne is indeed a Mini which they bought some four years ago when we were running workshops with them, this was until they shut the Short Course Unit. We have been in touch with several different people at the college in an attempt to find a way that either students or staff could use it but so far without success. Politics eh?

     

    If you want to pursue this further I would be happy to help, please feel free to contact me at the office.

     

    Robin Thwaites

    OpTex

  7. 360's

    in Operating

    Posted

    Hi Ben

     

     

    Glad to here the operating is going well, your inclination toward a more neutral balance is good but since you were using an Ultra you can also help yourself by using the stage tilt to keep the post nice and vertical for your chosen (or the directors) headroom.

     

    Robin Thwaites

    OpTex

  12. Flyer issues

    in Gimbal

    Posted

    Hi Ben

     

    Sorry to hear about your problems, please get the hire company to give me a call. Flyer gimbals are usually very free due to the small bearings so there is definitely a problem with this one.

     

    Robin Thwaites

    OpTex

  13. forklift trucks?

    in Vehicles and Mounts

    Posted

    Hi Thomas

     

    I would definitely keep away from fork-lifts, I know a UK operator who fell off one and was lucky enough to walk away with a broken arm and trashed rig - and the fork lift was only being used to lift and not even moving.

     

    Robin Thwaites

    OpTex

  14. Hytron 50

    in Batteries/Power

    Posted

    Hi Guys

     

    I don't usually get involved in politics or politically sensetive discussions however a very well respected friend in the battery business told me that he predicted that in 3-5 years everything would be v-lock in any case. As someone who sells all systems I can tell you that I have noticed the change starting.

     

    Robin Thwaites

    OpTex

    London

  16. provid & battery weight

    in Batteries/Power

    Posted

    Hi Nicolas

     

    You may well find that the Swit (or any lithiums) are a bit light for ideal balance. With a heavy camera you will need to make the post quite long, if it ia s ProVid HD with an LCD monitor even more so.

     

    Try looking at the PAG C50 or PP20 type which are NiCad and not too expensive, lower capacity but more weight. The 9398 "Bricks" like Jason's are even better and very robust.

     

    Robin Thwaites

    OpTex

  18. Modulus pix

    in Video Assist and Video Accessories

    Posted

    Hi Guys

     

    We have had this problem for much longer over here and UHF transmitters are quite rare (I think it's a population density thing due to the proximity of domestic TVs to studios). Actually the older VHF was better but now you would take our most radio mics and plenty of two way radios with one of them.

     

    The tendency is to use microwave at the deregulated frequencies of 1.4GHz or 2.4GHz. The 1.4 is clearly well away from the Preston but interference from the 2.4GHz is also rare (due to the technology used in the Preston).

     

    Next step is digital at 2.4 and definitely the way to go but at a price.

     

    Robin Thwaites

    OpTex

  21. Concert Update

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Hi Matt

     

    A lot of operators rewire the camera run switch on the J-7 zoom control to give return - after all you will never need to roll the camera on a live show. If you don't have a J-7 it could easily be bodged with any momentary pushbutton switch running to the zoom connector on the lens.

     

    Robin Thwaites

    OpTex

  22. Li-ions and the 435

    in Batteries/Power

    Posted

    Hi Benjamin

     

    Actually the effect on NiCads can be quite quick and terminal. The great thing about them is the low internal resistance and high current output, unfortunately this means that one pack can try to charge the other at a very high rate causing overheating, cell destruction and potentially fire and expolsions.

     

    I have been in the same room as a 7Ah lighting pack when the fast charger faulted and did not switch off. Half of the pack literally flew over my head and landed 6 feet away.

     

    I should stress that this is not a common occurance and unlikely under normal use but those diodes are important if you are going to parallel the packs.

     

    Robin

  24. Li-ions and the 435

    in Batteries/Power

    Posted

    Hi Stephen

     

    FYI the PAG L-95 will cut out at around 5 amps whereas NiCads will run much higher currents. One thing you can do is parallel wire Lithiums which is something you should NEVER do with other chemistry batteries. Also, Lithiums should not be affected by the cold whereas NiCads will.

     

    Strange that Arri had the start-up spike problem on 535s and cured it and then built the earlier 435s without addressing the problem.

     

    Robin Thwaites

    OpTex

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