Jason Torbitt

There is no specific manaul for the Broadcast Master, but there is a generic Master Series manual which covers the whole MS range. I'm not aware that it exists online. My sled is the Broadcast Master, and I have the MS manual - if there's anything specific you would like help with, send me a PM or an email and I'll get back to you.

Try a search of the archives here too for anything specific

Virtually all step-on step-offs seem to be usually done on platform style cranes; much easier and the short can continue for longer uninterrupted. Another issue is wind when operating at any great height. The Strada crane option means you are completely exposed to the wind; if you are standing on a crane there will at least be the sides to offer some protection from wind.

It would still be a good experience to try out the Strada though, it looks to be a fascinating invention.

Hi Sebastian,

I've got to say it doesn't look too comfortable to operate with a Steadicam up there, but it must be a great experience (and good fun). From what I understand it is a quick release system, so in theory you can hold the frame while the techicians release you and then continue the shot after you have been craned down to earth.

I love the helmet the operator is wearing - health and safety first of course - but I'm sure that would REALLY help if he fell to the ground from 60ft in the air! :D

If I can find out anything I'll let you know. They also used the Strada itself for the Formula 1 at Indianapolis last year, too.

It is the original CP-16, viewfinder coming off the lens barrel itself. There's no video tap port, meaning I will go down the eyepiece camera route to get a picture out. The battery does slot in on the dummy side of the camera, with a 5-pin connector to connect the charger.

I will speak to the owner and see what plans he has for it; obviously I it needs servicing, as suggested. Externally though, it looks to be in excellent condition for one of the older models. Seems almost blemish free; even the rubber strap is in good conditon. Nice and clean inside too, and well looked after. The Angenieux zoom too is fine, the no scratches on the front element, seems to function cleanly and is smooth.

I will get it taken care of and contact the relevant people; thanks for the info. If I come to operate it, on or off the sled, I will keep you all posted. Thanks again for the input.

Congratulations to all concerned - well deserved, it will be interesting to see how the AR progresses as a tool over the coming years.

This thing is being used a lot for live productions. As stated, it isn't a cheap alternative to steadicam, it's just a method of taking the weight of the handheld camera off the operator. Anyone who has seen the pictures coming from a camera in this brace will agree it looks just the same as a normal handheld camera - just the operator will be slightly more comfortable when operating, supposedly

I've not seen the Steadicam harness part in operation, but I've seen the Strada Crane operating- and it's very impressive, even just with a hot head on the end of it. The only camera crane that's 100ft long.

It has a massive reach, the base of the thing is fantastic. A 2 man job to get the thing moving. It's used a lot over here for OB's and live productions and concerts.

Thanks for the input, guys :)

Search the forum archives for LOTS more on this topic...some very interesting reading is in there.

I operate front mounted, and as soon as finances permit, I will be buying a backmounted vest. I have used a back mounted vest which belongs to a mate, and I can honestly say that the difference is astonshing; I look forward to when I can operate like that for the majority of the time. At the end of the day you only have one back; if you operate correctly, whatever vest you have, then you will be fine. But for sheer comfort, for me, the backmount is just something else.

One problem stemming from the backmounted operation is clearances through tight spaces such as doorways, as you have the wider profile and carbon arm to negotiate. Some operators have opted to keep their front mounted vest as well; others have replaced it outright with a backmount, and sold their old vest.

At the end of the day, it's all about personal preferance. What works well for you may be entirely different to someone else.

Hi everyone

I've got a CP-16 16mm film camera on the shelf, which belongs to a client of mine, who's asked me to have a look over it / see what he's got for his money, as he's too scared to even open the flight case (don't ask...)

It isn't going to be used to shoot anything soon, to my knowledge. It's in mint condition, looks to be bomb proof, does anyone know anything useful about it? It's got a zoom lens on it, Beaulieu mags (I think). It's a crystal sync camera. Looks to come with power supply, charger, second mag. Is the battery inbuilt? There's a battery gauge on the rear to give a visual clue as to what charge is left in the thing.

That's about all I know about the contraption. Obviously this was one of many cameras widely used before video arrived for news crews etc. I believe it's a nice quiet camera in comparison to some others.

Has anyone worked with one on or off Steadicam? I have an eyepiece camera which I will experiment with for a video tap...

Any advice or knowledge welcome....

Amazing stuff, that's a stunning piece of work. Watching sequences like that helps us understand just how poowerful the Steadicam is when used to follow actors on their journey like that.

Very adventurous with the shot design, nice and close in to the stunts too (Obviously the quality of the stunts speak for themselves- fantastic!

Great work, well done to all concerned. I'll second that WOW

Yeah, I thought about taping it beforehand, but thought it wouldn't be worth it, typical!

The shot they did up the hill looked like it had been chosen carefully to show off the Steadicam in all its glory, did look a bit tricky with a few switches involved, steep climb and narrow path.

Didn't know the operator myself, Mike was his first name. It was a Master Series and looked in pretty good condition, no apparent modifications though, may have been a rental sled? I'm sure someone will know.

£20,000 also got me guessing, it is a sort of average second hand price.

Great to see our humble craft getting exposure, as you say Ben. And they even spelled 'Steadicam' correctly on the graphic. Job well done.

P.S. Those motor rods will be in use next week Joe :D

Hi Ben,

Looks interesting, I've just seen the top of the programme and they're looking at the inbuilt electronic steady shot function in camcorders, and one of the presenters has built his own steadicam- style stabiliser. Should be interesting to see how the thing works....(if it works)

Edit: I was impressed - very well researched feature, they gave a brief history of Steadicam, showed their operator at work with his Master Series, doing a walk and talk presenter piece to camera, and had him stood next to the presenter with close-ups of the various areas, i.e. gimbal, arm, and an explanation of how it works. Impressive!

There was also a good field test of the 'steady shot' function in the Sony HDV HandyCam

Get in touch with Robin Thwaites at Optex or Howard Smith at MK-V, both run workshops here in the UK

If you have the cash, and for any interested people, I discovered yesterday there's an AJA downconvertor on ebay at the moment - item number 7559682452

I'll give Rob's cage a plug for anyone interested, I have one of these and it does the business well, I've had everything in it from a MiniDV/HDV point of view, regular and low mode. Also comes apart to use as single weight plates to go with mid-weight cameras.

Just a happy customer :)

Check the forum archives for this, plenty of advice there...

But mainly - get a lightweight (thin) triax if possible - www.productioncableservices.com - with the connectors you need. This helps improve the negative effect on the sled and also makes it easier to break away when docked.

Run the lightweight triax off the camera, tape up to camera handle is a good idea, as already mentioned. Then loop down off the camera, leaving plenty of slack to work with, run it under the shoulder pad and use a buckle or cable tie to attach the main triax to the back of your vest. Make sure you have a good cable basher!

Very good, that's a cracker! :D

I'd love to know who the Op is? I bet they got some free footwear out of it...

Cheers Chip,

It looks to have the same display as the Wolf Seeberg unit, and looks to be powered from the source it measures too which is excellent. Useful also as I can make it a permenant fixture and not worry about ripping XLRs off - just bin those small connectors and wire it straight up into the cables coming from the battery mount, which means it will always be reading the battery, whether I'm powering a full camera/accessory setup or just the basics.

Still into the colour LED idea too, will look into that some more...

[P.S. Chip - will let you know when the monitor hood gets here, thanks again for that]

Hi guys, thanks very much for all your responses & input so far, much appreciated.

I'd already searched for / investigated the ICBM, and discovered it was no longer made (sorry Jim :( ) But the Wolf Seeburg battery watcher thing looks the business Battery Watcher. Tells you all you need to know with one glance, V, A, Ah, W . Just the thing for our use I'd say.

Rob, the things you described in the 2002 archive (thanks) are like the displays like I've found already, and also look like they are quite useful (and cheap!) Plus there's backlit options too for dark places...useful. By the way, it's here for anyone interested.

I'm also interested in coloured LED arrangement, like Matt has described - I'll see if I can get something like this on the go to give me a quicker visual reference when I'm involved in shooting.

Keep it coming guys, any more help / ideas greatly appreciated :)

Thanks

Hi all,

I have a Master Series rig, with built-in frameline generator but no battery level indicator. It's something I could do with - I always plan battery changes on a shoot, but it would be good to have more of a clue as to how the batteries are doing in situations where I'm powering everything from the battery on the sled. (camera, transmitter, the lot)

I've been looking into cost effective / cheaper ways to get some sort of readout / display somewhere on the rig, for example a numeric LED readout, of which I've found several on the internet from various electronics and motorcycle places. I could happily put something together myself, but at the risk of frying something, including possibly my brain, I thought I'd ask around first.

Has anyone done anything similar / recommend any suitable options? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks!

I have heard rumours of 750 s out there without inbuilt downconverters!

Yeah, I have read literature on the 730 / 750 online, and some units do not have downconverters inbuilt. Not sure as to why, but it's always worth checking with the facilities people before you turn up for the job!

I think VAT or duty is not applied to items which are described as 'gifts' on the packaging label. however I'm sure there's a price limit on this depending on the value of the item being shipped.

Not certain...

Agreed 100% with the comment re: lightweight triax. Try and get a 4mm diameter cable if you can, or as close as possible to it, otherwise you'll really struggle with balance and operating, trailing the main triax cable off the camera

I didn't make it down there unfortunatly.

Did anyone meet the man himself? Any news or reports from the weekend?

Jason :)