Pedro Guimaraes SOC

 

 

And I would definitely try to look up the Paradise FX rig recommended by BJ.

 

Thanks again guys, deeply appreciated.

 

best,

Joel

From what I hear the the paradise rig is a copy of the element technica "Sub-miniature" (-a.k.a - dark country rig), or maybe the ET rig is a copy of the paradise rig......just depends on who you are asking!

Either way it's the smallest beamsplitter rig in the market. It's designed for Si-2k cameras and c-mount lenses.

I've shot on this rig alot this year.....2 shows for discovery 3D and one nature special in the amazon rainforest!

The rig flies like a dream and is super light! 20lbs or less! It's very small and can easily fit into a AR revolution.

***from a stereographers point of view.....these rigs are not the best. They are a pain to align (4 set screws) and even when you get the hang of it it just takes to long. The c-mount lenses are just not up to par quality wise for alot of work. teh lens choice restriction is a big drawback. Also you cannot mount any sort of lens motors on this rig. But regardless of this rigs shortcomings it remains the smallest and lightest 3D rig available.....

Here some pics from the discovery shoot....

I was using a rented glidecam gold for this and had to use the cinedeck recorder/ccu as my operating monitor since at this time it did not have a monitor out. It SUCKS in the daylight. The new cinedecks now have a SD BNC out so you can use your regular steadicam monitor.

here is a handheld setup we used...

Ok my turn to ask,

This is an email I got regarding a possible 3-D shoot at the end of the month

------------

it said:

 

we will be Shooting on the BX3 rig from 21st century 3D.

 

http://www.21stcentury3d.com/3d-cameras/3d-digital-cinema/

 

It's extremely light for an over/under and should be around 40 lbs with two EX3

cameras. We'll be tethered and recording to SRW 3D as well as the camera cards.

---------------

 

so ? anyone fly this set up and any words of wisdom ?

I work with Jason (21st century 3D) all the time. I've worked with BX2 and BX3.

The BX2 is a tiny bit lighter and works better with the ex3's. Below is a picture of the bx2 with ex3 cameras at a Black eyed peas concert. While it is "light" for a full size beamsplitter rig, because you cannot go into "underslung mode" with the rig you end up having to add alot of battery weight and extend the post fully. This is less than ideal for operating since your clearance to the ground is not so good.

In the setup below the g70 arm was maxed out!

The BX3 is still very light for a full size beamsplitter. Yet it's a bit heavier than the BX2. But it will allow you to mount the rig in "underslung" mode on your steadicam. Making weight distribution a bit better. Still with the proper counterbalance battery weight and lens motors etc.....ready to shoot....your still just about maxing out a g70 arm.

Here is the BX3 with ex3's in lowmode.....notice how long the post is and battery setup.

So while this rig is certainly usable on a steadicam (the element technica Quasar is not) it is far from ideal. Also the complete weight is pretty heavy. Just ask forum members Phil Martinez and Dave Isern as they both have a few hours flying this rig. Dave even did it with red cameras!

I think the best scenario for operating with this rig (BX2/BX3) would be to operate hardmounted on a dolly or a steadicam rickshaw, cinerover, segway etc....but you can vest it. Just make sure your in shape and your getting a good rate!

***From a stereographer's point of view, the 21st century 3D rigs are just awesome. I love to use them. Many great features and they work perfectly and produce stunning images. A great choice.

Low mode on a larger(heavier) beamsplitter. look how tall my post is!

Low mode 3D. Has anybody done it? Is it even possible with the current rigs?

absolutely.....I've done it on 6 different rigs already. It's a pain. Just hope your hardmounted! Even on the lighter rigs that I've been using lately it can get alot to handle after a few mins....

Most of the time I just go "poorman" style and just flip my rig over. They just flip/flop the image in post later. Although with the ET rig you can actually mount it from the top if you wanted....

This is me on the beach in the sand shooting for discovery channel 3D...Element Technica neutron with Si2k's

I was even crazy enough to agree to shooting out of the side of the van.... not many 3D setups will allow you to do that. Steadicam or no steadicam.

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/ddragon76/Pedro_promo/IMG_9416.jpg

few more,

Dirt soccer feilds in soweto township in Johannesburg....

the biggest advantage of the neutron setup is as you can clearly see here the I have the gimbal all the way up (left room to enter the docking bracket) and I can still clear my gimbal handle.....I can literally sprin my rig 360. Yes it is a close fit to the end of the dovetail. I mentioned this to ET and they said they will offer a shorter dovetail, this giving you plenty more room!

The p+s rig sucks in this regard.

Here is me doing a shot in soccer city world cup stadium in Johannesburg, South africa just 1 week ago....

Im currently in Moscow shooting 3D with the element technica rigs right now. Forget dynamic balance. It will not happen. Regular balance sure, but it is such a pain in the ass to deal with the setup itself. I have the neutron rig with sony P1 cameras on it. It is a heavy beast. It has fiber cables attached and im doing a ton of action stuff. Im gonna say it has been really tough to use and I think it is probably the worst steadicam i've ever done due to the clunkiness and hard balance of the camera itself. Even the Quasar setup for regular operating is a pain. Weve been on Technocrane almost every day and the camera is so heavy the flight head sways back and fourth. Visual effects is going to have to stabilize every shot. Let alone we are using the gear over here that hasn't been serviced in who knows when. So thats my experience so far. I love the paradise FX rig. Thats the sweet steadicam rig. Two REDS?!!!!! go get a good physical therapist and get a major rate bump. That is torture.

I just did over 20 days of steadicam work on the last 2 months with the element technica Neutron with Si-2k's and a cinedeck recorder. On sandy beaches in san diego, in London streets and the dirt soccer fields in south africa and in soccer city stadium in Johannesburg.

I actually got the rig to balance very well.....actually almost dynamic. It actually pretty light setup. I operated almost all day long on the discovery beach shoot.

I think at the moment this is easily the best 3D steadicam setup out there.

here some recent pics....

I mounted the si camera bodies upside down, allowing me to centralize the mass as much as possible. notice the mirror box is pushed in all the way....

Looking to buy a XCL PDL.......

contact me.....

+1 on what he said....

which is good because it's almost impossible most of the time due to where all the weight is.

What are you flying? quasar with reds? Thats almost impossible setup to fly since thats easily 85lbs+. Even hard mounted to a dolly (been there) I have seen the pro arm bend and look like it wanted to explode.

Just say NO to quasar/RED one combo. trust me.

neutron with Red EPICS? Now thats a nice setup......do tell......whats the show?

Hi All,

 

Wanted to tap into your expertise. I have an upcoming job with the likes of

the Technica 3D rig with 2 Red Ones. I have seen photos of fellow operators

with that set up and am wondering how is it possible to get that set up into

dynamic balance. Do most of you just operate that massive set up in static

balance then? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

Best

Joel

I dunno, I tried the sachtler vest the last day at recent NAB for about 40mins with a red camera...

I thought I was not going to find something I didn't like but by the time I took it off I have to day I liked it.

that said, I'll probably be replacing my tired mod'ed EFP vest with a PRO soon!

Oh yeah,

here's the actual video you can see his work.....

Since I'm Brazilian and a MJ fan I have to throw this one in here, since I think it qualifies as historic.

Micheal Jackson's music video, they don't care about us. Directed by Spike Lee shot in Brasil.

The steadicam operator was Brazilian local called Marco Guglielmoni his brother Silvano is also a top operator in Brazil.

Here is some BTS video where you can see him operating...watch around 2:58

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ_jreINpD8

Spike Lee on US MTV special about the video....you can see more operating....4:46

Here the pics....

I used a viewfactor cage recently on a 7D shoot. It was great.

I just used the supplied lemo "cage" to a d-tap. I have a cable that goes from my sled to a multitap so I pluged the cage d-tap into that along with focus motors.

Worked great. Great product. many rental houses here in LA are starting to carry these cages.

In the video below you can see him connecting to the AB battery with the lemo to d-tap

My steadicam setup with it,

I'm a stereographer and do alot of 3D steadicam.

take a look on my site.....at this point I think I have had around 9 different 3D rigs/cameras on my steadicam....

Yes, once they slide the images to adjust convergence the scale IN so you loose both edges of frame. This is also why "depending" on what your shooting keeping your subject more towards the center is not bad thing. This gives more freedom in post to play with position of the "screen plane".

Usually there is not much difference from left camera view and right camera view, so It's not dangerous to shoot looking at single eye.

When we shoot 3D with RED 4k many times they "reframe" in post with pan/scan type operation to finalize artistic off center framing while avoiding any edge violations.

Main thing, (like usual) listen to your boss. The DP. Do what he says. If there is a 3D issue the stereographer will discuss with the DP. Your job is to keep things level and stable....naturally to give DP the framing HE wants. But when in doubt (especially if you close to what you shooting) center frame it.

Keep framing on the loose side. Since you are shooting on a parallel rig they will be slipping the images in post to adjust convergence therefore they will be getting rid of the edges of the frame. So avoid having objects to close to right and left borders.

try not to give people "haircuts" keep things away from top boarder since if something is place in negative space and it touches a border you will have a "edge violation" in 3D speak.....so like I said, keep framing a bit loose.

Also like they said, slow pans, keep things smooth the usual stuff really.

Have fun! take some pictures.....

5D composite video out is absolutely no good for focus controll and operating well,

Thank you and cheers everybody, Riccardo.

Who in the world is pulling focus off of a steadicam monitor? I just shot a 3 page walk and talk in the bright sunlight on the 7D with the composite out and had no problems with the image for operating. I could see everything I needed for framing purposes. Since when is SD no good for operating?

Much rather use my superbright monitor than have to use some hdmi monitor that is HD and sharp but becomes unusable as soon as some sunlight hits it.

just sayin.....In the end, whatever works for you to operate well and make for happy DP/director/producer.

or 7D which has a SD composite out..... made my life alot easier...

Most systems I have heard about that have counter weighting built in only do so for IO changes. This would include p+s Freestyle, ScreenPlane and the upcoming 3ality "steadicam rig the ts-4.

I know pace is toe'in in both cameras for convergence instead of just one. So maybe it's also like this in the "steadicam" version.

The problem is because of front heavyness, we tend to put accessories and maybe even a battery on the horizontal camera (as evidenced by Larry's above pic) This would mean that the rig would go out of balance when adjusted because the weights of each end of the beamsplitter are different. This would be the same effect for IO and convergence adjustment on the pace rig since the weight is clearly different on both cameras.

This is exactly what I experienced on the p+s rig.

For reference,

IO or IA (change in camera distance) will always be the biggest factor in affecting our steadicam balance. Since the cameras can change positions anywhere from .5" apart to 4" apart during a shot.

Convergence (1 camera or both rotating inwards) will always affect less since the camera position is not moving. The camera is just rotating inwards. I when I say rotating I mean very little! milimeters. This adjustment even tough minimal will definatly affect balance but not as much as a change in camera position.

In a recent conversation with him, weight had less to do with his concerns than the problems associated with convergence adjustments and its effect on quality steadicam operating.

He's probably referring to IO adjustments not convergence. Convergence cange doesn't affect balance too drastically as one camera is just toe-in. Usually when you change IO the balance changes and it can affect your horizon.

Even with a well balanced p+s rig with counter moving cameras you still can get a change in horizon.

Besides, 90% of what I shoot we shoot "parallel" and converge in post. The only reason to really converge on set or in-camera is for LIVE broadcast work. Most of the time there are many advantages to leaving convergence for post.

Decimator 2 (new version)

I just bought mine today at Abel cine tech in Burbank. Not sure if they are open tomorrow. I belive they have them in stock.

Call first.

I'm shooting with mine this weekend.....

Also I was pretty sure the new alexa had a "monitor out" like on the F35 that is a sd out. So no need for downconverter.....

It's a new camera so maybe the port is not enable yet in the firmware. But check with the DIT. I'm pretty sure it had a SD out.

Imagine Thowing this up on your back.

 

Don't have to.....I've done it a few times. Not the only one either, I share the dubious honor with Dave Isern and Phillip Martinez. Dual red beamsplitter, phew! Just about unusable, we ended up hardmounted most of the time.

what can I say, I young, dumb and eager. Yet I still love 3D.