Leaderboard

So I continued working on the wiring and the hardware and so far it's been really fun. I decided to skip the 12/24V switchable electronics and just go with 12V. It makes everything a lot more easier and because of the really narrow center post I was able to cramonly a quiet thin coiled cable inside and tape a thin 75 Ohm coax cable to the coiled one. (I couldn't find a coiled sdi cable that was thin enough and it worked out that way too.) Because of the small AWG, I decided to power the cameras only with their on battery on the back and use my sled power for accessories and counter weight distribution. I built a double battery hanger with voltage meters and on/off switches. I'm able to position the whole thing for/aft. Still missing the diodes to prevent backfiring, but that's a minor task. Additionally I placed a v Mount plate under the center post. It was no work at all and I had another one lying around and though I might never use it, it's nice to have. All the wiring comes together in the small silver box. There is one Aux Power directly connected to the plate under the center post and the other too work of the dual battery hanger. Also the center post cable is wired to the battery hanger inside the lower J-Box and the HD-SDI Line runs through it too. On the bottom of the J-Box you can see cable strain reliefs, so when extending the post or moving parts around the wired connections don't get stressed. I decided against a lot of connectors, because I'm gonna wire a 3x d-tap to lemo splitter and velcro it on the box if needed. I modfied the monitor mount a little and now have 15mm rod natorail clamp on it to mount my atomos shgun flame. I won't be able to switch to lowmode and turn the monitor without taking it of first, but that's a minor issue considering the costs of that mod. Concerning the lemo connectors, they are no standard lemos you'll find in most other sleds. I just made an great deal for 10 of them (male and female) used and will be building my own cables if needed. Always regarding of keeping the costs low. Things to come: The upper J-Box will be much like the lower one except with only two lemo outs, both powerd of the dual battery hanger. I'll screw a 3x d-tap to lemo splitter on the box there and use the 2nd lemo output for a small blackmagic monitor which will be under the front of the topstage for low mode. So far it didn't even cost me 100 bucks. I'm currently looking into buying a masters vest and arm (or similar), because the vest is really bad and I need a decent arm when I get the vest. I'll see how that goes and will upgrade to a better sled afterwards, but until then that's going to be my practice rig. Also attending the silver workshop in the UK in november and will test some rigs then.

Yeah but does the Ultimate 3 have the leather wrapped 3 stage post, massaging gimbal, and a boot apron?

Basoon Steady

Just a shout out to the Peeps of Pro GPI. At cinegear Jack measured for whenever i decided to get myself a new vest. After many many years of using Master Vests backmounted vest and some other vests, i wasnt sure if i would go for it. Spoke with several ops, try'd a NON fitting vest, and decided to go for it. Did a lot of jobs with it, and after a few weeks, a few 12+ hour day's, i can truly say i just LOVE that vest. Oh boy, it was just the same as when i got a loaner PRO arm for the first time, the difference is so major, i cant describe it enough. Looking for a new vest? Make sure to give the PRO vests a good change, its gonna be my last vest for sure......

The PRO arm is brilliant. No doubt about that. Just to speak fairly about the G70x, however, I just finished 5 months on a show. We went from zooms, to master primes, to weird 200mm lenses with no matte box..... I never had to adjust the lift either. I think it's just a personal preference thing. I probably could have, and I'm sure there are operators that love to tweak all the time to get things just perfect, but I feel that's a statement more about the operator rather than his or her gear. I don't see my footsteps, and I've been specifically complimented by multiple DPs in the past about my lock-offs. Again, this is not a brag. I guess my point is, and this point has been made before, we the operators are what makes all the difference. Focus on your gear, and you'll always have shinier fancier gear. Focus on your operating and you'll be a better operator.

I love my PRO vest but I've found that you have to play around with the fittings until it feels right UNDER LOAD. Mine actually fits a little crooked in the shoulders until it has weight on it then it settles perfectly. IB