Brent Johnson

Thats not really superior...

Thanks Steve.

Hey guys,

I'm having a battery connection problem and I have to solder one of the wires back on. Except I'm having difficulty taking apart the transmitter... Does anyone have any experience doing so?

I have taken the focus wheel cover of an I have ran into a stripped screw... I might have to drill it out. any thoughts?

Message me if your selling. My budget is 14k range

Interesting, I didn't know Mr. Cameron did all of the Hand Held operating. Would that mean he would have to still pay the camera operator even though hes not working?

Nice Chris,

Thanks for the follow up about the pin, and the hat tip, haha.

Cheers

I drove down to LA last week to drop it off/help out on a buddies set. Derek will be mailing it out tomorrow I believe.

Just got a quote from Derek over at Tiffen today. It's $117 and thats including shipping. Good news for sure. I'm looking forward to hear what locking pin works best so I can upgrade.

Cheers

 

How about your camera stage, if it didn't have the protected "stops" for the fore and aft movement of the steadicam dovetail. Would you be "disappointed in the engineers" if one day, for a split second, you didn't realize that the dovetail wasn't locked down fully and you had 30lbs of camera on it. Then you go to operate the camera. 5hrs into the shoot you tilt down 90 degrees for a shot and *plop* all the camera gear goes crashing to the water! (Because you were getting a reflection shot off a pier in a very still lake.) And the production is screwed, and it's your fault.

 

All because an engineer, didn't think to protect the customer.

 

But we have those on our stages to protect us, and I'm sure many have been saved because of it.

 

Not all stages have safeties built into them. Many don't today, and many more in years past didn't either. And cameras fell. Very likely, it was the cameras falling that led to someone at some point designing a safety into the stages. I'd bet, however, that never did an operator become angry with the manufacturer for not protecting them from improperly mounting a camera.

That's interesting, I always thought they had them built in.

I'm taking it over to Tiffen on Monday, looking forward to what they say as well.

Thanks again for the responses and allowing me to vent a bit. This is a great Forum!

Brent, if you put your arm on upside down, then it fell out of the socket block and got damaged because it wasn't secured properly would you be blaming Tiffen for that too?

You should be disappointed in yourself because your own inexperience made you think that you knew better than the manufacturer.

Accept responsibility for your mistake and move on before you embarrass yourself any further.

I accept 100% responsibility. Doesn't mean I can't be disappointed in the Engineering for a 10K product. Answer me this:

How about your camera stage, if it didn't have the protected "stops" for the fore and aft movement of the steadicam dovetail. Would you be "disappointed in the engineers" if one day, for a split second, you didn't realize that the dovetail wasn't locked down fully and you had 30lbs of camera on it. Then you go to operate the camera. 5hrs into the shoot you tilt down 90 degrees for a shot and *plop* all the camera gear goes crashing to the water! (Because you were getting a reflection shot off a pier in a very still lake.) And the production is screwed, and it's your fault.

All because an engineer, didn't think to protect the customer.

But we have those on our stages to protect us, and I'm sure many have been saved because of it.

I think a good monitor to add would be the Small HD DP7 HB-SX http://www.smallhd.com/products/dp7-pro/dp7_specs_page_template.php

The stats are just astounding.

Looking at the parts it is the lower piece that is bent suggesting that the pin was put in from the bottom and not located in the top hole. The material is perfectly strong enough but will of course bend if only the lower section is engaged. I would recommend always putting the pin in from the top.

 

Robin

Yeah the pin was inserted from the bottom, thus it fell out while operating and ended up bending the arm... But really? That simple of a thing to happen with no warnings from the manual or anything... I'm a bit disappointed in who "OK'ed" that engineering decision.

Awesome.

Thanks for all of response's.

I'm going to chalk it up to experience and a little less weight in my wallet but most definitely a lesson learned.

I'm going to make a locking pin so that it never happens, ever again, for any reason.

When made, I'll come back and post on how I did it or where I bought it for any other Zephyr Owner/Op interested in having a secure pin.

Cheers

First off, I know this thread should be in the Arm's section of this forum. I'm posting here to get more views, admins if you would like to move it, go ahead.

Nope it wasn't the spring that broke.

I was oping a music video with a Red One, red drive, vlock batt, a nikkor 50mm, red one monitor, and a Bartech on the top stage. After balancing my Zephyr I began loading the Arm, it was maxed out, but still properly operable. The arm's were slightly raised. After Oping on and off for 6 hours or so, I was in-between takes talking to the Director and KACHING.... the whole rig dropped. Luckily I prevented the rig from hitting the ground. See picture below. I emailed Dan Ikeda via advice from a local Steadicam Operator and friend in the SF Bay Area. Now I'm asking you guys, what to do next? I Have insurance with a $1,500 deductible as well.

Brent

I need to know how all this turned out. Did the Lovely Wife disagree with all the spring talk?

Goofy all day for me

I also have one reserved, bummer it's getting pushed back till Q1

I'm looking to buy a Bartech package, analog or digital. Preferably with an M-one motor.

Thanks

I am also wondering the same thing. Had to do a softmount the other day as well. Is there any decent options out there to purchase?

Great website!

I also own a pair of 5F and I love them, sersiouly. I am currently training with them as well. It's taking my calves getting used to forefoot running. I can only Op for about 8hrs or so until my heels hurt then I have to switch to my Salomons. It's a worth while process though.

haha, I'm not familiar with this rig... but I am a goofy operator, and the arm IS put in the wrong way. lol

It's a steadicam shot, you can see the camera, and operators head.

Thanks for the awesome tips/stories. It's hard to gauge when your a newbie what's acceptable and whats not when being on set. Do you guys also bring a chair or ask to have something to sit/relax on while not shooting? Between takes or when your not needed instead of standing around all day?