Marcin Brauer

Just out of curiosity, does any of you guys have a manual for Seitz focus system? I would very much appreciate if someone could send me a PDF version :) Thanks in advance!

Igor, The mail with info is on the way. Afton, Did you decided to let the Seitz go? If so let me know the price as I could now a guy who would want to buy it. Thanks!

Hi Igor, I have made them myself - just disassebled one battery and copy all holes and joints. Unfortunatly I don`t have any photos of the production process and the cover film is not transparent. You can check the final resault at: http://www.steadipixels.com/seitz.jpg - the red ones. I got a few extra connectors left, so if you would like I can make 2 battery packs for you. There is 9 cells per battery, one cell 2700mAh costs around ?2, so I guess I can make two of them for around 50-60? plus shipping. 2700 mAh - I never tried it out till the end, but on one set I forgot to take the charger, and one battery last for 3 day of shooting still not blinking empty, it was only 3 day at remote location, when I returned I charged them again. But I will beat thay can handle 5+ days. Let me know if you are interested.

Just woke up :) The shooting went not so fine, but we managed. They only had Arricam ST because Moviecam was at location with 2nd unit 300km from our position. Untill I saw the lenses I was fine, but they shown me Hawk primo anamorphic lens and I died! We shoot everything from 40mm to 100mm - they are so f...ing heavy. The camera was powered by its own battery - a guy has carry it behing me. It was crazy! I had to use force in my power hand to boom up and it was exosting, especialy because it was the first time I worked in Hollywood style (the director, actors and producers were from L.A. - they come to Poland to save money) - and belive me this style is diferent. Here in Poland we do rechelsals until the shoot is perfect, and yesterday the director done one rechelsal with actors told me how the shot should look and we rolled! In close-ups and medium shoots he didn`t cut only shout "back to 1`st" and we did another take. I prefer Polish style, because of time to rest after the take. Doing 4 takes in the row - without break - was very hard... One other thing - I was doing run with 100mm :D and after running to a reception (it was police dept.) I had to make a stop and start with a smooth, slow dolly like shot. Suprisigly it looked ok! For the first time I had a problem with my Seitz Follow Focus - the focus ring on the 40mm Hawk lens was so huge that my system could only do from 1m to 6m - I couldn`t go further on setup pots :/ My M28VP has a standard gear on it - maybe I need a bigger gear? I don`t have any photos to show, because my assistant couldn`t be with me yesterday - another horror thing to teach a grip how to take care of you. Anyway I have to find a buyer for my EFP and go for a bigger rig cause more and more I come accross 35mm in my work. Thanks for info guys! Although I didn`t managed to read it before I leaft but I will have the data for the future. Back to relax :D

Looks like it would fly on EFP, but I`m not sure if the op has Blue or Gold springs (I have blue). Anyway, I will post tomorrow if it has managed or not :/ 30 views - 0 reply.... no comment

Need help with weight estimate. Just got a call, they need me tomorrow to shoot either with Arricam or Moviecam Compact. I don`t know if my EFP will handle it. Can someone tell me how does those cameras compare to Panavision Millenium XL in weight? More or less thesame, lighter, heavier? No accessories just cammera. Thanks in advance.

Hi TJ, This gear should be very easy to repare but just in case a backup would be nice :) Could you make some photos? Thanks!

Joseph, As the device is not mine , I haven`t got a chance to take a good look at it - you know how it is on a set, no time for fouling around. I`m not quite sure if the antenas are detachable, if they are I think the connector should be R-SMA, and in that case you should be able to use any WiFi (TITAN is 2.4GHz device) antena you choose (omni, sector, directional). There is not much told about antenas on the website of the producent. TAKE A LOOK I wouldn`t worry to much because it is working very nice with the original ones.

Still for sale or exchange. Thanks!

Just did it again! Much safer this time. I was to shot a column of bikers. We were driving on termac at 15kph. This time I was flying Arri 235 on my EFP. Great and leight camera. Too bad is missing steadimags, but that is the only issue and all rest was perfect. Here are two short clips of the ride from my assistant digital camera: Clip 1 Clip 2

I`m not quite sure if that`s 100% reson to use green Thomas. Human sight is more sensitive towards green and it is the most relaxing color to use. Almost all of military equipment, car dashboards and other enlighted meters or displays use green light. As far as I remember biology it has something to do with light receptors we have in our eyes. As for the LCD I would go for brighter than bigger. Summer sun can make CRTs look dark, not to mention LCDs...

Joseph, I have used TITAN several times, and it is nice device, although you get noise every now and then especialy when used in narrow corridors. Can be easy connected to rig by standard Hirose 6pin power/video connector. So far I didn`t use Modulus so I have no way to compare but I had never heard a complain from DP about quality of Titan.

Hi Afton. Well I`m useing my Seitz for almost a year now, and it is working just great. My unit is about 10 year old and there are absolutly no signs of it (only looks - most of the crew laughs and play with it as it would be a radio transmiter from WWII - but that all). Most of the time I`m working on Low RF setting and still the range is just amazing. I have 3 battery kits - 2 orginal, 1 custom made by myself (simply with 9AA accus). Because it is a older device you shouldn`t have any problems with serviceing (I doubt if you will ever need it) and makeing new battery kit is plain simple. Especialy considering that one battery with 1,1Ah will last for 3 days of shooting with Low RF setting (I don`t use the Hi option much so I don`t know how much it would run on it, but should be a day with no problem). The configuration of the unit is also simple, it is just enough to remember on what focus value you started setting up and then you can change the rings to diferent lenses with without loosing scale. I`m always putting the channel knobs "+" "-" to zero and seting the lens to 3 feet than I turn the scale-knob to go to infinity by adjusting the "+" knob (that depend on the side of lens you put the motor on - on other side it would be "-" knob). When I go to Inf. I turn the scale-knob to other end and aim the lens to the lowest focusing distance. And that`s it. Now when you change lenses and than go back the the first on it is enought to do the same procedure exacly and the scale doesn`t have to be retyped on the dial. I don`t know if that make sens - but I have to say that Seitz is great when you use to it. Enjoy the new rig!

Looking for a buyer of my beloved rig. I`m changeing to a bigger rig and EFP has to go (can`t afford to have them both - sadly...). This EFP is in great shape, with fine mods applyed to it. Check it out on detailed PHOTOS The package includes: - EFP arm with reinforced arm post clamp, low mode J-bracket and long arm post - EFP vest with quick realese - EFP sled with mods: * IIIa gimble * dynamic balancable battery (PAGlok) and monitor mount * Chrosziel hi-res greenscreen monitor with frameline generator, electronic bubble level indicator and hood * two docking rings (for high and low mode) * clamp plate with 15mm rod for accessories - Hevy-duty stand with a docking barcket - 2 PAGlok brick batteries (7Ah - recelled around 20 charge cicles ago) with PAG fast charger (2h per battery) and aditional battery holder. - everything stored in 2 havy-duty cases with custom padding. Everything waiting for a camera to fly! Looking for a reasonable offer. Don`t hesitate to ask questions. Thanks

Sounds interesting. How does it work in low-mode?

Just got back. The shoot went well - no one hurt :) but the drive was a bit crazy. Narrow termac road on a mount side with a big fall on one side and a wall on the other. They change from quads to car. So we end up with between two cars - one with video assist and focus puller and the other with stuntman (who suposed to fake a flat tire accident). There was three rehealsals on 1/4, 1/2 and full speed. So thanks again all for your advice - surely was helpfull.

Thanks for advice. I will try to keep it as safe as possible. The driver is the owner so that is a good thing - but this will be the first time he drive with crew on board, so far he was just rideing it for fun. Anyway, I was told that it would be safer not to strap down to ATV - there is gonna be a pipe that should keep from falling. But we will see - first drive though the terrein at low speed will determin safty precausions. Thanks again!

We`ll be doing a chease seqence on a mountain off-road track. There will be 2 ATV with stuntman driving and 3rd one with steadicam hard mounted (on photo). I would like to ask all of you for any safety precausions you may have developed over the years with riding on all sorts of vechicles. Thanks!

As for the Millenium XL: My EFP arm (blue springs) is at it`s max setting while running Millenium with 400ft mag and 50mm lens. So I guess gold spring arm would handle the weight. Anyway - it`s gonna be a crazy shoot. Good luck!

Richard, I do have Conrad 12v to 24v power invereter with 3pin or 4pin xlr out - This should be enough for XL. There are only 3 steadicams that I`m aware here in Poland - there was 4 but one was stolen month back or so. That makes borrowing arm not an easy task. I`m starting to consider an upgrade of my blue springs to gold... Bob, Now as for renting other camera - I think it is not an option, I already try to convince producers to use 235 - they say they will look into it but I should`nt get my hopes up.

Have any of you used Panavision Millenium XL camera on EFP with blue springs? The heaviest camera I have flyed so far was Arri 16SR3 and the arm adjustment was in the middle of its way - so I guess I will be able to put XL on with 200ft mag? I will be able to check the camera one week before shooting, so I would like to prepare myself in advance. As far as I know they will require from me to fly the camera on a ATV - any ideas about best hard-mount for quads? Thanks,

The rig looks interesting. But the most interesting part is the camera - Manuel where did you get JVC HD100 - it is not in sale yet?! Could you share any insides about the performance of the rig?

I`m looking for a clamp plate (long one preferable) for my EFP. Additionally I would be interested in GPI design docking bracket (1,5").