Brett Manyluk

Though in the process of tracking these down I did learn that Clairmont Camera has some for rent in their system. Perhaps everyone knew that already, but I thought I'd just share... Brett

Got the address. They said they're website was down for a few hours for maintenance. Thanks! Brett

Does anyone have Transvideo's North American (or better yet Canadian) contact information? All my google searches keep coming up with their international website which refuses to load. I'm running a macbook pro with all current software, so it shouldn't be a handshake issue. Thanks, Brett

Question for all: Does anyone know where one of these marvelous monitors can be rented in North America (or preferably Canada?). That is, the new HD version (of course). Thanks, Brett

Before I changed my Rig out for new Hable version, I was using an Anton Bauer T-plate (hotswap) with 2 Dionics. Then you have 180 watts available. But perhaps this isn't a good solution for you?? Brett

Not only is that a small car, but a very small garage! Just look at that. Barely fit a 10 speed... Surprisingly, we have lots of them here in northern alberta and you see them all time on our main hi way dodging semi's and the fleet of large pickups. In oil country up here everybody else drives a 3/4 or 1 ton dually diesel with a 6" lift, big mudders, and a chrome package. No truck is fit to drive under $70,000 in the land of bitumen. But the little smart car holds its own quite nicely on paved roads.

If you're interested, you can also consider Dave Hable's Cramped Attic Upgrade. It's a different approach, where the battery stage and lower junction box are one unit, but he can install whatever you would like for wiring. Mine has 12/24, series and parallel (with full time 12 & 24 capability), video distribution amp, 2 level walking light, transmitter out, recorder out, 4 pin power out, 8 pin pro power/video/level/talley out, and a separate HDSDI line (which can loop video back up to the top from the distribution amp if not being used). Mind you, it was a little more money than the Steadyrig hanger (which looks great BTW) at around $5000 Cnd, but that was for the hanger and the junction box. Brett Manyluk

Yes, very nice work. Did you prelay any of the cable ahead of the shot? How many cable pullers did you use and where did you space them? Curious which zoom control you use as well. Thanks! Brett

I was watching The Daily Show making fun of Fox News (as usual), and they cut to a shot of an operator going lense-first into a corespondent. It looked like someone took a tumble. Did anyone else see this? Just wondering if the operator's okay.

I also use Pencil cases from staples, but there are some grrovey ones from Modular 51 that come in multiple sizes and colors. You can also velcro the cases together if you want. www.modular51.com Brett

David Hable in Vancouver is an uberguru in all things Steadicam. There seems to be nothing he can't handle. Give Him a try: Cramped Attic Technical Services 604.254.8619 Brett

Is the the Steadyrig topstage ready to go yet? What's the current state of this (great looking) piece of gear?

Elliott, So the third battery can be run separately where one is for monitor power independant of the others (cleanly), and the other two are for camera and accessory power, or all three (or two, depending) can be run in series for extra oomph. The sled delivers 12 and 24 volt power at the same time (as long as 2 batteries are used), but Dave can also build in an inverter for 1 battery 12 & 24volt if you want (I just didn't need it that way). As far as the HVX goes, I just added a big chunk of steel for about 12-15 more pounds up top to let it balance and fly better. I only have my EFP arm as a backup to my Baer Bel arm (which is a compression spring style like the PRO), but the springs are blue in my EFP. Even then, it's still really light. This setup cost me about $5000 Cnd for the base with all the wiring and the R&D, so it's probably less. You'd have to talk to Dave at Cramped Attic (604) 254-8619. He also built a new junction box up top my post a few years back. It only took about a week and a half from final design to machine and install everything. You could design whatever plugs you want for it and reduce the cost, or add to it. That's just how I set mine up.

And with the little HVX 200 and 1 dionic

and another

Another one

Greetings all, I just wanted to share a project I had going with David Hable at Cramped Attic. I'd been needing to change out the base my EFP for one that dynamically balances properly for quite some time. Dave had done a 2 battery 12/24volt upgarde for modest money several years ago, but it used the existing rails on the EFP base and had it's limitations. So, we put our heads together and he produced what we think is an awesome upgrade. It has: -3 battery 12/24 volt capability -batteries can be run traditional PRO style or in series for pigs like the Genesis -15mm rods can slide in and out for Dynamic balance. -Rear Batteries Swivel 180 degrees top to bottom. Super stiff when they're locked. -3rd battery under post slides fore and aft independent of the the other 2 -Gyro power out -4 pin XLR power out -recorder power & video out (from Video distribution amp) -4 pin Hirsoe power & video out (from Video distribution amp) for transmitter -BNC out (from Video distribution amp) -8 pin LEMO power, video, talley out (from Video distribution amp) -BNC out from separate HDSDI line (can be looped back up post as a secondary SD video feed at the top) -voltage read out that shows each battery voltage separately or the combined 24 volt. -2 brightness walking light (super handy) -Very rigid battery system. Can easily hold 3 Propacks without flex. -with a small mod, stainless or carbon fiber rods could be used instead of aluminum. The collar that was made for my Carbon Fiber 1.5" post was not made for quick release on my sled due to cabling llimitations at the top of my post, but I'm sure his handy machinist could design a clamping system for any size post. Dave is a custom builder and can easily adapt to whatever his client wants. Different connections, no problem. Different shape, no problem. All it takes is some brain juice and money to lubricate the machinery of design. (He also seems to like Barossa reds). I've had it out in the field for a few weeks and am happy to say it lives up to the Cramped Attic reputation. PLEASE NOTE: I am not in the rig manufacturing business. This was something that met my financial means for the upgrade of my particular sled and is not intended to be the latest or greatest. I'm sharing with all of you as a gesture of goodwill and to further the knowledge in our collective community. I'm thrilled to hear feedback and answer questions about it. I hold the variety of manufacturers in very high esteem. I hope someday soon to be sitting on enough spare cash to have my pick of the the top rigs. Good? Good. And now some pictures:

Anyone have a Bartech Iris control that they're not making use of? Let me know... Brett Manyluk

Does anybody out there know the exact outer diameter of the late-model EFP carbon fiber post lower sleeve (i.e. the lower post section)? I'm guessing it's 1 3/8", but I don't have the proper tool to measure it exactly. Much thanks in advance, Brett

Sounds great! Thoughts on price yet? Ballpark? Brett

Thanks for the information. Jim, David Hable beat you to it, though I would have jumped on that immediately if he hadn't called. The "Panavised" version of the HDX-900P (at least up here in the Great White North, eh) has one of the 7.5-138mm Canon cine lenses (broadcast mount, not panavision), Chrosziel dovetail and rod mount, and Arri FF and Matte box (the FF5, and the MB19/20). They replace the tophadle with a very nice machined aluminum one with a lot of mount points (good for low mode), throw in a Marshall HDSDI monitor, 100gb Firestore drive and 2 Noga arms. They have a machined aluminum Long eyepiece "adapter" which removes the eyepiece from its regular position and moves it back via the mount with a longer cable. They also throw in a 17" panasonic HD monitor (very nice). The package also comes with a lense light and power distro box in 2 pin panavision style. Chuck in a whack of cables, a set of legs, and there you go. Brett

Hello all, Shooting on an HDX 900p in the next few days. The panavised one particularily. Anyone know what pin set should be used for run/stop for a bartech? Thanks, Brett

You may have mention this already Charles, but make sure to replace the interior spar (the on that everything is fastened to) as the were too thin on the EFP and subject to stress failure. I've seen it happed to others, it happened to me, and elsewhere on this forum. A thicker piece in stronger aluminum will easily do the trick. I like the ratchets BTW. Brett Manyluk

Thanks all... we found a guy for this job. Fly Safe, Brett

Greetings all, I've had a client phone me to see if I could travel to Houston to shoot a short corporate interview with an oil exec as they shoot baskets outside their home. It looks like I may be double booked for this shoot and am just looking to see if anyone on this forum is from that area and could shoot it in case I cannot. It's loosely scheduled for November 12. It'll be video, of course, but I'm not sure what format. Sounds pretty easy. Any volunteers or suggestions? Brett Manyluk