Marc R. Berger

Hi John,

the play was 8mm here. IMHO it should be locked with a ball bearing.

Hi Christopher,

I had one. Above video was my configuration (not with the same steadicam). It was working like in the video above as long I didn´t walk a bit faster then he walks in this video. Once I walked, it started to vibrate and bump in the vertical axis. Could not use it.

Happy New Year Everybody!

...I´m eager to hear some news about the WXB.

Anybody heard something?

Thank you and cheers,

may this year be a great one for everybody!

Marc

Its hard to describe without trying one. In essence it makes your rig feel extra bottom heavy but only around the roll axis with option of damping, you may set the physical rig for very long drop time so tilts are easier to hold, but roll axis still re-centers like a short drop time rig. Uses same level sensing means as Wagner level, so fairly immune to whip pans, sudden moves, etc. If you set it to max gain and rate feedback the horizon basically takes care of itself while you concentrate on pan and tilt framing. Yes of course you are cheating compared to an all passive rig, but you still have way more operator input and expression compared to Movi type gimbals.

Steve W

Hi Steve, do you know more about release date and pricing?

Thank you,

Marc

Anybody saw the Maxima30 and the Wagner WXB?

Thank you for posting news about those two products.

Transvideo 6" SBL classic. I have it. Great monitor, and here once again: Can´t beat the customer support.

One or two axis stabilization with a lighter setup then this would be great for longtime operating (sports and documentary films). I just had the situation shooting the whole day, sometimes for 1 1/2 hour without a brake. After a couple of hours I would have loved having some electronic help to keep the horizon steady. But I´m not a very experienced and decent operator yet.

I don´t see those gimbals overtaking the brilliant work of decent steadicam operators. A beautifully made steadicam move is IMHO still breathtaking and somehow with a elegance those gimbals can´t deliver, but I see a big advantage in the near future bringing some of those gimbal techniques into the steadicam rig: with much less electronic parts and more precise and rugged mechanical solutions. Somehow more integrated in the rig, top stage, gimbal, or a extra box like the WXB.

(I apologize if sometimes my english is a bit complicated).

Hi Thomas, I´m happy to see that a top notch operator like you is interested in this too. It hopefully makes the process to bring such solution to the market a bit faster... I´m a bit afraid that the WXB will be forgot beside the gimbal hype.

Hi Andreas,

How heavy is this setup? Would it work with Epic/Scarlet?

Thanks

Marc

And (because I don´t want to change subject in this thread), gimbals like the one from Andreas really seem to be a big jump.

Would be very good to hear something about this or the Wagner WXB, and see a working production model, but maybe they all stopped working on it because of the arising of the Gimbals.

Hi Jens, where did you find this? What´s that? Something like this new WXB level assistant? From XCS...can´t find it listed on their website.

Thanks,

Marc

Well, got the news. Still only prototype, no pricing about it. It Should be at IBC 2014 to test.

Hi Steve,

do you have any news about the WXB? Avability, price, testing?

Thank you,

Marc

I can never get bored of watching quality work like this!

Thanks for sharing James.

Yes, me too!

Thank you for sharing.

I always put them in lead bags and ask for hand-cheking. On international flights you have the right for hand-checking for your photographic films. But sometimes they still want to put it in trough their x-ray with the words "film-safe"...then the lead bag helps to weaken the impact on the films. Never had problems with films until 3200 like that until today.

The used a system where all the "cuts" are programmed.

Still, you as a camera operator or steadicam op need to come up with your shot, or the auto "cut" will get you :-)

 

Almost, i mean Almost we would have the next version in Holland. We just lost from Austria by a few points. Would have been awesome to do. ( I already have done 2 versions of the eurovision songfestival children version ) Oh well, big concrats to Austria, and the crew who did a amazing job

Oh...this makes the work of the ops even more astonishing. Thank you for this link.

I was very impressed too -with the Steadicam work- and with all the other camera work too. There was some very exceptional directing/ camera work/ live editing . The Danish TV made a impressive and great job!

Hi Zeb,

nice to see you over here, welcome.

Have a look at this:

Larry McConkey mounted his Movi on the sled. Fantastic setup!

I think most of the steadicam guys would like to be able to mount a gimbal like the Movi/Ronin on the sled or the arm. Fast changing on set possibilities without a lot of tools.

Just some initial thoughts,

Cheers,

Marc

Just would like to share some information from Robin Thwaites about the WXB. I think he explained the function of the WXB very well, and it maybe it helps also others to understand it better. I was a bit confused about all those new developments.

My question was:

The question right now for me is how it compares to the other solutions coming along, like the Lynn axis or the Letus 1 axis gimbal.
Do you think there is a big benefit of the WXB over the other solutions. I could imagine the biggest benefit would be the „closed system“, not so sensitive to dust, dirt and moisture. And for sure the operating feeling.

He´s answer:

Interesting question since we showed both at NAB. They work differently,
in that the Lynn Axis and the Letus work by actively drive the level of
the camera directly. Where are as, the WXB works as a counter-pendulum, or
in other words actively shifts a weight to maintain level of the Sled and
I would say "advises" the operator where level is although he may over
ride it simply by increasing the hand pressure. Also the WXB it very nice
where you have to make a dead accurate lock-off with a wide lens but are a
competent operator in the first place.

Not sure if that explains it, the WXB is definitely more "organic" in my
mind and as you say, is a sealed unit that may easily be fitted to any
rig. Also, for a heavy camera it puts the weight where you want it to keep
the post short.


Best
Robin

Great to hear, James!

I also had the best surgeon. Was in Berlin. I can´t say how thankful I am to my doctor for his art. He gave me my life back.

I hope you will have a similar great experience,

all the best,

get well soon and back to the great work your doing!

Marc

...one more thing I found out over 10 years, everybody's back is as unique like a fingerprint. This said, I think everything is possible regarding the healing process. First thing to check-if you didn´t do already- ask your doctor for a MRT. A simple radiography doesn´t show enough.

Back to your entry question (and because I saw on your website the heavy gear your working with): I never got back to work normally afterwards. Not with photography, neither with operating or (started after the surgery) steadicam work. But I´m quite well and can do more then all the doctors mentioned. And as I said, "steadicamming" became even a part of my daily back training. But my max. weight I´m working with is around 15-18 kg.

IMHO to get well without surgery is better. Look for as much information as possible!!! There are for sure special clinics in uk.

Cheers,

Marc

Hi James, sorry to hear that. I know how painful it can be. I had three times a slipped disc. The last time (2008) my left leg was gone completely . I had a urgent surgery, got my force and my feeling in the leg within 1/2 year back. A lot of rehab. was necessary. Since then I had no problems anymore. Some ache sometimes, but that´s it. I have the strong feeling working with the steadicam is doing good for my back now. Yes, you can laugh about this, but I´m working with a back mounted vest from actionproducts which puts the weight more on the hips, and the belly surrounding fixture of the vest gives my back a comfortable stability.

I would strongly recommend to get good examinations before going trough surgery. The first two very bad slipped disc I´ve had were better treated without surgery. But its long, takes sometimes one year or more.

I hope you get well soon,

Marc

Hi everyone

From Letus 1 to 3 axis stabilizer .They are making one that a Alexa can go on . Looks very similar to Lynn Axis .

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=NAB+2014LETUS

enjoy.

Yeah, a lot of exciting solutions will come up, but I wonder how a 1 axis Letus will react at 90° Tilt. In my understanding to tilt 90° with one of those movi like stabilizers, I would need the 3 axis version with a second operator. Steve Wagner answered this question with his solution (WXB) above, and for a simple horizon stabilization Steve´s solution looks the most tempting to me. What do you think? How could a Letus 1 axis control 90° tilting? It would need a much stronger motor to hold the weight, right?

Thank you Steve. Sounds great. Very interested to try it. What happens at a 90 degree tilt?