Brandon Thompson

Call Jim Bartell or email him. As stated above his service is 2nd to none. PLC electronics was helpful when i had user error with my digital bartech. I haven't purchased from them but I know they are based in Canada so that could increase cost, maybe??

I too have this problem, with tally light on with multiple power cables.

The patent is interesting since it is defined as: The patent laws usually require that, for an invention to be patentable, it must be: Patentable subject matter, i.e., a kind of subject-matter eligible for patent protection. Novel (i.e. at least some aspect of it must be new) Non-obvious (in United States patent law) or involve an inventive step (in European patent law) How is a steadicam plate Non-obvious? Maybe because they have incorporated it into the studio bridge plate??

Brad, What is going on with your Jumper Block? Heat Sink? thanks Brandon

ah, yes that would be the logical thing to do. but I am on a show that is against all logic. I assumed there are no real issues rolling the camera on a stand with pneumatic wheels. The back focus issue in the past season probably wasn't a result of rolling the carts, but the carts had to take the blame.

we are using the Fuji 19-90 and the Sony ff5 to PL mount.

I am currently on a show shooting on the Sony F55. We were told that last season there was a back focus issue thought to be the result of vibrations transfered to the cameras when they are moved on the rolling stands. So now we have to wear the rig when moving from sound stage to sound stage or worse the 300yds to the back lot. Theses are the typical Steadicam stands with the 8" pneumatic wheels. Has anyone experienced a problem with the F55 and back focus or with any camera and transport on the stand?? Thx Brandon

Hi, Looking to buy a HU2 and MDR2. I do not need motors. I might need a few power cables. Thanks, Brandon

kyle, I am going to assume that you still have the base that has one screw that tightens the battery hanger. Call Steadicam and insist that they upgrade you to the the gen 2 base that has 2 screws. That is what I did when I had my gen 1 Flyer. I never had any problems once they upgraded the battery hanger. In my opinion it was a design flaw, bc they changed the design shortly after.

Lawrence, I have been shooting with the epic on an indie these past 2 weeks and I am using the camwave. I haven't had any issues with the camwave or signal. I am flying the tx down low and loop out of my cinetronic to the camwave. Hope this helps. Brandon

I believe I got mine from Delta Components in Alabama. http://www.deltacomponentsusa.com/ Check with them.

Brain and Mark have both made great suggestions, but I just wanted to add another option for splitting power on the Flyer or Flyer LE models. Lemo makes a splitter which consist of a male plug one one side and 2 female ports on the other. If my memory serves me correctly the part number for the flyer is: FTG.0B.302.PLFG and for the Flyer LE: FTG.0B.303.PLFG. I have flown the F3 on my Flyer and I use my redrock micro baseplate which allows me to have 15mm rods for the motor and the BFD and downconverter (which i mount behind the camera for balancing). If you have to run sound to the camera I have mounted the Dual channel Lectro to the hot shoe which also helps with balance.

It is all about preference. I have a flyer arm that you can not change the tension, but on full size arms you can and it all depends on what feels right for you.

I think i remember having a problem like this and if i recall it was a power issue. where you getting power to the top stage? i remember a solder connection breaking under the AB plate. just a thought

Blair, I am also a flyer owner. You have done well buying the BFD, a great investment that will stay with you when you do move up to a big rig. I got a redbyte decimator for my down converter. It is almost weightless, so i would buy that next if you are thinking about trying to take red jobs. You will be able to fly the Red, but stripped down of course. I like using the IDX HD wireless transmitter for video, and fly that on the bottom, and then just run a cable down the post. This allows you to balance easier. I would aslo say if you can buy the HD transmitter it is a good investment, but sometimes you can get production to get it thrown in with their package. Good Luck, Brandon

I don't understand why there is a problem with the other connectors/extra cable. Just bundle it all up. No need to cut off the other connectors. Just plug the yellow connector into the top stage and there you go. I just flew the 7d on my flyer and had no problems.

Big Thank You to Jim. He always answers the phone when your in a jam, or atleast when I am in one. Same day service is hard to beat. If anyone is thinking about buying a BFD, do it. You won't regret it. Thanks Jim!

How easy is it to switch the pro vest over for us "goofy" ops?

Mike, I have never flown the varicam on my flyer, but did fly the hdx900. I agree that the flyer arm can handle 23-25lbs. I also agree that it is alot of stress on the gimbal, and also i felt some flex in the post. I lost the viewfinder, carried a bfd/m-one, and a vid tx. I would into the downconverter for the varicam. I'm on a show now with the varicam, not steadi, and we have to have downconverter for the sd vid tx. Good luck, Brandon

If we agree that the op was on foot, then I would like to know if he was Don Juan or walking backwards? On that note, how would most of you done the shot? Also how often do you don jaun and turn the monitor so it is in front of you?

A fellow op called a few weeks ago and told me he was looking for someone to cover him on a 2 hour live show. He said the job wasn't tough, and that the production company had their own rig (a master's series) and that they would pay my rate to operate. A little backstory if you will: I own a flyer, and have some experience with large rigs, but never done a 2 hour show in one.I was somewhat excited to use the master series b/c I haven't flown one yet. When I got the rig off the truck one bag said "Steadicam" the other "MK-V". My curiosity grew. I have flown the "MK-V lite" sled. But there was no lite sled in the case. It was the MK-V V3 HD rig,(wrapped in bubble wrap). Needless to say I was in shock. I opened the steadicam bag and found an Ultra2 vest. I saw the arm bag, but for some reason didn't look right away. After I unwrapped the bubble wrap and set the rig on the stand, I figured I would hang the arm on the stand too. I open the bag and find a "G-70"! It took me a minute to take it all in. Now I know for you vets this is no big deal, but for a guy who is always maxing his wee little flyer to the limits, this was a big deal. I had played with the G-70 at NAB 2008, but I would now have a chance to see it in the real world. The same applies for the sled. Well here is my report: vest:awesome! Arm: awesome! Sled:awesome! I had plenty of time to fine tune the rig, and boy did I love flying that set up. Unfotunately, they didn't use steadi much on the show. But I got great experience in some of the best gear you can buy today. Well I'm off to find a good piramid scheme so I can get rich quick and buy me a new "big" rig.

Yes, I have two Flyer monitors and one mirrors while the other one does not. Does anyone know if Tiffen will fix this??? They fixed mine.

Even if you were just starting out, do you think it would be best to spend $2,000 for the LE? As an owner of a single section flyer, get the LE. You will be glad that you spent the extra $2000. On top of the reasons Philip stated, the larger dia post should allow you to add extra wires down the post, which you will soon add to power additional accessories.

Eric, I own the exact setup that you are questioning, except I have the standard flyer (one section post). You shouldn't have a problem with weight I dont. I agree with the others, don't mount from the handle flip it in post. I would think that using the 2 section post you should be able to get a decent low mode shot. Depending on your battery mount you might need a propac and a trim pac to balance, or multiple v-mounts stacked. I would like to hear how it works out for you. With my single section post, I am unable to get much in terms of low mode. I have expressed interest to steadicam about buying the flyer le sled, but was told it is not an option, wierd. Like I said i would love to see some pics of the rig if you can make it work. Brandon Thompson

I think I will definately give the op a call and see what he is charging. The production wasn't saying they were going to use the LA guy, they were just saying that my quote was higher than the "LA" rate so they weren't even going to think about using me. I figure it was bull shit, I just thought I would throw it up here. The shoot is the 28th, so I will let you know how these guys pan out. If they are crap I will post their info.