Jerry Holway

Christian- M1V goes on the M1 - and now on other sleds. What the M1 can carry, the M1V can handle. (sorry to hijack any part of this) I agree with Alec re the Exodus.

There is the possibility of adding the Wagner level display from the control unit in the future.

Send it to Tiffen/ UK rthwaites@tiffen.com The bearings are all in standard sizes, so some bearing should be available, somewhere.

More on #7, "getting confused." What you describe in your question it always handles like a charm. Even flipping it upside down, whip panning, and doing all sorts of wild things all at once (we've watched folks try this at demo's...) and it has always worked.

1. I notice that the Volt gimbal doesn't have the remote control for the motorized stage, I think I understand why but can you clarify that the functions that the remote (side to side, for and aft and GoTo buttons) gave you previously are now no longer required with the Volt gimbal? not required but if you already have it (U2 for instance) you can still have it and use it. 2. Understandably having a dynamically balanced sled is preferable but to what extent can the Volt gimbal handle a sled that is not dynamically balanced when panning? A lot. handles out-of balance sleds, gimbals. Better if all true and balanced, especially for big moves, whip pans. Your skill as an operator matters 3. What is the un-assisted speed or virtual drop time the tilt function of the gimbal can give you? . So for example, How many seconds does it take to tilt from a 45 degree tilt to vertical? Can this speed be varied? quite variable from infinite to quite fast in either tilt or roll and independent in each axis 4. Reading a previous comment above from Gregory, re Resting position on the shoulder, at what degree of Tilt does the system switch off ? It rolls off gradually around 45 degrees 5. In relation to the above question, at what degree does the Roll function of the system switch off ? Does the tilt and roll function switch off simultaneously? close to 5 degrees 5a. If a shot begins by looking straight up a skyscraper and then tilting down to find a person exiting the building, how long does the system take to engage and realize that you are not resting the rig on your shoulder but doing a shot? instantly, and gradually increasing 6. I can see that the amount of strength the gimbal motors can exert can be varied, what is the maximum strength ? How many pounds of pressure from say wind blowing on the rig can the system hold the rig stable? That would depend on the wind shadow of the rig. It helps. Good on vehicles. 7. Can the system become confused in any way? As an example, if the system is in the tilt and hold setting and you have to do a slow switch with the rig tilted up, the tilt bearing of the gimbal progresses to be the roll axis and back to the tilt axis, similarly the roll bearing progresses from roll axis to the tilt axis and back to roll axis. Beauty of it, it rarely gets confused. I haven't ever seen it, but I suspect that with very, very long continuous accelerations, like on a merry-go-round, would cause level drift. But you can ALWAYS hold the rig to any angle you want. 8. Can the motors be damaged if the Volt is set to hold the rig vertical and you hold the rig in a non-vertical position for an extended period? Nope. 9. Maintenance? I notice that the two drive gears with toothed belt is exposed, why is this component not covered? Does it need constant adjustment? How susceptible is this system to dust and moisture? How many hours of operation can we expect before having to replace motors, belts etc. Most of the time the motors and belts, etc. are doing almost no work, barely move, and are under no big strain ever. Belts of this type should last well nigh forever, but are easily available all over the world. Tensioning is easy. Needs to be covered (with a temporary "skirt") for conditions where you would also cover your camera. 10. What is the power consumption of the system? Almost nothing most of the time - the neutral balance and dynamic balance and inertia of the sled is doing most of the work. I think you won't notice it in terms of battery replacement. I believe it can draw 2 amps if it needs to (not sure when it would, and certainly not for any length of time). 11. Gimbal centering, it would seem that the simple system of previous gimbals to center the gimbal isn't obvious in the Volt gimbal, can you comment on how this is done in the Volt or is this now a non essential adjustment? It's set at factory - centering matches the system for the M1. It can handle out-of-center gimbals as well (a little more power draw, of course). 12. Is it foreseeable that future versions of this Volt system could offer a virtual Pan inertia as well, which could be an alternative to using gyros? Not contemplated at this time. Thought about it, of course - the little Volt for smart phones has motors for pan as well. Increasing pan inertia with weights and/or Antlers would be useful up to a point, then one could add gyros for the odd shot.

Tom is correct. .740.

Arm post for Archer, Pilot, etc. is about .495 -.493

Just checking if you are attempting to adjust it while the arm is unloaded, then that definitely won't work. However, if you are carrying a load and have the spring roughly at 90 degrees to the lift adjuster and it is jammed, then something bad has happened and it should go back in for repairs (alas). Someone trying to adjust the arm when unloaded could cause such a problem. Email Joe Wilbur at Tiffen. jwilbur@tiffen.com

Scott- the post and the arcs are pinned and glued together. If there's shifting, I'd send the two back to Burbank for a re-pinning and gluing - if that's possible. Contact Joe Wilbur JWilbur@tiffen.com

The big plan is to make the M1-V as widely available as possible. Older sleds like Archer or Ultra (original and 2), Clippers, Shadows, etc. will all be able to have their gimbals modified to accept the M1-V. Final details and prototypes should show up at NAB. Patience!

Yes, just wait for NAB.

Answered on the Facebook forum, but yes, vest can be flipped. A bit more work on the waist panels (if it is really set fully goofy) but it only takes 10 to 15 minutes for the full flip, which allows the socket block to be set at its lowest. A temporary flip (just flipping the socket block) takes about 1 minutes or less.

It's good to have the ability to zoom in - really test your skills. I suggest you get a small video camera that records digitally (do they even sell tape cameras anymore) so it is easy to play back. Also test your work on the biggest screen you own.

The only thing that is frustrating is knowing that there is no more - or no less - to really understanding dynamic balance. The math originally written by Ed DiGuilio's brother, Arnold, even explains co-planar sleds.... and sleds with the monitor lower than the battery!

"Ive read a lot about dynamic balance, but i never saw people getting their rig in static balance without a camera on top. Isnt that the best way to archieve dynamic balance?" Absolutely not! Either read the book or the primer, both readily available. Or see Fawcett's video.

Just one thing; RE arm post diameter - there already exists an adapter for 5/8ths to .740 (a sleeve) which comes standard with the slanted F-bracket. Also, it's easy enough to have 5/8ths posts with .740 ends made. I'm sure someone makes these...

No, knob adjusts length of a crankshaft, which moves spring termination point as arm is boomed up and down. Smooths response and alters iso-elastic characteristics.

From the Tiffen website: The G-70x is the third release of Tiffen’s G-Series arms. The revolutionary, patented Geo spring geometry optimizes performance throughout its lifting range. It tames high/low arm travel with adjustable-length crankshafts that dynamically rock the spring termination as the arm is boomed up or down. Powered by coaxial titanium spring sets, the G-70x arm smoothly carries any load from 13 to 70 pounds (5.8 to 32 kg). The all new bearing performance enhancements on the G-70x arm makes even the slowest camera moves ultra smooth.

M1's gimbal post is 1.75. Some of the 1.5" posts are specified at a slightly smaller diameter. There are manufacturer's tolerances to consider, too.

I suggest she try either a used Compact Master Series or Compact Ultra vest, or a new Zephyr vest as Chris suggests. All these choices will fit well and easily handle the weight.

While hanging off the balancing post, it should be still. So either there is wind blowing on the rig, or someone is moving the stand. It can't generate a force on its own. When you are operating, you are moving, so you must learn how to prevent the swaying. The issue occurs with all Steadicams. It's a consequence of how we balance the rigs - slightly bottom heavy - so the sled behaves like a pendulum.

There should be plenty of info and images and videos later today!

Garrett, Steve Wagner, the rest of the Tiffen team, and I are looking forward to seeing friends at CineGear. We’ve got a new technological marvel to demonstrate, the M1V.

G-50X and G-70X arms are very iso (and adjustably so) regardless of the weight carried. (12-50+ and 13-70+ pounds/no tools). Best choice, IMHO. Look for good used arms if new price is an issue. "3 spring" arms always get less iso and more reactive the less weight they carry. It's physics and can't be avoided. Master Series arms had consistent performance but often had sticky bearings... good arm if kept clean. PRO arm with multiple canisters also a good choice.

Yes, of course.