PatrickvanWeeren

Dear second hand steadicam-buyer(s), Eric is right, you should try the E-bay, MK-V second hand section, This forum and try calling around in your own neighbourhood. Most of the time there's a "sleeping" rig somewhere... Considering the mini, it's so new and so cool that I can't imagine there being a lot of them on the second hand market. Don't forget it only sells for approx $5000.- When you're considering second hand JR be carefull. The old version has a monitor that could be off a bit and check the forum on the steadicam DV, there were some problems initially. Be extremely carefull with the ABC,Argentinian system and other brands. Check bearings, metal recidu, springs and connectors. (bearings could lock-up in motion). I will always suggested buying a solid old second hand steadicam then a new cheaper system for the same price. Always bare in mind that you yourself will have to practice and grow along with you're gear (and your market). Kind regards and good-luck, Patrick van Weeren With the bigger rigs, you could ask the factory to give it an inspection, just like your car.

Dear birthday-boys, Maybe we could do something, e.g. make a fun DVD or video? This way we can spread the celebrating and joy around the world... Basically one of the beatiful things is the integration of the steadicam in film and tv industry's all around the world, There are story's from Philadelphia to Japan, Zweden to South Africa... A llot of people would mis out on a specific event in a specific part of the world. PLease let me know if anybody is interested... Kind regards, Patrick van Weeren "celebrating alone make Patrick a dull boy..."

Sex ..... ...Is that an iso-elastic arm in your pocket or... ...I think I'm just not the guy for the Off Topic section... ...sorry... Patrick

Don't do steadicam for your resume; Do it for the quality of the production!!! A director and producer will not give you more "credit" when your steadicam work didn't add to the show. (practice on student films etc. ) When you're a good hand-held, don't spoil the relationship. Always be shure to have a proper reason for the steadicam. Discuss with the director about specific features , shots, movements before the rehearsal day. The director(s) will appreciate the quality more than the trouble. Think from his/her point of view... By the way; get yourself a focus puller for close-ups etc. better pics and gives your brain some extra spare time to operate properly! Good-luck Patrick van Weeren

Dear Job and other ops, considering Film and video : --> always a focus puller considering Broadcast live television: I'd use the J-7 and or a focus puller. Whenever I've had the luxurious pleasure of a focus puller I'd still do my own zooming. (Which ends up in not really zooming at all) All directors that I've worked with using a focus puller are convinced that they can use the steadicam twice as good compared to working without a focus puller. The one-man band has the restriction of simple wide-angle shots. It happened before that during rehearsal the director overruled the producer and got me a focus puller... Great feeling ! I'm not capable of working long lenses and pulling focus at the same time, I'm a human being not a three handed, double brain Mac dual processor with emotions. Well ... I've got a split personality , I'm not shure... I should try to stop my medication and figure it out .... He might be able to help me out... By the way Job what kind of wireless remote zoom do you use? Kind regards, Patrick van Weeren

Sorry arrived a bit late but ehm... Do recognisable reflections count as well? Personally I'd love to turn up my green screen brightness whenever I see a window on the set. Quote Robert Duvall in 1979: That green glow...the whole screen.... nothing in the whole world glows like that.... it glows like victory... someday the ops are going to be in the frame son... Check out SPEED, You can actually see the reflection of the operator on the low bed truck next to the bus, (when the bus still has a reflection in the front sliding doors) Kind regards, Patrick van Weeren The Netherlands

Hello folks, Considering return viewing: I use a tally system, with a photoLED on the camera's tally to the Master series Monitor. On top of the monitor I've made an L-bracket with the smallest LCD monitor and VHF UHF receiver that I could find (CASIO) . The Casio takes the 7v outlet from the Master series sled and that will save you from changing penlites during your work. I choose the smallest monitor so that it wouldn't influence my balance to much. If you think of it, you don't need to see much; only the framing of your collegues. The bigger the monitor; the worse it will influence the rig and it will be out of you're line of sight more often as well. This way I can see my own shot perfectly and I also have a back up if my tally system fails. (Or even if my own monitor doesn't want to work !) Good-luck ! Patrick van Weeren

Check out the Marine section at your local electronic warehouse. I'm using a flying saucer kind of receiver, works perfectly. Originally made for boats and it's capable of receiving multiple channels. Cost me approx. ? 150. Bought it in the Netherlands: www.correct.nl