Alec Jarnagin SOC

I've owned the Betz Handhled rig for a number of years and if you are using one camera body for all modes, it is a wonderful device! The baby pin receiver on the bottom is a great addition . Both my ACs and my Dolly Grip on the film I just finished kept commenting on how it was the best setup they've seen. Andre, I do wish the camera were a little lower on the shoulder though - I often just put a long Steadicam plate (like the one Peter Abraham makes) on the bottom of the camera and place that directly on my shoulder so I can find the CG. I was switching between modes so often on this job that I wanted to use my XCS plate (best plate for use within the Wave because of the side-to-side adjustment) at all times and it is too short to put directly on the shoulder. Nice within the Betz unit though as you can slide it to find the CG.

Ha, I guess this is why we should mark items as sold. Someone just contacted me about this 17 years later!

Sold

Good name drops. Let me know if you need anything.

Preston HU3 for sale. I'm the original owner and while this is an older hand unit, it has had surprisingly little use as I work as an "A" Camera/Steadicam Op and usually have a designated "C" Body for the Steadicam so we use the "A" HU3 when we go to Steadicam. Just serviced at Preston and had the following work done: Knob shell replaced (with a refurbished one) Transceiver tested New OLED display and Bezel New Power button New Camera run/stop button Firmware updated and as well as a thorough checkup. Comes with: One complete set of rings (including one blank one) Quick release hand grip Microforce Bracket (not pictured) Batteries NOT included (my batteries are toast so rather than insult you, I recommend you buy a set of new ones and a charger - I usually buy mine from OmniShots ). Located in Brooklyn, NY but can ship. Prefer US buyer. PM me through here or if you have my info, reach on out. Price $4900US

Tom's Blue Plates are great. I have them in combination with the XCS LT Plate. This plate raises the camera slightly (often just enough) and additionally allows for moving the camera left & right within the Wave achieving your side to side balance easily.

OH wow! Bummer.

Brad, while I'm not positive, I believe you can purchase it as a kit and do it yourself. There will be a few minor cosmetic differences since the lever on the right is no longer needed, you'll have the "nipple" (for lack of a better word) sticking out where the latch used to catch.

Twenty years old and still ticking. May be the best monitor ever made. While I finally gave up mine, none of the LCDs are as visible in harsh sunlight.

Critical typo above: "not" should read "now."

Mark, I have not taken the plunge but rest assured should I, I'd be keeping both my XCS 2" post and XCS gimbal (and Wave).

Maxwel, There just isn't a market for it. CRT tubes are practically extinct (especially ones of the quality in a TB-6). Putting money into redesigning that monitor seems far fetched.

An update RE XCS. Rather than modifying the XCS gimbal to accommodate a Volt, Greg has opted to sell a 1.75" version of his post in XCS or Pro mounts. This way the entire gimbal remains within the jurisdiction of one company (Tiffen, M2). I don't speak for Greg or XCS in any official capacity but I know he has long maintained (and still does) that his engineers told him years ago, the proper post diameter for a full sized Steadicam is 2". You risk vibration with anything less. This said, I suspect his 1.75" post is second to none as that is the way XCS builds things. I am saddened that they did not choose to modify an XCS gimbal as that is also second to none. Perhaps, some day, I will buy an additional post in 1.75" and buy an M2 gimbal but for now, I just don't want to give up my XCS gimbal (and to a slightly lesser degree, my 2" post). I do think this new combo will make a lot of customers (for both XCS and Tiffen) very happy.

I traditionally like short sleds and change up arm posts (especially for high mode) far more often than extending the rig (to keep the gimbal closer to the camera). Now, I use an XCS mid-arm swivel instead of changing arm posts, but similar idea. Of course, there are times when I DO change the center post length.... They are all tools available to us. And, if you think about it, if you are using a Volt or a Wave, the need to keep the gimbal close to the camera for horizon sake, really doesn't apply.

Orlando, it is not that the first generation of Ultimate 2 can't handle HD (it does), but there are significant differences in the way that it processes the signal. The Ultimate 2HD has an entirely different upper junction box with (for the lack of better words) an HD/3G distribution amplifier that guarantees proper signal distribution from all outputs. In fact, it (and now the Ultimate 3HD) are the ONLY sleds on the market that do this. All other "HD sleds" use good old solid, 75 Ohm BNC cables that in theory support most (if not all HD signals). The original Ultimate 1 and 2 will do this as well.