Alec Jarnagin SOC

Walter, Alan Rencher from Media Blackout has something in the works and I suspect, like all his stuff, it will be good.

Alan, I have both as well (although I'm using my 702 for studio mode operating and I bought an AC-7 for the sidekick). Would still be interested in what you come up with.

Seriously doubt it's the cable. My modified PRO with XCS post will do the same thing but no vibration results. Most likely the top state or the monitor/monitor arm. Also make sure it's not the batteries.

Good times indeed. Thanks Kat for organizing. Thanks to all who showed! Happy Holidays.

Yes, this car is great. I've used it twice thus far. Smooth acceleration and quiet. You can mount to the front or back via Mitchell mount or speed rail at various heights. You can even mount a 15' Technocrane to the roof!

I'll be there. F/G train to Fort Hamilton Parkway. Assuming you're on a Brooklyn bound train, exit at the BACK of the train. The bar is literally at the top of the stairs to the Reeve Place exit. Other exits at the back of the train are close too. Exits at the front of the train are on the wrong side of the Prospect Expressway so you'll need to cross a footbridge. Street Parking is easy if you're driving. Address: 1241A Prospect Ave Brooklyn NY 11218 The reason we picked here is that Chris Moone, Aaron Brown, Jamie Silverstein, Brandon Sumner and myself all live within a ten minute stumble from there. Plus a pile of others live in nearby hoods. Oh, and please tip generously. We are not Glidecam Operators after all! And this is one of my favorite local watering holes and they will treat us right! Thanks all.

Does this include old broken operators? If so, Baldwin and I could probably muster up the old bones for a few bottles of Whiskey and some Lisagav.

Yes, Jess, having them in your overflow/backup case is not a bad idea. I also keep spare circuit breakers for the sled although that is something you'd rather not do "on-set" either. You are correct that you could do it at wrap, etc. I happen to own a Titan and an Atlas arm. If I did not, I would have considered having a spare arm (male) socket block and maybe even a spare elbow (although I've never heard of one breaking on a PRO arm). I already own 4 black springs, 4 blues, and 2 grays. I bought the rod end bearings for my 3a arm from CP (now Tiffen) back in the day. PRO ones from PRO (not sure if they are the same). For 3a ones now, I'd call Robert Luna.

Yes, used both as well. Panny one has never been a true 100% top (why its so much quicker to change over) so I can't say it impressed me much in terms of image quality.

I spoke to PRO about them discontinuing the DB-3. Their reasoning is cost. Very expensive to produce and the Betz stage is also very good and they can sell it for less. I personally love the DB-3 and have one on both of my sleds.

Jess, they are not expensive, but its not something that you want to replace on set. While you can do it yourself (I did on my 3a arm), its easier to do it on a work bench in a clean no stress environment. Again, I think I will replace mine every 3-5 years from now on.

Something to know about ALL arms. The weakest link is the rod end bearings. While I suspect they are more prone to break while using a back-mounted vest (added strain), I'd make a point to replace them every few years. Just replaced mine on my PRO arm (after more like a decade). Not because I had issues, but because it is the weakest link in the chain. I had one blow on my 3a arm years ago and I know others who have had them blow on various model arms over the years. Protect yourself and replace them from time to time.

Well said Tommy. Well said.

What Lawrence said.

Great news Andrew! Thank you.

I just bought one of these as well and have been using it for conventional studio mode operating for about two weeks. I have found the image quality amazing and it is indeed very bright and visible. Super fun on a Geared head not having to keep your eye to an eyepiece. I have yet to use a sunshade on it outside, but I have adjusted the angle of it a few times to catch less reflections in the glass. I do wish it had proper power connectors instead of having to use a Canon/Sony camcorder battery adapter (to a P-Tap) but these adapters are cheap compared to Lemo and Hirose cables. At this point, I have no intention of using it for Steadicam mostly because I already have two monitors dedicated for the sled.

Yes, booster boards were recalled on early MDR-3s. For whatever reason, not everyone got the message. Don't panic if you're reading this for the first time - we are talking the first run of units (I believe). I stand by Preston, their products, and continue to hold them up as a model for customer service.

Well, my wife has been shooting additional units on my show, but I guess that doesn't count.

I had one of the first MDR-3s and mine blew right before leaving for China earlier this year. Preston was amazing; Howard picked up the phone on a Saturday; I fedexed for Monday and it was fixed and back to me Tuesday. No charge.

Thanks Jason.

Damn it; Wish someone had posted this sooner. I just bought one of these last week (for conventional operating). Anyone know a good contact at the company to contact? Thanks.

Nils, I'm referring to the clearance on all two rod sliding monitor brackets (see image). Yes, you can raise the monitor bracket but if you keep it on the inner center post that means keeping that post slightly extended. This combined with more weight isn't a good thing. Hopefully it is not an issue as otherwise these batteries look great.

Has anyone actually played with these yet? I'm realizing that the PRO 3 recorder shelf will not fit (don't use it a lot but it can come in handy) and worse - I (like many) use a Cam-Jam (or other brand) sliding monitor bracket. I fear the rails will not clear the battery unless you extend the lower post and raise the monitor bracket which I very much don't want to do. I'm very interested in these batteries, but that might be a deal breaker for me.

Great video Jerry! I change my grip during the shot all the time as Jerry says to anticipate the next part of the shot. Study this video and practice it!

Oh, that is just plain nice…..