Tom Schnaidt

Nick, I am Usually pretty sceptical about most things. But I have tried chiropractic. the last twojobs were heavy hand held and steadi, the steadi was actually much more comfortable than the HH, which left me with severe discomfort in my left shoulder (yes the opposite of HH shoulder) My visits often gave good immediate relief and sometimes brief minor relief. I have, because of much moving around and being in different places for jobs, had a wide exposure to different practitioners. And while I have found no miracle cure, I have found some relief and much, if slow, improvement. Since the motion picture health care covers up to 20 visits/year, I am not worried about the sales pitch. Now, I will say that having been to many pracs (4-5), some have the "touch" and some just don't. we tend to seek out more "holistic" pracs who see their role as part of a bigger approach to your health maintenance. I am in good health, and while i do have some disc degeneration my overall spinal condition is good (for almost 40). I find the science of chiro compelling and believable enough... so you get a strong but somewhat qualified yes vote. good luck, and keep yourself strong and flexible (yoga poses can be huge help keeping yourself flexible). Tom

You might want to consider actually getting a Steadicam Policy. Walter P. Dolle in Chicago (I think) offers a reasonable policy through the SOA. I am getting a new policy written through my home/auto/life carrier. Be careful about using insurance through the shippers. they are often very limited to what they cover and very rarely will they cover the full value of sometihing so pricey. good luck. Tom

Thanks Brad and Jerry for the input... Today I started experimenting with the vel-loc, or something like that, its the mushroom cap hard plastic (same on both sides) stuff. I put my two receivers together with that stuff and I actually cant get them apart, so Its prett stable between them, and yes, I will then attach it the same way I have been already with the velcro, and secure it with some sort of similar strapping device. I'll finish that later, I am actually pretty pleased now, but surprised that there isnt already something a little more standardized. Hmmm. thanks again,

I know that that Tom at cinewidgets has the bracket for Two Bartechs for PRO, but is there a Bonafide mount for the Ultra Series that anyone uses or knows of? Thanks for any guidance here. Tom Schnaidt 917-208-5644 Tom@thirdstoryfilms.com

Any body have any opinions about the Atlas Video Reciever? I have the opportunity to get it and a Modulus 3000 for $2000, seems like a good deal, but just want to make sure its not a good deal on somthing I will never want to use. The Modulus is a given, new condition, very clean and cared for. Thanks for any input. Tom

I like you Stephen have a real strong background on the fluid heads, but really understand the need to have your skills on the wheels be strong. Primary famong the things I might add to what the rest of the guys have offered in the way of Wheels/fluid choices is the situations where your body needs to change postition drastically, from bending over to standing of Vice versa, Its really helpful to have the wheels then because the smoothness of your shot doesn't rely on your ability to directly apply pressure. Its easier to keep your wheel rotation at an appropriate speed than it is to make sure your changing body position isnt interfering with your panning/tilting ability.... I think you get it. sorry for the verbose nature. Also consistency/repeatability is much easier here, you feel the number of turns for quick moves that need to be spot on, etc. best to all, Tom

Hey Guys, Thanks Will for the specs on the American stand. I know that its the one I want. Dave, The web address for American is www.americangrip.com ---- I am however going to do as Will suggested and call them directly for the order, they dont list their "Steadicam Stand" in their online catalogue. I really appreciate both your input. Best, Tom

David- Thanks a lot. I dont know what I was thinking - - - with all the stuff I have purchased from them over the years. Good Call. Tom

Just wondering if anybody out there has the model number for the American roller stand. I am looking to get something a bit better than what I've got, with wheels. Is it a Junior Roller Stand? What size wheels do you use? Whats the min height (roughly). I've been to the online American Catalogue, but no Pics!. Or if anybody has a stand they love that isnt that American Stand, what can you tell me so that I may find one. Thanks a lot. Tom

Hey Rory, I meant to say in the last post that Yes, we do take the calibration to the ends of the lens barrel travel not just to the infinity or closest focus marks. Now, I do think that there may have been an improvement the Jim made in some capacitor or other electronic widgmet that fixed the problem of backlash, which of course would have prevented reliability on marking your strips. If you have an older one that for some reason hasn't had the upgrade, I think Jim would set you up, if not you should be cruisin with consistency. Tom

Hey Rory- We have used the BFD for a number of years now and have had excellent luck with repeatable calibrations. We mark the strips for the lens we are allocating to it - on that strip make a note of what you are setting the lens to as its middle. Say for example 3'6". That way you always know exactly where to set that lens when you begin your calibration. Once youve "zeroed" your motor and taken the calibration wheels to their begging setting, you should always have the same scale to marks alignment. In the end, if you really want to be able to mark your strips for repeatable use, be as consistent in every step of your set up as possible. Happy BFDing tom schnaidt

Hey Nick, Tom here. Hows it going! Its been a while. I hope things have been going well. Anyhow, If you go on the BH website you will find the Archos stuff. If you dont like it, return it within 15 days no questions - full refund. Have you seen or spoken to Victor lately? Or anyone else? Take care, Tom Schnaidt

Thanks Doug. I guess then my question becomes what exactly is a recovery charge. When exactly do I want to choose this option. thanks again. Tom

Curious if anyone can help shed some light on the "recovery Charge" feature of the PAG charging system. I have an AR304, which supposedly has a "maintenance" charge feature as well, though I dont see that on the selector switch. Hmmm. Any input appreciated. Happy New Year to all. Tom

Howard, Tom Schnaidt here. I was your focus puller on that Redge Mahaffey movie out in Md a few years ago. I hope you are well. Your problem is very interesting to me, as I am a DSR 500 owner too. It is probably obvious that the transmitter is causing your problem if it doesnt occur when the Transmitter is not on the camera, however, I just got my camera back from a very expensive repair where we had red ghosting in the image as well, and I have never flown that camera on my rig, or used it with a Transmitter. In the end it was a lot of video mumbo jumbo about some capacitors in the optical block... Probably has no bearing on your problem, or......maybe? Best wishes. Tom Schnaidt 917-208-5644

I think there is something going on, some sort of meeting? December 9th? I just saw the guys over at Tiffen/Steadicam in Burbank and I seem to recall Frank saying that there would be some gathering during that time frame. You should give a ring to those guys. best, Tom

Yes Alec is very right - - - and you would be surprised at how reasonable a rental can be for the day ---often the actual rental of the ATV is about 75-100, then there is the drop off and return if you have to have it delivered, or the rental on the trailer if you can tow ... but all things considered, it can be a small price to pay to insure getting the shot. Besides being very taxing to you as the operator, it can be a very perilous endeavor. Two of the three steadicam related accidents I have personally witnessed were from running situations that fell out of control very fast. Go safe --- and that goes double for hard mount.... however you go. Tom

I am wondering what sort of lubrication people use on their metal hardware - I am finding I need to get on some of the thumblocks on my Ultra sled with something, they have become sticky to the point of being difficult ---interested generally in what lubes and solvents people find indespensable and for what specific uses. Has anybody heard of "boshield" sp?? Tuner cleaner? Also what do you all use then cleaning your mechanical parts to disperse moisture? Looking forward to a whatever anybody would like to share as far as maintenance and such. Best to all, Tom

Another factor that may be important to keep in mind with regards to continuity of the your speed is the relationship of your subject to its Background.... meaning, the more consistent the distance of background elements are from your subject shot to shot, the more consistent the feel of your speed will be. This may all be a moot point if your locations are already determined by story points that have to be there and are connected to your move, but... also, it seems if you are in a full body shot, your bg is going to have a lot of definition and will be harder to "smear" and make a smoother transition from shot to shot...though if the story really needs to have that transition happen in that full body shot for the desired effect to really register, you wouldnt be able to go tighter, even to a waist shot? Seems that the more you are able to compress you BG, the more you might be able to smooth the transition... I hope that I havent seemed to be speaking "down" to anybody here regarding obvious focal length issues...the shot idea sounds very interesting and its fun to think up all those elements that help/hurt, make/break the shot. Good luck with it. Tom

As far as how many units have shipped...I am apparently one of the lucky ones that has actually had the opportunity to preview and use it. Rumor has it that very few have shipped, and having spoken to at least one person who has ordered one, well, he's been waiting, and waiting. Months. Too Bad. Though I am very excited to hear that you are putting the hard disks on Jim, that is really great. Is there some reason in particulat that you have chosen not to make your antennas these BNC, TNC types? Just curious, I know you made some improvements on the antenna recently, but just curious.

Forgot to mention that they also have another system that is much more of a Budget system, teh 4100 series. It is intended mostly for use with video lenses that have their own Iris and zoom motor units (ENG style)...this 5100 system is not to be mistaken with that one. tom

Just wondering if anybody has any experiences with this focus system offered by a Brit company called UnitCine? I tried it out yesterday and was fairly impressed with its offerings. Very much like the bartech in construction and appearance. But it comes with auto Calibrate which, is a nice ease of mind knowing that your AC has one less chore to deal with in a lens change. It also uses 9v batts. It goes out on a 912 Mhz rather than a 900 Mhz, has 8 or 9 freqs as well. Its finished as though it were an Arri product with identical run Switch (green rounded button), Has an excellent marking disk systemt that is like a normal FF system on a camera, hard positive lock plastic rings---the antennas all seem very rugged as they are mounted with BNC style locks (TNC?) --- I am curious, it is offered for use mainly with Heden Motors, I have been interested in the M-one motor and dont know if it will work or not. It seems like a very simple, affordable unit. they offer receivers that are one, two or three channel. for $1000, $1500, and c. $2000 respectively. the handset is offered at 1,050. I'd love to hear feedback on this system from anybody whose heard of it. If you want to check it out it is at Unitcine.com. Of course, being in England, I dont know what the service would be like. I know JB is a saint with his product support and reliability as such. Able cine is the US rep for Unit though, and they too are a great company to rely on. Thanks to all, tom

hey Jerry- thanks for your response. I will surely give this a shot. Though I was under the impression from the manual as well as the promo spec sheet that 16:9 was a format supported by the HDU? Hmmmm. Thanks again for the input. tom

I have recently purchased the HD Ultrabrite monitor with my rig and have been using a native 16:9 camera with it. (Ikegami HLDV-7W) I have been uanble to get into the 16:9 mode on the monitor. I am curious if anybody else has this monitor and may be able to shed some light on this. It seems very particular to the 16:9 mode because I have no problem with 4:3, 2:35, but just cant seem to figure out the 16:9...Thanks for your help. Tom Schnaidt 917-208-5644

Mark- You must know what you'd like to get for the set... Yes? I'd be curious and interested. Also, Are you selling them for a particular reason? I am curious if youve gone to some battery other than the Ultra. best, Tom Schnaidt