Jeff Muhlstock SOC

Hey Will, unfortunately, I have yet to find a good solution for Film style lens, operator controlled zooming. I am still holding my breath for the "BUZ". This intermediate box should allow controllers like ZOE to work with M-1s or other analog motors. (Right Jim B...?) As for Preston, you would be stuck with there zoom control system which I didn?t like very much. I find the pressure sensitive thumb controllers are very difficult to feather when operating a rig. The more analog feel of a large toggle works better for me. Here is a picture of my Zoe III with the rubber microphone clip mod. Easy on and off and very comfy. zoe.pdf

Adam, This is a long story, been down this road before. The bottom line, J-7 cant handle most of the newer style canon lenses. Zoe III handles it far better as does Stanton. The pot in the J-7 requires a larger "dead" zone then what canon has. The "dead zone" being the nuetral point between zooming in and zooming out, thus the "creep" occurs. Time to retire the J-7. I have tested just about every zoom control made, including Preston's, and I ended up with Zoe III. I have had the J-7 opened up by several techs, including canon folks, no luck, dont waist you time. Good luck. Jeff

Hi Dan, as I have mentioned, each unit performs great in different environments, I can?t really say which is better or worse. I will say that it seems to be very helpful to have a choice on set, when one frequency fails, chances are the other type will do the job. Here are the basic pros/cons from my standpoint: Canatrans: Pros: 1. Great features! mainly, vari power output. 2. Clean transmission, overall very good broadcaster (arguably the best UHF available) Cons: 1. Price 2. Size and weight. Modulus: Pros: 1. Size and weight. 2. Price, if you already have one (no longer available new). 3. Pretty good transmission. Cons: 1. They get pretty hot (temperature). 2. Not all created equal, some seem to perform better then others. Some inconsistencies in there manufacturing. Titan: Pros: 1. Weight. 2. Color and picture transmission is great, at times the best of all 3. 3. Reasonably priced. Cons: 1. This requires a dedicated titan receiver, won?t broadcast to clamshells with tuners. 2. Performs best with a clean line of sight. 3. Susceptible to some interference from some wifi and cordless phones. Hope this helps, again, there is no perfect system, they all need a back up and they all are totally reliant on a good receiving position and setup. I have seen each unit fail at one time or another. It?s RF. Happy transmitting, Jeff

Slightly off topic, but I thought I would chime in here. I have been on a set with about 3 modulus units, a few Canatrans, and a Titan from Transvideo. It?s been good to compare all 3 in a variety of conditions. I can report that they all have there place. I have seen equal problems with all 3. It is totally environmental dependent. I honestly can?t say one is so much better then the other. All have pros and cons. performance/price/size My chosen method as of late has been, transmitting with a modulus and a Titan at the same time. This seems to make every one happy. The Titan works great in a good line of sight condition, where the modulus covers up the gaps. It?s great to be able to send choices over to video, no last minute swaps. One system will always make it. I should note, that I own, 2 Modulus units and a Titan package. My Modulus was recently repaired in a very timely fashion in Maine at CIT, I was very happy with there service in spite of the rumors of slow/poor service. They were great, fixed and returned in about 2 weeks. I wouldn?t throw away your modulus so fast; they are still very good work horses. I am in no hurry to bye a Canatrans. Jeff

I guess this leads to the next topic then, How are we going to run HD down the post??? I have an MK-V 2 inch, 4 stage. Anyone doing this yet??? Jeff

Before you go and get an HD monitor, be sure you can cable it properly, HDSDI is a big problem down the post with most current rig wiring. Also, there seems to be a trend in some new HD cameras such as Sony?s 1500, they have a down converter built in. No need for a separate unit. As for Transvideo, I have been waiting for 10 years for this famous HD monitor. It seems to be right around the corner now for several years. I hope it?s finally close, I love my Transvideo. The Hummingbird is also an excellent choice, I have had them side by side and will admit it?s a slightly better picture then Transvideo (5% better, maybe). The 30 percent increase in price and weight lead me to the Cinemonitor 3. For now. The screen size is only about 1/2 an inch bigger diagonally (pretty marginal difference). Good luck with your choices; they are all pretty good ones. Remember there will always be a better unit down the road in technology; it?s hard to time it. cheers, Jeff

Sorry to hear this Nick. I had some shoulder surgery about 4 years ago and it put me out for a few months, so I know what you?re feeling. I have 2 pieces of advice to offer you, 1. You must get a lawyer. 2. Don?t go back before your ready; it will set you back even further. Take the advice of a really good physical therapist, your PT is everything with a shoulder injury. Good luck, hope you feel better soon, Jeff

Have you gotten producers to pay for you to clean your equipment yourself? If so, can I hire you as my agent? Let's say one free dance at the Spearmint Rhino for every $500 earned? Dan Dan, this is something you should establish prior to the job. I have asked for a "maintenance" fee that equals a day of the box rental, when I know I will be in an environment that will require cleaning. Rain, sand, or crazy dust. I think this is fair and acceptable as long as they understand it prior. keep it clean, Jeff

Will, I am curious about this sudden availability of 2" rings. Have you come up with a better solution? I have the 2", 4 stage MK-V post. One small issue I have is the docking ring that comes with it, is set permanently so when I mount a ring for gorelock, I have to go beneath the existing ring from MK-V. Because of this I loose about 3/4 of an inch of gimbal position at the top (pretty valuable real-estate). Any thoughts? Jeff

Hey Charles, Fred Davis made me a few, both for my old EFP (4pin HRS) and for the MK-V (4 and 3 pin lemo, PRO style). Great little setup for the occasional walking fill. Jeff

Hey Chris, I retired the J-7 about 3 years ago. I found it was not handling the newer digital lenses. I had creeping issues, and I never really liked the ergonomics of it. I am much happier with the Zoe. I have 2, and I made a cable mod to use a thinner loop. It works great and very comfy. Time to get rid of the J-7. Cheers, Jeff

I have a 3a gimbal up for grabs.

Mr. David Eastwood, the real magic is his cable guy, Charlie Fernandez!

Any new developements on a universal pop in tilt plate? Any one making these things yet?

Hey guys, anyone on the east coast (New Jersey/New York area) have a Rickshaw to rent? Looking to try it for a few days starting September 28th. Might consider buying or building, but for now, just a test run. thanks, Jeff

AB "Titan TWQ" : 4 position charger that charges all 4 ports at the same time, not sequential , all AB chemistry. Its the "do it all" charger. A must have unit. keep a cheap 2 position unit as back up. Jeff

Water Proofing would be a bonus. Jeff

Any good recomendations for a rental house in the Tampa are? I am looking for a Varicam, and a local Gaffer with a lighting package. thanks, Jeff

I have a 3A gimbal to sell if you cant find the others. Its been re-worked by Brant Fagen. Good shape. Jeff

Chris, if this is an HD job with a 900, its going to be fiber not triax. Major difference. The only HD camera's that run Triax, that I know of, are Thompsons. Better confirm this. If its fiber, look for the thin fiber jumpers. good luck, Jeff

Hey Guys, Anyone know who might have an inventory of these thin protective cover plates that go on the back of Ikigami cameras. They snap on to Anton Bauer gold mounts. Ikigami makes them to ship there new cameras. AB has nothing to do with them. I have tried IKI, and they are looking, the problem is, they only sell with new cameras. Anyone out there make something comparable? Thanks Jeff

Alec, Only 26 Thousand.... only, for the I-Bot. Just 2 weeks ago it was FDA approved. Johnson and Johnson is the company that is selling them. I dont think its inventor envy, I just think he is all about the better of mankind, seriously, I dont think he cares much about an invention, its more about helping people. Its beyond the money with this guy. And he walks just fine.

I had the pleasure of working with Segway inventor Dean Kamen the other day. What I had not realized, the segway is just a toy spin off of his real invention, the "I-Bot" wheel chair. Dean's main concept was to create a wheel chair that elevated the user to eye level. Its all about humility and dignity. The fact that this thing climbs steps, and moves in an amazing manor is all secondary. Dean is all about making life better for the less fortunate. An amazing individual, who is sharing his genius for the better. His next "Big" invention, a box that purifies water, any water, salt, chemicals, dirty, etc. The unit requires 550 watts of electricity, that?s it... no filters to change, chemicals to add, nothing. It really sounds like a miracle machine. This will change the globe. This guy is unbelievable.

Bryan, Invest in a new Gimbal. It will be the best money ever spent. That's where the magic happens. Your EFP Gimble will only take you so far, if your noticing some problems, its an idication that you have out grown that gimbal. Look at Tiffen, PRO, XCS, MKV. try them if you can, and get the one that feels the best to you. Go for it, your operating will improve. Good luck, Jeff

I used this thingy once for my antlers, terrible item, not very rigid. I am not sure why anyone would mount to a handle in the video world anyway. Turn it upsidedown, its a simple flip, most new HD camera's have this option in the menus. If not, its a key stroke in post, not a big deal. Low tech solutions are often the best. I have done this on live TV, the TD flips it in the switcher. Simple and the most riggid. Jeff