Brant S. Fagan SOC

Sounds like a place to unload the rig while a DP and DIT look at LUTs on a digital show. Or a hipster jazz club in Brooklyn.

Gary-- Thanks for getting my new DayBrite on it's way to me in NY!! Sadly, it arrived yesterday and we just took several days of hiatus so Production is sending it to my home. Can't wait to rig it and put it through the trenches on this show!!

I LOVE my 8.4" Boland! Never want for lack of visual information with this puppy! By the time you factor in framelines and the overscan portion of the visible image, there is actually more like 7.5" of usable captured image that you are referencing. I can underscan and zoom out but so far, this image size has been ideal for me and for ACs who move about the set with me on digital jobs. Directors and DPs love being able to move with me and watch without crowding me. Has it gotten in the way? Once on a tv show when we were working in a super, super tight spot in a greenhouse but overall in the three years I have owned and worked this unit, I am pleased enough overall to have ordered their latest improved version of the 8.4 DayBrite monitor. Story and pics to follow shortly!! Now about that 12" unit...That would be something that the remote head techs would be drooling all over!

Anyone have real world experience with any of this gear lately? VERY, very interested in getting something working onboard my rig for my next show!

Rich-- Thanks for the kind words of support! Yes, I still handle CP gimbal repairs and service. Feel free to contact me either through the Forum or by direct email at brant -at- brantsfagan -dot- com.

Well I managed to find the number for CAE: 714-895-1887. Tell them you want a super lightweight jumper for Steadicam and EXACTLY how long you want it. I own two and never worry when they say no Triax to Coax adapters.

Travis--You can purchase a killer Triax cable from Carmen Abato Enterprises in northern California. I am out of town and on a family vacation so I don't have all my contact data with me but can get this for you over the coming weekend if you are still looking for one.

Afton--Love the completed version of your sled! What's coming next? Starting from scratch or major single purchase?

Well Done! Super case setup, too!

Ron and Doc--That's about what I am getting with the same configs. Currently swinging the batts around 2 bars or just under.

OK, Sportsfans, here's the Alexa/Codex combo I am carrying on my show. Currently running the camera on 24 volts from my sled into the 2-pin Fischer. Codex is hanging on the A/B battery mount on the rear of the camera and receiving 12 volt power from the camera's 12 volt 2-pin monitor lemo connector. There are two (2) DionicHC batteries running the camera with some decent run times so far. Exact times are still being evaluated but we'll report more after some more work this week. What I would like to see happen this week is that we can power the camera with a single D-HC and run that power into the rear of the camera, either through the Fischer or the battery plate. We'll see how the run times change but my guess is that they will go down since the camera and recorder are power zombies as it is. While I realize that this is a 12 volt camera with a 24 volt input, this seems like an inefficient manner of providing 24 volt power to the accessory ports and allowing just 14.4 volts (nominal) to the camera system. Word on the street is that the Codex "likes" 12 volt power but I have already seen anomalies in that given our first week's performance. So has anyone been successfully been running the Alexa on just 14.4 volts (nominal) through the 2-pin Fischer connector at the right rear of the camera? Our support team says that won't work but we have yet to test it. Just might have to see that tested myself tomorrow.

Love my Boxx Meridian system!! Could buy it away from my for twice the price! Nothing compares to the performance! Not cheap, but then the best is always worth it. Just ask your current Director or DP.

Gents-- I am prepping an Alexa/Codex/AB:HC/Boxx show on Monday and will fill in the details once it's complete! Who knows, they all may end up on top but we'll all wait until Happy Hour on Monday. Happy Easter to all!

Count me among the interested parties, please!

No one wants to have to purchase new batteries when getting started, but the reality remains. If you can not power the gear, how do you make the day? At least I have offered a contact that has the knowledge and supplies to make a solution happen. Back in the day when I bought my first rig, the first update was new batteries and a new A/B mount for my Model 2 sled. Just have to have reliable power for the gear. Period.

You also should consider updating to a newer battery chemistry capable of handling your higher current needs like the power-hungry HD cameras you mention. Try contacting Paul Dudeck at Anton/Bauer and explain your needs and gear package and he can suggest a package that will get you going and not break your bank. He is a member here and should be searchable.

Alan-- You do have the correct Lemo part number for the RED One power connector. Go with solder as crimps just invite future failure and disaster. As to a supplier, I use Mouser for most of my Lemo orders but you might try searching suppliers in CA rather than out of state. As to the Flyer parts, I don't know but you should look at your cable connectors as Lemo stamps most of the part number into the shell of the connector. You should contact Lemo and order some catalogs as they provide an excellent component breakout that helps identify parts and nomenclature.

Folks-- Anyone have a CP cage hanging around that could be sent out today and returned on Tuesday? Been able to use more conventional cameras lately but this one looks like a winner! Need this cage for a special application for this Friday. So if you have one, please reply direct to me at Brant@brantsfagan.com or give a call at 603-826-3445. Thanks!

Folks-- Anyone have a CP cage hanging around that could be sent out today and returned on Tuesday? Been able to use more conventional cameras lately but this one looks like a winner! So if you have one, please reply direct to me at Brant@brantsfagan.com or give a call at 603-826-3445. Thanks!

While it's true that LCD monitors are different from the green screen monitors, they can be placed to allow a return to dynamic balance without great difficulty. The reason the rig feels different from the dynamic balance state of the green screen setup is that the masses are in different places and are of different values. I agree with Ron that the "loving feeling" of which he speaks is gone, it can be reclaimed by simply working consistently with the new configuration. As to the image quality, I will not start that debate here since we are talking about other issues here. Use what you have, pay for it all, and learn from your experiences so that your next upgrade purchases make you a better operator and build a better mousetrap/light saber.

Love my Meridian system!! Can't be beat for signal strength and performance.

My Boxx Meridian is so solid that in Midtown Manhattan, 51st and Lex, I was able to send a HD signal around a corner and remain completely locked. Try that!

While the size of the Meridian Tx is considerably more than the analog UHF gear we now take for granted, the performance has amazed folks both in the RF hell of Midtown Manhattan and the open waters around our locations in Connecticut. Sure, cost is always a factor but between the performance and the wireless "freedom factor" in HD work, the decision came easily enough for me.

Folks-- I've had my Boxx Meridian on two features so far, one an Alexa show and currently wearing an Arri LT, and all I can say is buy one. The performance is nothing short of incredible. This system has Impressed folks in all departments and made me hero to them, too. I will post some photos when I have a minute or two.

Dave-- Batteries are like wives! They like their creature comforts year-round. Drag them in no matter what the weather and they will truly last longer than if you left them out like dogs. Moisture is certainly an issue for the arm and gimbal, less is the new more. For my vest, I prefer to at least bring that in if the temps drop significantly below freezing only to make that first saddle-up in the morning slightly less dramatic for my circulatory system. As you know, LCD monitors prefer to be above freezing but will certainly run in the cold. I start mine and never shut it off while shooting in the cold, in or out. Just for yucks, it was 21*F at my place this morning! Bring the snow!!!!