Howard J Smith

Hi Job Sounds like you did the right thing there - I get emails like this all the time and the odd thing is, it is always for 5,000 (pounds, dollars or euros) ?? :unsure: Good luck All the best Howard

Hi Guys We (Walter, Jenifer and my self) will have all the new low profile and drop down arms on our stand at Cinegear next week. We will also have the new MK-V/Klassen Genesis vest . Please come and try for your selfs. Hope to see you soon All the best Howard J Smith MK-V

Hi Please see : http://www.walterklassen.com/steadilowprofile.htm We will have all the new vest arms at Cinegear - please pop by and have a try. Look forward to seeing you Howard J Smith MK-V

Hi Adam Yes we do a special plate for the EFP green screen (the 'skinny' lightweight one) This then gives you CP or PRO mount to the MK-V monitor arm. If you would like a quote please email me and I will and I will sort it for you by return. hope this helps, All the best Howard J Smith MK-V howard@mk-v.com

Hi Erwin How are you? Also Walter has the New drop down - low profile arms - These are great for low-mode or low highmode. Using the adjustment on the back means you can use this arm all the time as well. It is the same as a normal low profile arm but it has a 2" drop built in. Walter in making a 3" drop for me to try - I can't wait to use it. See you soon all the best Howard J Smith MK-V

Hi Guys In fact all the Klassen vests have airbladders in the back - these alone make such a big differnce in the overall comfort. (the Deluxe - the Lite and the Genesis) We (MK-V/Klassen) have also devolped the entry level Genesis harness - this harness also can be used for body mount shots with the 'Far out' System and also as an "easy rig" type support for hand held work. These will be on demo at Cinegear 2004 - you are very welcome to come and try the whole range of vests. Hope to see you all soon. All the best Howard J Smith MK-V

Hi Jason If you are interested in an entry level BM vest then please also consider the new MK-V/Klassen Genesis BM harness. This harness is around the same price as a FM as has all the wonderfull comfort and styling of the Deluxe. It is availble with either a low cost Alu arm. a standard carbon fibre arm or the new low profile carbon arm and the arms are all Deluxe compatible. If you are around for Cinegear please come and try one, at our stand (MK-V & Klassen) or if not please contact either Walter or myself and we will try and arrange a demo for you. I hope this is of some help All the best Howard J Smith MK-V

Hi David How are you? The MK-V Nexus is designed so it can be light but stable - I have it light on purpose so ops can see even though the sled is light it is still very stable. We will hopefull have a heavier camera at Cinegear + the silver spring arms so please pop by and have another try. Look forward to seeing you again all the best Howard

Hi Patrick I totally agree with the other coments made by my counterparts. I started as a loader -then focus - then op - then steadicam - then Dp. The one thing I would add is practice your framing, composition and coverage - you do not need a steadicam for this just a DVC camera. Working as a professional steadicam op your operating needs to be as good as the 'A' camera on a Pana/ARRI head whilst running backwards down stairs, last shot of the day in overtime with a rest day to follow!. Once you are confident with 'normal' operating and shooting a sequence then this is where steadicam becomes fun and can be very rewarding (and sometimes so frustrating) At the end of the day steadicam is a tool for telling the story and when used correctly it can add so much to a film - (also when used wrongly it is very distracting.) but how ever you shoot - the frame is all that matters. Good luck with everything - it is tough out there, but don't give up! :D All the best Howard

Hi Eric Will this film still be on around Cinegear as I would love to see it? Sounds like my kind of movie. Hope it is - fancy seeing it again? See you soon Howard

Hi Guys I agree - it is rather odd. I op in the regular mode, even though I am right handed. (I did try the other way a couple of times - but I was pretty crap!) Over the last 3 years I have been doing quite a lot of teaching and it is very strange to watch how 2 or 3 people all right handed can be so different - I start with everyone in regular mode and then after 5 minutes I make them switch to 'goofy' and do the same routine. It is amazing how their operating changes - some for the worst, some the same, but some for the better and it is a huge improvement. I guess it is just how your brain works - like operating with a joy stick - do you want the shot to go up when you push the stick up or do you want it to go down? - Just my 2p (we don't have cents here) Cheers Howard

Hi Adam We (MK-V) do a Standard monitor arm (please see www.mk-v.com - monitor arms) It is a simple adjustable and stable arm that mounts to either the inner or outer post and is availble in either CP or PRO. I hope this is of some help to you. All the best Howard J Smith - MK-V

Hi Thomas No you do not need to change the springs in the arm - it is just like a mk3/3a - EFP arm - it also has a very nice little tool to make this a lot quicker. Cheers Howard MK-V

Hi Thomas I have 2 Sliver spring arms and they are very well made. If you would like to try one please let me know. (I still use my PRO arm - but the sliver springs are very nice - they are for MK-V Hire UK) Also I will have the silver spring arms on my booth at Cinegear if anyone else would like to try one. Also in answer to the question by Rush164 - I agree with the other replies - I started with a 2nd hand mk3 (many moons ago) and it did me fine - apart from the electronics. I still have the arm and vest from that kit as they work very well. As long as the system is reliable and you are happy with it, it does not need to be the latest and greatest. All I will add is, try and plan for a year ot two down the line - as in what type of work you will be doing then (hopefully) and make sure your system will be suitable for that as well. If you are intertested, we have devolped a new system called the Genesis for ops like your self, it is a very simple, lowcost and compact sled - but it still uses the electronics from the Nexus system (12v and 24v) and is totally upgradable if needed - I will try and get some photos up on www.mk-v.com as soon as poss. - just a thought. Hope this helps all the best Howard J Smith MK-V www.mk-v.com howard@mk-v.com

Hi Jerry How are you? All I can say is when we tested it and showed at NAB this year outside in the midday sun, we had no problems and a stunning picture all the time. We encouraged ops to try and loose the picture outside, most of the responses I can not print! but they were all very possitive. You are very welcome to come to our both at Cinegear and try one for your self, it will be nice to see you, will you be on the Tiffen stand again this year? Looking forward to seeing you All the best Howard J Smith MK-V www.mk-v.com howard@mk-v.com

Hi Jamie How are you? In answer to your questions: 1. It differs by being in a balanced smaller milled encloser designed specificly for 'Steadicam' work, it is availble in either PRO or CP mount. The inputs/outs are all PRO compatible, The electronics/software is different as the MK-V/Hummingbird does not have a menu system, we have knobs and buttons. The other difference is the features, we have built in Famelines/centre cross and boarder, zoom modes, flips. it also has built in heaters so you can work below -10. And tally lights 2. Sorry it would be the same price as it is built into the main board, and they are so good, why add another box? (the difference in price is probably what you would get for you FLB on ebay?) 3. The warranty is the standard IMP and MK-V 12 months parts and labour - any units to have a problem (hopefully none as they are very robust) would be returned directly to IMP. I will arrange to get one to you all in NY after Cinegear, where would be the best place to ship to? please let me know. Also in reponse to Ikarman The tally light is acitvated by the MK-V Video J-Box, we are working on the new version of this system so it will be more compatable with other products. The weight - is around 1 kilo or 2.2 pounds - around the same weight as a standard hummingbird. (to be confirmed) I hope this helps All the best Howard J Smith MK-V www.mk-v.com howard@mk-v.com

Hi Thomas - how are you, glad you are doing well. Yes it does have video through and a PRO compatable 0B 4 pin lemo (like on the J-Box) for 12v and video out - for a transmitter or receiver (if useing it the other way around) Also we have built in Tally lights - I forgot to mention... Hope this helps All the best Howard MK-V www.mk-v.com

Hi Jeff How are you? In answer to your 3 questions: The unit is has standard SDI at the moment and we are working on the HD/SDI side of things at the moment - as you would expect - it is modular so you can have different modules on the back - one of these will be the HD/SDI. 2, At the moment the prototpyes are switchable, they will be auto switching on the production model (NTSC & PAL) 3, Yes I can arrange after Cinegear to ship one to you for testing. 4, the first 50 are £ 3,250 or $ 5,785. If you would like any more info please email me. Hope this helps All the best Howard J Smith MK-V www.mk-v.com howard@mk-v.com

sorry I forgot to add - the monitor also has built in heaters for working -10 or below. NTSC and PAL. If anyone has any questions please feel free to email or call me. Also we are taking orders now. Many thanks Howard J Smith MK-V www.mk-v.com howard@mk-v.com

Hi 'Carpo' Don't worry - I will look after you! See you soon and thanks for the 'photos' many thanks Howard J Smith MK-V www.mk-v.com

Hi Eric How are you? Don't worry - I think you will like it! - it is better for the 'fuller' figure chaps like ourselfs.. Also in response to 'Carpo' - gnespolo - sorry mate, I have been very busy - we have all new 2" 2 stage posts, 2" 4 stage posts and a new focus system + plus the Nexus and V2" and MK-V/Hummingbird to name but a few - :D Looking forward to seeing you all at Cinegear All the best and thanks for the interest Howard J Smith MK-V www.mk-v.com

HI Guys Sorry I have not been on for a very long time - too busy. The MK-V /Hummingbird high brightness LCD monitor - what can I say - it is stunning (you may say I am biased... :-) I first saw the Hummingbird system over 2 years ago and was very impressed. And we have been talking ever since. The 6.5" MK-V/Hummingbird has all the features you need as a working 'Steadicam' op. It is PRO input compatable, availble in CP or PRO mount. Digital frames lines, centre cross and boarder, 4:3, 16:9 and 2:1. + reverse scan, filp and zoom (in - out). And best of all NO sunshade! - in fact the brighter the better. We will be demo-ing (is that a word?) these at Cinegear - I hope it is very sunny! (this is not a re-boxed normal Hummingbird 6.5") Pop in and have a go and also see some of our other new toys.. Also Walters excellent back mount vests. I also like to thank everyone who came to see us at NAB and I welcome any feed back from the ops who saw and tried the Nexus, V2" Gimbal and MK-V/ Hummingbird Monitor at NAB this year. (updating the site as we speak so the new stuff should be up very soon) Many thanks Howard "Nice to back on the forum" Smith MK-V www.mk-v.com howard@mk-v.com