Howard J Smith

Hi Iain / Rob - how are you both? Interesting posts Fear not the AR is not a 'death' to good operating - on the contrary, it takes a very good op to use the AR. - Sure a standard track now looks like a dolly shot. But just having a level horizon does not mean it is a good shot, headroom, composition and choreography are far more important - I would rather any day see a shot with soul and feeling that may not be totally level, but is in tune with the story and action. - With the AR, you now can have both. The AR now allows you to be even more creative, when you see the AR demo film, you will see some of what is now possible. (please see www.mk-v.com) The beauty of the AR system is the ability and freedom to do what ever you wish with the camera now, but this takes practice and there is a learning curve. And rather than help new ops, doing basic AR shots (high to low) really shows up the ops talent and experience. Also with all the new possibilities of the AR, dealing with the rest of the crew/Dp etc. is now even more important - and this comes with time and experience. Hope this helps All the best Howard J Smith MK-V Ps. it is not $60,000 - it is $52,500.. but the "DON'T WAIT, CALL NOW AND JOIN THE REVOLUTION" bit I do like.. . :D :D

Hi Jason We have MK-V Hire and we have all this stuff and in Manchester. Please email us off fourm and we can let you know what we have. Also video tap - this will need to come with the camera, I have one for an SR2 but not a 3. The SR3 advanced is the best as it has built in IVS and a very nice colour picture. (We do however have microwave links and focus systems and sleds, arms and vests) Hope this is of some help. All the best Howard hire@mk-v.com (PS. there is no such thing as a half day....)

Hi Guys Just a quick one to let you know the 'AR' Quicktime is now on the site. www.mk-v.com Many thanks Howard J Smith MK-V

Hi Thomas (how are you?) / Guys 435 No problem of course. Ok here is a list of the Cameras you can use with the AR: Panavision XL - (light weight with B&W tap just about works?, color tap too big, but XL is much better - recomend the new slim mag adaptor only 1/4" thick) Moviecam SL - check what tap as some are very odd and stick out and up. ARRICAM LT (the best for sync work 35mm) - very nice camera and balances very well. you can use this straight out of the box - do not need low mode plates. Aaton 35 - works very well. 435 - with steady mags and 100% top 235 (the best for none sync work - and no I don't work for ARRI..) - simply sweet! - use riser and no lowmode plates - all new bar focus mount very nice, as well as the new 400' Steadymag. NO more BL's No more 535's! - to big and too heavy! Viper - with the new Venom system, what this space. Panavision Genesis (without tape mag - this weigh's the same as the XL body without a mag) - this also works with the new venom system. All 16mm - Aaton Prod, XTR, aminma etc also SR 2, 3 etc. HD and Digital 900's but even better the newer cameras like the 950 you can just use the chip block in the AR and then fiber optic to the body - very sweet. and HDV and DV etc. Digibeta/SP etc (400/700/790 range need to remove top handle) I hope this is of some help. I am back in the UK next week so I can get back on with the AR website - sorry for he delay Any questions please email or call me. All the best Howard J Smith MK-V

Hi Guys If anyone would like to see the AR quicktime - staring Chris :-) - please email me and I can forward it on to you. It will also be up on the MK-V site very soon. I also welcome any feedback of those of you who have flown the AR - please email me. Looking forward to hearing from you All the best Howard howard@mk-v-usa.com

Hi Guys Good to see everyone at Cinegear - great show. If anyone would like to see/fly the AR (MK-V Alien Revolution) who missed it at the show or would like to have a another go please email or call me, I am in LA for another week. Look forward to hearing from you All the best Howard howard@mk-v-usa.com 310-804-0973

Hi Guys Thank you for the comments and posts. 'Carpo' - hope to see you soon. Will - See you next week. Andrew - looking forward to it you c.... Ron - no problem, looking forward to it, let me know when. Marc - see you soon Bob - got anymore photos? - please email me, thanks And Matt. Please do not worry about some rich 'newbie' competing with us seasoned pros, the AR as anyone who has flown it will tell you, "there is a learning curve" - you need to be a good steadicam op to use the AR as you now have a whole new range of movement and more importanly set ethics, as the AR shot will no doubt be more complicated than before then so will your interaction with the crew and HoD's. It is true that the standard 'Steadicam' shot now looks much better (for a newbie) and is easier to execute Horizon wise - but you still have head room and composition to deal with - and as soon as the director gets to see what the AR can do, you can pretty much bet they will want to use it fully. I am in LA again now if anyone would like to see/fly the AR and will be at Cinegear 3rd/4th June at WB Ranch (opposite the 'Lethal Weapon' house - stand 147-200) Hope to see you all soon Howard

Hi Kelsey The Genesis body weighs almost the same as the PV XL body - it is the tape back that is the main weight. You do not need to use this on the steadicam. I had the Genesis in the AR and it is very useable. Just use the recorder OFF the system and you should be fine (you can use 2 BNC for the data) - and the camera is 12v and the outputs (accessories are 24v) You will also need a down converter at the moment as well. I hope this is of some help. All the best Howard

Hi Matt Good to hear from you. Yes you are very welcome. I am in the US until mid June, but Chris is around and doing AR demo's (in the UK). I have the 1st Lite with me in the USA, but we are making another 10 so there should be one for you to see pretty soon. M62 :angry: I don't know what it is about that motorway...... So if you can wait until I get back, then great - if not please contact Chris and say hi and have a fly of the AR. Please email me at howard@mk-v-usa.com and I will send you some photos. Hope to see you soon. Enjoy Howard

Hi Max How are you? We now do the 'MK-V Lite' for this very reason - I will email you some info and pictures. And we have a shelf full of 1.5" posts - what do you need? Hope to speak to you soon All the best Howard

Hi Steven The system in your photos is a 'Steadicam Mini' (with NP-1 mounts) You can get the info about it from www.steadicam.com or Robin at Optex I am sure will be able to help you (Say hi from me) Hope this is of some help to you. all the best Howard

Hi Jason (how are you?) Shooting with Digi is very straight forward. My golden rule when I use it on commercials is not to mess with it. (same for HD) I take it out the box, keep it on pre set and use the filter wheel to give me the 'colour' I want - I usually do the rest with lighting or filters if needed (like film). But 9-10 times I just that - also watch out for 'A' on the filter wheel as it is a Star filter, very 70's. - use B, C or D. unless you are in a disco! I never white balance the camera unless in extreme (Green) or what ever set ups. Exposure - if you are in an enviroment that has consistent light for the shot, put the lens on manual and then frame your shot and hit the button next to the expose switch (on the lenes) this also will 9-10 give you what you want (unless someone in white is in front of you) - also make sure the colour monitor you get with it looks good with the bars - and if so then you can trust it for everything else. Don't worry and have fun - oh and don't forget to turn it on - this is a classic! - and remember with Digi that you will still have a picture on your monitor even when the recorder has stopped due to low power, very handy!! Use the return on the lens after each take to check it it there - push and hold and it will scroll back about 10 seconds, then reset ready for the next shot. Hope this helps all the best Howard

Hi Guys Just to remind you that we will be doing 'AR' demos and training on the East Coast next week (CT). If you are still interested / free please can you email or call me to confirm. I look forward to seeing you all soon. many thanks Howard 310 804 0973 - howard@mk-v-usa.com

Hi Guys Thank you for the feedback, your too kind. Hi Cameron If you are interested / would like a quote, please email me some photos of your sled, so I can see it. I can then put a package together for you. please email me - howard@mk-v-usa.com Hope to speak to you soon All the best Howard

Hi Mark Good to hear from you. We will of course have the AR's at IBC, but if you would like a demo before then please contact me direct - howard@mk-v-usa.com Please email me direct (I will email you through the forum as well) and I will let you know anything you wan to know about the AR system. Hope to speak to you soon All the best Howard

Hi Cameron thank you for the interest - where are you based? - I am in LA at the moment and you are very welcome to come and try the kit for yourslef - I will also be in CT from May 15th for 10 days if that is better for you. - if you are in Europe then please contact the UK office info@mk-v.com - for a demo. Some of the other guys should be able to help you with this thread - Stephen Murphy would also be good to talk to as he had a Mk3 upgraded. If anyone else is interested in seeing the Lite, Nexus or AR please let me know. 310-804-0973 or howard@mk-v-usa.com Take care Howard J Smith

Hi Guys. RE AR DEMOS/TRAINING Also I am here in LA until the 14th MAY - then in CT until the 25th May. (then back to LA for CineGear 3rd 4th June) So please contact me if you would like a demo ot training. My new cell is 310-804-0973 or email howard@mk-v-usa.com I am also interested in feedback from the ops who tried the AR at the Guild meeting - please let me know what you think guys. It was a great night and I look forward to doing it again soon. take care Howard J Smith MK-V

Hi Guys First - thank you so much BJ - what a place, the perfect demo place for the AR - windy with a wonderful 180 deg ocean view. We got some stunning shots. Thank you also all the guys who came down and had a play and a beer or two. Very much enjoyed it and hope to do it again soon. Take care many thanks again BJ. Howard

Hi Chad Good to hear from you. hope you are having a good rest. I have a spare camera/dvc weight cage for your AR - please give me a call and we can sort it out before hand. My new cell number 310 804 0973. Looking forward to seeing you again soon, and I will bring the new wireless focus as well. Speak to you soon All the best Howard

Hi Garrett / Ruben Good to see you again and congratulations on 30 years - and thank you once again for my career and family...(Kelly and Rosie say Hi) Ruben - stunning again, you constantly amaze me, it took a while to download but it was worth it. keep up the great work - what next? Great party as well, good to see everyone happy and together, very nice. + Mike on the segway. Anyway, thanks and take care. Hope to see you soon All the best Howard

Hi guys - thanks - this brings back happy memories as soon as I get a spare nano second we will get the new stuff up on the site. I just wanted to post some pic's on here. Also for those of you in the LA area I think BJ is sorting out something for next Saturday with the AR and the guild so see you all then - I will bring the lite as well. many thanks Howard

Hi Guys As some of you have now flown the AR and know that "there is a learning curve" I am in LA for the next few weeks and I am doing one on one AR training. If you would like to know more about the AR / AR training please contact me direct on email: howard@mk-v-usa.com or new cell 310-804-0973. Also thanks to BJ - it would be great to do a Guild meeting/BarBQ with the AR if anyone is interested. - I'll buy the beers (BJ please email me direct as I don't have you email address) - please let me know where and when. I was great to see you all at NAB and to get all the wonderful feedback, it has been a very long road and to see you all useing the AR and enjoying it, was reward for the last 4 years (very hard work). I would also like to thank all the ops who came by and tried the systems and also a special thanks to Walter Klassen who did the AR demos for me on Wednesday when I had food poisoning and could not stand. - looking good Walter, make an op out of you yet! - thank you! Please contact me if you have any questions at all - I am here, please call/email. Also - Hi Bob, The Lite was very well received, if I could figure out how to post a picture then no problem, if not please email me at the above address and I will send you some photos. take care and thanks Howard J Smith MK-V

Hi Guys As some of you have now flown the AR and know that "there is a learning curve" I am in LA for the next few weeks and I am doing one on one AR training. If you would like to know more about the AR / AR training please contact me direct on email: howard@mk-v-usa.com or new cell 310-804-0973. Also thanks to BJ - it would be great to do a Guild meeting/BarBQ with the AR if anyone is interested. - I'll buy the beers (BJ please email me direct as I don't have you email address) - please let me know where and when. I was great to see you all at NAB and to get all the wonderful feedback, it has been a very long road and to see you all useing the AR and enjoying it, was reward for the last 4 years (very hard work). I would also like to thank all the ops who came by and tried the systems and also a special thanks to Walter Klassen who did the AR demos for me on Wednesday when I had food poisoning and could not stand. - looking good Walter, make an op out of you yet! - thank you! Please contact me if you have any questions at all - I am here, please call/email. take care and thanks Howard J Smith MK-V

Hi Alec (and guys) Taking a moment on the stand at NAB. We are having a tremedous feedback to the AR and it is so wonderful to see all the smiles and people enjoing flying the system. (and the swearing) Alec - I will be on in the East coast office from the 16th May until the 26th then back to LA for Cinegear. It would be great to see you again, so please give me an email / call and we will set something up. If anyone would like any infomation please email or call me - I have a new US cell number 310 -804-0973 Take care and hope to see you soon All the best Howard J Smith MK-V

Hi Marc Yes I will be at Cinegear - See you there! Cheers Howard