Jon Beattie

I was flying a RED. Had the Red drive with the et shock mount on the dumb side of the camera. then the idx transmitter was sandwiched between the red battery and vmount plate.

 

 

Do you have any photos? I have not shot with RED yet other than messing with it at NAB a few years ago.

 

Steve

I've done so many jobs over the last few months with the RED and we were pretty run and gun. I didn't think to take a photo of the setup. I really should have. Being it the first time that I used the transmitter and the ET shockmount for the red drive.

Ironically I did another RED job this weekend in high winds at the beach. I had the set photog grab me a few shots of the "antlers" I pieced together from pirated grip gear I need to post.

I worked on a music video 2 weeks ago and we used the IDX system. I was flying a RED. Had the Red drive with the et shock mount on the dumb side of the camera. then the idx transmitter was sandwiched between the red battery and vmount plate.

Though the IDX transmitter is a bit bulky (tall and wide. Its not to thick). Its also supper light weight. I made a joke to my assitant that it felt like and empty shell.

The DIT and DP used a handheld monitor with receiver. They system worked great we shot all over Harlem and Brooklyn for 2 days. Never had a problem with the system once. It was nice not having them follow me around trying to tweak and play with the onboard red monitor.

In the future I will make a jumper cable for it with a vmount plate or use a 4 pin xlr to power the unit so I can just mount it on the camera and get rig of the onboard battery powering everything off the sled and saving a few pounds.

Peter called me back yesterday. Going to trouble shoot with him. Get a loaner and send mine out to the factory.

I am updating my website now. Just wanted to let everyone know that I am now the official Handsfree Transporter Rep in the US. If anyone ever has a question or is looking for a unit please feel free to contact me.

Jon Beattie

I have one of the tiffen 7" 700 nit monitors they have made for them by marshall. The other day I was on set. Built my rig and when I fired up the monitor a blue screen came on with " no signal". Not even the framelines would work.

I throw my backup monitor up and it worked fine, so i know its not the sled as I also connected the tiffen monitor in 3 different places.

I have emails out to tiffen, cramped attic and Terry West. Is there anyone else that may be able to help? I've seen mention of this before, but no solution.

EDIT: its not the marshall custom. To clearify its the large housing SD monitor that came with the clipper2 and the flyers.

I know the op at the cnn studio in NY is Jeff Latonero. He has been there for 4 or 5 years. He flies a pro. Really nice guy. I know he reads the forum but doesn't post much.

This was brough up here :http://www.steadicamforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=7968

Great looking dolly. You can lock the wheels and the CG is super low. I'm looking forward to a rental house getting one here in NY to check out. Looks like another great tool.

looks good. I would like to see what it looks like in fully sunlight and what it looks like on an overcast day.

If its the real deal I would fork it over. Or at least split a test unit with others to see if its up to snuff.

Most guys like a "fast rig" 2-2.5 second drop time and a nice short post.

 

 

Really? I like a short compact rig and a infinite drop time, But at times I settle for a 4 second drop

2-2.5 was how I was taught and a speed I've heard most ops seem to use. By fast I did mean short and compact. I guess I wasn't as clear as I should have been.

But a 4-infinite drop time sounds interesting. I've played with 3 second. I'll try your uber nuetral way. I just liked the stable horizon that a 2-2.5 second drop time offers and just compansate for the pendulum affect on starts and stops.

Most of the time you want to try and put your gimbal as close to the camera as you can. While still being able to dock.

I'll done a demo with the pilot and the Z1. Its a very easy camera to balance on the pilot. You have alot of options To use the weights to get the post length the shot may call for.

Most guys like a "fast rig" 2-2.5 second drop time and a nice short post.

If thats what your looking for I would put 2 weights on the tops stage. Maybe one small on by the monitor.

If you want the rig to have a more inert feel. You can just load up all the weight you can while still keeping the gimbal high on the post closer to the camera.

I asked Frank Rush this same question. He said "NO" tiffen will not sell a 324 and a g70.

The 324's topstage is only rated to carry 30-35lbs of camera. If your flying something heavier and whip pan and the post snaps. Tiffen will not cover the gear under warranty.

Thats the basic story Frank gave me.

Now have guys flown robust camera packages on a clipper without a problem. Yes. Tiffen wants to make sales. So maybe they will. But I doubt it. For the extra 14k you are better off with the U2.

So I just booked a 4 day job shooting with the SR2. Its been a few years since I've seen this camera. I've never flown it before.

Looking for some tips on items I should be asking for.

I know that the run stop on it is the 11 pin fischer which may also be the spot to power the video tap. I believe this camera does require an external video tap.

Like the SRIII I guess I'll fly it with the onboard battery. But if i were to power off the rig does it use the same 2 pin fischer as other arri cameras? Is it 12v or 24v?

So as of now I know I'm telling them I need a clip on mattbox, lowmode bracket, videotap. What else is good to have to make my life easier?

The camera is coming from Handheld in NY.

Dave,

If they get the 7ft monitor cable for the RED you should be able to just mount the monitor to the regular monitor mount. The Red Monitor has a 1/4 20 or 3/8 threading. I had to do that on a job that came with the wrong lpug for the AJA. It worked great. Run the cable from the front of the camera straight across to the back of the monitor.

Get a power cable for the red and power it off the sleb. If you only have 26lbs to play with flying batteries at the top and bottom will push you over ther edge.

My Powercubes are 12 volt. Have they been changed?

 

I know in one of the earlier posts it was said that the rig is going to be able to support v mount battery systems soon.

 

With all the software controls of the batteries. Will the sled be able to fly the powercubes out of the box? Or will there have to be a software update since they are 28v?

Your right Phil. I went back and looked at the rating sheet on tiffens site. They are "14v". My mistake.

I do know that powerr tool comapnies are developing/ have out 28-30volt lith ion batteries. It will be interesting to see how that translates into our world.

I know in one of the earlier posts it was said that the rig is going to be able to support v mount battery systems soon.

With all the software controls of the batteries. Will the sled be able to fly the powercubes out of the box? Or will there have to be a software update since they are 28v?

With a rig like that I think I would want to be hardmounted on a segway or something for most of the shoot.

 

~Jess

You would not want to be harmounted on a segway for that.

One thing that I discoverd (and should have already thought of) is that the weight of whatever rig your flying has a big influence on the segway. She excelerates if the rig's mass is moved foward and can be stopped by pulling the rig in.

With a really heavy rig you feel much less in control. I weigh 190lbs so If I have a 50lb load your talking about more than 25% of your own body weight that the segway listens to.

For the few people I've taught how to use it. After they get used to the handsfree with no rig I put them in softmount. The weight of the mass is closer to your body, and the vest gives us feedback. It is better to learn that way before going hardmount.

Its funny you would think "oh segway, let me fly all the weight the arm could handle. No problem." But I find I still prefer a lighter setup. This way the ratio of me to the mass of the rig is lower and I have to "fight" less.

For shots that involve alot of manuavering or really heavy loads I go softmount.

The heaviest rig I've put up is a f900 with meranda and an onboard battery. (I need one of those jumper cables to trick the meranda). Did it hard and soft and the crew didn't know it but it was a bit hairy feeling for me sometimes.

I doubt I would fly (2) f23's and with all that huge mattbox it would just add another dangerous piece. Not being able to see.

But check in with me after another year of flying while I glide.

I'm looking to rewire a few things.

I'm looking for a company i can buy nice xlr, ab ptap, lemo and hirose connectors. Along with a few spoils of shielded cable and shielded coiled cable.

If anyone can point me to a great site of company I would appreciate it.

I usually try and do the flip the rig and go. No one has given me any grief about it.

Everyone seems to really like brant's bracket. I have not used it. can you build the camera in high mode with it and a spare dovetail? Or will it only go on when you need to built for lowmode.

The other thing that I've looked at is the MK-V handle replacment with 1/4 and 3/8 holes/threads but I've never heard a single word about it. It looks like a great option too.

I have the baer-bel sony quick release plate. Its super light weight. It was working really well for me. Then I did a job with a varicam and 3 times (twice while shoulder resting lens down because of rain) and once when I was ejected from my handsfree (a tale for another time) the camera came right out of the plate. I'm alittle scared in using it now. I guess I have to email markus.

I agree he is hardmounted and wearing the vest.

He also has the old hardmount. Now its a 2 piece which allows the post to telescope up and down.

The position he is shooting in is also the second most difficult way to shoot on the transporter. "Tango" on "Modified DJ" with the lens pointed to the arm side is difficult to operate because of your blocked view of the monior. This is one of the reasons I recommend putting your monitor are far out as you can.

Don Juan is the most difficult to operate in just based on watching the monitor behind you while trying to drive foward. Mounted the camera backwards or having a second monitor are great options.

You can operate while gliding backwards on the handsfree. Your steering is revered (right is left, left is right) the unit also does not like to go to fast, She'll shut down on you if you push it.

I find i only go backwards if I know its going to lead me into riding going forward. ie pulling out of a CU into a 2 shot and then following subject(s) someplace else.

trying to operate softmount while the hardmount is telescoped up like that is realy hairy. On a few jobs I've grabbed my vest and put it on jsut to make moving where everything was faster. It is not a safe thing to do.

I do agree though. Love my Handsfree its a great piece of kit. THe guys making it have been good to deal with.

Yes, originally this was going to be marketed as a FF designed for the RED. Sold by RED. Its better for everyone that they are looking to make a more universal system.

I'm still not giving up my BFD and M-One. They are the AK-47 of Focus systems. May not have every creature comfort. But they are built to last, with little care and work in all conditions.

I think the VF may be interesting as a back up or iris system. Or maybe its just for those people who like to shoot through 5" of glass and a science expermant attached to a prosumer camera.

We'll see when they finally let the world see it.

I heard that the View Factor was originally supposed to be an accessory to be purchased with red but there was a feud and View factor pulled out and went solo. Does anyone know if this is true?

Doing a varicam shoot this weekend. Looking to see if I can rent a down converter to convert hdsdi to composite. Unit needs to be powered off a ab ptap.

Would need to pick up sometime tomorrow and return monday evening or tuesday morning.

PM or email me.

Thanks in advance.

Hello,

 

I am looking into a Pilot but I think the Flyer vest is better? I am small framed 5'8" 145 pounds. What do you guys think? Any comments or info would be helpful.

 

Thanks,

 

-marco

The flyer vest is a step up. But I think that the socket block on the flyer is standard and the pilot is a scaled down size. As for the size they both should fit you fine.

I also think you can only buy the pilot as a kit arm/vest/sled.

email Peter Abraham he has all the answers.

I'm not sure if people have already seen this, but check out this video:

 

http://www.themovieblog.com/2008/09/crazie...ight-scene-ever

 

There are some interesting behind the scenes comments about their Steadicam ops.

Its a great sequence. Afton has it up on steadishots.org its also a much better quality than youtube there

I don't believe they are waterproof cases.

No wheels.

They do have a embosed steadicam logo on them.

email They guys over at Tiffen in the UK, they should be able to confirm.