Jason Torbitt

Lovely work there, boys. Some very solid operating. Good stuff!

Seconded. Bomb-proof. I may be wrong, and I'm not sure of how designs compare, but the patent may argued not to be infringed, as it isn't actually a tilting topstage - it is a tilt plate which sits between the post and whichever topstage you have...

Sounds very frustrating. That said, there are also many other hypothetical questions that could be asked of individual operators in the UK too, when it comes to rates. Very frustrating, when it comes to rates. Not enough long term-ism.

Hi Jeff, Hope you're well. I'd go for a Zoe III from Bebob instead - lovely little pressure sensitive zoom rocker, and the latest version auto-senses between 8-pin Canon and Fuji. The J7s were okay, I have one myself - however it depends on which type you have - IIRC, the original batch had no speed control built into them / weren't pressure sensitive, so you needed to adjust the pot on the lens servo itself to control speed (newer versions of the J7 fixed this problem, again IIRC).

Hi Ed, That sounds familiar - yes, I'm sure someone did call, although I can't remember if I actually did do the job or not - I've not done a recce in Liverpool for some time though, so probably not. Thanks for passing my details on though, much appreciated! Cheers. I'll return the favour sometime soon, I hope. Thanks J

Not this year, Chris, sorry. Got four days of fashion shows I'm working on over here that I'm in the middle of...all work and no play, sadly...

I spoke to Scott and Kyle about this last week - first units will be available around Christmas, and they are taking deposits now. Looking forward to hearing how it performs at IBC. Chris - that sounds like an amazing setup with the Handsfree, *the* Transvideo monitor and the-boxx HD link - you'll have a fun few days.

So for the uninitiated, does this monitor also do digital bubble as well as framelines, when you're pumping HD-SDI into it? And it does look good outdoors - is it a good performer in both bright sunlight or against a washed-out grey sky?

The twin PAG plate that you describe should do the job - although check dimensions to make sure that it will fit around the Master casing down there. Having said that, the technology has moved on so much that I'm not sure that even 2 x L95's would = approximate mass of a brick battery...

This is the system I have been waiting for...it does everything that we need it to do, with indistinguishable lateny, in HD. I will be a definite customer, Scott... I think you make a good point though, Job. I would like to think that I'd market it as being a separate piece of kit, and charge hire rate for it as a part of the deal. I know for a fact once it's explained to production companies and clients what it can do, it will be something that they will want on every job. I have spent the last few days doing the typical 'plug in for rehearsals / go wireless for the take' Varicam shoot, and it's a real pain in the backside...but yet currently it's the ONLY way to deal with a HD shoot. I started doing a similar thing with my Teletest 7" wireless LCD monitor in its carry case - everyone I work with loves it, it is a good item to have in the kit, and it is something which productions are willing to pay more for. Scott, please let us know when you have the system available...

Hi Torch! I agree - I've always checked the gear over before and after each job. It's easy for things to work loose easily. If you look at a typical Master / Ultra vest for example, which I used for several years, there are many parts which come loose, particularly the socket block on the bridge plate - hardly surpirsing, given the pressure that it's under. Always worth checking the kit over - it could prevent a costly accident...

What type of rig are you looking for? The options you have depend on what kit you're after. You could also try approaching one of the London based operators, who do a lot of kit hire - try Joe McNally 07973226532.

Hi Peter & Koen, Sorry, I only just read this post. My Zoe has actually just blown up and seems to be creeping all the time, and the speed dial has also apparently broken too. So the attached info will probably help me with fixing it - thanks! Fortunately I have another Zoe, and a J7 to work with in the meantime. Cheers J

Thanks Afton, I tracked these down, for any interested UK folk looking for voltmeters for any of your rigs, Farnell sell the range of these Murata power meters. J.

Hi Afton, Just out of interest, where did you pick the voltmeter up from? I hardwired the Astro Flight Meter into my sled- does the job, but not always easy to see, and has more info/smaller digits. I find it harder to see especially when it's a darker environment, largely down to a poor viewing angle and smaller characters. Cheers J.

I was sent details on this last week. They've got the frame delay down to a frame, and it's wireless HD, stable microwave. Looks like a no-brainer to me.

I wish we had a 'media rate' flying from/within the UK. Instead, we have lots of inconsistency. Recently I flew from Manchester, to Dublin with standard kit. Excess cost = £270. Then I flew from Dublin to London Heathrow with the same kit, plus 2 extra cases (a couple of lenses). Excess baggage = £180. Then, finally, I flew back from London Heathrow to Manchester, again with the same amount of kit. Excess baggage cost = nothing. Free of charge. Unbelievable. This was with 3 different airlines; it seems that there is no consistency at all. Some charge a rate per extra kilo, some a rate per extra item, it goes on and on... Nightmare.

A few odds and ends to clear out: - Teletest Monitor (LCD) bracket for Master/Ultra - Baer-bel Tilt / Wedge Plate (silver) - Aircraft Pin for docking bracket (CP) - 3 x storage boxes for FMG.6 motor & gears (I keep my motors in Pelicases along with the focus kits) Any offers, or for more info/photos, please email me at jason@steadicam-facilities.co.uk Cheers

Hi Imran, I was asked by a production to do a MovieTube job with the HVX...low budget...you can imagine the sort of thing I'm talking about. Never ended up doing the job, but it was really hard work to actually get across to these people that a focus puller was a non-negotiable issue. Never ceases to amaze me, how little some of these production companies actually know about the kit when they're trying to book you. Complete and utter lack of understanding. J.

Another issue - correct me if I'm wrong - that the ProVid doesn't have the standard socket block connection as standard - this would presumably also an issue in terms of weight capacity / ability. Most people I know who have ProVids have the standard socket block, but I'm sure that it wasn't a standard thing originally?

Hello all, Just thought I'd post a link for your enjoyment - If any of you take a healthy interest in the music scene, my friend runs a website that is a good way of keeping up with all the latest music news, reviews and interviews. Lots on there and it will just keep growing! www.dailymusicguide.com Take a look and hope you enjoy! Cheers J

No, it's still 400 NITS, which is a shame as it displays everything we want it to. There are certainly better options out there in terms of daylight viewability - but it's still a useful monitor for indoors / studio use.

Give Optical Support a call, one of the Petes will no doubt be able to help. 020 7281 0999. Cheers J

Hi Ron / guys The contents of the nose of the Master depends on the version of the Master you have. For versions with the motorized stage, as well as connectors and cables, it houses the receiver (correct me if I'm wrong) for the motorized gimbal control, so it's pretty jam packed. For the Broadcast version, it's simply an empty box with, as you say, wires inside it. It is held in place with screws and very easy to remove should you decide to, but obviously you'd have to sort the panel BNC / Hirose / Lemo connectors and find another way of dealing with those.

I like working in layers in the winter - as you warm up, off comes a layer at a time. Shirt, then the Vest, then probably a fleece and then either coat (North Face parka) on top of everything, or lightweight waterproof coat, with trusty hole for the socket block! Barefoot? I've done that a couple of times - but only when I've been told off by sound recordists for my great clumping size 12 feet!