Jason Torbitt

The Tiffen 7" HD monitor is out there, I've had my eye on it for some time. The issue, I imagine, would come with brightness / outdoor viewing - it's only around 500 NITS if I remember correctly. But it does take HD-SDI, SDI, PAL/NTSC, component SD/HD, VGA etc etc so it really is a multipurpose monitor. As Charles says, it is a Marshall display, but enhanced for Steadicam with extra anti glare coating, more image manipulation functions and outputs / loopthroughs. I hope to have a look at one in the next 2 weeks so I'll post up how it looks & performs...

Hi all, A couple of items to shift - may be of use to you?... - Master Series 4" Green Screen CRT monitor. This is for spares only (mechanical / casing / bracket etc). Here's the story - over enthusiastic baggage handlers at Madrid managed to drop my flightcase, and wrote off the tube of the monitor. Not knowing this, I turned it on, and as the tube was damaged, the circuit sent power into the video boards- so electronically it's probably a write off. Since then, the monitor has been tried with a different tube, and it worked, however all you get is a green screen - no video, due to the aforementioned damage. (The monitor would be sent to you with the damaged tube, so when you turn it on, nothing happens except the power light & bubble level illuminate). The monitor's casing is in good external condition, and is complete with the original Master mounting bracket, with the 2 half moon rails & swivel bracket. Any offers please to Jason@steadicam-facilities.co.uk or call +447749 961 604. - Case for FMG.6 motor. Original toughened plastic casing, foam cutouts for motor, offset bracket, 3 spacers and 4 gears. Any offers please to Jason@steadicam-facilities.co.uk or call +447749 961 604. Shipping from the UK. If you require photos, please email me. Thanks Jason

SOLD! Thankyou

I've been in touch with Scott this week and am looking at this system at the moment. Are there any more owners of this system out there who can talk about their experiences with it? The 12 frame delay thing is obviously an issue, like Flemming I already own a nice 2.4Ghz analogue kit (Teletest), but offering microwave links to clients may be of use to the live-to-air jobs, or big screen events etc. Easy enough and cheap enough to buy the Behringer, cheap enough too... I think I'm correct in the assumption that if audio is sent through the camera to the Boxx, then it is in sync with the video (albeit 12 frames delay), but if the audio is from an external source, the Behringer unit is required. I'm happy with the reliability of my current system, I have a nice high gain omni directional antenna, and LCD with built in receiver as well as the regular transmitter/receiver, but having a reliable, broadcastable / stable microwave link may be of use to clients and open up some new possibilities... Does anyone have any more experience of using the Boxx out there in the field? Thanks Jason

Hi all, I have 2 cables for sale, both brand new in excellent condition, in resealable plastic bags. Just spare cables gathering dust that I no longer need. 1 x Master Series - BFD (small 2 pin Lemo both ends) - could also be used as a BFD 1-2 loopthrough cable for powering 2 BFD units from 1 source. New price $115, selling for $75 1 x Master Series - Video Assist XC-75, XC-77 etc - (4 pin Hirose - 12 pin Hirose) Carries power to video assist camera and returns video to sled. Probably works with other rigs too, check you have the 4 pin power/video hirose socket on your sled. New price $105, selling for $70 Email or call if interested or you would like pictures, or check the SOA classifieds listing for a couple of photos. Shipping from the UK. Thanks Jason

They offer great quality products, very impressive & durable. However, not the quickest to ship, as they manufacture products to order (or at least they used to - check this). This can mean it could be a while until you receive your order, no good if you need something quickly. But it's well worth the wait when you get your order - top quality.

A picture from the same set as the one above has been uploaded onto the Guild of Television Cameramen forum, which is entitled 'New Steadicam Clothing Guidelines' I see the operator has opted for a slightly tighter grip than usual on the post...

I also use the Garmin. I couldn't do without it now. It worked out quite cheap to buy, and does a blinding job, especially good to climb in the van in a strange city after an exhausting day like today, and just tap 'Go Home' and the rest is a breeze - which I find especially useful to get out of the black holes this country has, i.e. within the London inner ring road

Hi Nick Interesting setup, straightforward enough with 2 Z1s, I bet the footage looks great as you say! Must take some getting used to. How did you go on for monitor(s)? Did you just take a feed out of 1 camera, or did you fly 2 monitors? If so, how did you mount them both? Cheers, Happy New Year Jason

Yes, it's the HD version of the SDX-900. I don't know anything about the Panavised version, not seen or heard anything about it.

It should be the usual generic video / HD run cable, 12 pin hirose, plugging into the camera body. Pinout is on the forum somewhere already, if you don't already have a video run cable. I'm sure someone will confirm this... Cheers Jason

Check www.stradacranes.com

Thanks Chris, I'll do some more testing with different monitors and check the internal wiring down the post. Failing that I'll try a new breakout cable and see where that gets me. All good fun...

That's a great video clip, thanks to the SOC for providing it. What an incredible insight into the origins of our craft. I'm looking forward to seeing more of it.

I've got a small issue with dirty video feed down the post at the moment. Recently on my Master Series I've been using an LCD on the rig, and have been splitting the video from the 4-pin Hirose cable, using a breakout cable to a 4 pin XLR and BNC. The problem I have when I do this, is that the video feed appears dirty, there is interferance. The picture is just useable, and in some cases I have had to use it as it is the only way I can access the frameline generator, but for the rest of the time I've been running a separate BNC off the base of the sled and operating without framelines. This isn't a problem with the monitor, nor with termination, as I have checked both of these out. I'm assuming it is either the cabling or connectors on the sled, or the breakout cable itself. Just wandering if anyone else has experienced this problem or found a cure. Strangely, when using the green screen CRT, the video picture appears fine, no disturbance or interferance is visible, which makes me think that maybe it is the breakout cable to the LCD? Any opinions welcome, cheers Jason

I would agree with Jamie about the excellent uses of Trimpacs - I use them for powering video receiver and 7" director's LCD, couldn't do without them, very useful. Another option would be to send them back to A/B for disposal, recell or trade in.

Hi everyone, If anyone has any spare accessory dovetail plates lying around gathering dust, please let me know. It's the slide-on plates for the lower sled on the Master Series that I'm looking for. Cheers, Jason

A very merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all, and good luck for 2007.

There is a thread somewhere in the archives about the Strada Crane, if you do a search. It's the only 100ft camera crane about. The Steadicam application is apparently a 'hook and quick release' system - just so long as the release doesn't come at the top of its range in the air! Much easier to do a simple crane step on / step off as normal, but of course you can't get anywhere near the same height as can be obtained with the Strada.

I attended this introductory training day for the A-R, and thought it would be worth while posting about it, for the benefit of everyone interested. I own and operate a Master Series rig, and I attended the day to increase my skills, experience and open up more work opportunities for me, and at the same time learning huge amounts from both Chris and Howard. I very much enjoyed the day; for me, I went into the day with 2 main aims: to understand the technology / setup / mechanics of the system, so that I could physically setup and operate it, and to understand and experiment with what is / isn't possible to achieve. It is neccessary to dissemble / reassemble / balance the AR several times in order to fully comprehend the cabling, parts of the system, their function & positions relative to each other etc. (In the same way to a steadicam workshop, where the one of the most fundamental parts of the workshop is this very process - not only does it help to understand the technology and components, but also the importance of correct setup, balance etc) As a system, it is very much different to operate than a steadicam, and I learnt quickly that this just isn't steadicam, it is a completely different tool, and way of moving the camera. Headroom is something that takes a huge amount of work and anticipation. Navigation of obstacles, spacial awareness is something else - knowing where the camera is in relation to objects takes more getting used to, due to the different position of components. Also having the batteries out to one side of the body is something which takes more getting used to - very strange at first. The most interesting and eye opening part of the day was making a comparison with the rig I'm used to operating (Master Series) Intriguingly, the AR/Nexus rig, with batteries, Transvideo monitor & rings without a camera weighs only 3lbs more than a Master rig with 5" CRT, PAG battery, without camera. This certainly surprised me - the AR looks like a hefty sled, with its typically long post and bulky looking components. The fact that it weighs comparatively so little is a great example of good design work, and progress. Just thought I'd post my thoughts on the day, and the kit. Yes, the A-R is a new technology, but it is a fascinating new way of moving the camera and it is sure to be a big success, as it gradually becomes more widespread. I've very glad to have attended the first training day and privileged to have future access to the kit. As I said earlier, the eye opener for me was that the A-R really is a different tool compared to steadicam, and requires a different style of operation compared to what I'm used to. Thanks to Chris and Howard for their efforts and patience in teaching us and spending time to get us up to speed with the A-R. Now I'm comfortable with setting up the rig and basic operating, I'm looking forward to working with it over the years to come. It's a privilege to be a part of the A-R team in the UK! Cheers Jason

Marell manufacture a nice video DA box which also runs off a 9v PP3 battery, it's a nice little unit that's also a good price, and you get 4 video outputs from the 1 input source. Listed on their website under 'Accessories' - www.marell.co.uk

I can stand by this, I use the thin RG58 stuff for a jumper between camera and vest, when I need to be cabled. I had to do a music concert over the weekend on a BNC, and used a thin cable, and the feed to the vision mixer was suddenly lost as the cable decided to part company with the connector, which stayed on the camera body. As far as I am aware, there was no pull or tug on the cable and I had it secured in the usual way, but even so, the strain relief boots on the cable were absolutly useless and did nothing to stop this happening.

I've lost count of the number of camera guys / Steadicam Ops I've met or know of with VW T5's. I made the decision that I would get one next year, after I spent a couple of hours driving to a job in one a couple of months ago. Amazing experience. So much space, plenty of power under the bonnet, cut down height means getting into most car parks with no trouble, as Guido mentioned, the roof over your head when working out the back is a fantastic plus! And, tons of space to work/ spread stuff out in the back. I just drove past a VW dealer on the way to a job today, that's only 30 mins away from me, so I'm going for a browse on Monday. The amount of driving we have to do, we should be allowed to do it in comfort/style! Of course, the main selling point is that it's big enough to get a couple of hours sleep in the back of too :)

I wouldn't use the word 'clone', I think 'copy' is a much more accurate description ;)

I had an issue with one of my ProPacs that wouldn't be recognised by the charger. As Torch says, there is an internal wire connection which can burn out, meaning the connection between the cells themselves and the terminal is lost. However, this should be protected by the external fuse which on ProPacs and Hytrons is on the rear of the battery, at the Gold Mount, and is easily replacable, or just swop it with the spare fuse opposite. The best solution would be to contact Anton/Bauer directly and see what they can tell you. You can send your battery in for analysis if it is just that battery in particular that is causing you problems.