Matt Petrosky

A quick update: As of now all eight Proformers are spoken for. Local pickup, immediate response to listing. I will update this thread if it should fall through and they become avaliable again. Thanks for all of the interest. Reuse is a great way to recycle! -Matt

I recently upgraded to Dionic HC batteries, which by the way are fantastic. Nice new display/read-out too. So I am selling/giving away most of my old Anton/Bauer batteries. Six (6) Hytron 50 batteries: They have low cycle counts (around 100) but they were put into service in 2005 sometime, so they are definitly not new. They still hold a charge fine, but again they are not new. As with any battery, time is not it's friend. The cases are in good shape because I take care of my stuff and they were not my primary batteries. Make me a legitimate offer and they are yours. (They are/were $250 new.) Buyer pays shipping. PayPal is easiest. Eight (8) Proformer batteries: TAKEN! Some of them are totally shot, dead, toast. The others are well on their way to being useless. These are ONLY GOOD FOR SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO RE-CELL THEM. I'm not sure what reselling costs, but it shouldn't be a problem with these Ni-Cd batts as I see guys that use them re-celled out here all the time. This could be a good batt for someone starting out (after they have them re-celled) or someone who just needs more batteries (not Erwin, and again, only good after you get them re-celled). These are FREE! Buyer pays shipping. If local to Los Angeles, come and get them free of charge. Email me though the forum (by clicking on my name and then clicking on "Send an Email" in the lower left-hand column). Thanks, Matt

I imagine that it will work on any NTSC/PAL monitor with corresponding NTSC/PAL video source. Call or email XCS (Greg) and I'm pretty sure he can wire it for whatever you want, at least that's what I recall him offering when I ordered mine. I think he puts the connectors on for the customer's sled/monitor when they order it. -Matt

Ditto for all of this. Even a lightweight Pana clip-on can get heavy, think a filter or two, Panatape and dummy readout, eyebrow, etc. I've had perfectly good Primos bind on me and like Doc said, the quick solution is to clamp loosely and attach the rubber band for support. Also B&S is being lame about this. As someone else said, if they are not willing to work with you, take your business elsewhere (Otto, Clairmont, Panavision). All three of these rental houses have built countless brackets and cables (at no cost) to help us steadi-folks and ACs. -Matt

Agreed, no reputable camera vendor would go for this, why should you/we?

Yeah, they make great products, but both times I've ordered it's taken about 7-8 weeks to get them. The 2nd time I ordered a custom sled case, based on their design, but with slightly different dimensions. I just took their drawing and modified the dimensions and sent it back to them as a PDF via email. Simple because this was a simple bag. Trying to customize something more complex with compartments and dividers like the FI+Z bag would be harder. -Matt

Doc, No, it's my understanding that both the HD and the SD lines are isolated video/coax runs down the post now, but the SD BNC on the battery rack IS tied to the 8-pin monitor out. That being said if you are doing live and need a return or a program monitor feed I don't see why you couldn't use the other video run. Meaning, if you are using SD as your primary line you could pipe whatever via the top and bottom HD BNCs and if you are using HD as your primary you could at least send an isolated SD (not sure about HD down the SD side) via the SD run. Does this make sense? At the end of the day it's two separate video runs. Also for power with the new setup you get a higher amp rating with less voltage loss bottom to top which helps maximize any existing batteries you have. -Matt

Hey Steve, This looks great. I am wondering if the new Dionic HC batts will fit in all three positions while using this system? I understand they are a wee bit larger then the Dionic 90/Hyton 50 profile. Thanks, Matt

Do you get the "visual voicemail" feature on T-Mobile or do you have to call your number to retrieve messages? Also does mobileME work with T-Mobile (I suspect this is irrelevant)? -Matt

My antlers have both 1/2 and 1 pound weights. The 1 pounders seem a bit much, so I usually use a 1/2 pound on each side. -Matt

Agreed, the perspective change and depth compression give it away. And like Charles said, there are a TON of zooms, it's almost constantly zooming. And I agree with Eric and Doc, looks like a stabilized head shot, and why not, this would be a great way to do this. -Matt

Yeah, Colin Anderson, Andrew Rowlands (2nd Unit), and all the camera folk really rocked it out on this one. Some nice stuff, great energy without being overly-shaky or distracting. Bravo! -Matt

Great update Eric, thanks! Any idea exactly how much lighter the Dionic HC batts are compared to the Dionic 90s and Hytron 50s? -Matt

Actually I think/hope the exact opposite will be true. Directors and producers seem to consider video taps to be one of the draw backs to shooting on film. They sit at video village and prefer the highest quality image possible. Right now that image is HD and it is only coming from HD cameras. If our beloved film cameras were capable of producing an on-set image that rivals the image in video village from HD cameras I would think that they would consider this a plus. I suspect that this will really take off in the USA commercial world. I have been on sets many times when producers/directors/clients have commented in some fashion about the image quality, or lack of, on film SD video taps. Let them edit HD on-set, the more options the better. If they choose to shoot film in the first place then there is a reason. Now they will have another reason--all of the photographic/archival/aesthetic/etc. pluses of film with all of the benefits of HD on-set. Let's all hope that they embrace this with us and that it becomes yet another reason that film will still be shot. -Matt

Ah, too funny D-to the-O-to the-C! I laughed out loud for a good minute. :P And again, Erwin, you and your red steadi stuff. This will be legend someday. :ph34r: Charles, thanks for all of the research and updates regarding this downconverter! -Matt

Thanks Stephen, I sent you an email. -Matt

Thanks Gus, but I think this travel adapter is only for audio & video. I need one that will also allow be to power the Archos from my sled. -Matt

Maybe on a DB-II... but DB-III is so much longer it makes contact with most of the plate. I agree that if the camera is mounted way to the back or to the front of the plate (especially the long plates), but with a secure attachment at multiple points across a flat camera like a LWT-II, plate rigidity in high-mode becomes a non-issue. That being said you are talking to someone who owns several XCS plates so you are preaching to the choir. Also, I have yet to see any iris rod attachment that is more rigid then using an XCS plate.

Hi all! My on-board DV recorders finally bit the dust and so I am looking for an older Archos, either the AV400 or AV500 series with the power & video travel cable. I am also interested in just buying the power/video travel cable or a travel power/video cable that has been modified to connect to our sleds. Or someone can sell me on a reasonably priced digital recorder that can be used on-board while being powered from the sled. I have found the old Archos units on eBay and the like, but the sacred POWER & VIDEO travel cable (NOT the new stupid travel dock) is not to be had. Any leads are appreciated. Thanks much, Matt

Erwin, you and your everything-RED! Too funny. I have a bunch of plates because with heavier cameras I like to keep the CG as low as possible and the PRO plates afford me some valuable space/weight savings above the gimbal. I also have four of Greg's XCS plates. Two gen 1 (I think) and two gen 2008 (whatever that is). I would sell the old XCS plates, but my antlers don't quite fit on the new XCS plates. :( Also I have found it handy to have more options. On a feature I did last year I had a Pana LWT II all dialed in and then I needed to fly a 435 on the same show for a few days. This setup allowed me to keep plates, rods, and brackets all intact, which made conversions a snap. Also of note: I now fly a PRO DB-III, which is worth it's weight in gold. and Ron Baldwin is a Leprechaun-chasing crack-head. -Matt

From this description it sounds like a the TWQ is getting replaced by a faster, more powerful, more feature-laden version? Anyone in the market for a used, but in great condition TWQ? ;) -Matt

I agree with Alec, Erwin, and the others--got to have your steadi-gear insured--it's just the way this country, business, and system work. It's your tools for your livelihood. Without it you are on your own and out of pocket to recover any loss. Even if production replaces something, you may need it faster then their legal/accounting depts. will issue a check. -Matt

Sad news. I certainly remember the ads and his credits speak for themselves. Rest in peace... -Matt

Ah the classic cream pour shot. You don't do one of these a week? Just f-ckin' with ya... what a random use/modification for steadicam. Post a link when the video is up. -Matt

Happy Birthday Geoff! You still look exactly the like the crazy ageless Muppet you were years ago. Good stitching by the Hensons I guess? -Matt