Alex Kornreich

Sold

For sale is a PRO GPI green screen steadicam monitor. It's in excellent condition, with a near perfect screen (very very slight marks from bubble level adhesive that used to be on the bottom. Check the photos). The black case is in great condition, just some velcro on the sides and a couple minor scratches. The last time it was powered up was about a month ago by Jack at GPI. He said it's in perfect functioning order, and the power supply has a lot of life left in it. For photos, please check the following link: Picasa Album: PRO Monitor Photos I'm looking to get in the $2500-$3000 range, but I'm honestly open to any and all offers. I'd really like to sell this in the next week if possible. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks, Alex

Terry's the man. Looks like he got that breakout box to you super fast. I've never waited more than 24 hours for him to get a cable to me. Most of the time it's been same day.

I bought the 6.5" from Chris at Cinetronic about 2 months ago. I could not more fully agree with this review. I had a small issue with the monitor, took a video with my iphone and texted it to Chris. Within 10 minutes he watched the video and told me how to fix it. Love the monitor just as much as the customer service. I've never had any trouble seeing an image, regardless of brightness levels. A very clear image, good viewing angles, and super bright. It's been reliable as well.

...the last steadicam you will ever need

I'm still not sure what any of this has to do with the subject matter of this thread. I felt I needed to respond as people new to the industry should focus on their craft, not equipment. Who else am I arguing with? I'm a native english speaker and don't understand a word of this. This has been an extremely informative thread, and I'm sure it's helped a lot of people. Let's try to keep it that way and stay on topic.

Ive looked through this thread to try and find what you're responding to, but didn't have any luck. What drove you to bring this up? To address what you're saying, I respectfully disagree. Operating is a whole lot more than just the equipment itself. Being able to frame properly, improvise when actors miss their marks or something doesn't go as planned, and having the stamina and fitness to do as many takes as the DP or director needs is 75% of the battle. Then you factor in the skill and technique of actually accomplishing those goals consistently, and you're at at least 90%, and none of those things involve the quality of the rig. And since the physics are the same regardless of what rig you're using, you can still adjust pan and tilt inertia as much or as little as you need (obviously some rigs are easier than others, but it can still be done). So now where does the equipment come in? For arms, it's the ability to dampen footsteps throughout the boom range. However a great operator is still able to make nearly perfectly smooth shots even with less than stellar arms. Ron had some great examples, but of course none of the arms, or sleds for that matter, from the 80s/90s are as good they are today, yet they have some of the best and smoothest steadicam shots of all time (check out steadishots.org). Finally, you're correlation between SOC Op of the year nominations and what rig they're flying is at best misleading, to the point of being completely incorrect. In statistics they have the saying "correlation does not imply causation" for a reason. In this particular case you're inferring that the XCS/Pro combo causes, or is primarily responsible for, their success as operators. Isn't it possible that XCS and Pro just know what talented ops want, and present it in a better package? Maybe they have better marketing, or have endorsement deals with the best ops to pose with their rigs (kidding on that one...)? Would Michael Schumacher win any less if he drove for the BMW team, or the Honda team, or how about Tiger Woods using Callaway instead of Nike? Also, since talented ops will generally start with shitty gear, how did they continue get hired so much that they were able to spend $100k or more on their rigs? For me, I'd take a good op with shitty equipment 9/10 times more than Id take a mediocre op with a PRO. Actually make that 10/10.

This Op I'm getting from has done a large number of big shows, and this is all of the gear he owns, so it seems to be pretty all-inclusive (ie it's got all the camera and run stop cables with backups). I've definitely thought about whether I need the gyros, and whether it'll add a whole new level of complication to my life, but I feel i've already encountered enough situations where wind has really affected my operating, so I'd definitely like to try them. And as you said, I can always sell them. There's no on board recorder I believe, but I should check. And regarding the AJA, I've already got one, though I may pick up a Redbyte. And insurance... yea it sucks, but I already own a bunch of camera gear, so it's not new to me.

Didn't make the decision by New Years, but as of today Im finalized on what I'll be doing. I checked out a rig from an accomplished operator who's DPing/Cam oping more these days, and is trying to move away from steadicam. I looked at it closely today, and it looks great. It's an all PRO package (arm with 8 canisters, vest, sled(not HD)), Preston hu-2, mdr2 w/ 3 motors, 2 kenyon gyros, XCS greenscreen monitor w/ backup transvideo 3a, superpost, modulus 3000, 14 dionic/hytron batteries, cables, etc etc. I was hesitant of going used at first, but I was basically able to stay at my budget (albeit the top), and get a preston, gyros, greenscreen monitor, and backups of everything included as well. I still havent tried out the XCS sled yet, but it's really starting to look too expensive, and I really like the simplicity of the PRO.

Hi Leo, PM sent

"I tell them under no circumstance to try a PRO arm because they would eat their liver to get one." -Alec Jarnagin Best line I've ever read on a forum. Maybe that's why George told me he didn't have any demos... This is all fantastic information. Can anyone describe in fairly simple terms the difference between the XCS 1 and 2? It would be helpful to know what limitations the XCS 2 has, especially as it may apply to real world shooting situations. Also, what are the benefits of the WK back mounted vest? I've read it helps with fatigue, especially with regards to the lower back. Are there any limitations on it? I've also heard they're wider, so it may be more difficult to squeeze through tight spaces (which I've done often), as well as it's difficult to run in. It's close enough in price to the PRO vest and Steadicam vest that I'm considering it as well. I've never really had problems with the front mounted vest though, so I'm hesitant to switch. BTW, I'll be placing my order at the most in 2 weeks (I've got a few demoes in between), as there's bonus depreciation for 2009, and it's certainly not guaranteed for 2010. Point is, all of your generous amounts of information will directly lead to a purchasing decision, and you'll know the results soon! Let's hope I still have a liver by the end of this week though...

I spoke to the guys at Pro GPI today and they said they don't have any arms available to test out, either at their facility or not.

I've got a demo set up for the XCS 2 for the end of next week. Had a good, long conversation with Greg regarding the 2 sleds. Of the two, features wise, I think we determined based on my needs that the XCS2 is the right one for me. I called Pro GPI regarding a demo on the arm, but unfortunately they don't do demos. Any ideas how to get my hands on one of these arms?

So I tested out the U2 today, with the fore/aft motorized stage and Ultrabrite 2 monitor, and am extremely impressed. Keeping in mind that I've only been operating about 1.5 years now, I don't have a single negative thing to say about it. I'm sure with many more years of experience ill be more discerning, but at this point, I'm amazed at what such a high quality rig can allow you to achieve (no more fighting to boom!). The G70 arm, with it's adjustable iso-elasticity, is phenomenal (again, though, this is compared to my current rig which is very springy and only holds up to 25lbs). The vest was perfectly comfortable, and the whole system, being tools free, is straight forward and logical. I also have to say that Dan, Frank (GM), and Michael at steadicam were as helpful as could be and spent a lot of time with me (over 3 hours...). I've read everyone's comments several times on this thread, and am still trying to digest all of the information. What I'm finding interesting is this preference of really trying to keep the sled as short as possible, and that the XCS is more suitable for it, given it's placement of 3 batteries on the bottom, lack of integrated superpost, lack of motorized stage, and lack of a tilting stage. This allows the camera to be closer to the gimbal and still maintain dynamic balance and a proper drop time. In defense of the U2, they showed me that it's actually quite easy to mount more weight on the bottom, directly beneath the post. However I can see the advantage of having a dedicated 3rd battery down there as it certainly improves the power situation, especially if the camera/accessories can draw from all 3 batteries at once (this is correct, right?). The U2 seems almost as good in this regard as it's able to draw from 2 batteries at the same time as well with a little easy rewiring. The XCS seems quite appealing in a lot of regards, but there are still 2 issues that I'd like resolved. First is the lack of a tilting stage. Because the stage doesn't tilt, this means that in super low/high mode the camera cannot be dynamically balanced due to the fact that once the camera is trimmed to the upward or downward facing angle, the post is no longer perpendicular to the ground and gravity, and therefore whip or fast pans will be off. In real world situations, is this problematic? Do you find yourself fighting to hold horizon when the camera is so heavily trimmed upwards or downwards? The other issue is that of lens height. As I've stated, I'm 5'7". If I need to shoot someone who is 6'5", will the XCS have enough extendable post length to accomplish this? The U2, with it's 4 stage post, seems to excel here as there's tons of post to provide the proper counter balance when the camera is so far above the gimbal. How is the XCS in this regard with it's 2 stage post? Now back to the arm, as I said, the ease of use the adjustability of the ISO/load of the G70 really impressed me. What should I expect with the PRO arm? My favorite setting for ISO on the G70 was right in the middle. How does the PRO fare in this regard? Is the ISO adjustable at all? Is the load factor adjustable in minute increments, or do you just adjust the load with different combos of springs? I'll definitely be testing it out, but would certainly like to hear from you guys. Finally, regarding customer service, there seems to be quite a consensus that Greg from XCS and the guys at PRO GPI are fantastic. I got a very good feeling as well from the guys at steadicam, so maybe it's a draw for me there. Or maybe the only way to find out is after I'm in a sticky situation and need the tech support, but I can't quite plan for that now...

This has been extremely helpful, thanks to all of you. I'm off to test out the Ultra 2, looking forward to it. It seems I better start making appointments to test out the Pro arm and XCS sled as well...

Thanks Jess and Eric. So basically the XCS not only has a thicker post diameter, which is a good thing as it allows there to be less flex, as well as having 3 batteries on the bottom, so the sled can be shorter and more compact, which is also a good thing. Is this correct? On the other hand, the Ultra 2 has a built in super post, while the others do not, as well as a motorized stage, and the others do not. Is this correct as well? Eric, I noticed you have an XCS setup with pro arm, and as I'm leaning towards the Ultra 2, I'd really like to know your take as to why you prefer the XCS and Pro arm. You mention the electronics as being one reason. Can you elaborate on that? Can you also elaborate as to why the setup of the XCS (3 batts on bottom, 2" post diameter, etc.), in your opinion, is better than the setup of the Ultra 2? Also, Im on the shorter side (5'7"), so being able to easily adjust lens height is important to me. Is the Ultra 2 more suitable for adjusting the lens height? Any other insights?

And customer service, warranty, and reliability info would be appreciated as well! Alex

Hi All, After operating a smaller rig for about a year and a half, I feel I'm ready to move up to one of the big guys. I've read all I can regarding the Ultra 2, Pro GPI and XCS sleds, but I'm having trouble finding any sort of direct comparisons. I'm also looking for info regarding the G70 arm vs the Pro arm as well. I know this is sort of a vague question, but any guidance will be of great help. If it all comes down to personal preference, then please say so. But I'd really like to know why some operators prefer one of these sleds over the other, and equally important, why some ops prefer one of the arms over the other. Also if there's a sled or arm that I'm missing, I'd appreciate learning about that as well. Whether it's straight up feature set, or how the rig just feels, I'd like to know any/all opinions. Ultimately I'll be testing everything that I possibly can (I start demoing tomorrow), but opinions from the ops on this forum would be invaluable. Thanks, and I've already learned a ton on this forum over the 2 or so years, even though this is my first post :) Alex