New Guy.

[Douglas John Kropla]

Thanks Charles. You know I tried inverting the rear battery over the weekend and sure enough I was able to shorten the post and maintain a 2 second drop time. That Jerry Holway guy sure is a smarten'. The rear batt assembly is so simple I don't know why I didn't do this in the first place. Sometimes ya just gotta sleep on it :lol:

[Brian Freesh]

Hi Doug!

 

I like your mod, and I think I like the newer version better, though I don't like all those tie downs! Reminds me of a Letus set-up!

 

Your DB looks good, but I don't know that your set-up time can be that much quicker. The time it took you to make that mod is probably more than enough time to practice getting DB with the factory Flyer. That said, in general I like your version a whole lot better. Just saying speed isn't the issue IMO so much as versatility (and likely precision). Also, now that you've shortened the sled, where does that battery end up? The biggest problem I had with balancing for DB on the Flyer was that the battery ends up right next to my knee! I'd have shortened the post if I could, but alas, no-go.

 

Also, how is that monitor for versatility when going to low-mode? It looks good. The one thing I loathe about the Flyer's monitor bracket is that there's really no good spot for the monitor. It's either two high or too low and works only on that hinge, there's no other way to adjust it. Maybe I'm just the wrong size!

 

To nitpick, you're counting fast in your DB video. Your drop time is closer to 1 second than 2. That's fine of course, it's all about personal preference. I was just surprised to see that you preferred a 2 second drop time, as I usually find that a bit slow for the Flyer. With very light cameras I find it's better to be around 1-1.5. And to be fair, when maxing out the Flyer I do like a nice 1.75-2. Your actual time seems about right to me if not a little fast, but if you try 2 seconds, I think you will find it is too slow, but give it a try, see what you think! Again, I totally recognize it's all personal preference. With big rigs I like to be more around 2.5, but there are guys that like 1-1.5, etc...

 

Keep up the good work!

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

With big rigs I like to be more around 2.5, but there are guys that like 1-1.5, etc...

 

 

and then there are the guys that like 4+ seconds or even neutral (like I do)

[Brian Freesh]

With big rigs I like to be more around 2.5, but there are guys that like 1-1.5, etc...

 

 

and then there are the guys that like 4+ seconds or even neutral (like I do)

 

Exactly. And perhaps more important to my point (whatever it was), as my original surprise was in the slowness mentioned.

 

Also, I tried to include everyone with the "etc..." but I've suddenly realized that wasn't even the issue, as I left out the gals! Gals, I apologize. Forgive me?

 

(I wonder if anyone is gonna interpret that as me calling Eric a gal...)

[Erwin Landau]

I don't think anybody would make that mistake...

[Brian Freesh]

I don't think anybody would make that mistake...

 

You got me on the fence again

[Douglas John Kropla]

Hi Doug!

 

I like your mod, and I think I like the newer version better, though I don't like all those tie downs! Reminds me of a Letus set-up!

 

Your DB looks good, but I don't know that your set-up time can be that much quicker. The time it took you to make that mod is probably more than enough time to practice getting DB with the factory Flyer. That said, in general I like your version a whole lot better. Just saying speed isn't the issue IMO so much as versatility (and likely precision). Also, now that you've shortened the sled, where does that battery end up? The biggest problem I had with balancing for DB on the Flyer was that the battery ends up right next to my knee! I'd have shortened the post if I could, but alas, no-go.

 

Also, how is that monitor for versatility when going to low-mode? It looks good. The one thing I loathe about the Flyer's monitor bracket is that there's really no good spot for the monitor. It's either two high or too low and works only on that hinge, there's no other way to adjust it. Maybe I'm just the wrong size!

 

To nitpick, you're counting fast in your DB video. Your drop time is closer to 1 second than 2. That's fine of course, it's all about personal preference. I was just surprised to see that you preferred a 2 second drop time, as I usually find that a bit slow for the Flyer. With very light cameras I find it's better to be around 1-1.5. And to be fair, when maxing out the Flyer I do like a nice 1.75-2. Your actual time seems about right to me if not a little fast, but if you try 2 seconds, I think you will find it is too slow, but give it a try, see what you think! Again, I totally recognize it's all personal preference. With big rigs I like to be more around 2.5, but there are guys that like 1-1.5, etc...

 

Keep up the good work!

 

Whoa whoa whoa, my thread has been hijacked:)

 

Lets see where to start....

Thanks for the comments Brian, but the time for these mods was literally a few hours spread over weeks, mostly waiting for parts to arrive. The rest of that time has been spent either working or practicing. I want to spend the least amount of time balancing on set, as the good book says. I used the FLYER in its original setup for 5 months and really decided that the design was one of cost over efficiency. It was simple to build but was not an ideal design. And yes those are Cinevate rails and blocks.

 

The monitor, it sits in a relatively good spot. If I invert the battery the post comes right up to its shortest length and the monitor and battery are well situated. As for low mode, I built a special bracket which enables the conversion in less than 3 minutes I would say, if not seconds. The new monitor bracket speeds up the conversion process. Oh I should clarify that the sled isn't any shorter back to front. Its actually maybe a little longer with those rails.

 

Drop time, yes you are right my count was fast. I have re-balanced the sled it is now 2 seconds, maybe 2.5 giver take. My goal really is to be able to adapt to the situation. If need be I want to be comfortable with any drop time I choose, all the way to neutral as Eric has mentioned. I am very new to this and realize that drop time will change as I get more proficient at operating.

 

To sum up, as I am 47 this year I don't think I will be jetting down to LA to shoot the next IRONMAN or Pirates movie. I know where my place is in the big scheme of things and I know that I am not going to be taking any jobs from Fred Chamberland or Francois Daignault here in Montreal. For me this is just another tool in the tool box for my mostly corporate clients.

 

To wax nostalgically for a second, I have been wanting to do steadicam for a longtime, 20 years about. But the reality was back then I could never afford the kind of money needed to get up and running, no pun intended. Now in the last couple of years with the smaller units being more affordable and being able to carry a variety of camera' it really is a dream come true.

 

Thanks for the feed back Brian, Eric, Erwin.