Adam Coop Posted February 1, 2010 Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 Afternoon all. After much tweaking, changing and developing, the new FC14 sled from Floatcam is nearly here! Building on the basis of high quality engineering at an affordable price, but now with more professional features, the FC14 represents a new approach from Floatcam. I have attached a picture so you can have a first look...! Pricing for the sled is likely to be in region of 4500 euros / £3950 UKP + vat & delivery. The basic spec is as follows: 1 1/2" wide, telescopic post HD-SDI, SDI & composite ready 12/24V switchable power additional 12/24V power outputs on top stage & bottom stage for accessories etc 15A power output (RED ONE ready) 15mm bars mounted fully adjustable monitor mount 15mm bars mounted A & B articulated battery mounts (V-lock or Anton Bauer) Optional third battery mount (on dovetail plate mount underslung) Fits all 5/8" arm posts Non reflective black anodized finish Tool free adjustment Supplied with 7" SD LCD monitor - HD-SDI available soon. Max camera weight 12.5kg Can be spec'd with a soft case or a fitted Peli case. Get in touch for more details and confirmed pricing adam@floatcam.co.uk 0845 094 1138 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members RonBaldwin Posted February 1, 2010 Premium Members Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 I hope you guys have been monitoring the recent threads/conversations about power supply and signal loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Charles Papert Posted February 1, 2010 Premium Members Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 Looks like a long way between highest gimbal position and the base of the camera. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jens Piotrowski SOC Posted February 1, 2010 Premium Members Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 PRO??? I'm not sure George Paddock will be happy about that......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members RobVanGelder Posted February 2, 2010 Premium Members Report Share Posted February 2, 2010 Hmm, when I put 2 batteries on those plates that can sustain a reasonable package like the mentioned RED and a preston, 2 motors and a video transmitter I doubt very much if I can get dynamic balance with an LCD monitor on the other side.... Been there..... done that! <_< <_< Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Coop Posted February 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2010 Hmm, when I put 2 batteries on those plates that can sustain a reasonable package like the mentioned RED and a preston, 2 motors and a video transmitter I doubt very much if I can get dynamic balance with an LCD monitor on the other side....Been there..... done that! <_< <_< Hi Rob Just wanted to put a few things straight. It's true that if you just add the batteries to the back with a full load on the top stage, you would struggle to dynamically balance the sled. That is why the 3rd battery mount is on a dovetail plate mounted under the bottom stage so that the mass of the battery can be moved significantly forwards of the post. The rig is also supplied with additional counterweights to mount on the 15mm bars of the monitor mount when a lightweight monitor is used, again to counter the problem of lightweight monitors. I have seen an Ultra2 sled with lead filled tennis balls gaffer-taped to the monitor rods because the rig couldn't be dynamically balanced with an LCD monitor, so this is hardly new, or indeed limited to this sled. And as for the RED, yes it does balance on the rig. No, you cant build it up with the same accessories as you would on a full sized rig, but this isnt a full sized rig and has never claimed to be. Try putting that setup on the Flyer LE (which is supposedly RED capable...) and see where that gets you... :unsure: The minimum distance from the gimbal axis to the camera base is about 4 1/2 inches, which whilst not exactly world beating, isnt vastly different to an Archer or other similar sized sleds. The FC14 sled is not a game changer, a massive leap forwards in high end gear, or even a competitor for a big rig, nor is it the best sled on the market. It isnt made of titanium or carbon fibre, it doesn't have a motorised top stage and it wont make you look slimmer in stretchy pants. What it is however, is a very capable sled for the light-middleweight market currently occupied by the V25, X45, Flyer, Archer, Actioncam etc that offers a lot of flexibility and performance at a very sensible price. Is it likely to turn up on a feature? Probably not, but for promos, corporates, shorts etc where a lot of new operators start out, this rig does just fine. The basic Archer2 is £15k+, the FC14 is £6.5k. Is there a difference? Yes of course (apart from the £8.5K...), and I would love to have a new Archer2, and especially the G50 arm, but my wife wont let me sell the kids, and most of the viral, corporate and promo work I do wont stand for a £1k daily rate to help me pay for it. When I need to, I hire in a bigger rig, but most of the time I just don't need to and I know that I am not the only one... :lol: Cheers Adam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Charles King Posted February 2, 2010 Premium Members Report Share Posted February 2, 2010 Well said Adam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members RonBaldwin Posted February 2, 2010 Premium Members Report Share Posted February 2, 2010 Adam...this is the place where more professional steadicam ops hang out than anywhere. The things that have been mentioned are topics that are discussed often (!) and happen to be important to steadicam ops. The ability to maintain dynamic balance with lighter monitors (perhaps without having to add weights?), the efficient and adequate delivery of power and hd signal, the distance above the gimbal (as I'm sure you know this has to do with how long the post has to be to balance a heavier camera), and as Jens pointed out...the chosen name (no, George Paddock doesn't own the word "pro", but in a small community as this is it might not be a good idea to choose the same/similar name to his company and benchmark sled). I'm sure your sled is just fine and might be a great deal, but you did post it on a forum chalked full of professional operators who are very picky about their gear and critical of the re-invention of the wheel or new products that don't solve any persisting issues. So of course we are going to have some questions/comments/observations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Charles Papert Posted February 2, 2010 Premium Members Report Share Posted February 2, 2010 Adam...this is the place where more professional steadicam ops hang out than anywhere. Excluding Jumbo's? How could you have missed this, Ron--it's not like you. Have you been not drinking again? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members RonBaldwin Posted February 3, 2010 Premium Members Report Share Posted February 3, 2010 I said "professional" ...a group I certainly don't belong in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jens Piotrowski SOC Posted February 3, 2010 Premium Members Report Share Posted February 3, 2010 "the chosen name (no, George Paddock doesn't own the word "pro", " the word "PRO" is by the way the "TM" trademark of GPI inc. ............................. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members RonBaldwin Posted February 3, 2010 Premium Members Report Share Posted February 3, 2010 the word "PRO" is by the way the "TM" trademark of GPI inc. ............................. yeah I knew that, but I was talking more about the absurdity of him choosing that name, not really the legality (which is not easy to enforce, especially across the pond). But it does explain why I get a bill everytime I say "pro". At least it goes to a good cause. rb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jens Piotrowski SOC Posted February 3, 2010 Premium Members Report Share Posted February 3, 2010 the word "PRO" is by the way the "TM" trademark of GPI inc. ............................. yeah I knew that, but I was talking more about the absurdity of him choosing that name, not really the legality (which is not easy to enforce, especially across the pond). But it does explain why I get a bill everytime I say "pro". At least it goes to a good cause. rb "pro" sounds also much better than "amateur" ....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Rogerhaugen Posted February 3, 2010 Premium Members Report Share Posted February 3, 2010 What about Prosumer? Is it available? :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinThwaites Posted February 3, 2010 Report Share Posted February 3, 2010 I have seen an Ultra2 sled with lead filled tennis balls gaffer-taped to the monitor rods because the rig couldn't be dynamically balanced with an LCD monitor, so this is hardly new, or indeed limited to this sled. Adam If you are referring to the operator that I think you are then the spherical weights were added to increase inertia to simulate the response of his older version Ultra wit a CRT monitor and not for dynamic balance. If anyone has trouble achieving dynamic balance with an Ultra 2 I would be glad to help. Robin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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