Phantom and Archer2

[Aaron King]

I just got back from the Maine Steadicam workshop and had a great time. I really enjoyed working the most with the Archer2 and the new Phantom, but I would like to hear from those of you who have real on set experiences operating either of these rigs. I realize the obvious differences such as weight capacity, but what else can you tell me? What cameras have you successfully flown on the Archer2 before you maxed the weight capacity and how do you configure them? Are you able to fly 235, 435 or the ARRI Lite on it? The Phantom is brand new, who out there is (or has) operating it that can share how it works in a real environment compared to other rigs. I am still analyzing my market and the cameras used the most as I make a decision. Any advice and knowledge is welcome.

[Rob Vuona SOC]

I just got back from the Maine Steadicam workshop and had a great time. I really enjoyed working the most with the Archer2 and the new Phantom, but I would like to hear from those of you who have real on set experiences operating either of these rigs. I realize the obvious differences such as weight capacity, but what else can you tell me? What cameras have you successfully flown on the Archer2 before you maxed the weight capacity and how do you configure them? Are you able to fly 235, 435 or the ARRI Lite on it? The Phantom is brand new, who out there is (or has) operating it that can share how it works in a real environment compared to other rigs. I am still analyzing my market and the cameras used the most as I make a decision. Any advice and knowledge is welcome.

Hey Aaron,

I just flew the Phantom for two weeks on three different TV shows. It flew great and obviously the weight was no issue with the TV camera's not weighing that much, but I was flying it 8-14 hours a day. It set up very nicely, and balanced out well.

 

For me I would have liked the post about 4 " shorter being that I like flying the rig short, I'm vertically challenged at 5' 9", haha . . .

 

It didn't have a power converter so I couldn't plug in my 5v Archos and the frame line buttons where, a little difficult to navigate, but I was never shown or had a manual on how to do it so as they aren't intuitive, I'm sure once shown how to navigate them it wouldn't be hard.

 

Tally Light, and the second analog video input worked perfect with my return video monitor.

The Battery set up worked great with weight and finding a dynamic balance was pretty easy

 

The gimbal was very smooth and overall very easy to fly on set.

 

Hope that helps