Dynamic Balance For Huge 3D Rigs

[Pedro Guimaraes SOC]

Ok my turn to ask,

This is an email I got regarding a possible 3-D shoot at the end of the month

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it said:

 

we will be Shooting on the BX3 rig from 21st century 3D.

 

http://www.21stcentury3d.com/3d-cameras/3d-digital-cinema/

 

It's extremely light for an over/under and should be around 40 lbs with two EX3

cameras. We'll be tethered and recording to SRW 3D as well as the camera cards.

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so ? anyone fly this set up and any words of wisdom ?

 

 

I work with Jason (21st century 3D) all the time. I've worked with BX2 and BX3.

 

The BX2 is a tiny bit lighter and works better with the ex3's. Below is a picture of the bx2 with ex3 cameras at a Black eyed peas concert. While it is "light" for a full size beamsplitter rig, because you cannot go into "underslung mode" with the rig you end up having to add alot of battery weight and extend the post fully. This is less than ideal for operating since your clearance to the ground is not so good.

 

In the setup below the g70 arm was maxed out!

 

 

The BX3 is still very light for a full size beamsplitter. Yet it's a bit heavier than the BX2. But it will allow you to mount the rig in "underslung" mode on your steadicam. Making weight distribution a bit better. Still with the proper counterbalance battery weight and lens motors etc.....ready to shoot....your still just about maxing out a g70 arm.

 

Here is the BX3 with ex3's in lowmode.....notice how long the post is and battery setup.

 

 

 

So while this rig is certainly usable on a steadicam (the element technica Quasar is not) it is far from ideal. Also the complete weight is pretty heavy. Just ask forum members Phil Martinez and Dave Isern as they both have a few hours flying this rig. Dave even did it with red cameras!

 

I think the best scenario for operating with this rig (BX2/BX3) would be to operate hardmounted on a dolly or a steadicam rickshaw, cinerover, segway etc....but you can vest it. Just make sure your in shape and your getting a good rate!

 

 

 

***From a stereographer's point of view, the 21st century 3D rigs are just awesome. I love to use them. Many great features and they work perfectly and produce stunning images. A great choice.

[Pedro Guimaraes SOC]

 

 

And I would definitely try to look up the Paradise FX rig recommended by BJ.

 

Thanks again guys, deeply appreciated.

 

best,

Joel

 

From what I hear the the paradise rig is a copy of the element technica "Sub-miniature" (-a.k.a - dark country rig), or maybe the ET rig is a copy of the paradise rig......just depends on who you are asking!

 

Either way it's the smallest beamsplitter rig in the market. It's designed for Si-2k cameras and c-mount lenses.

 

I've shot on this rig alot this year.....2 shows for discovery 3D and one nature special in the amazon rainforest!

 

The rig flies like a dream and is super light! 20lbs or less! It's very small and can easily fit into a AR revolution.

 

***from a stereographers point of view.....these rigs are not the best. They are a pain to align (4 set screws) and even when you get the hang of it it just takes to long. The c-mount lenses are just not up to par quality wise for alot of work. teh lens choice restriction is a big drawback. Also you cannot mount any sort of lens motors on this rig. But regardless of this rigs shortcomings it remains the smallest and lightest 3D rig available.....

 

Here some pics from the discovery shoot....

 

I was using a rented glidecam gold for this and had to use the cinedeck recorder/ccu as my operating monitor since at this time it did not have a monitor out. It SUCKS in the daylight. The new cinedecks now have a SD BNC out so you can use your regular steadicam monitor.

 

 

 

here is a handheld setup we used...

 

Edited September 11, 2010 by Pedro_Guimaraes

[Sanjay Sami]

Holy crap Pedro !

I promise never ever to complain about the Platinum again !!

The disks in my vertebrae feel claustrophobic looking at that picture. :blink:

[RonBaldwin]

Holy crap Pedro !

I promise never ever to complain about the Platinum again !!

The disks in my vertebrae feel claustrophobic looking at that picture. :blink:

 

That's what I'm talking about...10 years ago it was the G2 conv kits and BL's that had everyone's panties in a twist. Now we are "happily" schlepping many pounds more? Oi

[Christopher TJ McGuire SOC]

Dynamics?? Weight??? Steadicam Finesse???!!!! Yeah NO!!!!

Working with 4K Steadicam is a bugger!!!

DP shooting wide open - Rig carrying; 2 x Reds, 2 x Master Primes, 6 motors (focus/iris + I/O, Convergence), the 3D Split Beam Mechanics, 4 x Filters, 2 x MDR's.... Fun, Fun, Fun!!!

Although I have the Dynamics working well, operating has so many limitations - I so cant wait for a nice Arri LT 2D gig!! I will NEVER moan again!!!! LOL!!!

Edited September 12, 2010 by Christopher TJ McGuire SOC

[chris fawcett]

Hi All,

 

I was lucky enough to work with Larry McConkey recently. I learned a lot from him, needless to say, but the most important lesson was observing his attention to detail. A host of tiny obstacles that I would hitherto let pass he would meticulously eliminate. A dozen seemingly unimportant workarounds that I would be content to shoot with were unacceptable to him. Day after day, he would refine his setup to get it approaching as close to a perfect configuration as he possibly could. Dynamic balance was paramount.

 

With the Pace 3D rig flying 2 Alexas on his U2, he clearly had a problem with the stage nosebox. He removed it (a few screws), and reconnected it with a ribbon cable, so he could use his stage motors (also high up his list). Then the rig was close enough to the post that a battery on the back of the horizontal Alexa was enough to allow him to achieve DB. I agree that whip pans are out of the question, and would have agreed that DB was not so important until Larry convinced me otherwise. All those details add up.

 

I leaned another couple of 3D DB tips recently. First from Valentine Monge via Philippe Bordelais. We probably all know the trick of rotating the stage through 180 degrees to get that pesky nosebox (if your rig has one) out of the way. Valentine turns his stage through 90 degrees and hangs the 3D rig off the side, getting it close to the post without hindering cables and connectors. The second tip is from Philippe himself. Since the weight of a 3D rig is usually forward of the post, he raises the batteries and lowers the monitor such that the normal DB configuration is reversed. It's now: camera forward, batteries up and back, monitor down and in. Because the post length should not be long, even with heavy 3D setups, the monitor need not be too far away. The main limiting factor is arm clearance for the batteries. Not all rigs can do this, but by Sunday evening, mine will.

 

Fly safe,

 

Chris