Premium Members RobVanGelder Posted September 25, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 25, 2004 Here is a steel cage that I had made, about the weight of a SR3 with lens, also a similar size as most camera´s. It will fit all DV-camera´s, up till XL-1 and PD150/170. Several positions to mount the camera. Low mode is also possible, the top plate has 3/4" holes as well. Made in blackened steel, no paint that can chip off. Anybody interested in something like that? Price is not certain yet but I expect something like $ 150 but possibly lower if orderer in some quantity. Excluding shipping of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Thomas English Posted September 25, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 25, 2004 i like your cage.. its nice and narrow i made mine way to wide. i would buy one off you. would i be able to mount a bar along side the 2 upright bars to mount my follow focus motor on?any ideas? (FF for my 8mm beulieu camera) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members RobVanGelder Posted September 25, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 25, 2004 As a further development of this cage I am thinking of some minor changes: I had some difficulties mounting an XL-1 with the zoomlens with handgrip. It doesn´t fit between the 2 front bars but for the new version I think that 2 little metal strips that stick out a bit (only about 2 cm each side) will do the trick. Also, I might supply some shorter bars if people prefer a lower profile. Any suggestions welcome. As for follow focus attachments, I´m thinking about that but have not decided yet. That would make it more and more specialized. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Ari Gertler Posted September 25, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 25, 2004 It looks good/well made and is a great price. I already have one so I don't need to buy one. The only suggestion that I have for anyone using a cage this size for practice is to make a dummy mag out of a piece of foam and attach it to the back to replicate a larger camera. Ari Gertler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members RobVanGelder Posted October 3, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 3, 2004 Just to keep this DV-cage in the memory of those who want such a thing.... The next generation will have slightly wider bars at the front for those big zoomlenses. Total weight at this moment around 6,5-7kgs, anybody who wants a heavier cage? other suggestions? In order to make a economic production I need some more orders (I have 3 now). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members AndySchwartz Posted October 4, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 Hey Rob I just joined the forum recently. I owned a steadicam mini and just upgraded to the Sk2 and I am using a DVX100a with a bunch of accessories on it - matte box, lense converters etc... I am wondering if it will fit in the cage? I was hoping to get just a weight plate for the bottom, but the cage could maybe work if the wide angle lens i have on the front sticks through the two end bars and then the matte box could go on. but then there are rods and what not. what do you think? any solutions? thanks andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members RobVanGelder Posted October 5, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 5, 2004 Hi all, the cage in it´s newer design will allow for a wider opening between the 2 front rods, so a bigger lens and such can be plced there. Basically it will mean that there are 4 little pieces of metal sticking out to the side , about 1" wide, on the bottom and top plate where the bars are placed. The other solution could be to widen both plates by 2" and make the whole construction a bit shorter (for weight reasons). At this moment it is 10 cm wide, would it be a problem for anyone to make it 15 cm? (6") Let me know please. Another thing came up: Transport costs are very hight, considering the value of the thing. I found that I can transport to Europe for about ? 100 when delivered the same week, or ? 80 for 2 weeks delivery, or for ? 60, but expect it in 3 months (by boat)......... For Canada that would be roughly the same or maybe even a bit more (US$ 150) So although this is a reasonable priced cage,you all have to decide if it is worth the extra shipping costs. Please let me know. rvgas@planet.nl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Imran Naqvi Posted October 5, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 5, 2004 Hi Rob, Personally I'm all for a design that allows maximum flexibility for as many different cameras as possible (especially with the new Sony HDV camera arriving soon). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Thomas English Posted October 6, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 6, 2004 shipping may be high rob but it cost me 120ukp to builf my one (cash at at my mates) . this is nearly 200usd .... and i was told mk-v low mode cage is around 850ukp ......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Thomas English Posted October 6, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 6, 2004 sorry not low mode but weight cage/lowmode Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members RobVanGelder Posted October 19, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 19, 2004 Here are two pictures from the DV-cage with an Canon XL-1 with Optex 5.5mm and lens control motors, so in cine-style. This is my own cage, the next version will be a little bit different. It will be a shorter, wider and higher: 35cm long, 15 cm wide and 21cm between the plates. It will also have some extra holes to mount the XL-1 as this camera has it´s attachment screw not in the center of the lens/plate. Anybody who wants this cage, please order now: $150 + postage and handling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinThwaites Posted October 20, 2004 Report Share Posted October 20, 2004 Hi Rob What adaptor did you use for the lens, was it our simple PL to XL? Robin Thwaites OpTex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members RobVanGelder Posted October 20, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 20, 2004 Hi Robin, indeed it is the simple adapter. That makes a 5.5 on the XL-1 about the same as a 8mm on 16mm filmcamera. The problem now is that we cannot go any wider, unless we buy your 3 or 4 mm lens. And at the moment there is no money for that. But would it be possible to mount a Pansferon or such wide-angle adapter in front of it? Btw, our 5.5 has a very stiff focus barrel. Is that normal? I think it was returned once to the UK for maintenaince. Pulling focus is now difficult as it makes the camera move as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinThwaites Posted October 22, 2004 Report Share Posted October 22, 2004 Hi Rob The focus action is firm because of the tight tolrances involved in the lens design, looser focus could show up problems like focus shift HOWEVER not having seen the lens I can't tell whether it is tighter than normal. We have not tried it with a Panspheron, you will probably need to change the collimation but with that size chip it may well work. The optical guys are going to play and let me know. Failing that do you have access to a 4mm? Robin Thwaites OpTex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members RobVanGelder Posted December 9, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted December 9, 2004 This is the new design from the DV weight-cage. 4 are being delivered very soon so those buyers can expect something heavy in their mailbox! Not sure if it will arrive before Christmas, would be a nice weight to keep that chrismas-tree upright. :P Update: the weight is now 9 kgs, like an SR-3 with lens if I am not mistaken. Take of the top-plate with the bars and it will be 4,5 kgs. If you want anything in between you have to make extra holes in the plates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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