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PRACTICE CAGE for DV


JakePollock

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  • 1 month later...
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The first 4 cages have been send over the world!

 

I have had a few calls/mails from people who want to have a cage like this, however, there are two main problems now:

 

Due to the plunging US$, the original price doesn´t cover the effort I have to put in. ( I know, it was cheap, and it is not something I want to get rich from).

 

The demand has been low, so far. I need to make a batch of at least another 6 to 8 and sofar, I got 2 interested people (for the old price, that is)

 

So: who is willing to put ? 180 or $ 240 down for this, excluding shipping and handling??

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hi Rob,

 

I`m thinking of doing the practice cage myself, but I was told that it souldn`t be made of ferromagnetic metal ( iron, steel ) because it might get disturbance in video cam. The preferable material is brass.

 

Did you experienced any disturbance in video camera while using steel?

 

Marcin

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I thought it was strange too, however in theory there could be a problem with steel cage if it let say stay near to a magnet (eg speaker etc.) then the magnetic field of the cage could interfere with the magnetic field use to record image on the tape.

 

So phisically possible, I was just asking for your experiance...

 

Now as for dimentions I was planning to use the following: 15cm X 45cm X2cm for the gound plate - the top plate 15cm X 30cm x 2cm and distance between them around 40cm - Any suggestions on that?

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XDDJ, (??? you have a real name?)

 

Look at the metal issue from this point of view: why is it that all high-frequency (video) equipment and cabling is SHIELDED by metal casings and GROUNDED? It´s to keep the the signal and electronics FREE from interference.

Now if you case was made from Magnetite..... that would make a difference. Don´t put your wallet with credit cards near it, either :lol:

 

The suggested cage that you are planning is almost exactly the same as I have for sale.

It will only be much heavier, like 15-18 kgs, you need to make the plates 1 cm in thickness

So you could go for mine if you are prepared to pay around 330-350 Euro, including transport.

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I have made a steadicam by myself not so long ago, so this cage is not a challange for me. I would prefer to spend 350? on something else and make myself a cage for 15? :D

 

I was under impression that all the videocams, computer cables etc. are using alluminium caseing/shielding - which is immune to any magnetic fields... Grounded - ofcourse - all electrons should be faceing the same directon in order to preserve static shield.

 

Anyway let`s not go deeper in this - we both have our own opinions - no sens in exploring them further.

 

Thanks

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Rob,

 

Hey man, you are nicer than I. Too bad your many years of work are being dismissed by a new comer, who can't even be bothered to use his real name. Please, don't waste your time answering posts from anonymous people. Initial head can find his own answers out by reinventing the wheel (or more literally the practice cage that has been made for years, by a large cast of characters - using real names). Otherwise, there are many non-professional forums out there that allow people to use childish aliases that initial head can go join.

 

Please people, this forum was set up as a professional forum for professional Steadicam Operators. We've lost many very good contributors as of late because of the lack of respect shown to others and the overwhelming number of people who have seen fit to dump our etiquette. Please use your real names, respect your elders. post in appropriate categories, and ask intelligent questions (if you are new, do searches first).

 

Kindest regards,

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Now just hold on a minute. Who said anything about dismissing Rob`s (or any other steadicam operator) work?!

 

Maybe there was some misscomunication on the way. English is not my native language, so it is possible that I put some unapropriate words (happens all the time: it sound diferent if you say eg. "give me coffe" than "should you be so kind to pure me some coffe") for that I`m very sorry. I haven`t come here to afend anyone. More than that, I have a great respect for All of you here. The knowlage, that you all poses was the reason I come here in the first place.

 

Reciently I have managed to put enough money aside to buy myself "the real thing". I have come here to ask for advice in the purchase, and I got more then I ever wanten. So many people willing to help me with the choice. So here I am ownyng my own EFP - Great thing!!!

 

Although, I`m still in debt a bit. I need to start useing the rig. I have a lot of experience in working with metal - so I decided to do the cage myself (don`t take me wrong - I would love to buy it from Rob, just don`t have founds for it). It will take some time and materials (that are allready in my garage) so the finale effect will cost me 15? - however if I was to sell it to anyone I think Rob price is lower than I would be willing to sell mine for. So again - Rob cage is great and in Very good price - it is just I can aford it right now :(

 

As for my non-inteligent question, I`m sorry to ask it - but haveing some experience in electronic and phisics my cosirn was real - especialy that I have recived this advice from the person who have sold me my rig....

 

Now for my "childish" alias - I am a person who respect my right to privacy. I`m not using my real name over the internet because I have a free will and I don`t won`t to see my name on some spamer mails or used in any other way that I have not decided to use it for. I think I have a right to do so, wouldn`t you agree?

I`m not hiding from you, just protecting privacy.

 

I hope this will set things straight again - I`m not seeking enemys here, quite the oposite in fact.

 

Best regards,

Marcin Brauer

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Marcin,

 

Sorry, if I overreacted. Somehow I took your comments about making a Steadicam and now a cage in the wrong light. Regarding privacy, I don't blame you for keeping your email off the forum, but we started the tradition of using real names years ago here. Thank you for letting us know who you are. If it makes you feel better, I didn't realize you are from Poland and that English is your second language (you speak it very well) - so yes, I misunderstood your intent.

 

Regarding the practice cage. The operative word here is "practice." I would not worry about steel interfering with the electronics. One, at the distance the steel is from the electronics (compared to the actual camcorder housing), I don't think you should have a problem. Two, the purpose for the cage is to allow you to get practice until you find yourself working and making money. I, like many operators, made a cage from steel and never had any problems. Until I made a solid cage of steel, I just bolted a bunch of weights to some wood and then screwed in a dovetail plate. Whatever works; whatever gets you practicing.

 

Good luck with everything and congratulations on your purchase.

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Dear Rob,

 

I'd be interested in one of your DV/practice cages. I discussed making one with my machinist, but frankly, I'd rather save the R&D time needed to do it right, and buy yours. I really don't fly DV cameras, but I could use a better practice cage, and you never know when someone will ask you to fly DV, and I'd like to be able to say yes.

 

Let me know what your timetable is. I think a couple hundred $$ or so is certainly a fair price. I'd be more concerned about how long it would take to get the necessary orders for the next batch, and shipping times.

 

If it is going to be a long time until the next batch, would you consider selling the schematic? Good ideas are worth something.

 

Let me know.

 

Best regards,

 

Mark Karavite

Steadicam Owner / Operator

mkaravite@comcast.net

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Dear Rob,

 

If I could have the cage in my hands within 2 months, that would be fine.

 

Sign me up!

 

Please contact me directly for any specific information you might need, and give me an idea of $$ in USD with shipping.

 

Thanks,

 

Mark Karavite

mkaravite@comcast.net

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