Jump to content

Tango at fast speed in cold weather. Worth of trying?


Juha Kuhmola

Recommended Posts

Hello, anyone has experiment of using Tango in winter on a moving vehicle like a snowmobile or a small four wheeler?

How does Tango behave against the air resistance at the speed like 20-50kph (13-31mph) ? What about extreme climate conditions? Is the friction of pan cables gone if they get any moisture or ice?

Juha Kuhmola

Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members

I dont think the Tango would be the right tool. The shaft can transfer lots of vibration and if physics have its say in it, the smaller sled (camera) will display the most of the vibration because it is lighter and further distance from the gimbal... It does however perform quite nicely in a hard mount situation. I just think that beyond 10mph you will start to feel it.

 

Also the panning mechanism is driven by a very low tension nylon cable which can be adjusted, but I feel that at those speeds you will have slippage in the panning which can happen with a few whip pans.

 

It was a novel idea and if you have the time to test it out in that situation... go for it. But I would try something a bit more beefy for the combination of your conditions.

 

Good luck and report back

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators

Juha

 

I'd be extraordinarily careful about doing vehicle w a tango while wearing the vest (soft mounted)

 

If that arm hit something or got tangled on something outside the vehicle w that much torque on u it would be nasty to say the least

 

Definitely experiment but hard mount the rig to the vehicle !!

 

Alfeo had good points but try it if u can.

 

Research is never wasted!

 

Ja

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members

My experience with the Tango soft-mounted on a vehicle (hands free Segway in my situation) is that the inertia of the fully extended boom can steer YOU on quick vehicle changes in direction.

 

And I agree with the other points above.

 

Let us know if you try it and how it goes!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members

Having today spent the day hanging off the front of a quad bike between 20mph and 30mph with Gyros on regular Steadicam; I would like to remind you that these are fast speeds. I have a Tango and I probably wouldn't take it over 15mph.

 

Incidentally don't do ANY vehicle mount work unless hard mounted.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you all for your answers. The idea is shooting a skier in a winter sport competition using a Tangos low/high mode option on a snowmobile and maybe get a little better angel with a skier. Normally we do that on a snowmobile with a regular steadicam and hard mount. Having reading your comments I agree there's things that one must consider very carefully. Hard mount definitely, maybe the shortest mode of Tango and using a part of track that's not too fast and bumpy and of course the bath we are driving must be clear.

Let's see. Anyway there's gonna be workshop with Tango before the test ride/competition in spring. And before that we should find a good light HD camera for a Tango that should be easy to connect to the wireless transmitter/control system Maybe Sinacam?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Greetings all.

 

I highlighted this thread to Garrett to get his opinion. He is currently at a workshop with variable internet but asked me to post this reply.

 

 

Robin, please post this reply on my behalf:

 

Viability of Tango on the back of snowmobile is about the same as ordinary Steadicam. With a small light polecam-type camera like Sinacam or Toshiba and the 'slave end' in neutral balance, vibration is zero problem and vectran drive line for panning function should not be affected by cold. Wind will only affect the 'master end' but the long pole contributes to additional overall stability.

 

I think it will work very well. The lens can skim the ground or be several meters in the air and will be away from the snow kicked up by the vehicle. Let's facilitate a test. Tango can be more useful on Segway than normal Steadicam and I think, within similar limits for speed and weather, will likely provide big added value for this.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members

the inertia of the fully extended boom can steer YOU on quick vehicle changes in direction.

The Tango has to work a bit more out in front of you than normal rigs, so do be careful and get the best damn pilot you can... not the craziest guy, but the most careful one... stay clear from the ones named "Goose, Iceman or Maverick!"

 

shooting a skier in a winter sport competition using a Tangos low/high mode option on a snowmobile and maybe get a little better angel with a skier.....and of course the bath we are driving must be clear.

Which event... those guys/gals are usually hauling butt. Yes, a clear bath does help. Thanks for caring about your personal hygiene ;)

 

Good luck with your test, sounds like Tiffen will help make it happen! Report back and link us to your test footage.

 

-Alfeo

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...