Hybrid Brushless roll cage on top of Steadicam.

[Sanjay Sami]

I had a grip ask me once " how does your crane balance like that?"

 

If you stop drinking Summer Shandy, the real Grips will stop being embarrassed to work with you.

 

Problem solved ...

 

You are welcome.

[Lawrence Karman]

Why do so many discussions on here wind up in name calling?

 

And talk of who invented what and when and who has patents really should be discussed by the concerned parties and lawyers. Otherwise it's rather boring to read about here.

[Sandro Galv]

Greg,

 

any news about your auto horizon?

[Andrew bainbridge]

this sort of thing?

http://cinescopophilia.com/porta-head-10-brushless-gimbal-prototype-on-a-steadicam-with-an-arri-alexa-camera/?utm_content=buffered4b4&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

[RonBaldwin]

I think he was referring to Greg Bubb's device a few pages back. Looked like a smaller, neater, all in one solution.

[RobVanGelder]

Though this may sounds like I want to show off, when I started with Steadicam in 1993-94, I was seriously trying to get something like this to work, based on a mini-worrall or such head. Obviously, with hardly any miniaturisation of electronics available I was thinking of a steel wire pulley system, similar to hand brakes on a bike. I made drawings of the contraptions but did not go on with it as I focused on other systems.

 

I did however try something else: with one of the first miniature futaba RC gyros and made a battery cage that would shift opposite of the roll direction.

It did not work properly of course, the movements were erratic and too late since the sensitivity of the gyro was too low.

 

But it might be an idea to work with new electronics. Instead of trying to balance a all day different camera configuration, why not a smooth moving counterweight at the bottom of the sled?

Just thinking out loud,again.....

[Mariano Costa]

But it might be an idea to work with new electronics. Instead of trying to balance a all day different camera configuration, why not a smooth moving counterweight at the bottom of the sled?

Just thinking out loud,again.....

 

you mean something like this?

http://www.steadicam.com/steadicam_wagner_horizon_whm.html

Edited November 4, 2014 by Mariano Costa

[RobVanGelder]

Ehh, almost, but not really. As I can read from the documentation it is only a very accurate display and sensor that measures the angle and it is up to the operator to control the actual roll. The big display will help with that.

If this sensor is then coupled to a"weight in a box" that moves opposite to the roll level, you will get what I mean. This will work when the rig is in neutral balance, otherwise there will be a delayed reaction.

[James Davis]

I believe this is the link he was looking for

 

http://www.steadicam.com/userimages/Steadicam_WXB-ss.pdf

 

I've demoed a rig with a prototype of this device attached at the bottom, alongside decent operating technique it works incredibly well.

[Mariano Costa]

If this sensor is then coupled to a"weight in a box" that moves opposite to the roll level, you will get what I mean. This will work when the rig is in neutral balance, otherwise there will be a delayed reaction.

 

But it is exactely this. There are two systems, one is "just" a very precise horizon, the second is a horizon coupled with a servo driven weight which counteracts to the sled`s roll.

 

This: http://www.steadicam.com/userimages/Steadicam_WXB-ss.pdf

 

Oops, sorry James, saw your post too late ;-)

Edited November 4, 2014 by Mariano Costa

[RobVanGelder]

Oh, I did not read that anywhere, though I noticed the high weight of on of the boxes.

Then I think this is what I had in mind, but could not complete at that time due to inefficient level and gyro technology and too coarse servo drives.

I made my system on the 3A that I had at that time.

I still use a led level display that I made at the same time (1994) with the original electronic level in the J-box from the 3a.

Ah, memories.....

[Abad Rosa]

I put a Ronin on top of my rig. Should I expect a call from a patent attorney?

[RonBaldwin]

Nope...just giggles from people realizing that you are still beating the dead horse.

[BJMcDonnell SOC]

Lisigav on the screws and on your junk should make things smooth. Miss you Ron. Been too long. Love your posts lol.

[Abad Rosa]

Just wanted to make sure it was dead and that I killed it.

 

2 things I learned from this thread:

The tiffen patent on the "Lynn Axis" is worthless

I'm an idiot