New products at NAB 2014

[Andrew Stone]

William I fundamentally agree with your analysis. A couple of additional things. The change in size is going to be problematic for people who have storage cases fitted for Dionics. I presume that would be many here and most are thinking about this as well.

 

I noticed with the new stackable PAGs there was a LOT of slop when you lightly twisted the top of the pile of batts. Now I know a lot of people on the NAB floor were playing with the stacks of PAGs on display so they received a lot of lock and loading during the convention. But seeing that would preclude me from stacking them on a sled. Stackable charging and the LED placement is obviously very useful.

 

The new A/B battery case design did not receive approval from the many A/B users I spoke with at NAB from an aesthetic or practical perspective.

[steve wagner]

 

 

Thank you Steve to chime in. As I understand its not tool to adjust horizon like a one axis gimbal (which should completely lock it) more to smoothen the movement and to counteract against little mistakes in operating. Right? Or is it possible to adjust the degree of correction, until sudden harsh unwanted movements, for ex. with wind?

Do you have any idea about the pricing yet? I guess in Europe it will be sold over Tiffen UK or Betz, Germany?

Thank You,

Marc

That is correct Marc, the effect is subtle if you're keeping a good horizon, you won't even be aware its doing anything, you can pan and tilt as always without interference. The effect feels like the rig is way more bottom heavy than actual, but only in the roll direction. So if you start to wander horizon wise you begin to feel it pushing back before you drift much-- it can generate almost 32 ounce inch torque max which is actually quite powerful for large hits from wind for example. The feedback is very smooth and linear, no sudden corrections. In fact you can set the rig for very slow drop times, we had it at almost 6 seconds at the show, So pendulum effects are very reduced but rig very easy to keep level within a degree or so. It also damps whatever pendulum effects remain, you can pull it a few degrees off level, release the grip and it smoothly and quickly returns to level without overshoot. The long drop time makes it very easy to hold large tilts with just a finger or thumb while it stays level to the horizon.The assistance strength and damping are smoothly adjustable by the operator and store-able in memory . This was prototype 1 so no pricing yet. Its built around the same electronics as the WHM level.

 

And as a final thought, as it was being operated at the show they had a wireless video feed to the big screen--which I studied intently. It absolutely still looks like a well done Steadicam shot. of course very level, all axes under control but none over-controlled, The operator's intentions come through with that subtle organic look of a well done shot, not robotic or stiff in the least.

Regards, Steve Wagner

What is the minimum/maximum payload for the Lynn axis?

 

The LYNN axis is a very cool product idea too, Chris Fawcett did this one--based on the original Lynn Nicholson AR Patent now in Tiffen's hands. I'm sure he can fill you in Mariano, the motor seemed pretty darn powerful as I played with it at the show, mount and bearings quite stout, horizon looked rock solid, but the better you balance the camera CG around the roll axis the better the results. Chris, comments ? Steve W

[Alan Rencher]

I also thought the LYNN Axis was pretty cool, but after looking at the video of Larry McConkey with the Movi, it seems more practical to be able to switch from low to high by tilting up with the rig in front of you. It takes less effort and less space (in a hallway for example) to achieve a full pedestal like that.

[Jerry Holway]

I believe the most typical use of the Lynn Axis will not be going from high mode to low mode in the shot - although that is pretty cool.

 

What intrigues me the most about this device is the simple, single-axis, mechanical and electronic control of the horizon and only the horizon.

 

With the newer, lighter cameras, the Lynn Axis structure can now also be small and light, instantly attached to any sled Archer-size and up, and your sled can remain at a normal length.

 

This means you have the normal lens heights with the post vertical. You can also lengthen the sled if you want for higher or lower lens heights or to make the high to low shot easier. But it is really important that you are not locked in to having to use a long sled all the time, where getting to a normal lens height requires that the central post is other than vertical, which makes operating much harder.

 

With the single axis dedicated to roll, all the panning and tilting (aiming/framing) are still directly controlled by the operator as in normal Steadicam operation - you just don't have to worry about the horizon, so you can concentrate more on the creative aspects of framing.

[pauldudeck]

Paul,

 

As someone who helped me get my current Dionic HC's at CineGear a few years ago, let me just clarify (since that's my quote you copied :) ). I tend to determine my purchases, from top dollar items to small widgets and accessories, by what provides the most versatility for any possible situation. On top of that, I consider what makes the greatest ease of use.

 

The stacking feature is appealing to me because I currently have 2 dual position chargers, which means I can place a max of 4 batteries on charge, and only 2 charging (assuming all 4 are in need of charge). When batteries are charged, I need to swap batteries (or be mindful of swapping batteries) on the charger. With the stackable option, I can keep my same 2 dual position chargers, and stack all 8 batteries. Granted, it still takes the same amount of time, but gone is the possibility of "Oh, this battery never got on charge". Likewise, when at home, I can have all my batteries charging at all times between gigs.

 

Some Steadicam operators will probably make the argument: "Charging the batteries are the responsibility of your AC's, they should have been on their game. Routine for charging batteries shouldn't be on you, the operator." I agree, responsibilities are not in question here. I just don't want to encounter the situation where we're ever losing time on set juggling batteries because an AC forgot when I could have purchased something with multiple options, especially when they're using my kit (and I'm hoping the AC's encourage production to call me back).

 

Likewise, the option to stack other "3 stud" batteries onto the PAGlink will be an interesting experiment.

 

Do I expect to use the stacking feature on my sled while operating? Probably not (although stacking on a PL Micro Charger "wall charger" as a means to keep the sled up while docked is interesting). Is the option attractive? YES. The premium is considerable (about 63% more expensive), but I wonder if the price will drop in the coming months as the product goes thru the usual stages of product saturation. Also, they have a variety of accessories to use on the stackable position when a battery isn't there, such as the PAGlink "Power Hub" (adds 4 PTAP's plus a USB) or the PAGlink Battery Reader.

 

Another feature I did like was reading battery capacity on the battery's LED screen. The AB "RealTime" screen is on a side of the battery I rarely see on my sled, so I can't really use it. I know the new Digital 90 has a percentage screen, but again it's on a "dumb" side of the battery.

 

With regards to what you posted, I'm curious to know about the charge times with greater stacks, and we'll see how they do as they get into the market. Battery construction and holding up to field use are obvious considerations, but at this point, most batteries can withstand a single impact. More importantly, they never should have to withstand one. The safety circuits are probably a worthwhile consideration, and PAG can probably address it themselves?

 

With regards to the Digital 90's, here are some other considerations that Steadicam operators and AC's at NAB who saw them brought up:

• No flat surfaces, not very velcro friendly for attaching accessories, etc (that's from the AC's).
• Size: Dionic HC's are 4.06 x 5.46 x 2.34 in (10.31 x 13.87 x 5.94 cm). Digital 90's are 2.70 x 6.50 x 4.40 in (6.86 x 16.51 x 11.18 cm). So they're more narrow, but they're over an inch wider and over 2 inches thicker. Total volume increase is from 51.872184 in^3 to 77.22 in^3. That's a 48.87% increase in total volume per battery. The PAGLink batteries are 5.23622in x 3.30709 in x 1.96 in, for total volume of 33.94 in^3.
• Weight: Dionic HC's are 1.8lbs, Digital 90's are 2.0lbs. True, we consider batteries as "functional weight", but adding more weight when you don't get greater wH out of them is a consideration. The PAGLink batteries are 1.6lbs.

To be honest, I think these Anton Bauer Digital series will have an effect of pushing more people into considering generic batteries (Switronix, GlobalMediaPro, etc) for their raw power needs (cheap, higher watt-hour, etc), or enjoying the new discounts on the Dionic HC/HCX. For people looking to spend a bit more, you'll probably maintain a lot of Anton Bauer users, but the form factor of the Anton Bauer Digital series just changed things for people.

 

Also, completely meaningless in the context of function, but aesthetically speaking... I personally think the Digital series are ugly and silly looking. I also appreciate that the Performance Dual/Quad chargers have the batteries positioned such that you can read the percentage, but it just seems enormous, bulky, heavy and again (sorry) ugly.

Hi Will,

I was giving you the old elbow in the gut when I wrote that. I know that you, and all steadicam users, do their due diligence when purchasing equipment and i would expect nothing less. By the way, do you have a mathematics degree, because you had a lot of calcuations on that reply!

We had done some testing with the stacking PAG VMount batteries and found a few issues; no charging consistency (one day would charge to 100%, next day 60%, next day different) and they only lasted 200 cycles (using their own charger). Not sure if they are using the same cells or not in the new batteries, but they are LG cells.

The new batteries are slightly larger, and that is purely for safety reasons which is becoming a requirement from SANYO (the largest cell supplier in the world and owned by Panasonic). SANYO is now requiring that each battery cell have a 2mm plastic protection around it and also extra space around the cell pack for air flow. If we do not follow the requirements by SANYO, they will not warrant the product for us. If any other battery manufacturer is using a reputable cell manufacturer, then you will see that the size of other batteries will also grow slightly for the same reasons. SANYO also indicates that having lithium ion cells only separated by plastic or cardboard sleeves is not the best way to assemble them. Once I have some pictures of the inside of the new battery, I will post them.

Also, a few things to keep in mind with those PAG batteries:

- List price of $499.00 each

- They recommend changing the rear battery with 30% remaining charge in it, so, essentially a 95wh battery is now only a 62wh battery

- If you have 3 of them on a camera, and replace the rear one, only the new one on the rear will discharge. So, you have 3 batteries on your camera, but you are only using one!

- On a QUAD 2702, 4 batteries will take a minimum of 12 hours to charge. Stack another one on top and you will double that, if not more....

As always, I am on the forum to answer questions or I can always be emailed directly...

Thanks.

Paul

[Victor Lazaro]

Hi Paul,

I understand the need to follow regulations, but What was the idea behind the non flat design? The first reaction I and others had seeing the new design is Hospital use. Besides the weight and size, the shape of it (non flat) is my biggest concern.

[pauldudeck]

Hi Paul,

I understand the need to follow regulations, but What was the idea behind the non flat design? The first reaction I and others had seeing the new design is Hospital use. Besides the weight and size, the shape of it (non flat) is my biggest concern.

Hi Victor,

The idea was to create a new updated look with the Anton/Bauer product line. I know that not everyone will like it, especially because it is a drastic change, but we hope you look beyond that and to the safety, quality and durability.

Regards,

Paul

[William Demeritt]

I was giving you the old elbow in the gut when I wrote that. I know that you, and all steadicam users, do their due diligence when purchasing equipment and i would expect nothing less. By the way, do you have a mathematics degree, because you had a lot of calcuations on that reply!

 

Somedays, I wish I did! :D :wacko:

 

I took your comments entirely as such. I just wanted to give some descriptive feedback (albeit possibly sesquipedalian). I didn't want to come off as "shooting the messenger", since I know you're on the forums and ENORMOUSLY supportive of our community. Not sure if those notes are useful to you or others at Anton Bauer, but just wanted to put it out there. B)

[Mariano Costa]

 

What is the minimum/maximum payload for the Lynn axis?

The LYNN axis is a very cool product idea too, Chris Fawcett did this one--based on the original Lynn Nicholson AR Patent now in Tiffen's hands. I'm sure he can fill you in Mariano, the motor seemed pretty darn powerful as I played with it at the show, mount and bearings quite stout, horizon looked rock solid, but the better you balance the camera CG around the roll axis the better the results. Chris, comments ? Steve W

 

Thanks, Steve!

[Alec Jarnagin SOC]

Hey guys,

 

This thread has become a mess for archival purposes. Let's open new threads for the topics at hand (i.e. AB batteries and the Lynn Axis).

 

Thanks!

[Louis Puli SOC]

Hi everyone

From Letus 1 to 3 axis stabilizer .They are making one that a Alexa can go on . Looks very similar to Lynn Axis .

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=NAB+2014LETUS

enjoy.

[Thomas English]

So with regards to the Pag VLinks. I have been using these for years. There were some software issues that Paul spoke of at the start but these are all done and dusted. My batteries charge and discharge fine. I am not sure about this recomendation to remove the 3rd battery and it being a 65wh .. I put 4 batteries on there in series and leave overnight all the time and have 4 fully charged batteries. I never stack them on my sled apart from in emergencies (3D or something weird).

 

With regards to the Lynn System Axis AR LarryMcConkey Hybrid sexy beast tickle my bottom unit. Here is what I want:

 

Roll Stabilisation and Front Stabilization on a gimble button that can feather on and off. Possibly then another button that can feather on and off pan stabilization.

[Marc R. Berger]

Hi everyone

From Letus 1 to 3 axis stabilizer .They are making one that a Alexa can go on . Looks very similar to Lynn Axis .

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=NAB+2014LETUS

enjoy.

Yeah, a lot of exciting solutions will come up, but I wonder how a 1 axis Letus will react at 90° Tilt. In my understanding to tilt 90° with one of those movi like stabilizers, I would need the 3 axis version with a second operator. Steve Wagner answered this question with his solution (WXB) above, and for a simple horizon stabilization Steve´s solution looks the most tempting to me. What do you think? How could a Letus 1 axis control 90° tilting? It would need a much stronger motor to hold the weight, right?

[Ian Vatcher]

Hey guys, sorry if this question has been asked earlier! Does the WXB need to be used with one of the WHM modules? Or is it interpreting level information itself

And adjusting/assisting accordingly. Just wondering if it's going to be a standalone item, or a two part deal.

[steve wagner]

Hey guys, sorry if this question has been asked earlier! Does the WXB need to be used with one of the WHM modules? Or is it interpreting level information itself

And adjusting/assisting accordingly. Just wondering if it's going to be a standalone item, or a two part deal.

Hello Ian,

The WXB has the WHM sensor function built in. All you do is plug in an LED display box (same one as with WHM) which should be included with the WXB

Steve Wagner