New products at NAB 2014

[Ian Vatcher]

Thanks for the reply Steve!

[JamesSainthill]

Hi Steve,

 

Wondering when these units will be available and what their costs will be?

 

Thanks,

J.

[steve wagner]

Hi Steve,

 

Wondering when these units will be available and what their costs will be?

 

Thanks,

J.

Hi James, Helped to ensure first couple unit prototypes made NAB show. By all means feel free to request demo opportunities and delivery details from Tiffen. I'm very sure as desire builds this info will be forthcoming! Best Regards, Steve W.

[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.

 

 

Hi Steve,

 

Wondering when these units will be available and what their costs will be?

 

Thanks,

J.

Hi James, I helped get the first two prototypes to NAB.No initial price/delivery available at this point Please feel free to contact Tiffen for demo opportunities and price/availability, I know they would greatly appreciate a request to try it and to hear your feedback! Best Regards, Steve W

[Marc R. Berger]

Just would like to share some information from Robin Thwaites about the WXB. I think he explained the function of the WXB very well, and it maybe it helps also others to understand it better. I was a bit confused about all those new developments.

 

My question was:

 

The question right now for me is how it compares to the other solutions coming along, like the Lynn axis or the Letus 1 axis gimbal.
Do you think there is a big benefit of the WXB over the other solutions. I could imagine the biggest benefit would be the „closed system“, not so sensitive to dust, dirt and moisture. And for sure the operating feeling.

 

He´s answer:

 

Interesting question since we showed both at NAB. They work differently,
in that the Lynn Axis and the Letus work by actively drive the level of
the camera directly. Where are as, the WXB works as a counter-pendulum, or
in other words actively shifts a weight to maintain level of the Sled and
I would say "advises" the operator where level is although he may over
ride it simply by increasing the hand pressure. Also the WXB it very nice
where you have to make a dead accurate lock-off with a wide lens but are a
competent operator in the first place.

Not sure if that explains it, the WXB is definitely more "organic" in my
mind and as you say, is a sealed unit that may easily be fitted to any
rig. Also, for a heavy camera it puts the weight where you want it to keep
the post short.


Best
Robin

[Brad Hruboska]

any realistic predicitions on when this level assist will come to market? Fall winter?

[Jens Piotrowski SOC]

there is a readily available level assist out there and it's called practice.

 

We sometimes focus to much on technology instead of the craftsmanship, myself included... ;)

[Thomas English]

I think its still interesting. There are limits to my skill with a million hours of practise and for some shots its interesting. I do see it as something you would only use on that wide with no foreground action on a 35mm anamorphic lens or something. Maybe gyros and a rickshaw are a better call at that moment or dare I saw it.. a dolly.. I don't know... Still its interesting

[Geoff Owen]

Hi Steve Wagner,

I'm wondering if 2 of these WXB units were coupled together at 90 degrees to eachother as you would set up Gyro's, would they have a similar effect as using Gyro's? One controlling Roll and the other controling Tilt. If so, I expect that the 2 units would keep your Rig vertical quite easilly but how would they cope with keeping the rig at a preset tilt up or down? I realize that Gyros are most usefull for windy/gusty conditions and this suggested idea would probably have little bennifit in those situations however for some shots it would be a far more sound and power friendly option,

Interested in anyones thoughts.

Regards

Geoff Owen

[Victor Lazaro]

Hi, I used the WXB (also known as X-Box, not the game platform) during the last SOA workshop. I really enjoyed the feeling as it will basically get your sled heavier on one side if you lose the horizon, this means that you can still choose to dutch the camera (applying a bit more pressure than usual to do so) and your camera will get back straight by simply letting go of the sled.

it's like having the benefits of having a slow drop time, no pendulum, and a fast drop time, a sled that seeks verticality fast, at the same time.

The sensation is different more subtle than a gyro, you can still operate without fighting with the inertia, and only in one axis. I don't think this is something you want on your sled for every shot, but it seems to be a great piece of kit to have.

[Jerry Holway]

Geoff-

 

Interesting idea... G'Day old friend.

[Geoff Owen]

G'day back to you Jerry,

Another thought on this topic, although not all Rigs have a motorized stage, but for the Tiffen Rigs that do, could the same result be achieved by having the level sensor talk directly to the "Stage", instead of a separate device? Saves adding the extra kilo to the Rig.

 

Naturally the WXB separate device needs to be available for all users of all different Rigs, giving everyone the option of using this device if they want it, however for the people who have paid several thousand dollars more to have a motorized stage on the Rig which essentially does what the WXB does, move a weight with a motor to achieve desired balance, seems logical to have this feature built into the system.

[steve wagner]

Hi all, great points, practice of course always helps, but why do we make sleds bottom heavy at all, why not just make it neutral and let human feedback keep it level. Rhetorical question of course. That little bit of gravity helps when things are static, and its predictable, you learn to work with it. All we've done is create powerful synthetic bottom heavy feel for the roll axis without acceleration caused pendulum sway, The gravity feedback of a passive slightly bottom rig is pretty small in the +/- one to two degree range. The WXB drastically increases this feedback feel over that range. You learn to work and cooperate with it just like any rig.

 

The tilt application is a great idea. using two boxes would certainly work and would make a near neutral sled feel uniformly extra bottom heavy in all directions without pendulum swing. Not as powerful as spinning gyros but it could certainly help in windy conditions and for running shots.

Best Regards, Steve Wagner

[Marc R. Berger]

Hi Steve,

do you have any news about the WXB? Avability, price, testing?

Thank you,

Marc

[Marc R. Berger]

Well, got the news. Still only prototype, no pricing about it. It Should be at IBC 2014 to test.