Low mode-Don Juan-Running- Vibrations

[Justin Besser]

I shot a tvc the other week and a shot called for a low mode, leading (Don Juan), running (fast pace) shot..

I couldn't help but notice a sharp vibration on every step..

I am using a GPI Pro Cinelive rig, pro titan arm, satchler monitor arm, cinetrobic gen 2 and was shooting to epic/master primes

 

Is this a normal occurrence and I should of been pushing for grip to help move me around? I wasn't aware of the shot requirement until the day

 

I did just the day before dismantle and carefully rebuild each component..

 

I've noticed a similar vibration in my shot when going to low mode on my rig.. In regular high mode, no vibrations

 

[RonBaldwin]

The words "running" and "don juan" make me vibrate quite a bit. Low mode is a different animal and I notice a bit more issues when doing it...mostly framing accuracy whack of course I will blame on the stars because it couldn't be the fact that I suck in low mode. I used to use the sachtler bracket and had to stop because it caused much of that vibration. Most of the dual rod monitor arms will have some vibration in them (I say most because I have not tried them all...though I suspect they all have a bit).

 

As far as the sled...it's an aluminum post so it's sometimes hard to track down things like this especislly since you checked and made sure everything was tight.

[Aaron Medick SOC]

What Ron said. I'd also look closely at the epic setup as well. I've had plenty of issues with all the additional pieces needed, moving around and or coming loose in low mode.

[Jarrett P. Morgan]

I will second Aaron's statement. I did some lowmode stuff with an Epic from a rental house that had an external battery/power solution (which is wonderful), but they way they had it mounted was not very secure. Hence some vibration ensued.

[Katerina Diakoyanni]

Justin, what top-stage are you using ? Is it a Donkey Box II or III ?

[RonBaldwin]

Good point about the dbox -- I assumed it was a 3.

[Justin Besser]

DB3 ..

I am going to assume there are some weaker components when it comes to vibrations, the db3 is solid as.

the sachtler monitor arm & cinetronic yoke, potentially the pro mdr mount (especially upside down) and also the epic lens mount when I tap my rig built I can see a bit of wobble in those components

 

Picture of setup below, minus the battery on the monitor

 

[Randy Nolen]

Chris Fawcett had a quick fix to solve this low-mode high vibration problem. He uses tether lines from low mode camera plate running up to top of inverted sled! Using tension to counteract and nullify high frequency Vibrations! Simple fix but it works!

 

I've been fighting this low mode vibration problem for years! First noticed it with Pro Superpost. Problem is you don't see vibrations till you go to Dailies!

[Jens Piotrowski SOC]

I would try to put the monitor into the "normal" low mode position, even putting it on the outer post, this spreads out the masses more over the length of the post and makes for a better visibility...depending on the shot, you can also reverse the camera orientation, for a leading type shot

 

 

PS, nice shade sails...

[Katerina Diakoyanni]

Justin, indeed, since you're on a db3, it ain't the topstage.