Dynamic Balance with EFP / Mods

[Bryan Fowler]

I have an EFP steadicam, and would love to be able to achieve dynamic balance with it. It's got a single Anton Bauer batt, and i recently replaced the old CRT with a very lightweight LCD on the front (from a flyer)

 

the monitor looks great for only $700. No framelines, but I get by for now.

 

anyway, i know that Bob deRose, and possibly some others make battery, and monitor mounts for the EFP so you could get DynBal.

 

Any ideas on the cost, how long it takes, and how easy it might be to do on my own?

 

I searched around the fourms, read some threads, but didn't see any links, or contacts for people who did those kind of EFP mods.

 

Thanks for the help. I attached a photo so you can kinda see my setup. Don't laugh at the hat... fashion comes second to more sunburn. =)

[Afton Grant]

Looking at your rig, my first guess would be that your monitor is too light. It's not offsetting the weight of the rear of the camera. I don't know the monitor well, but if it's possible to attach some weight to the back of it, that may work.

 

That's just a first eye's glance assessment. You can also check out the Steadicam Dynamic Balance Primer. Theoretically, by taking some measurements and crunching some numbers, you'll know exactly where to place each component of the sled. I'm curious to know if anyone has experience using the formula and just how simple it really is.

 

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

[Bryan Fowler]

Oh yeah. it's like.. 1lb or something. Maybe less. I have some lead weight that I picked up at a hobby store that I velcro'd to the back, but I'm not sure what is to much, or not enough.

 

I looked at the primer PDF, but have not ran the numbers yet.

 

I'll try and do that on monday... or at least before the next shoot.

 

thanks for the assessment. =)

 

Bryan

[paul magee]

Others have made brackets for thier LCDs which included on board recording decks

and frame line generators to increase weight out front rather than carry dumb weight.

I remember seeing pics of these on this forum so it might pay to check the archives.

 

I love Seattle in the summer that looked like a great location.

 

 

Paul Magee

Philadelphia, PA

[Richard James Lewis]

Just did a little search.

Nice MK-V upgrade

 

http://www.steadicamforum.com/forums/index...wtopic=1232&hl=

[Jerry Holway]

Bryan-

 

The dynamic balance primer is nice for understanding dynamic balance, but get the dynamic balance program (an excel file) from the Tiffen website (or mine). Also get the instructions!

 

Weigh and measure your components, plug the numbers into the excel file, and, with a little trial and error adding weights here and there, it will tell you exactly what you need to do. It does look like you need to add weight to the monitor, but the excel file can tell you eactly how much and where to make it all work with various set-ups, accessories, etc.

 

FYI, the program contained in the file was used to help design the Ultra, for instance.....

 

Jerry

[Bryan Fowler]

Thanks Jerry,

 

I think i actually have that file. I'll look at it again when I get back from this shoot.

 

 

by the way, after your suggestion for cheaper antlers, I made some. For $22 I went to home depot, and made some that fit on the lowmode bracket I have... it worked great for attaching to the handle of the D-Beta. Not as nice as the missing something brand, but fit my budget for now. =) [here are some un-informative photos]

 

Thanks again for the continued help.

 

Bryan

[Brett Manyluk]

Hey Bryan,

 

My thoughts on upgrading your EFP package as per my own experiences:

 

I have an EFP that has been fairly modified and will probably continue to be so until enough work comes my way that I can purchase a whole new sled cash. I was recently noticing that Steadyrig out of Auustralia has a groovey dual battery module designed to go right on the stock lower junction box of the EFP that will allow you to carry three anton Bauers and extend the batteries as needed:

http://www.steadyrig.com/Battery%20Hanger.htm

It looks pretty groovey I'll bet would be a great addition to the sled. Would give you extra options for achieving dynamic balance. I'm kinda thinkin' about one myself...

 

If you need any electronis work done, I highly recommend (as many up here do) David Hable of Cramped Attic Technology:

http://www.crampedattic.com

Dave built a whole new upper junction box for my sled with Talley and lens control, multiple accesory power, video in, dual camera 12 volt out and camera 24 volt outs for pretty damn cheap. The box is now at the top of my post and my Bartech goes where the old junction box was (as it should be...). He also built and wired a dual battery base, added another whole pile of connectors and an LED walking light underneath (invaluable for going up and down stairs at darkened concerts). I've been using this configuration for 3 years now and I've never had a problem with it.

 

I replaced the plastics in my EFP vest with thicker ABS plastic and it has made a HUGE difference in the control and rigidity. The plastic doesn't crawl up my hip anymore and seems able to take the extreme cold we get up here much better. I also added back straps (highly reccomended) and redid all the velcro. In addition, after a front spar (is that the right name?) failure furing a shoot, I had a thicker, longer one machined from the strongest aircraft aluminum available (which is good, cause we still get BL4's up here). The upgrades to the vest are pretty inexpensive, but really improve your control.

 

I have a new Baer-Bel vest now which I like a great deal as the metal is all much heavier grade. The soft parts were designed and stitched by an ex-airborne Canadian Forces Soldier responsible for upgrading the Canadian Forces' Parachute System. Of course I'm expected to do a steadicam shot while in freefall now... :huh: He designed my new vest to exchange between Velcro closure or Ratchet buckle with a few minutes turnaround. If you would like his number, I'd be happy to pass it along. I believe he may be doing a private tour of Iraq monitoring some important public works sites with several TOW missile systems, but will be back and happy to take on new projects.

 

I also have both old EFP/3a arm and a new Baer-Bel arm which is wonderful to run. I have both sets of springs and the change out takes about a minute. It is super smooth, very, very strong, and extremly well-built. I believe it is an excellent arm at a more aggressive price point than some of the competetion. Of course, make sure to look at Steadyrig, as they can take your existing arm and upgrade it. Or spend the extra, buy a PRO, and be happy in all situations. Lot's of great options out there for steadicam operators. It's better than it's ever been...

 

Hope this little bit of info helps. I've just ordered a new Marell monitor and level, and I'll let any who care on the forum know how well it works (when it finally gets here).

 

Brett Manyluk

Edmonton, Canada

[Imran Naqvi]

Of course I'm expected to do a steadicam shot while in freefall now...

 

I've had a guy ask me at a trade show if you could use steadicam in freefall..................... :blink: yeah really.

 

After I had recovered from being asked that I had to explain, that the arm would never survive the lnading, quite apart from the fact that in freefall the camera is weightless, so why would you need an arm to smooth out the bumps?!?!?!

 

I'm still surprised every time I think about it.

[Afton Grant]

Stupid questions seem to be much more common than they should be. I've almost come to expect them.

 

How many of us have been asked the "Is that thing heavy?" question? I'll usually say a simple "yes" but give it a tone and a look that says, "No, I'm just standing here dripping in sweat because I'm so far out of shape my heart rate rises each time I blink." To which they respond, "Well, it looks like it's floating."

 

Which company was it that announced the release of the anti-gravity sled? It completely removes all need for the arm or vest. And at a reasonable $4.7 million, who wouldn't run right out to buy one?

[Todd Ferguson]

Hey brett. Any photo's of the work cramedattic did on the EFP and price if you don't mind. Thank you, Todd F.

[Brett Manyluk]

Hmm, let's see if posting images works:

 

Brett

[Brett Manyluk]

and more:

 

Brett