Maxima 30

[Tuomas Viitakoski]

Jens Piotrowski first mentioned the new Maxima 30 in his topic "IBC preview, new products" and didn't want to hijack that conversation since it's about the new products in general so going to ask you guys here;

- What are your thoughts on the Maxima 30?

The specs are nice/alright, price is something what I imagined but I still think there's something missing like what Michael Hauer was asking:

I'll ask what we are thinking. Has this been put on sled to achieve AR like shots???

 

I believe AR like operation won`t be able as there are quite narrow rotational limits of the roll axis (+/- 40°)

 

The ranges are:

 

• Pan axis 320°
• Tilt axis +/- 150°
• Roll axis +/- 40°

 

Can you imagine wearing this piece of engineering? Maybe without the frame, on top of the sled or conneted to your arm directly..?
As Herr Betz in the video mentioned it's too heavy to carry - but on jibs, cranes etc it has potential. Loved to see it stripped down. The MX30.

Full specs on this website that runs properly only on Google Chrome browser: http://foma-systems.de/ (scroll down slooowly)

-Tuomas

P.S. the host is still scared of Garrett

[Tuomas Viitakoski]

Weeeeeellll... booked flights and flew to Munich to try it myself, photos below.
But first my thoughts:

Construction:

• Nice, rigid. Feels bombproof.

Design:

• The frame might still be looking for its final form and features.

Weight:

• yup that was heavy with an Amira.. but that is why Walter Klassen has Slingshot!

Electronics:

• Running on a single battery (this one used PAG v-mount battery). The battery died eventyally and when it was disconnected it felt like the gimbal's motors were still... ..on?
• Unfortunately didn't see the Remote Radio Control.
  Btw, this one gentleman from FoMa Systems told me that the software was the final version and not based on AlexMos controller or something, entirely FoMa's design.

Usability/operating in handheld mode:

• With WK's Slingshot the eyelevel was easier to maintain but there would still be some load to carry for your arms when using a heavier camera like Amira, Alexa and so on.
• The motors were oscillating a bit without effecting to the image. Usually indicates that there might be something wrong.
• No sudden fast pans or tilts! - pan/tilt could easily go off from the point zero (see first the first photo, Mr Betz helping me after I "broke" it). This can propably be fixed by adjusting the power to the motors from the software.

Overall:

• For jib, crane as a remote head - Yes! It's a miniature remote head!
• Rigging to a vehicle - ..maybe! Depending on the software if it can take all the G-forces and sudden movements.
• Handheld with Slingshot - .. if all steadicams had died, then might consider - but a second operator with the Remote Radio Control might be needed. Panning is not too easy with the Slingshot and viewing your framelines can be difficult with limited visibility to your monitor depending on where it's mounted.
• Solo handheld - I really hope there's no need for that.
• Rigging to a steadicam - seems very unnecessary. No "AR like" shots. So for now that'll be end of this discussion.

[Mariano Costa]

This thing from Klassen, well... I guess it works but... how can I word it without sounding negative. Or, I'll try it differently. How would any of us feel as an actor seeing this rig or even more as a crew member having to work closely to it.

[Rizzy]

Looks like a unique design, just a shame about the limited roll for replacing the functionality of an AR rig.

 

Seems like the latest Letus "Double-Helix" however has unlimited HD/power slip-ring 360 degree roll and more than +/- 90 degree tilt even with a full Alexa 4K and lens package.

 

With a reputed 44lb payload, which is probably accurate, as the current standard Helix can be seen on a vimeo channel from BeyondHD taking an Alexa despite it being 25% heavier payload than the specs suggest:

 

https://vimeo.com/123837631

 

Allowing not only AR style rotational high to lows, but absolutely vertical high to lows too.

 

The Double Helix will bridge the gap between steadicam & gimbals in a revolutionary way for sure.

 

Seriously keep your eyes and ears open guys :)

[James Davis]

The Double Helix looks very impressive, when will you guys have one in that we can take a look at?

 

Cheers

 

James

[Fisher]

I recently purchased the Maxima MX30 and Klassen Slingshot

 

I've flown the MX30 on my steadicam arm with great success, although i find I can do more with my steadicam in that configuration. One note with the MX30 on your steadi arm, you either have someone tilt for you or you purchase the thumb controller because you cannot tilt the system when connected to the steadi arm.

 

When using the slingshot I instantly fell in love with medium height to low mode capabilities, the maxima feels lighter than my sled at the medium to eye level heights... Super low and high mode you feel the weight much faster due to extending the forward arms for that needed clearance.

 

Tracking shots with the slingshot are a bit of a headache, due to the dual slingshot arms you cannot pan the system 90 degrees so you can walk forward, prepare to side step like you're dancing to country music while tripping over everything. All I could think about is how easy this shot would be on the sled...

 

Don Juan does not exist with the slingshot, hope you have a good dolly grip cuz you're going to be moon walking.

 

Hard mounting... garfield mount with the steadi arm is possibly the best thing ever, with the PLC solutions wireless wheel setup I can have my dolly grip hold the MX30 while i operate, having that 4th axis stabilized with the steadicam arm is flawless.

 

Cranes! Have not had the chance to test this yet, first issue is panning passed the side handles. You must remove both side handles if you want to pan over 180 degrees, depending on your camera build tilting will also become an issue.

 

In conclusion, nobody is replacing the steadicam yet... the mx30 and slingshot combo enable a new way of achieving awesome shots but definitely not replacing anything.

 

I will be testing and uploading footage of all the configurations during my series, links to come.

 

Chris Fisher`

[Martin Yee]

I recently purchased the Maxima MX30 and Klassen Slingshot

 

Hard mounting... garfield mount with the steadi arm is possibly the best thing ever, with the PLC solutions wireless wheel setup I can have my dolly grip hold the MX30 while i operate, having that 4th axis stabilized with the steadicam arm is flawless.

 

Cranes! Have not had the chance to test this yet, first issue is panning passed the side handles. You must remove both side handles if you want to pan over 180 degrees, depending on your camera build tilting will also become an issue.

 

In conclusion, nobody is replacing the steadicam yet... the mx30 and slingshot combo enable a new way of achieving awesome shots but definitely not replacing anything.

 

I will be testing and uploading footage of all the configurations during my series, links to come.

 

Chris Fisher`

Hello Chris!

 

Thank you for posting and sharing with us on your purchase of the Maxima MX30! Would love to see it being used in all types of scenarios, especially Jimmy Jibs! I wish the Jimmy Jib forum is more active, that's why I rely many different forums such as this to give me ideas and insight on what I can do to be more competitive.

 

I am very interested in the ARRI Maxima for my Jimmy Jib Triangle, my 4x4 pickup truck for offroad shoots and my John Deere 6x4 Gator! My Gator can be used for my jib and can be converted to a dual Steadicam platforms for both front and back. Interested in what the Maxima can do for jib and find out what's its limitations are. Otherwise I may have to go with this option for my truck and Gator: http://griptech.net.au/product/vertical-vibration-isolator/

 

Please post a review with pictures if you decide to mount to a crane or jib. Please show me what mounts can be done... like is it attached to a Mitchell plate with castle nut to mount with? I need to find out how I can attach to my jib to do Pursuit Systems/Russian Arm style stabilized shots. They mentioned a custom spider mount, but I need a good picture to see it being used.

 

I may need to purchase this to go Mitchell mount for Jimmy Jib: http://www.irfmachineworks.com/jimmyjib/

 

If you can, please post the diameter of the Maxima's external rods, where you operate by hand held. I need to find out if my Walter Klassen clamps can attach the Maxima to 1-1/2 inch speed rail without issues. You mentioned removal of the side handles to do past 180 degree shots. Is there a alternate mount for attachment to cranes or jibs?

 

I currently use Walter Klassen vehicle mounts for my Gator. Did a 3 day shoot for a BattleFrog shoot in Orlando last year. Those Klassen vehicle mounts for Steadicam were fantastic, made a ton of money off of them! Got almost half of my investment back in that one project alone!

 

Had a private demo of the Double Helix with the actual inventor earlier this past January in NYC. Very nice guy and cool gimbal. Had played with it for a few minutes very solid piece of gear. It seems the Maxima has it beat regardless of camera length. Spoke to the inventor about the exposed ball bearings in the support ring to be fully enclosed... because I shoot on beaches and golf courses quite a bit in Florida... sand gets into everything. Last thing I want to do after a full day of shooting in the hot sun is to clean out the ball bearings that is full of grit and sand on the Double Helix rig. I addressed this oversight to the inventor, I hope he has revised his design.

 

I wish someone did a direct comparison between both Double Helix and the Maxima, especially for jibs and cranes as well as Steadicams. As I see it, this is currently the most serious attempt that is even remotely close... performance and payload wise compared to the big boys such as a Scorpio Stabilized heads and its ilk. Any takers? :)

 

Thanks again Chris for posting, looking forward to your reviews!

 

Best regards,

 

Martin

Edited May 13, 2016 by Martin Yee