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How do you do your low mode?


Michael Desiderio

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Been looking and looking lately all I see is people not using brackets anymore. Just flipping upside-down and adjusting sled length or gimbal placement. Guessing it's due to all the ergo-handles out on the newer equipment.

 

I've tinkered around with a 3A gimbal and low-mode J-bracket http://steadimoves.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/hh2.gif actually that bracket minus the hill handle. It seems really difficult to make function right when using a long post due to the awkward off-angle with a 3A handle being upside-down. I have resorted to actually attaching the bracket to the gimbal itself instead of at the arm, so that the gimbal is right side up. A long post is then fed upward through the arm and secured at the top to prevent it from sliding out. This way the post isn't canted at a massive angle / gimbal arm isn't hitting the post.

 

My best guess is that the bracket just isn't appropriate for use with a 3A gimbal handle. Is that pretty much the case, that the 3A gimbal handle is unfit for long arm post low-mode ?

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I have a PRO gimbal and I literally do nothing. Just flip the rig over, slide the gimbal down (up) a bit, re trim the camera and shoot. I frequiently do this without even docking the rig.

If I have a very specific low mode shot, I will fully extend the post, adjust gimbal, balance, monitor, etc. Once in a blue moon I'll put the J bracket on if they want critter level low mode but more often than not, I'll got conventional low mode and sit on a sand bag cart or mag liner and have a grip push me around. Lower, easier on the back and ends up being smoother for me at least.

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I purchased the majority of my rig used, and a low mode bracket wasn't the highest priority. I used them at the workshop, and on previous rigs, and while they are convenient, My gimbal has a relatively long handle, that keeps me from bumping into any part of my rig in low mode, and I have a 4 stage telescoping post on my mk-v nexus, so I don't have to worry as much about lens height. It would be convenient to get the gimbal a few inches closer to the lens at the same comfortable height some times, but cost wise, I still have a few other things I would like to buy first, as my rig pays itself off.

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Flip to low mode includes:

 

  1. Dock upright
  2. Extend post all the way
  3. Move gimbal down.
  4. Add D-bracket to gimbal arm
  5. Rotate Monitor 90 degrees using Sachtler Tilting Telescoping Monitor arm.
  6. Tilt monitor a bit.
  7. Slide camera platform forward a bit on rough adjust (maybe 0.5" to 1").
  8. Pick up the rig, make sure static balanced, can view monitor properly, everything secure.
  9. Interrupt DP and Director discussing how it will take me to switch to low mode to tell them I'm in low mode (generally this is about the same time it takes an juicer to bring in a Kino on a stand or makeup to get off her phone).

I have a GPI PRO rig/gimbal, Sachtler Tilting Telescoping Monitor arm and Small HD PRO HB monitor on the Cam-Jam monitor yoke. For the most part, this whole pricess requires no tools except for locking the gimbal arm onto the D-bracket after the pin is placed. Camera is moved forward close to 1" because tilting the monitor to the new position changes balance.

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"or makeup to get off her phone"

 

 

It does frequently amaze me that some vanity ever get hired more than once. Imagine if they had to 'find' you when they needed you or call for you two or three times before you showed up. We wouldn't last till lunch!

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  • 5 months later...
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My approach is a little more limiting in how low I go but it keeps me operating in good posture and solid control over the rig. I only move the gimbal enough to make sure I can get my hand under it. This keeps the cg closer to where I'm operating, thus more control. I do use a f-bracket to get lower and as long as I know the shot and have the yoke handle in the right position, there is never an issue with strong tilts or switching across the body.

 

Additionally, if I know I'm going to low mode for any part of the shoot that day, I'll add my 2nd monitor under the camera. This allows me to switch to low mode in 5 to 10 seconds with little or no re-balancing. I use a lightweight AC7 for the second monitor. This also allows me to operate in the same eye line and I can see where Im walking much easier than having to look up at a monitor...

 

If and when I need to get really low for a shot, I'll break some of those rules but I'm short, so I rarely have to....lol

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  • 11 months later...
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I take an extra minute to move the monitor to a better viewing position and add a wrap grip under the gimbal. No complaints on the extra time and I am still looking down at my monitor instead of up and missing my peripheral vision

 

post-98-0-51193000-1461768788_thumb.jpeg

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  • 2 months later...
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quick raw edit video of a fast method I've seen ops use for converting to low mode...mount 2 monitors!

 

 

That's fucking brilliant. There are such high-intensity 5" HD monitors out these days. Added weight is meaningless. I love this. Gonna chase this idea.

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I take an extra minute to move the monitor to a better viewing position and add a wrap grip under the gimbal. No complaints on the extra time and I am still looking down at my monitor instead of up and missing my peripheral vision

 

attachicon.gifimage.jpeg

Ron what are you using here as a tilt plate?

 

iB

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Hey! I use a Q-Branch tilt plate. It is actually pretty good...well, I think it is good because it's the only add-on tilt plate I have tried! It is very light-weight and about the same dimensions as an XCS plate. I have the prototype which had some clearance and locking issues. I believe these issues have since been taken care of.

 

I can go about 20 degrees without having re-rig or lose the mdr. I believe it will go to 45 deg. Really nice to have.

 

post-98-0-58012600-1468256337_thumb.jpeg

 

post-98-0-51930100-1468256368_thumb.jpeg

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A lot of people have been messaging me about the wrap grip I use. It is an old school item from the days before tooless gimbals. Lucky I still have a few as I am too old to figure out how to operate above the gimbal in lowmode. Here are some pics so someone can go have a few made

 

Please note that even with all these cool accessories my lowmode still sucks

 

post-98-0-97981600-1468431822_thumb.jpeg

 

post-98-0-45493700-1468431891_thumb.jpeg

 

post-98-0-30716900-1468431931_thumb.jpeg

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