Mitz Posted September 16, 2005 Report Share Posted September 16, 2005 hello, i would really appreciate any advice on which one of these to invest in. There is a used SK2 rig that i have my eyes on, but after doing a little research, i am now considering the Flyer. i currently have dvx100a (just as everyone...and their mothers), but i would like the option of flying heavier cameras. i have heard that the flyer can handle a sdx900. is that true? also, on the specs, i see that the SK2 can support more weight, but i've read negative reviews of the SK2 because of the single-boom arm and limited motion. not sure what they mean by the limited motion... any recommendation on battery types would be appreciated too. i was thinking of going with the anton bauers, just because i work with those as an assistant. so, flyer or sk2? thank you in advance... cheers, mitz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Tom Wills Posted September 16, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 16, 2005 Limited motion is referring to the fact that you can't boom as far. Also, it may absorb less shock. I'm using an SKII style arm on my rig right now, and although it's decent, it's nowhere near what I've seen some arms do. Plus, the flyer is just impecible. If it can meet your weight limits, use it. No question. The arm alone is a huge upgrade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Mikko Wilson Posted September 16, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 16, 2005 Flyer all the way (yes it will fly an SDX900) You would have to ad a lot of weight to your DVX to get it to ballance properly on the SKII - it'll ride perfectly on the flyer with space for all the accesories too. - Mikko Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitz Posted September 19, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2005 hello and thank you gentlemen. - tom w and mikko! this is a great help to me. i've had a couple more days to think about it and i was actually thinking of going with the flyer. hey, do you guys know what my options are with focusing the cameras on these rigs? . i mean i've worked as a focus puller on large, pro rigs, but what are my options with DV cams? i may upgrade to the JVC hdy100u HD camera, which has interchangeable fujinon lenses. that should be straightforward just as larger ENG cameras. do you just stay wide all of the time? thanks for your valuable advice! cheers, mitz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Tom Wills Posted September 19, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 19, 2005 Well I'm using a tiny Mini-DV, always wide, with a wide angle lens, so I don't have to worry. You can try and get (or build) a remote focus system though. It might be worth it if you have the money to spend. You could probably get by with an R-C servo and a wireless controller, and of course a monitor, and a wireless video transmitter/reciever setup. It'd be a little complicated, but it should work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Mikko Wilson Posted September 19, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 19, 2005 Well with DV you normally have the (dis)advantage(?) of much smaller chips.. however this translates into a deeper depth of field that helps keep in focus. There are a bunch of options, including remote follow focuses (which will also work on the DVX.. head over to www.dvxuser.com to take a look at some of the FF ideas.. you can get radio ones attached too.) a lot of people set focus for the shot and shoot wide / within the limits of that focus, and some even riade with autofucos on, which can do wonders at times (and cause hell at others) Regarding batteries, if you area allready working with one type, i'd stick with it, that way you allready have possible spares, joint support equipment, etc.. always better to keep cross-compatible. - Mikko. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Steele Posted September 19, 2005 Report Share Posted September 19, 2005 Mitz, for your use I'd also recommend looking at the new glidecam V25. It's the new system, has a fantastic smooth dual section arm which will take a camera upto 25lbs and has a fully featured sled, HD ready. It really is worth a look because it might just give you the performance you're after with a bit of room for growth too. The first 100 units of the V25 will be priced at $7995 then after that $9995. John. Well with DV you normally have the (dis)advantage(?) of much smaller chips..however this translates into a deeper depth of field that helps keep in focus. There are a bunch of options, including remote follow focuses (which will also work on the DVX.. head over to www.dvxuser.com to take a look at some of the FF ideas.. you can get radio ones attached too.) a lot of people set focus for the shot and shoot wide / within the limits of that focus, and some even riade with autofucos on, which can do wonders at times (and cause hell at others) Regarding batteries, if you area allready working with one type, i'd stick with it, that way you allready have possible spares, joint support equipment, etc.. always better to keep cross-compatible. - Mikko. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Tom Wills Posted September 19, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 19, 2005 I'd be weary of the V-25, because although it is an incredible system, it doesn't have an adjustable socket block. It's not too fun to operate without one of those. :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard James Lewis Posted September 19, 2005 Report Share Posted September 19, 2005 Hey Tom, it does actually have an adjustable socket block. Also, if you want, as an optional accessory you can get another adaptor that converts the arms standard two pin connection to a CP pin block so you can use it on standard vests. Hope this helps, -Rick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinThwaites Posted September 19, 2005 Report Share Posted September 19, 2005 Hi Rick I would normally reply to this sort of question off board but the question has occurred before so other readers may be interested. Firstly I see your address is Kent and Manchester, next time you travel between the two why not come and try - there is nothing like actually wearing the rig. The Flyer arm will give you more vertical travel and (in my opinion) has a better feel. Miko says he has flown an SDX900, I have flown some outragious cameras but bear in mind you may void the warranty over the 15lb specification. For flying heavier cameras consider NiCad batteries as they are heavier than litium but don't go over the top. You will probably find the fixed post length in relation to the gimbal position more limiting than the arm. Finally consider all the accessories that you may want to add, video TX, focus, wide angle lens (J11s are very heavy!) etc. If you want to cover adding these things in the future maybe you should put an Archer on the wish list. Robin Thwaites OpTex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard James Lewis Posted September 19, 2005 Report Share Posted September 19, 2005 Hi Rick I would normally reply to this sort of question off board but the question has occurred before so other readers may be interested. Firstly I see your address is Kent and Manchester, next time you travel between the two why not come and try - there is nothing like actually wearing the rig. The Flyer arm will give you more vertical travel and (in my opinion) has a better feel. Miko says he has flown an SDX900, I have flown some outragious cameras but bear in mind you may void the warranty over the 15lb specification. For flying heavier cameras consider NiCad batteries as they are heavier than litium but don't go over the top. You will probably find the fixed post length in relation to the gimbal position more limiting than the arm. Finally consider all the accessories that you may want to add, video TX, focus, wide angle lens (J11s are very heavy!) etc. If you want to cover adding these things in the future maybe you should put an Archer on the wish list. Robin Thwaites OpTex <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hey Robin, I think you got the wrong guy. I fly a bigger rig. The person who is asking the question here is "Mitz" However I may pop by sometime. Lets hope we can get those Optex short courses sorted out with Ravensbourne again! -Rick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Mikko Wilson Posted September 19, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 19, 2005 Just a quick clarification, I myself haven't flown an SDX900 [on a flyer]. but I know and operator who has. - Mikko Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitz Posted September 20, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2005 Thank you so much for your advice Tom W, Mikko and others. This is a great help to me and is much appreciated. I'll let you know when I get the rig. I'm sure I will have more questions. :) cheers, mitz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinThwaites Posted September 20, 2005 Report Share Posted September 20, 2005 Sorry Richard/Mitz Too much travelling recently - should be better at geography though. Robin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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