JakePollock Posted February 17, 2004 Report Share Posted February 17, 2004 Practicing on an Ultimate from a rental house here in Taiwan. And when I went to go into low mode (with the f bracket) I discovered that they're relying on those tiny set screws to keep the f-bracket from sliding down the 12 inch arm post. The in-house operator (who operates goofy in case edwin is still workin' on that poll) said that once the screw goes into that spiral thread on the outside of the post, it won't break. That it's too short to break... Seems very trusting to me. Don't know what the experts have to say. I know Louis Puli in Melbourne uses a collar that he bolts onto the post to add extra security. However, I've been unable to track down those collars here. If anyone knows of a website to get some, I'd be grateful. Of course the irony is that most of that stuff is made in Taiwan but can't be found for sale here. Other question: Low-mode docking? These guys don't have or have misplaced the second docking collar for use in low-mode. They complain that it's a pain to mount because with the telescoping sled it gets in the way of the monitor. The in-house dude says he docks it using the upside down gimbal to hold the sled in place on the docking bracket. I don't know... something seems warped about this way of treating such an expensive and integral element of successful operating. Again, wondering about the experts? Thanks to all the cool dudes and dudettes for sharing their opinions. Jake Pollock Taipei, Taiwan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakePollock Posted February 17, 2004 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2004 Sorry, there was a typo. It's the Ultra not the Ultimate. Been visiting too many sites and reading about too much gear! And to re-iterate: I'm not the one docking it with the gimbal! Don't want a bad reputation to start when I haven't even flown on set. I'm just curious about other's opinions on what seems like poor common sense. Jake Pollock Taipei, Tawain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Alec Jarnagin SOC Posted February 17, 2004 Moderators Report Share Posted February 17, 2004 Jake, Most people just use the set screws on the J/F bracket. I'll let him volunteer his name if he wishes to chime in, but I know an Op who watched his rig fall to the ground, causing much damage because the screws loosened up. Since then, like Louis, I use those collars as back up support (order through Reid Tool and Supply, if they ship to your neck of the woods - do a google search on them; I think the site is Reidtool.com). As for docking on the gimbal? Many do this, but I've always used rings. Never seen it done in low mode, on the top of the gimbal though - just in hi mode sitting under the bearings, but I suspect this is how it was done before rings were common place. I'd get the second ring if I were you (in the way of the monitor? Ah, no). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericoh Posted February 17, 2004 Report Share Posted February 17, 2004 Other question: Low-mode docking? These guys don't have or have misplaced the second docking collar for use in low-mode. Hi Jake, I fly a Masters Series rig and whenever I have to dock in low-mode I always flip it around and dock on the docking collar. I don't have a second docking collar. Most of my work is in the music video and commercials world so most of the time low-mode means flipping the camera upside down and re-balancing the rig as opposed to real low-mode as it will all go to tape anyway. There have been several occaisions where the camera is mounted right-side up in low-mode and even in those situations I flip the camera to dock. It can be tricky for the assistant to reload the camera upside down even something as easy to reload as the 435 but they usaully manage alright. I had to do it when I use to AC, and it isn't too hard. I do intend to get that second docking collar but I'm always saving my money for the big purchases (Klassen Harness, PRO arm, XCS Ultimate rig is my dream system. I currently have the Masters' system) and forgeting about the small ones altogether. Best wishes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Alec Jarnagin SOC Posted February 18, 2004 Moderators Report Share Posted February 18, 2004 With all due respect lads, a docking collar is $85. A new rig, harness, etc. is much more. A producer (in most cases) doesn't give a rats ass about what rig you fly, as long as it works. They will notice you looking lost as you try and dock your rig performing all sorts of yoga poses because you didn't bother with a second collar while saving up for that big ticket item. Break down and buy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Eric Fletcher S.O.C. Posted February 18, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted February 18, 2004 With all due respect lads, a docking collar is $85. A new rig, harness, etc. is much more. A producer (in most cases) doesn't give a rats ass about what rig you fly, as long as it works. They will notice you looking lost as you try and dock your rig performing all sorts of yoga poses because you didn't bother with a second collar while saving up for that big ticket item. Break down and buy it. Not only that But the AC usually finds it a huge PITA to load when it's upside down... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbalsdon Posted February 18, 2004 Report Share Posted February 18, 2004 I remember being pissed off when I bought my Masters Film back 1996 and it only came with one docking collar, thus requiring an allen key to reposition the docking collar when converting to low mode (so much for tools free). Also I was only provided with one battery to charger cable. The cost of purchasing these extras wasn't exorbitant but the cost of supplying them as a standard part of the kit would have been less. If you're refering to the little grub screws that hold the post into the 'F' bracket I had these come loose a couple of months after I bought the rig while riding on the front of a camera car at 80k.p.h. (50mph) I managed to just hang onto the rig and Arri 435 whilst a very experienced driver slowed rapidly and smoothly, jumped out out and relieved me of the weight, (left me with a severly bruised arm). The post that I use in the F bracket now has holes drilled part way through and the screws put in with 'Loctite'. I still check them pretty much every time I use the bracket. This was all back in the days of CP and I would have thought Tiffen, whose service has generally been excellent would have resolved these matters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members JamieSilverstein Posted February 24, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted February 24, 2004 I am the Operator that Alec mentioned in one of his posts, and yes due to the set screws on my Masters low mode bracket, my rig went 435 first into the ground from about 4' in the air. The camera was great, but the rig was pretty much toast. $6,000.00 of repairs later, I love the help I got from Mike Bennett on the insurance, and the rig was better than new. I also spent $1.49 on a bolt that I put throught the low mode bracket so that I would never have to go through that again. I guess if it could happen to me then it could happen to you too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericoh Posted February 25, 2004 Report Share Posted February 25, 2004 With all due respect lads, a docking collar is $85... Break down and buy it. They've gone up by about $10. Anyway, due to this thread, I have remebered that it is on the "to buy" list and yes, I've ordered one. Happy days... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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