Tiffen Volt or Arri Trinity??

[Charles Unice]

I’m a fairly new operator 3 years and going, started with a zephyr system and moved to a GPI pro system. I’m wondering what the community thinks of the volt vs trinity?

They both have similar purposes and yet different implementation. I’m wondering what every one thinks...

Pros and cons of both?
Is one better than the other? 

challenges of either system?

Trinity cost more but is the ability to invert the camera to low mode while shooting worth it?

With a GPI sled I have the option of going either direction but I’m not sure which is better to invest in?

[Alec Jarnagin SOC]

I dare say, look at Volt versus Wave. The Trinity is an entirely different beast with an entirely different purpose in life. More importantly, start with your left pinky (right pinky if you're goofy foot) and learn Steadicam as it was originally created - an exceptional instrument with a magnificently simple mechanical design.

[Charles Unice]

Good point Alec! 

[David Thomas]

Two VERY different devices with VERY different applications.

 

 

[Louis Puli SOC]

Hi Charles 

Alec and David points are very true they are very different in what they do .One douse levelling tool and the other is a device which can move the camera anywhere in 3D space .

Your last 2 lines "

"Trinity cost more but is the ability to invert the camera to low mode while shooting worth it?

With a GPI sled I have the option of going either direction but I’m not sure which is better to invest in?"

Remember tools like the Trinity have been around for many years now and we also have the brushless gimbal and Letus Helix and others .If you think these tools would be better then the standard Steadicam type of camera movement I would be asking a different question .

 MK-V AR Omega V Trinity V Helix V all Brushless gimbals .They all have their pro's and cons Price, reliability, size weight,etc,etc .

You have to consider what is your career worth that is what you are investing in.As we all know nothing comes cheap in our industry and what douse is not worth buying .

 

 

 

 

 

[axel ebermann]

I would advise you to check in with Pro before you put a Trinity onto that sled. I have never seen a Trinity on a Pro sled (I used to own an Artemis Trinity Rig) but I believe there may be some issues because the Pro Gimbal was never designed to transition from 'high' to 'low' in one go.
 

[Charles Unice]

17 minutes ago, axel ebermann said:

I would advise you to check in with Pro before you put a Trinity onto that sled. I have never seen a Trinity on a Pro sled (I used to own an Artemis Trinity Rig) but I believe there may be some issues because the Pro Gimbal was never designed to transition from 'high' to 'low' in one go.
 

Thanks Axel ill check with them, if thats the case, does the volt not work on the pro gimbal as well? 

[Louis Puli SOC]

Hi Charles 

I didn't know Arri made available the Trinity to other Rigs .

https://www.arri.com/en/camera-systems/camera-stabilizer-systems/trinity/trinity-upgrade-third-party-systems1/K0.0019530

If I was in the situation of making the choice I would consider what is left of my Pro rig after the upgrade .Not Much .I would be buying a full Arri Trinity sled and use my Pro arm and vest .As for the Volt Yes it will and has been fitted on many Pro gimbals over the last 2 years .Alex can I say I have done several shot over my career where I have done 360 deg shot and the Pro gimbal worked fine .

[Osvaldo Silvera SOC]

Although I really like what can be done with the Trinity, I have been asked if I can go from Low Mode to High Mode in the same shot 3 times in 22 years of operating.

There are several thoughts I've had on whether to buy a Trinity.

1. Price vs. return on investment.

How long would it take to pay back the $63,000 the complete Sled costs? let's say charging an extra $1000 a day Above a somewhat standard $1000/day kit rental. 63 days... Now how many times have I been asked if I can do a High to Low mode shot in 22 years...3.

 

2. Can YOUR Market withstand that extra Kit rental cost?.... Mine can't...and I live in Miami, FL.

 I've spoken with Arri Trinity owners and what they get for their Kit alone and the extra labor costs they charge while operating the Trinity can not be gotten here in this town. There are tons of producers and maybe 6 full time Steadicam Operators that work down here who make 90%+ of their income as Steadicam Operators.

 

as for Volt/Wave... I enjoy my Wave. I use it handheld on boats and on Steadi for Windy days, moving platform shots, etc..., I even use it inside a Cinemilled Pro ring with just the Wave and a Camera for great Horizons while using the system with a Ready Rig/Vega combination....

 

 

Best,

Ozzie

[axel ebermann]

On 11/22/2019 at 10:53 AM, Charles Unice said:

Thanks Axel ill check with them, if thats the case, does the volt not work on the pro gimbal as well? 

I have a Volt on a  Pro Gimbal and it works like a charm. You are not inverting the sled during a move with the Volt. So you won't have the problem that you might have on the Trinity.

Volt and Trinity are two very different contraptions...