Premium Members JamieSilverstein Posted May 12, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted May 12, 2004 This is the best thread on this site in years. We are hearing from several fantastic Steadicam wizards and some up and comers, not to mention two of the formost innovators of the machine in the field........ That must mean that this is pretty important. And it is to all of us. Jerry is right, rip off patents and we get what we pay for, which will be gratification in the shorthaul, but fewer innovations in the long haul. Remember the TB6?, the Gorelock? to mention just two truly wonderful additions to everyones kit. Those wouldn't be out there if everyone was knocking off idea right and left. The other issue that is being touched on, and the one that I am even more interested in is that of customer satisifaction. My buddy Will, who is so eloquent and thoughtful (inperson as well as on the forum) has pointed out that CP/Tiffen left him pretty much out in the cold. And this a faithful user of a Masters for 8 years..... I too felt a little miffed when I approached Tiffen and asked about trade ins and upgrades, only to find out that I was afforded meager benifits in return for what I had considered faithful use of their product for about 5 years. I went another way and swore never to use their products again. I have since learned that never is a long time and that companies change. BUT the fact remains that there are innovative CUSTOMER friendly companies out there, willing to do what they reasonably can to help the steadicam operator, be he or she a big name in the Steadicam world or someone just coming out of the box. The market is big enough now for there to be healthy and honest competition from more than two manufacturers. Each manufacturer needs to be as responsive and creative as possible to gain the market share needed to stay in business. BOTTOM LINE, if they don't listen to the needs of the consumer US its going to become harder and harder to stay up with those who do. Just my two cents, and keep those ideas flowing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jeremy Benning Posted May 12, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted May 12, 2004 I have not read any of the replies since I posted a couple of weeks ago, so I was surprised to see the developments! I should add that I was sold on the Ultra when it first came out, and had made a trip to LA to try it out. I placed my order and deposit for the Ultra sled from CP, and was buying the arm, Preston and everything else from other manufacturers. Then 5 weeks later when I was expecting delivery, I found out that CP had folded. There would be no rig for me. Thankfully my deposit was still with the dealer here in Toronto and I got that back. But my hopes of flying an Ultra were dashed, and I switched to the Ultimate - which has been phenomenal for all the reasons myself and others have discussed here before. So when Walter Klassen showed me the Chroziel tilting stage a few weeks ago, I was reminded of the one feature on the Ultra that I regret not having. So now I wait once again for this widget as the legal ramifications are being worked out...it may be that the unit can only be sold in Canada. jeremy benning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Erwin Landau Posted May 18, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted May 18, 2004 I talked to Greg about the Tilt Plate. Will not happen at that point from XCS. Tom Gleason made some in the past, that are collecting dust in verious garages... Give him a call... Erwin Landau, SOC www.landaucamera.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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