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Fine Vibration on Master


Andrew Sheard

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I was watching some of my shots go out on Corrie the other day and noticed on some of the faster tracks, the image had a constant fine vibration throughout. Had to watch it back just to make sure I wasn't seeing things.

 

I can't help thinking that something is loose on the rig, anyone any ideas?

 

Andrew.

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Hi Andrew

 

Assuming it isn't the camera mounting (as most dovetails are pants) It could be your monitor. They seem to be quite loose on most masters i've come across. Next time your dropping in bring your rig in too and we can try and track it down.

 

It can help to have somebody else looking over the rig whilst it's being worn as checking it whilst stationary or wearing the rig yourself can be a slow process.

 

Don't suppose you have the footage or access to it?

 

Ant

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Hi Andrew & Ant

 

I support the loose monitor sentiments - check the small allen key fixtures on the runners, mine seems to work itself loose quite happily by itself, which gives a bit of vibration without you neccesserily realising that it's there. Also if you're using a Sony VCT-14 quick release snap plate on the rig, check the rear pin that locks into the rear of the underside of the camera body - more often than not there is some play / movement in there. Loose camera leads to 'that' vibration more often than not. As Ant said, dovetails can be a pain - I find that my Baer-bel plate is a much better option than the original Master dovetail plate, which never seems to have holes in the right places to get more than 1 camera screw in!

 

Good luck

Jason

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Guys,

 

The Master series is notorious for this. It is a design flaw in the top stage. Just mount a baseplate in there and squeeze! Pinch down with your fingers on the plate and thumb underneath the top stage... you can practically make the plate touch the top stage! Too much play in those worm gears.

 

For long lens work I used to literally push a small wedge in between the camera plate and the top stage. This of course renders your remote fore and aft useless, but certainly firms up those camera vibrations.

 

Then I said, "bollocks to this", and bought an XCS sled.

 

The "squeeze" test is a good way to look at the integrity of the 'latest and greatest' top stages at trade shows etc. I'm still amazed at how much play there is on some very expensive top stages out there.

 

Not quite sure how a loose monitor would affect the final image captured by the camera...

 

Will

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Hi Andrew

 

Sorry, missed this thread before.

 

Vibration can be for several reasons.

 

1/ Vibration in the stage.

 

Usually means that it needs a little adjustment and will vary with camera weight/weight distribution. Usually worse with lighter cameras especially TV cameras where the weight may be far from the centre. Usually shows 25-30mm upwards, normally present to some degree once you get above 40mm. Often shows as individual foot falls. Adjustment means dismantling the stage and adjusting the linear "V" track bearings - not something to try at home on the kitchen table. A syptom can be if the camera dovetail is an easy/sloppy fit.

 

2/ Sloppy camera mounting plate.

 

This is more to do with side to side movement and the inability to hold a constant balance. Sony plateas are adjustable but something like a Chrosziel replacement is a better bet (although expensive). Probably worth the investment in lost balancing tim e and frustration.

 

3/ Sympathetic vibration.

 

Typically from the monitor as this is a heavy item (CRT in your case). The vibration travels back up the post and eventually into the camera, can also happen from loose battery mounts. Looks a little like the stage but usually smaller movement but more constant. Solution is to make sure that anythiong that could possible move is locked down solidly.

 

4/ The lens.

 

Strange but true, TV zoom lenses are more prone than you might imagine for groups of elements to move around inside. Cure? Change lenses and get the production company to get it serviced.

 

There are other things but these are probably the most common, others are detective stories.

 

Good luck

Robin

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Strange but true, TV zoom lenses are more prone than you might imagine for groups of elements to move around inside. Cure? Change lenses and get the production company to get it serviced.

 

????? Off balance i can understand, but vibrations? i shoot lots of stuff with videolenses, but never had vibrations using videolenses. Even when the lens have play. Is this an Master issue? or do you mean for every sled. In 9 years i never saw this, perhaps i am wrong and i would like to understand.

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