avg. center post length

[Rich Cottrell]

i have been dreaming of my new rig [i fly a CP Model 2 right now] and the ability to finally have a longer center post.

Now i am wondering how long some of you normally have your center post for the majority of your operating.

 

I will start this off with 21 inches because thats the apx. length of my fixed post and i can not change this without a trip to the machine shop.

But how long is your rig's post normally?

 

lets see how the numbers look...

[i measured the rig's post only. I do not include the battery and electronics in this length]

thanks,

rich

[RonBaldwin]

actually you do have a bit of leeway with your sled. The main post goes all the way through the sled so it could be sucked up a few inches, or down if the post was a bit longer. You would just need a few different lengths of the shorter front monitor support tubes. I think Uncle Teddy had some fabulous system of adjustability when he was flying his 2.

 

I flew a stock 2 for about a year and a half, then converted to a solid single post/3A gimbal/donkey box. When I went to the pro, it was like starting over. The 2 was very long and heavy,the pro was short and light. I really missed all that mass, but not all the up-keep.

 

Ron Baldwin

[Rich Cottrell]

Ron,

Thanks for the tip on getting a little more post length out of the Model2. I have been thinking alot about turning this baby into a chopper, but then again i have been thinking about it for over a year and a half now. The idea of screwing with somthing that is working... i just do not like the idea. But i have this 7inch LCD all ready for the day this green screen goes off to steadicam heaven.

 

I hear you on that extra mass from the long sled of the Model 2.

I am a little fearfull about loosing it because most of my work has been on Triax gigs. That streched out mass really helps me out when i got that umbilical cord coming off the camera. But then it is "good luck kid" if i ever need to do a whip pan!

 

So how long did it take you to forget all that extra mass in you operating?

thanks again,

rich

[TJ Williams]

usta fly a II long ago. your'e right soon the electronics will make the two expensive fizzle sound. May still have some different size mod two tubes around. and some old classic cp batteries and chargers. and am working on an upgrade path. email if interested.

tjsteadicam@qwest.net

TJ

[RonBaldwin]

Rich,

I actually never got over the difference in mass/length...I bought one of Greg Bubb's monitor brackets to place the monitor about two inches farther out, which requires the batteries to be pushed nearly all the way back. I like the feel of the rig when it's extended like this -- also, flying with a recorder adds a little bit of needed mass to the bottom.

 

I actually still have that sled, it's complete except for the missing topstage (I sold my 1st gen donkey-box to Mr Brown a few years back for one of his sexy new contraptions).

I can try to dig up some pictures, but it looks the same as Jim Muro's 2 sled in the articles on "The mighty Quinn" and "Predator 2" -- there might be a picture of it in the archived Steadicam Letters or American Cinematographer.

 

Ron

[Erwin Landau]

My Ultimate Post is 16 inches and almost always is... (I do not have to extend it)

 

Only for bigger puppies like the 535, Millenium, F900 and the like I have to lengthen it to 18 or 19 inches.

 

 

Fly safe,

 

 

Erwin