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Moviecam Compact Power Consumption


Dave Wowchuk

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Actually the MK1's are 20 Volt Cameras and some models (especially the SL) will run on 12 volt even though of speed, (my jumper battery died before the camera battery did once, and the Camera kept going at 20 fps). Otto Nemenz has 2 style dolly packs the Gold are for the 435/ArriCam which are 28.8 Volt and the Silver which are 24 Volt for the Moviecam. The guys there where always afraid when I showed up with my NiCads... "Are they fresh of the Charger? Let them sit for a bit, to not fry the electronics...

 

On very early Moviecams especially the ones that are privately owned and/ore where converted from the 3 pin XLR to the 4 pin (ergo never totally overhauled) you will fry the board if you use 2 hot of the charger 14.4 Volt batts...

 

With the MK2 it's a totally other game. The MK2's are basically rehoused Arricams. They keep the body and the shutter but all the electronics, the movement and the viewing system as well as the video are all lifted from the Arricam ST. Easy to spot... they look new have a huge "MK2 by Arri" printed on the dummy side, they have the ST Video assist and use the 2 pin fischer for power... 28.8.

 

 

Hope that helps,

 

 

Erwin

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Thanks for the info Erwin ... quite a detailed person you are.

 

When I was asking about power consumption, I meant to ask about amperage. I'm trying to figure out if it would be better to have the camera tethered to a block battery, or have a gazillion Hytrons on-set. I know I need several more, but the question might be how many ... and will the Hytron's cut it?

 

DW

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Block Battery... you are kidding right?

 

Usually you would see guys with the 3A run the camera from a battery belt... we are in the age of 24 Volt rigs... no belts needed. Unless you have to fight with the "new" and "great" HD monsters.

 

Anyhow... Power consumption:

 

Studio mode: 2.5 Amps (if my memory serves me right).

 

Hytrons will run the camera just fin. (Check the archives. It's the Arri 435 that sometimes and only run at high speeds, will give you problems).

 

 

I'm baffled at how many "operators" are not familiar with the cameras they are operating. Nobody coming through the ranks of the Camera department anymore? That's sad.

 

And even then... in the age of internet and google, it took me a mere 60 seconds to find this:

 

http://www.moviecam.at/anleitung/compact_manual.pdf

 

 

 

Erwin

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power = volts x amps

 

Watts

 

sorry am I being pedantic :D

 

I got unstuck on saturday not having a moviecam 24v 4pin xlr! I was thinking of having made up short jumper leads as

 

ARRI 24v fisher male to moviecam 24v 4pin xlr female!

and a

ARRI 24v fisher male to ARRI 24v 4pin xlr female.

 

Just so I don t confuse my 24v 4pinxlr cables with my regular 12v 4pin xlr cables, I ve got to sit down and make sure it will work though but I don t see why not.

 

Erwin, thanks for getting in there with the facts. It s very good to see you much more frequently on the board with all your consise data. I have decided to start keeping a camera diary on days and just jot down little technical details including muscle aches and water consumption. I think you keep some kind of log. It s a very good idea.

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Erwin: Funny thing is that I have that manual ... I guess my "skim reading" isn't working.

 

"Coming up through the camera department ..." well I guess in my 10 years as a video camera operator, I haven't had the pleasure of using the Moviecam ... but I will soon.

 

Eric: "... big bucks and glamour ..." That's for the people whose names are at the beginning of the show, not for those at the end like you and me. Honestly, I really don't give a crap about "big bucks and glamour" ... I just want to earn a nice living and have fun at the same time.

 

Thanks for the info guys (and the sarcasm) ... it's always appreciated.

 

Dave

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