TimmyKane Posted April 22, 2004 Report Share Posted April 22, 2004 I had a similar situation as a previous poster. I was interested in a back up follow focus system and was impressed with the Benz. However the Benz is not actually available (despite my paying for it.) Any way- Rev. Jim Bartell showed me the error of my ways and I ordered a Bartech (maybe #500- do I get a bonus battery.) Jim showed me the M1 motor and I heard impressive feedback on this forum. I went to do a final check on the equipment before taking possession of it. The M1 is very strong and accurate. However it is very very loud. I can imagine getting complaints from the sound dept. if in a smaller room with a substantial focus pull. Any one out there notice this problem? Is there a fix? Has anyone received complaints? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Fisher Posted April 22, 2004 Report Share Posted April 22, 2004 Hi Timmy, I'm sorry that you ordered a 5000 (via Abel) and we couldn't supply you. I'm sure Abel refunded any monies paid. We hit some unforeseen problems when we implemented the autocalibrate and autoseeking features. Abel have 5000's (with autocal etc...) at NAB and in NY. Kind regards, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimmyKane Posted April 22, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2004 Ben, Thank you for your comment. My post is not meant to attack Abel Cine. In fact, the LA office has been very helpful with rectifying the situation. Of course there was a refund and they are assisting me in purchasing some other equipment, including the Bartech. Still looking forward to seeing the Benz in the field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Fisher Posted April 22, 2004 Report Share Posted April 22, 2004 Hi Timmy, I'm glad Abel were able to help you out (one way or another!). I'm coming out to LA in the not-to-distant future and would be glad to go through the 5000 (1,2,3 channel). If you click on our site (see link at bottom) and register for UNITBOX (our newsletter) it'll keep you informed. Kind regards, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members JimBartell Posted April 23, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 23, 2004 The M1 is very strong and accurate. However it is very very loud. I can imagine getting complaints from the sound dept. if in a smaller room with a substantial focus pull. Any one out there notice this problem? Is there a fix? Has anyone received complaints? Hi Tim, There is no question the M-One is louder than the Heden M28VP. The question is, is it too loud? The feedback I have been getting is a consistent "No". I was on the set of "The Bernie Mac Show" last week doing a demo of the BFD/M-One combo for the 1AC. He loved the response but was concerned about the noise. Coincidentally, we were doing the demo right in front of the sound guy and he was called over to give his expert opinion. He listened for a minute or so and stated "No problem. The HD cameras make more noise than that when rolling!". This mollified the AC, but then a few minutes later the director wandered over and expressed his concern. He looked over at the sound guy who glanced up wearily and said "Look, if the camera is OK, that motor is certainly OK." This satisfied the director and a future order was promised. The other point that was made is the motor really only sounds loud when doing high-speed rack focus moves, which aren't the types of moves made when creeping in on the talent, which is when motor sound is most critical. The interesting thing about this show was that they had tried a Genio, a Fox, two Aladdin's and were using two Preston's and weren't happy with any of them. They had performance problems with everything except the Preston's and they didn't like the size/weight/cost of them. Jim "Huh? What did you say?" Bartell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Lawrence Karman Posted April 24, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 24, 2004 Yes it's loud. Has it ever been a problem? No. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members RonBaldwin Posted April 24, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 24, 2004 I'm sure the pitter-patter of the op/ac/spotter's feet will cover up the noise of the motor. One of my preston motors is noisier than the other...never had any complaints. Just remind the noise boys that it's motion pictures, not motion sound. If that doesn't work you can stick their finger on the gear and do a fast rack, I hear the M-1 will mix cement as well as do a number on fingers. ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Alec Jarnagin SOC Posted April 24, 2004 Moderators Report Share Posted April 24, 2004 Only way the motor noise would be a problem is if you racked from close to infinity at full speed in a closet - umm, not likely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarloTomic Posted April 24, 2004 Report Share Posted April 24, 2004 so just to be sure it will be safe on set..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members WillArnot Posted April 25, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 25, 2004 Um, yeah. And to be sure, you don't want to give up the sheer genius of the M-1's snap-on pitch gears and even better, the ways in which it can be rigged and attached. Never thought I would say it, but this design may have Jerry Hill's "PAM" Preston Adjustable Mount beat. Then again Jerry's is a $250 bracket vs a $2000 lens motor. Either way you cut it you cannot go wrong with the M-1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members JamieSilverstein Posted April 26, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 26, 2004 I can only amplify Will's sentiment. I have had my M1's for about a year, and I have NEVER had a complaint about the noise, on any set they have been on, and they have been on many. Additionally, Don has been great about incorporating things into the motors that operators have suggested. I couldn't be happier with my Follow Focus gear. So are they noisier than the Hedens? Yep. Does it matter in the real world? Not really, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Lawrence Karman Posted April 27, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 27, 2004 Actually I miss the PAM brackets. The way this motor mounts is my only complaint. I always find a way to make it work but it is nowhere as easy to find a gear connection as the Preston motor w/ a PAM bracket. Sometimes I have to add a dogbone to find a mounting spot; something I never ahd to do w/ a Preston motor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Pedro Guimaraes SOC Posted March 21, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 21, 2011 Noise comparison http://vimeo.com/19709261 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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