HDX 900 on flyer

[Eric Young]

Hi Matt,

 

The Flyer vest should be comfortable enough with that weight, even for long periods. I was wondering more if the vest needed adjusting for your frame, or if perhaps there was something in your form that was contributing to your discomfort.

 

All the best,

 

Chris

 

Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of me in the HDX900 setup. It may have been something about my vest adjustment or form, but just had zero time on the shoot to troubleshoot. I only really felt the soreness after the first looong day after winding down.

 

As a matter of interest, Chris, what is your recommended adjustment process for the Flyer vest? How tight do you make the chest straps?

 

Cheers

Eric

 

PS to post pics, I need to host the image file somewhere else and insert a URL in my post that points to it - is that correct?

[Matt Burton]

I have to disagree with Chris, I dont think the flyer vest was designed for anything like the weight of the 900.

Compare it to the ultra or any other heavy weight vest and you will see more padding and better adjustment options.

I always found the flyer vest adequate but could have been far better for padding an adjustment. Messing about with the velcro waist strap was always a pain and the chest plate needed padding for a better fit.

I'm not saying the vest is bad at all but some modification could make it 200% better.

[chris fawcett]

Hi Eric,

 

I make the chest straps as tight as I can. If the discomfort lessens as you get used to it, then it's about right. if it increases, then back it off a notch. Sounds masochistic? I find that the looser the vest, the more likely I am to experience muscle pain in my back.

 

Matt,

 

I agree with you. The Flyer vest might indeed be improved, but I never once found it to be insufficient for flying Digibetas (and I mean 790s, not 970s) for hours on end. The total system weight of a Flyer (vest, arm, sled) + 790 weighs under 40 lbs. The system weight alone of an Ultra must approach that.

 

All the best,

 

Chris

[Matt Burton]

Agreed ;)

Thats the good thing about the flyer being a light rig, it makes flying heaver setups a breeze providing the arm can take it.

[RobinThwaites]

Hi Eric

 

Glad you are having fun with your Flyer, mind you that PAG Superpack is a bit of a lump! I am with Chris on this one, most likely cause of the pressure as described is loose chest straps allowing the front spar to drop forwards and twist the waist band into your stomach/bladder area. Loose chest straps also allow the spar to move sideways meaning that you have to use excess trim on the socket block for anything close to comfort.

 

Robin

[Eric Young]

"Glad you are having fun with your Flyer, mind you that PAG Superpack is a bit of a lump! I am with Chris on this one, most likely cause of the pressure as described is loose chest straps allowing the front spar to drop forwards and twist the waist band into your stomach/bladder area. Loose chest straps also allow the spar to move sideways meaning that you have to use excess trim on the socket block for anything close to comfort."

 

Hi Robin

 

Hope you are keeping well.

 

Actually the PAG Superpack was just right for the job. Higher capacity than the C50 Cobalts, and the extra weight compensated for the lighter Endura 10 in the second position, so that the gimbal wasn't too high up the post.

 

Thanks for the advice - I did tighten up the chest straps, but obviously not enough - it's the first time flying a bigger camera on the Flyer, so never had occasion to really push the limits of the rig before. Will try it out next time and see if that was the problem.

 

Thanks again.

Eric

[YecidBenavides]

Hey Eric and everyone,

 

Flyer and HDX 900 huh? I'm glad it went well. I just had a similar experience. I have a rig (we manufacture them here in Bolivia, South America. Anyone ever been in Bolivia? or South America for that matter? ....Back to the subject. Our company's called Cinemechanics and the rig's called CINEGLIDE) and the one I've been working with lately is somewhere between a flyer and a clipper. Right now I have springs on it that resemble more of the weight capacity of a flyer.

 

Anyway, Discovery Channel came down to film an episode of a show to air next year and they hired my father, my brother and I. I was to do 1st AC and Steadicam Op. They were supposed to bring HDX-900's but they came with Varicams instead. As you know, the camera needed a Miranda in order to use the Starlinks and so I could see the image in my non-HD monitor. Also, sound guy, Tom Vogt, great man, but needed to put the two wireless receivers on the camera, and I had the Anton Bauer Hytron 140 at the bottom because Dioncs were not providing enough energy for it all. Luckily DP Jake agreed to let go of the Viewfinder and Matte Box for the flying shots.

 

Ok...so to put it into perspective, I'm 5' 7" and 105lbs. Needless to say, it was a very painful time. Most of us have been through this, but most of the time we were filming at 13,000ft altitude, in the Bolivian plateau (altiplano). I'm from here, but with a heavy rig (for me at least) and springs that were maxed out (had to use the "rubberband technique", not the nicest way to go, but it's the only way to go sometimes), it really was something.

 

So yeah...long story to get to the point that I UNDERSTAND HOW IT FEELS...soreness...painful sweat...the whole thing. Also, you can't necessarily adjust the chest straps enough sometimes since YOU STILL HAVE TO BREATH...so it's either a punctured bladder or suffocation. Better padding at the bottom can help with distributing that pressure.

 

Here's a picture of me and pain working together!

 

 

 

Yecid (13,000 ft, airless flying) Jr.

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