FlyerLE - put audio rcvr on lower sled?

[Bob Woodhead]

First, a thanks to Peter Abraham... Just finished a workshop... totally worth it, THANKS Peter! He managed to fix the bad habits I'd started. Anyone reading this who's planning on buying a rig - have it arrive the same week you schedule a workshop.... don't waste time learning bad habits 1st. I owned a Steadicam JR for many years, and when my FlyerLE arrived, watching the dvd VERY carefully, read everything here, but still managed to screw up my finger positioning and posture. Wasn't off by much, but as I learned, there's not much forgiveness if you want to fly a perfect shot.

 

OK, to the topic; I'm flying a HPX500 (shoulder ENG cam, and with all accs, getting close or maybe over the max 19lbs). Another workshop attendee knew someone flying a Sony 350 on the FlyerLE, also having overweight issues; so they ran the audio receiver below the battery mount.

 

Question - the video transmitter I got weighs nothing, and the only other accessory that's wired to the cam (so could be moved) and also weighs a significant amount is the audio receiver. Anyone rig a cable down the post for this?

[Jess Haas SOC]

You can always run a cable outside of the post. Thats what they did before internal wiring became common. It does of course limit you a bit, and can be annoying, but it is definitely doable if you need to move some weight. It may be possible to add a cable inside the post but as I haven't seen how cramped it is inside of the post already I don't know how easy it would be.

 

~Jess

[Dave Gish]

19 pounds has to do with the rating of the arm, so over-weight is over no matter where you put it. You know you're over weight when the knob on the arm won't turn any more and the arm still isn't up to level.

 

If you're close to being over, moving the weight low might help but I'm not sure. Moving the gimbal would probably have a similar effect.

 

If you decide to run a cable, make sure you use a thin supple cable for at least the 1st 10 feet from the camera.

 

If you decide to run wireless audio, you may want to also use an inexpensive audio field recorder close to the boom operator. This way, if the wireless has drop-outs or noise, you always have the field recorder as backup. You can use the good spots of the wireless audio to line up the sound from the recorder. If there are no drop-outs (which is normal), then post production is really easy. This is sort of a single system wireless with a 2nd system for audio backup. So think of the audio field recorder as insurance. I got the Fostex FR2-LE on eBay for $500 shipped.

[Andy Chapman]

Thank you for the post about operating. I was disappointed about not being able to afford the Flyer LE as soon as I wanted. After reading your Info. I think it may be better for me to wait until I can take the class before I practice.

[chris fawcett]

I'l second all that advice, and add that a cable external to the post is no big deal. Run it from the front of the stage to the front of the monitor. It affects the handling of the rig hardly at all.

 

If you use a wireless link for audio, you must either monitor the sound return from the camera yourself for dropouts, or have the soundo record the sound. In either case, recording one backup channel of sound on a camera mic is a good idea. If the soundo is recording stereo sound, you should use a timecode generator on the rig (like a Lockit box) and slave the camera to that. it will be slaved to the soundo's recorder, or master TCG at least every hour. Don't trust the camera's internal timecode generator, unless you have it on very good authority that is is reliable. Most aren't. In every sound set-up you consider, think about how it will be handled in post. Keep it simple, and have fun.

 

All the best,

 

Chris

[RobinThwaites]

Hi Bob

 

For video TX better to keep it high for better signal path. Should not make much difference to the Flyer LE as you can extend the post.

 

Robin

[Bob Woodhead]

19 pounds has to do with the rating of the arm, so over-weight is over no matter where you put it.

 

Agreed, and that's why I've moved audio rcvr (Velcroed to top of battery). I didn't want to add any more weight to counterbalance the camera + accs, but, I wanted to retract the post just a bit, as I'm 5'8", and with the post fully extended not only would it make stairs difficult, but the monitor posit isn't optimal.

 

Thanks for the cable routing info Chris - that's the path I took as soon as I saw where a cable would need to go to be out of the way. Small Velcro loop mid-post to keep it tidy. And your tip Dave - backup audio record in soundo's bag - yeah, total CYA there, thanks. For vid xmit, already tweaked my El-Cheapo xmitter to a vertical posit on top of cam body. Had it lying flat on a bit of Velcro, but then realized the rcvr isn't flying somewhere above the rig (no antenna on this one). Might be sending it back for a higher-powered unit. Afraid a Canatrans is waaay out of my budget.

 

Well, though I'm still totally in love with my FlyerLE, already I'm thinking... "geez, to be able to fly just 5 more lbs, and have a tilting camera stage, and ..." But since my goal wasn't to offer my services as an op, but to create "value-added" for my production company, I think it'll be some time before movin' on up. (Though another reason I bought Steadicam brand was the resale vale....)

 

So while I'm flying my rig around our small-crewed productions, I'll dream sweet dreams of being in LaLa, with my 1st trotting alongside tweaking the Preston, while I'm nudging the motorized stage a bit to compensate for headroom..... (anyone want to donate a Clipper?)

Edited July 14, 2008 by Bob Woodhead