Flyer Le

[Panayiotis Hayios]

Hey all! This is P.Diddy (Pete)

 

I did the SOA training May 18-23 2008 ( Chester Springs)

 

I have recently been using a Flyer LE and working with a Sony HVR- Z7 E/U (E=Europe U=USA) which weighs Approx. 2.4 kg (5 lb 4 oz) (w/ the supplied lens, w/o tape, battery)\

 

I am getting some (side to side) waves in the background, and have tried to counter them by a few methods.

a. Adding both batteries to the v-mount battery pack. (That helped somewhat but I am looking for more help.)

b. I added a Velcro wrist weight to the bottom of the center post but that seemed to make things worse.

c. I then tried by adding the wrist weight to the cameras handle grip and that seemed to help somewhat but not enough.

 

Basically does adding weight to the rig help with the problem and if so WHERE is the correct place to place the weights.

 

Besides the practice which I am doing are there any suggestions on how to tackle this problem.

 

Cheers

 

Pete

[constantinos Tyrintzis]

Pete Iam based in Athens too so If you give me a ring I can help you out.

210-7661924 After 22.00 0n working days

Constantine :rolleyes:

[Dave Gish]

Basically does adding weight to the rig help with the problem and if so WHERE is the correct place to place the weights.

Yes, adding weight helps. With a 5 pound camera on a Flyer, you'll want to add weight to the top.

 

Grab a pencil. Hold the pencil between the thumb and finger of one hand, and move with the other hand. Hold it in the middle. When you move the pencil, the eraser moves a lot. Now hold the pencil much closer to the eraser. When you move the pencil with your other hand, the eraser moves much less.

 

So in order to decrease the effect of movement on the lens, you want to get the gimbal closer to the lens. In order to keep a reasonable drop time (2-3 seconds), you will need to add weight to the stage (top) in order to move the gimbal closer to the stage. The best way to do this on a Flyer is to add a weight plate or practice cage. A velcro weight might also work, but be sure that it's absolutely secure, otherwise it will move around and throw off your balance.

 

Hope this helps.

Edited November 18, 2008 by Dave Gish

[Panayiotis Hayios]

Thank You Constantine. I'll get in touch soon.

 

Pete

 

 

Pete Iam based in Athens too so If you give me a ring I can help you out.

210-7661924 After 22.00 0n working days

Constantine :rolleyes:

[Panayiotis Hayios]

Thanks for the prompt reply Dave. I'll give it a try.

 

Pete

 

Basically does adding weight to the rig help with the problem and if so WHERE is the correct place to place the weights.

Yes, adding weight helps. With a 5 pound camera on a Flyer, you'll want to add weight to the top.

 

Grab a pencil. Hold the pencil between the thumb and finger of one hand, and move with the other hand. Hold it in the middle. When you move the pencil, the eraser moves a lot. Now hold the pencil much closer to the eraser. When you move the pencil with your other hand, the eraser moves much less.

 

So in order to decrease the effect of movement on the lens, you want to get the gimbal closer to the lens. In order to keep a reasonable drop time (2-3 seconds), you will need to add weight to the stage (top) in order to move the gimbal closer to the stage. The best way to do this on a Flyer is to add a weight plate or practice cage. A velcro weight might also work, but be sure that it's absolutely secure, otherwise it will move around and throw off your balance.

 

Hope this helps.

[Mike Germond SOC]

I constructed a weight plate of my own out of 1"x4" steel stock. I sized it such that the final product weights around 13lbs and drilled/threaded alternating 1/4-20 and 3/8-16 holes down the center and attached a Bogen/Manfrotto quick-release adaptor. This way I can quickly pull the camera off of the rig and onto a tripod without having to rebalance the package. I've been shooting College football all season long with it and it works great. I've also shot on several productions with it utilizing other small HD packages, and it's worked great. It puts most cameras right near the top of the LE's weight range..

 

[Dave Gish]

I constructed a weight plate of my own out of 1"x4" steel stock.

This looks like a perfect solution for light cameras on the Flyer LE. I bet it makes it a lot more stable.

 

One minor note: You can store your extra 1/4" and 3/8" tie-down screws in those holes on the side of the Bogen/Manfrotto quick-release adaptor. That way, they're always handy. If you don't have extra tie-down screws, you can get some here:

http://www.filmtools.com/1catiedosc.html

http://www.filmtools.com/caquplsc364.html

[Mike Germond SOC]

Here's that setup in action at Central Michigan's last home football game of the season. It was snowing heavy, but a still photo doesn't quite tell the story.

 

Those guys on ESPN's crane were more interested in my job than theirs!

 

 

I wore the vest under my jacket but over 3 other layers...The wind still cut through everything. Dave is right about the stability of the rig with the extra weight. I couldn't have put up with such a light rig throughout this whole season without it..

Edited November 22, 2008 by Mike Germond

[Panayiotis Hayios]

Pete Iam based in Athens too so If you give me a ring I can help you out.

210-7661924 After 22.00 0n working days

Constantine :rolleyes:

 

 

 

Constantine I have been trying to get through to you on that with NO luck. Is there another number I could try?? My mobile # is 6976288494 if that helps.

 

Pete

[anthonyplanes]

Here's that setup in action at Central Michigan's last home football game of the season. It was snowing heavy, but a still photo doesn't quite tell the story.

 

Those guys on ESPN's crane were more interested in my job than theirs!

 

 

I wore the vest under my jacket but over 3 other layers...The wind still cut through everything. Dave is right about the stability of the rig with the extra weight. I couldn't have put up with such a light rig throughout this whole season without it..

 

Hello Mike

 

When needed outdoors, I have a jacket that I had a seamstress install a side zipper that is used to accomodate the arm. Were you connected to the truck via fiber or triax?

 

Tony

[Mike Germond SOC]

Anthony,

 

Patti from Camera Essentials has been working with Tiffen to develop a FlyerLE rain gear set. I've been bombarding her with questions about it since the summer, and I think they have a pattern made up already. It would entail an Arm Cover, and Battery/Monitor cover I believe.

 

I was shooting independently on a contract with the University, but from the looks of it, ESPN would have liked to have me hooked up to their truck. I'd have to shoot wirless, no questions. I move around too much when shooting football. Too many stupid fans on the sideline too..

[Ken Underwood]

Hey Mike, that plate is a great idea. I think I'm going to talk to my brother in law about machining me a plate like that.

 

The only think I had come up with was to use my low mode bracket attached to the top handle of the camera with a brick of 9 volt batteries gaff taped to it. I just taped the holy heck out of the box of batteries then strapped it to the bracket with even more gaff tape. It was a little tricky getting the whole thing clamped onto the handle with the battery box partially blocking the screws of the bracket but it ended up working really good. Extra weight is really the key, inertia is the best thing to make a sled stable.