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Max EFP gimbal Capacity?


Charles King

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Hi Niko,

 

Wow... You are pushing your luck...

 

The fact that you can, doesn't mean you should. You can rev your engine up to 9000 RPM... do that for several hours and your engine will be toast. Every time you stress material to it's limit you are weakening the structure and one day it will blow up in your face.

 

The EFP was designed for Video cameras ONLY. That's what the name stands for EFP (Electronic Field Production). A lot of time and thought went into detuning the parts from the 3A (which most parts originated) and make it non upgradeable. At that time the established Ops were wiry of new guys getting in the business for half the price. The only available steadicam at that time was the 3A that started at $42'000.- the EFP started at $23'500.- (1990 price list) and was non upgradeable with Blue springs. You were able to buy "spare arms" but only with the spring color you already owned.

 

The 3A gimbal and the EFP gimbal look the same exempt the "hole" in the fork. But the 3A is machined versus the EFP that was cast. The early EFP arms (Blue Springs) had a Camera payload of 12 to 24 lbs. as the later models (Black Springs) had a total payload of 24 to 39 lbs. The 3A Gold arm came from the factory and topped out at 57 lbs. That weight is reflected in the way the 3A gimbal was made. So make no mistake, CP didn't meant to make the EFP be capable to handle anywhere close to it's top model and that was on purpose. Want more performance, dig deeper in your pockets.

 

Now almost 20 years later... the units are still around, have been abused for decades, have tons of hair fractures and new ops with there tight money conscience go and throw a 535 on top of it... You wouldn't just drop a 600 horse power engine into a rusty pinto, would you? But that's what you are doing.

 

The EFP is the equal of a ProVid or now an Archer... that's basically what you are using and ad 20 years of abuse...

 

Good Luck, you will need it.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Erwin

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Hi Erwin.

First of all I apologize for my mistakes in my English

I will try to give my opinion the best I could

I'm not saying that I was relax in that shooting. Charles King was asking how much weight can carry the EFP Gimbal so I wanted him to see it is possible to carry a 535 or BL, if the equipment is in good condition, of course. Of course I am aware that the engine was at 100% but when a person bet some times you have to run the risk. I think the EFP was built very well designed for video productions, but with ample room to work in film productions, talking about the sled, not arm or vest. So I can not compare with Provid.

I assure you that Im looking forward to have competitive sled film!

Regards

 

Niko

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No apologies needed...

 

I'm also not an english speaker.

 

I'm just saying...

 

You upgraded your Arm and Vest and did obvious mods to your rig but you are using a Video Gimbal... that is rated for a max of 39 lbs (17.5 kg) but you have an arm that will carry up to 72 lbs (32.5 kg) you see what I'm getting at?

Just be careful because somethings gotta give... and it's always the weakest link... in this picture it's your gimbal. It's cast so it will, one day in the near future, just snap... so don't be surprised.

 

Again the fact that you can shouldn't mean you should.

 

 

Just my 2 cents... good luck (and I mean it).

 

 

Erwin

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I agree with Erwin, be careful. You might want to consider upgrading soon...you can pick up 3A gimbals pretty cheap or for a bit more (alot more) the obvious European gimbals made by Baer-Bel, Sachtler and MK-V will handle the wt.

 

in addition to stress on the gimbal watch yourself as well -- those are heavy cameras you are schlepping! But with the nice looking cable pullers you might be able to fly a bit longer!

 

rb

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Charles,

 

39 lbs is the total payload that the original EFP arm was rated at. So as usual add the fail safe buffer and you reach the breaking point. (FYI: the 3A arm and the EFP arm are virtually the same unit the same parts, etc. The only difference was the spring capacity, Black versus Gold... not so with the Gimbal which was weaker on purpose).... so:

 

It's rated for 39 lbs (17.5 Kilogramm)

 

 

Fly safe,

 

 

Erwin

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Just an FYI for those of you with EFP rigs and you want to upgrade--When I had my EFP I bought a BFX ACME Gimbal from Brant Fagan and it is an awesome gimbal. It fits the 1.50 post but has a large 2" grip. Quite comfortable, amazing bearings and will handle any of the big camera weights you toss at it. I also upgraded my post at the time to a carbon post because my original EFP post was out of round.

 

It was a fantastic light weight rig that did OK with bigger cameras when it had to. I also agree with Erwin...don't make a habit out of it if your flying a stock rig (which I did not) but it was OK once in a while since I had all the upgrades including gold spring arm. Even with the new gimbal it was a bit uncomfortable sometimes going to a horizontal balance position with a Sony F900 for example. Just sort of scary. That said, it made for an incredible light weight live show/concert type rig. I loved that thing. It was actually the first sled I ever flew back in 1993 when I started.

 

If anyone has specific questions don't hesitate to contact me. Glad to share the info...

 

Best,

 

Fracol

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