Drop time for windy conditions

[Andy Levison]

I have upcoming commercial shoots on a beach and boardwalk. Any tips for handling windy conditions, including drop times?

 

I'm shooting with a JVC HD-200 camera that weights 13 - 15 pounds with accessories. I've used a 2.5 to 3 second drop time in the past on my Steadicam Flyer. I've struggled with small wind gusts. Is this because my camera/rig combo is relatively light?

 

Thanks in advance for your sharing your experience.

 

Andy Levison

[Brian Freesh]

I have upcoming commercial shoots on a beach and boardwalk. Any tips for handling windy conditions, including drop times?

 

I'm shooting with a JVC HD-200 camera that weights 13 - 15 pounds with accessories. I've used a 2.5 to 3 second drop time in the past on my Steadicam Flyer. I've struggled with small wind gusts. Is this because my camera/rig combo is relatively light?

 

Thanks in advance for your sharing your experience.

 

Andy Levison

 

 

Hey Andy,

 

With that slow of a drop time on the Flyer, you're working with very little inertia. That's the "standard" drop time for big rigs. Ultimately, drop time is a personal preference, but 3 seconds is a good place to start on big rigs, while about 1.5 seconds will get you similar inertia on the Flyer. For Windy conditions, try even less! Find what works for you, but I definitely recommend faster than 2.5-3 seconds.

 

 

Also, on the beach, put some chicken wire fencing just under the surface of the sand where you'll be walking, it'll give ya a better surface to walk on.

 

Brian |-)~

[Andy Levison]

Thanks Brian! I'm looking forward to trying drop times below 1.5 and seeing how I do in the wind at the beach. Great suggestion for using chicken wire below the surface of the sand. That's a new one for me.

 

Andy

[Brian Freesh]

oh shoot, shoulda mentioned that for wind you can also get a grip or two with 4x4s standing between you and the wind. I've been told that the best configuration is to have two 4x4 doubles (not solids) forming a V that points toward the wind. Doubles instead of solids because my letting the wind through a bit you avoid it rolling over the solids and swirling back in on the other side. And the V I believe helps break it nicely to the sides as opposed to it hitting a flat surface. Obviously it depends on what direction you are shooting compared to the direction the wind is coming from, but see what you can do with what you have! Got that tip from the same source as the chicken wire, thank you Mr. Abraham!

 

Good luck, happy flying |-)~

 

Brian |-)~

[Andrey Yazydzhi]

oh shoot, shoulda mentioned that for wind you can also get a grip or two with 4x4s standing between you and the wind. I've been told that the best configuration is to have two 4x4 doubles (not solids) forming a V that points toward the wind. Doubles instead of solids because my letting the wind through a bit you avoid it rolling over the solids and swirling back in on the other side. And the V I believe helps break it nicely to the sides as opposed to it hitting a flat surface. Obviously it depends on what direction you are shooting compared to the direction the wind is coming from, but see what you can do with what you have! Got that tip from the same source as the chicken wire, thank you Mr. Abraham!

 

Good luck, happy flying |-)~

 

Brian |-)~

 

Andy , try to use Antlers !

[Andy Levison]

Brian - I bet the 2 non-solid 4x4s set in a V-formation will work great, if we can coordinate everyone. This is going to take some rehearsal. I once used a single solid 4x4, and just like you said, there was some erratic swirling wind wrapping around the board. Still - it was significantly better than no 4x4.

 

Andrey - I've only seen antlers in pictures. They remind me of a miniature version of the bar that a tightrope walker uses to help with his balance. Is it the same principle? Do you ever hit yourself in the head with the antlers when panning? It looks possible from the photos I've seen. Where can I buy them?

[Andrey Yazydzhi]

Brian - I bet the 2 non-solid 4x4s set in a V-formation will work great, if we can coordinate everyone. This is going to take some rehearsal. I once used a single solid 4x4, and just like you said, there was some erratic swirling wind wrapping around the board. Still - it was significantly better than no 4x4.

 

Andrey - I've only seen antlers in pictures. They remind me of a miniature version of the bar that a tightrope walker uses to help with his balance. Is it the same principle? Do you ever hit yourself in the head with the antlers when panning? It looks possible from the photos I've seen. Where can I buy them?

 

Andy , about Antlers try to ask Brant S. Fagan by firebrand@fmis.net .