It's been a while.

[Wing Gee]

It's been a while since i've been on the boards, been busy with life and a full time job. I still haven't started on version 2 of cody's arm yet. there have been a few things stopping me. Should i actually invest in a real 3a rig? that has been my question for the past few months. couple weeks ago, i finally got to set eyes and try on a 'real' steadicam. it had a 3a arm, back mounted vest, with a pro gear tool less gimbal. let's just say the pro gear gimbal is junk. it can't hold a dynamic balance at all. but i felt the money was in the 3a arm. it is soo smooth and light. I flew around a  beta andromedia modified DVX with a red rock micro 35 adapter..

I'm torn guys. i wanted a rig that can handle a film package. Now my thoughts on that have changed a bit. should i build a v2 of codi's arm for lighter weight cameras and still get a real rig. or do i build the beefed up version of codi's arm to handle a film package as well?

it's either spending the 1500-2k to get this rig built.
or spending that 1500-2k towards a real rig.




a little more if your bored. http://www.turborocco.com/wingsteadi/

[Charles King]

Nice to see you around Wing. Well Well Well. Decisions Decisions.

Well Wing. Let me ask you. First of all. How much weight do you intend on flying? I mean your max camera weight. Then ask your self how much time do you have on your hands?( actually make this the first question). Third, you say you have around 1500 - 2000 dollars to spend. Well, seeing that you have a limited amount of cash I'll see what you can get for that price and what the quality. But let's answer those two previous questions before moving on.

[Wing Gee]

yes, i do have plenty of time, when i'm off of work. It's not like i can purchase a fully built rig right away. it'll probably would take me over a year to save up for a real one anyhow. But i surely can build one right away.

Max camera weight would probably be a 35mm camera. guessing 30-40lbs? I think the fully rigged out XTR i had was about 25-30lbs with film loaded. I think a arri BLIII would be the heaviest camera. i guess to be on the safe side, 40-50lbs wouldn't be outraegous. Majority of work would probably be on a rigged out dvx or the new hvx. but with that rigged out, couldn't weight more than 15-20lbs.

the 1500-2000 was just a number i threw out. i'm not capped at that by any means. it was a number that i thought it would cost to get cody's arm built. It's one of those things, when am i spending too much and not getting the same performance as a good rig should be. If i spend 5k on building this. am i going to be dissapointed? i've seen used 3a rigs for around 12-15k.

I would love to build one, As i love building things.

I hope i didn't come off as being rude here, not my intention at all.

Thanks!
Wing

[Charles King]

Hi again. Okay. Beofre I continue, how much are you willing to spend and will you be doing this professionally?

[Leigh Wanstead]

Hi Wing,

50lbs for a camera is a lot of weight. You need to add count balance weight. That is huge to an arm capacity.

Can you carry 70lbs weight for a continous hour?

FYI, I carry 44 lbs weight for an hour without problem.

But I can't carry 70lbs weight now.

Regards
Leigh

[Wing Gee]

I'd say i'd be willing to spend 5k over a period of time. (few months) I would eventually like to do this professionally.

i understand about the heavy camera. but i've seen people mount a decked out varicam (6x6 matte box, zoom lens, rods, etc..) on a steadicam and the arm seemed to hold up fine. i lifted that varicam and it must of weighed at least 40lbs. most of the weight being the lens.

I'm not sure if i can hold 70lb's continous for an hour. but i will be working out.. that's a guarantee

Thanks!

[Charles King]

Well, then I would say just go for a commercial rig and save yourself the trouble of building. You are going to need a lot of work to get the precision and weight bearing capacity you are asking for. I'm not saying it can't be done but why waste your time if you want to to do this for a living.

Btw, there is a french guy who uses his homebuilt system with 16 and 35 mm cameras. He's been doing it for many years and it seems to work well. His rig is on HBS website. Check it out.

I also know Andreas system is capable of flying film cameras. The point is it's going to take time and naturally money especially at the cost of some professional workshop time. All I'm saying is, it you are willin gto spend the time and money, if it's not an issue then go ahead and build yourself a system. At least you will or can determine the outcome exactly how you want it to be.

[Jake Danilchik]

Hey Wing,

Since we live in the same city and I am near to completing Cody's arm v2 we can get together so you can check it out in person.  It might help you make up your mind.   I am nearly done with the vest and just need to make the spring plugs, cables, and pulleys so it should be ready to make its first flight in the next two - three weeks.     If you are interested just let me know.

Jake

[Wing Gee]

Yeah, i figure i really have about 2-2.5 years or so, before i can actually buy a commercial rig. I am really itching to build something. I could lower my standards a bit on the weight of the camera, to say 20lbs. I think that's a reasonable weight to aim for. That way, most of everything is available. plans for the arm, gimbal group buy, socketblocks.

Jake,
I can't remember if we had exchanged emails or not, but i would love to see it in person. Now that i have a reference of what the 3a arm is like, I can see how well this stacks up to it.

Thanks everyone for the support and motivation. It's just weird that i've actually hit a point in my life where i have to make these decisions. couple years ago, i would have never thought i would get this far into making films. now we have our own warehouse that we live/work in and hold all our film making gear.

[Jake Danilchik]

Wing.   Check Your email.

cheers,

Jake