Jim, do you suggest changing the rig frequently? [Archive]

Nicholaus James

08-11-2007, 06:15 AM

I don't know if it has been gone over. Honestly, the effort to say, "Search the post," would be the same energy to just give an answer.

Would we be wearing out the threads or screws by changing the rig's configuration over and over and over? (i.e. viewfinder on camera/off camera, LCD on/off, full cage, bare bones, etc. etc.)
This is one of those little issues that can make a big problem.

I have Canon's XH-A1 now that I'm shooting an indie with and we have only shot for a couple of weeks and the bottom thread is already stripped from all the rig set-ups we have been doing (i.e. vehicle mounting, steadicam, jib, tripod, shoulder brace)

Yes, I understand the level of quality gap between the two cameras, but screws are screws.

Thanks for taking a minute out of your EXTREMELY BUSY schedule.
Keep up the AMAZING WORK!!!

Jay A. Kelley

08-11-2007, 06:51 AM

Search the post....

Actually, that was a lot easier than typing up an answer.

:)

Jay

PaulClements

08-11-2007, 07:07 AM

Actually details about the threads and screws has been fairly scarce. I'm sure they'll do everything possible to make them suitable to constantly swapping in and out though. Afterall you can't transport the camera as a setup rig so dismantling it and putting it back will be a fairly regular thing it'd be a something of an oversight if it hasn't been considered - which I reckon is unlikely.

Stephen Williams

08-11-2007, 07:41 AM

Hi,

I am sure all threads will be helicoiled, this is a professional cinema camera not a prosumer throw away item.

Stephen

JohnF

08-11-2007, 10:53 AM

And if you are really worried you could get an engineer to knock up a plate that would fix to your camera (the Canon) and you attach your rigs to that. (but spread the load)

As mentioned this is a professional camera designed for heavy workloads not a prosumer camera. So it should take the kind of stresses and strains that careful but heavy work can throw at it.

Afterall you can't transport the camera as a setup rig ...

It's funny you should mention that Paul as I've just been measuring my one of my LowePro rucksacks and, depending on what lens one might be running and the extent of the rig, a RED might just be able to fit as an almost completely configured camera. (ie minus battery and RED drive- sitting in outer pockets)

JohnF

Stephen Williams

08-11-2007, 10:55 AM

Hi John,

I would avoid transporting the camera with the lens attached.

Stephen

And if you are really worried you could get an engineer to knock up a plate that would fix to your camera (the Canon) and you attach your rigs to that. (but spread the load)

As mentioned this is a professional camera designed for heavy workloads not a prosumer camera. So it should take the kind of stresses and strains that careful but heavy work can throw at it.

It's funny you should mention that Paul as I've just been measuring my one of my LowePro rucksacks and, depending on what lens one might be running and the extent of the rig, a RED might just be able to fit as an almost completely configured camera. (ie minus battery and RED - sitting in outer pockets)

JohnF

JohnF

08-11-2007, 11:10 AM

Keith Alan Morris

08-11-2007, 02:24 PM

Stephen Williams

08-11-2007, 03:12 PM

Thanks Stephen,

I was only thinking of lightweight lenses (ie SLR lenses) and then only whilst shooting doc's and or other EFP type work.

Were you getting at the weight of the rig pulling the mount or lens out of line? Or is there something else I should worry about!?!

JohnF

Hi,

Still lenses due to their small size & low weight are probably O.K. If a camera fitted with a film style lens is dropped 1 m whilst in a flight case, the stresses on the mount are enormous. This would certainly screw up collimation.

Stephen

PaulClements

08-11-2007, 04:44 PM

I think we're going to have to nickname you "The Collimator" ala "The Terminator" Stephen :)

Joking aside I totally agree with you. The lens mount is one of the parts you must most respect about the camera. I'd rather destroy a few screws than knacker that!

I also agree with Stephen that the threads will probably be helicoiled, it's been asked a couple of times before with no definitive response though.

JohnF

08-12-2007, 05:28 AM

You are both totally right!

My thinking was about lightweight lenses only!

With the heavy weight of film lenses I wouldn't dream of transporting them attached.

Though I am curious as to how much weight a mount can handle as many wildlife shooters move around carrying configured cameras sometimes set up on a jeep driving over rough terrain (the bouncing alone would put tremendous loads on the mount) or carrying camera over their shoulder on tripod with lens attached !

Would this be because they are often shooting with 16/S16 lenses which are light enough or are they risking it 'cos that's what the shoot demands?

JohnF

Stephen Williams

08-12-2007, 05:45 AM

You are both totally right!

Though I am curious as to how much weight a mount can handle as many wildlife shooters move around carrying configured cameras sometimes set up on a jeep driving over rough terrain (the bouncing alone would put tremendous loads on the mount) or carrying camera over their shoulder on tripod with lens attached !

Would this be because they are often shooting with 16/S16 lenses which are light enough or are they risking it 'cos that's what the shoot demands?

JohnF

Hi John,

They are eye focusing, using longer lenses and probably slightly stopped down. Eye focusing will always put the focus where you see it.(assuming there is no problem with the GG on a film camera)

Wide angle lenses, wide open require the most accuracy in Depth Of focus.

Stephen

planet e

08-12-2007, 06:05 AM

I have Canon's XH-A1 now that I'm shooting an indie with and we have only shot for a couple of weeks and the bottom thread is already stripped from all the rig set-ups we have been doing (i.e. vehicle mounting, steadicam, jib, tripod, shoulder brace)

this just doesn't seem right. i have a pair of A1s that i abuse. they've been sticky-podded, bike mounted, pickup-bed-mounted, in the desert, under water, mounted up down and sideways, unmounted and re-mounted, dragged up mountains, slogged through the desert. craned, tripodded, monopodded, braced. and the bottom threads have held up fine. for a lot longer than "a couple of weeks."

maybe it is an issue with who is handling your camera. and how it is being handled. i'd look into that before i'd put RED in those hands....

Scott Webster

08-12-2007, 06:14 PM

this just doesn't seem right. i have a pair of A1s that i abuse. they've been sticky-podded, bike mounted, pickup-bed-mounted, in the desert, under water, mounted up down and sideways, unmounted and re-mounted, dragged up mountains, slogged through the desert. craned, tripodded, monopodded, braced. and the bottom threads have held up fine. for a lot longer than "a couple of weeks."

maybe it is an issue with who is handling your camera. and how it is being handled. i'd look into that before i'd put RED in those hands....

It's quite common with handycams. People move the camera still attached to the tripod, using the camera handle only and the weight of the tripod strips out the thread.

tj williams

08-12-2007, 10:24 PM

I also think Stephen is right helicoils for sure on the rod mounting points and 3/8 16 tripod mount threads. I did a doc shoot on a Sony Z1U camera and the whole bottom fell off it was all hooked to a little spiderweb of cast pot metal, major repair and only a 1/4 20 thread at that. couldn't believe the tiny bump that brought into pieces. For doc work probably a good idea to use the rods and a std lens support, to reinforce the lense/mount when carrying in rucksack etc.

laguun

08-12-2007, 10:48 PM

...to reinforce the lense/mount when carrying in rucksack etc...

sorry, offtopic, but you guys on that other continent use the word *rucksack*?

Stephen Williams

08-13-2007, 12:59 AM

sorry, offtopic, but you guys on that other continent use the word *rucksack*?

Hi,

It's used in England too!

Stephen

laguun

08-13-2007, 01:18 AM

Hi,

It's used in England too!

Stephen

funny... we had a hilarious situation once because of german words in englishspeaking nations...

had a training for 2 folks (aussies iirc), and they were very surprised when they discovered that Germany has a "Ministry of Gesundheit"... they said that this seemed a little bit overregulated to them...

Manolo S. Navazo

08-13-2007, 01:21 AM

hey laguun,
whats about your RED "rucksack" you just got something for the transportation or do you prefer a case?
greetings manolo

laguun

08-13-2007, 01:31 AM

hey laguun,
whats about your RED "rucksack" you just got something for the transportation or do you prefer a case?
greetings manolo

hmm, as ironic it is, we will actually offer modified SONY transport cases
http://www.communitekvideo.com/images/LC200THRoadCase.jpg
along with portabraces, once they have red-custom sized ones.

p.s.
just saw you are from berlin - if you want to visit us, just drop me a pm.

Manolo S. Navazo

08-15-2007, 03:18 AM

p.s.
just saw you are from berlin - if you want to visit us, just drop me a pm.[/QUOTE]

hm, perhaps you don't remember me, i just was at your company 11 hours talkin with you and havin fun, after that i could remember only by tumbeling at home as an old irish vine drunkin man