ActionCam group-buyers

[Brian D. Goff]

There will be some new features coming with your ActionCam:

-A special bracket, so you can mount your RED lcd closer to the cmera and can use your EXSITING lcd cable. So you don't need any other cables than the ones you have anyway!

-The pwr extension cable is now a spiral cord, giving you the opportunity to fully extend the RED edition with your 19mm rods, just about the same telescoping range like our bigger model the zero-g.

-More to come....:devil:

[Alexander Christ]

...and it get's even better ;-)

[Jim Hoffman]

Sweet! - Thanks Brian. I'm excited to see whats next.

[Stephen Pruitt]

This does sound good. . . looks like we group buyers were in the know this time around.

:-)

Stephen

[Brian D. Goff]

The RED-edition ActionCam will fully support Element Technica’s Arri / O'Connor 1030 - style bridge plates

A big thanks to Element for supporting me to enable this feature.

[Tonaci Tran]

The revised actioncam is going to be so badass.

[Ben Goldenberg]

I am a total noobie, and a few years ago I shelled out 2000 dollars for something called a magiqcam. I practiced with it for dozens of hours, and all I could get was a few seconds of decent footage. Am I just a complete bonehead or was the system I bought a total joke? I was only using a dvx100. I always hear that you need to practice with a rig, but if I shell out 10 grand I expect that I should be able to figure it out relatively quickly. I would like to know that if I picked one up would I instantly notice a steadier shot, or do you really need to practice for months???

[Jaron Berman]

There are guys who have been doing it for 20+ years, and most of them would admit to needing some practice here and there. Getting "acceptable" shots on a production of any kind of quality will likely take a year of daily practice if not more. The better you get, the more flaws you see in your work, and that's just referring to the cut-and-dry technical aspect of operating. There is, as it turns out, a lot more to stabilizers than getting them to balance. Not to discourage, but the majority of new users who buy first and learn second set themselves up for a lot of frustration, poor habits, and likely damage to their bodies. Regardless of brand, if you're looking to get into a stabilizer system, be it a $14 homemade or $120,000 custom setup, the best investment you could ever make would be a workshop. There are workshops from a lot of places all over the world, so finding one in a place and schedule that works is a lot easier now than ever before. I have nothing to gain or lose by anyone attending a workshop, just speaking from experience - a workshop (or three) is absolutely the best possible investment you could ever make if you think you want to journey down the path of Steadicam. Spending the $500 or $2500 for a workshop is absolutely the best way to learn exactly what a stabilizer can and cannot do - very helpful if you ever plan a Steadicam shot or hire a Steadicam op to perform a shot for your production. Also, you can save a lot of headaches by learning what stabilizer features are most important to the style that you operate, and get hands on with a lot of different types and brands of rigs and accessories to help you make a better purchase decision should you choose to go down that road.

[Jeff Kilgroe]

I practiced with it for dozens of hours, and all I could get was a few seconds of decent footage. Am I just a complete bonehead or was the system I bought a total joke?

Like Jaron said, it takes practice and perhaps a workshop or two would help. I equate operating a steadicam to an activity like ice skating. I play ice hockey, so that could be my reasoning there. But you don't just throw on some skates and jump on the ice if you have never done it before... It takes practice, it takes patience... Once you get pretty good at it, you have to keep doing it every so often or you'll "lose it". Haven't done it in a while? Chances are you'll have to jump in and do it for a time or two until you feel like you're as good as you used to be...

I consider myself a mediocre steadicam operator. Perhaps it's because I haven't practiced enough, but I know it's also because I've never owned my own rig. I've always borrowed or rented a rig and tried to stick with the same model and setup whenever possible. I can usually get decent results, but I have never been confident enough with my abilities to hire myself out as a steadicam operator. That's my perfectionist nature too... I've been seriously considering the purchase of a steadicam rig for a while now... And then I attended LART and saw Brian's ActionCam up close. And Brian is a great guy - I was sold. I'm hoping my purchase of the ActionCam will give me the opportunity to improve my operating skills and perhaps begin offering it as part of my services. It will give me my own gear to get comfortable with, which is a huge step in becoming a reliable steadicam operator. More operating and practice time, and always with the same gear.

[Jim Hoffman]

Haven't heard about payment or price for shipping yet. Any news?

[Alexander Christ]

I got my invoice at 01-08-2008, perhaps yours was catched from your spam-box. Brian's post: http://www.reduser.net/forum/showpost.php?p=140191&postcount=66

[Costelloe Michael]

Have I missd the boat on this group buy?

Mike C

[Brian D. Goff]

Haven't heard about payment or price for shipping yet. Any news?

Hoffman, we sent you the invoice on the 8 january - probably landed in your spam:wacko:
To be sure that we dont have a wrong email-adress - can you send us a short note to info@actionproducts.ch? We will send the invoice then again. Sorry for this. Your unit is of course reserved.

[Brian D. Goff]

Have I missd the boat on this group buy?

Mike C

please contact us at: info@actionproducts.ch

[JBeattie]

for anyone who has made an order with Brian, I'd like to give you a tip or 2 to help with recieving your items. My unit (full sized zero-g with 360xtreme) shipped out on 2/4/08 from Switzerland. I'm in New York. It was recieved at JFK on 2/5/08 and has been held there since. The company which handles the shipments once handed off from the Swiss Post is TNT (www.tnt.com) who will arrange DHL pickup and delivery.

My system has been held in customs and I only today have recieved answers to inquaries I started on 2/7/08 as to why. First thing they wanted was a further explination as to what the gear is. Usually customs wants an itemized invoice, the one Brian attached basically said body mounted tripod with nec acc. I guess the guys at JFK may have thought it to be a weapons system, who knows. Other customs processers may except what was on it but not the guys at JFK.

So just have Brian give alittle more info as to what the pieces are. Brian was very good about some otherthings on the invoice. Customs also wanted a SS# or TIN for an individual purchasing the goods. Otherwise if its a business they wanted the TIN and some sort of Power of Attereny. I'm not telling you to give Brian your SS#, but know that before your get your gear you will need to give it to customs.

I've faxed the info they asked for over today. Hopefully they like the answers i've sent and they send the unit out today or tommorrow to DHL.

[Brian D. Goff]

for anyone who has made an order with Brian, I'd like to give you a tip or 2 to help with recieving your items. My unit (full sized zero-g with 360xtreme) shipped out on 2/4/08 from Switzerland. I'm in New York. It was recieved at JFK on 2/5/08 and has been held there since. The company which handles the shipments once handed off from the Swiss Post is TNT (www.tnt.com) who will arrange DHL pickup and delivery.

My system has been held in customs and I only today have recieved answers to inquaries I started on 2/7/08 as to why. First thing they wanted was a further explination as to what the gear is. Usually customs wants an itemized invoice, the one Brian attached basically said body mounted tripod with nec acc. I guess the guys at JFK may have thought it to be a weapons system, who knows. Other customs processers may except what was on it but not the guys at JFK.

So just have Brian give alittle more info as to what the pieces are. Brian was very good about some otherthings on the invoice. Customs also wanted a SS# or TIN for an individual purchasing the goods. Otherwise if its a business they wanted the TIN and some sort of Power of Attereny. I'm not telling you to give Brian your SS#, but know that before your get your gear you will need to give it to customs.

I've faxed the info they asked for over today. Hopefully they like the answers i've sent and they send the unit out today or tommorrow to DHL.

That sucks - very sorry customs is giving you problems. The "simplified" invoice actually was recommended from customs themselves - ten years ago we had hell getting equipment to any county because the invoice was detailed! After talking to a government customs agent, he recommended to "simplify" the invoice to a more general description of the goods. That works nearly 99% of the time for years now - let me know if customs needs anything else.

[Tico Llaurador]

In my case, I asked Carmen (at Action Products) to have my gear shipped directly via FEDEX International, using my personal FEDEX account. Luckily, FEDEX has all my required customs info on file, so hopefully it should be released quickly without much ado.

"Hopefully" being the key operative word. Knock on wood.

Guess I'll find out soon enough!

:biggrin:

[JBeattie]

That sucks - very sorry customs is giving you problems. The "simplified" invoice actually was recommended from customs themselves - ten years ago we had hell getting equipment to any county because the invoice was detailed! After talking to a government customs agent, he recommended to "simplify" the invoice to a more general description of the goods. That works nearly 99% of the time for years now - let me know if customs needs anything else.

No worries Brian, I know its not you. Its me, I just don't think anything has gone "as it should" for me. Thats life, hopefully they release it today or tommorrow. I think i may sleep holding the sled the first few nights.