Sim Store Open

[John DeBoer]

www.Simvideo.com and follow the link at the top of the page.


http://www.reduser.net/forum/uploaded/3448_1203709563.jpg


And I would like to give a great big thank you to the REDUSER network for all the advice, encouragement, and overall great response.

A quicklink to the videos of the system:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=F_NISTOfpjU
http://youtube.com/watch?v=UhG4dfwXfeQ
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Es6qdcoXYeI

And my personal favourite:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_AATbf5J8vE

*Please note that the downconverter pricing and availability will be up next week.

*A new handheld system will be posted asap, along with a new battery solution for the reboot issues, and a really great drive mount that has been developed.

[Andrew Benz]

Hi John, great work all around. When I click on the link I get nothing. When I go to Simvideo.com, the store is not readily evident. Can't wait to see the prices, etc. can't wait to see your new handheld system.

NEVERMIND... the link is at twelve o'clock when the simvideo.com portal opens up. I was going straight to the website.

[Anthony Gratl]

i like the gear, simple and efficient, but unfortunate pricing on a handle, batterymount, and evfholder kit....i was anticipating being a customer, but 2100 bucks seems kinda over the top to me.
i'm all over the breakout box though.

[David Battistella]

but 2100 bucks seems kinda over the top to me.



If you really do the math on this compared to what it replaces PLUS the quality of the goods, it's hard to call it expensive.

It's worth it on functionality alone.

David

[KETCH ROSSi]

You guys certenly have some great stuff, not so creasy about the EVF mount, but love the battery trey and the top mount arm is something that for sure has very good uses, also seems very well build and very strong.


Ciao,

KETCH ROSSI

[David Battistella]

but 2100 bucks seems kinda over the top to me.



If you really do the math on this compared to what it replaces PLUS the quality of the goods, it's hard to call it expensive.

It's worth it on functionality alone.

David

[sparkhope]

i like the gear, simple and efficient, but unfortunate pricing on a handle, batterymount, and evfholder kit....i was anticipating being a customer, but 2100 bucks seems kinda over the top to me.
i'm all over the breakout box though.

agreed. for some reason I though the Canadian dollar was undervalued to the US dollar (.8 to 1) But times have changed the us dollar is less than the cnd dollar...only worsening the blow. 3600 for the kit is a bit pricey. One could get quite a few accessories from the red store for that amount. But I gotta say the handle does look simple and solid. Very nice. Regardless best of luck.

Hey RED team...take a page from SIM's book regarding ergonomics. Modularity is nice but do we really need the handle to be offered in 2 pieces?

[John DeBoer]

We have been using the same style rail system for the F900R, Varicam etc. The great part is its versatility....it can do anything, and can handle the weight of the HUGE viewfinder......

Thanks for the kind words.

[Anthony Gratl]

If you really do the math on this compared to what it replaces PLUS the quality of the goods, it's hard to call it expensive.

It's worth it on functionality alone.

David


If you really do the math on this compared to what it replaces PLUS the quality of the goods, it's hard to call it expensive.

It's worth it on functionality alone.

David

you're really adamant about this huh david?:whistling:

EDIT: it's a relative cost thing, although a handle, a battery mount and 2 evf rods for 2100 bucks is very expensive in my books. Notice sim's comparison is an F900, which is considerably more than a red. As I say, it's a relative cost thing. The whole kit, at around 3600, is about 15-20% of the cost of a simple red outfit, which makes Sim's system roughly two and a half times what red is asking for their similar setup. And the evf weighs 3 pounds, easily held by a noga arm. It's just bulky is all. REEDIT: also, looks like you've only got about 3 inches of horizontal play with the arm setup.
I'm not dissing the gear JBG, you guys just need to lower the price. Far too expensive for what it is. IMHO.
Be interesting to see how element responds....

[Alexander Nikishin]

Agreed....far too expensive for what it is.

Time to go take a junior college metal shop for a month. (Not that I'd be able to build gear similar to yours SIM)

But it would be nice to earn such a pretty penny off of aluminum.

[Jarred Land]

I dont think people really understand how much it costs to machine something.. I know it took me quite awhile till I fully grasped the costs associated.

Great looking stuff John.. that handle test is pretty bad ass.

[David Battistella]

you're really adamant about this huh david?:whistling:


It was an accident, honestly....


I was thinking this way.

red production pack 1250
top handle ext. 175
top rods 110
Top mount 250
universal mount 125
15mm adapter 95
left handle 250
cheese plate 300
Focus hook set 45

this is 2600.00 for a much heavier equivalent that takes a long time to build, unbuild, rebuild, etc.

For about 400 it think it is better value and less hassle than all of these components. Bu that is just my personal humble opinion.

You can spend at once or spend it in pieces. I just want a system that is in place and makes it really easy for me to shoot and leave the camera in a "ready to go" state.

David

[REDefine]

John I can not make out what RED Toe Piece is used for. It is listed on your website.

[Damien Molineaux]

agreed. for some reason I though the Canadian dollar was undervalued to the US dollar (.8 to 1) But times have changed the us dollar is less than the cnd dollar...only worsening the blow. 3600 for the kit is a bit pricey. One could get quite a few accessories from the red store for that amount. But I gotta say the handle does look simple and solid. Very nice. Regardless best of luck.

Hey RED team...take a page from SIM's book regarding ergonomics. Modularity is nice but do we really need the handle to be offered in 2 pieces?

I don't knpw where you're getting your CADs exchanged but you're getting screwed. In my books CAD 2100 = approx. USD 2150

I think this stuff looks good and reasonably priced. My main concern is how far forward can the EVF be placed and can it be attached further away from the camera or on the other side ?

edit, ok oops just watched the video, EVF positioning options are great, but... camera right ?


John I can not make out what RED Toe Piece is used for. It is listed on your website.

It's a base plate !

Watch the videos, everyone !

Cheers,
Damien

[Steven-Marc C.]

It was an accident, honestly....


I was thinking this way.

red production pack 1250
top handle ext. 175
top rods 110
Top mount 250
universal mount 125
15mm adapter 95
left handle 250
cheese plate 300
Focus hook set 45

this is 2600.00 for a much heavier equivalent that takes a long time to build, unbuild, rebuild, etc.

For about 400 it think it is better value and less hassle than all of these components. Bu that is just my personal humble opinion.

You can spend at once or spend it in pieces. I just want a system that is in place and makes it really easy for me to shoot and leave the camera in a "ready to go" state.

David

Your math seems a bit strange since with Sim's system you'd still need to get some kind of handheld system, rods, battery plate, dovetail plate and red drive cradle. The difference in price is more than just $400.
But I like Sim's system nonetheless. John, could you add some info about the weight of each part?

[Brent J. Craig]

I think this stuff looks good and reasonably priced. My main concern is how far forward can the EVF be placed and can it be attached further away from the camera or on the other side ?

IF this handle is like SIMs F900/Varicam handles, they have made an extra piece that can extend the finder quite a bit forward. They use it when the cameras are in a splash bag. I suspect we could convince JDB to add this piece to their store if there is a demand. Also it is easy to flip their F900 finders to the left, hope this is the same. I will try to have a look at them in the next few days.

As far as pricing, remember that this stuff is machined aircraft aluminum, not cast white metal like other accessories. Aluminum is very light and I think the whole setup probably weighs less than what it replaces.

I have received some flack on Reduser for being the guy always pushing for changes that would make this camera into a rentable, reliable workhorse. SIM has made some excellent progress in that regard!

[Matt Gottshalk]

I dont think people really understand how much it costs to machine something.. I know it took me quite awhile till I fully grasped the costs associated.

Great looking stuff John.. that handle test is pretty bad ass.

Well said.

For the engineering and beefiness of the gear, it looks great and at a great price.

[Vigen Vartanov]

SIModified RED Down Converter i need one , please price for it , and what company is it , AJA or

[David Battistella]

Your math seems a bit strange since with Sim's system you'd still need to get some kind of handheld system, rods, battery plate, dovetail plate and red drive cradle. The difference in price is more than just $400.

Point taken, but you could hold the rods for handheld or add the ARRI style handle or just fashion one handle on a short right rod.

My main point is that it is not as pricy as it seems. I think it is fair. When evolve said it was a percentage of the price of the camera he was talking about a BODY not an up and running RED system that you could shoot with, which is more like 20k without a lens.

David

[sparkhope]

I don't knpw where you're getting your CADs exchanged but you're getting screwed. In my books CAD 2100 = approx. USD 2150


Screwed? Nah...I think you're comparing your apple to my oranges. the 3600 includes the handle, toe piece and the breakout box. With shipping I'm looking closer to 3800 delivered (assuming no import duties)

[Anthony Gratl]

Point taken, but you could hold the rods for handheld or add the ARRI style handle or just fashion one handle on a short right rod.

My main point is that it is not as pricy as it seems. I think it is fair. When evolve said it was a percentage of the price of the camera he was talking about a BODY not an up and running RED system that you could shoot with, which is more like 20k without a lens.

David

Well I was comparing the price of a red camera with basic production pack and setup, as compared to the price of a red camera with Sim Setup. And the percentages are the ones I came up with based on neither system including a lens or tripod or mattebox etc, since those costs are not variable in the equation....

[David Battistella]

Well I was comparing the price of a red camera with basic production pack and setup, as compared to the price of a red camera with Sim Setup. And the percentages are the ones I came up with based on neither system including a lens or tripod or mattebox etc, since those costs are not variable in the equation....

cool.

it's all good. I think this one mostly comes down to preference. I mean, it cost money to get this stuff made and it cost more to have it made HERE. Just look at the jump in the RED NIKON MOUNT from 500 to 800 dollars.

We can only expect to be paying more to get outfitted, not less.

David

[SF Geek]

JDB what's the ETA on the whole handheld setup? Your model is more of what I want in a handheld rig than ET's. Those handgrips and bars look nice. Do they work like the 535's? Can you adjust the width of the handgrips? Also, is there any issue with the shoulder mount bumping into the back of the camera when you try to slide the handheld rig forward? Does the plate slide into a standard dovetail or do we need the Toe piece thing?

[Tim Fassnacht]

Red Peeps,

This system is really incredible. Compared to some of the other support solutions out there that I have had the pleasure to test, this on is by far the most robust. The handle is rock solid and the EVF mount is absolutely one of a kind!

Come down to Sim Video Los Angeles on Cahuenga in Hollywood if you''re in the southland to see for yourself. It'll be worth it, promise.

Tim Fassnacht
Workflow Wizard Guy
Sim Video Los Angeles, Inc.

[Paris Remillard]

I have a question. If the toe piece works with Arri dovetails, and the handheld bracket is made to work in the toe piece, then why wouldn't the handheld bracket work with other plates that accept Arri dovetails? It says in the description that the bracket only works with the Sim toe piece.

[Jay A. Kelley]

I think this is very well made and quite impressive.

However the design of this top handle takes over all my potential mounting points that were available before I put it on. I would have preferred that this be designed with the RED top mount in mind so that we could have the handle AND also keep our rods and additional mounting points.

Also, $2,100 is too much FOR ME. I am not saying the product costs too much. I would have liked someone to design the EVF bracket without requireing me to purchase a lot of additional hardware that I do not currently need. This system really highlites the advantages of RED's Modular design, as we can see all the choices we must give up to have Sim's product.

This letter sounds quite negative.. Ouch.. I think the workmanship and attention to detail in this product are FIRST RATE, but I fear the company will leave a lot of money on the table by adopting a "buy all or nothing" approach.

Create a mount for your EVF that can get onto our existing top mount, then charge $500 or so for it, and you will get a lot more customers. Trust me.
:)

Jay

[Jay A. Kelley]

Please, create a plate that will go over the ENTIRE right side of the camera and replace ALL the mounts with industry standard hardware... We're waiting for this in a big way!

Jay

[John DeBoer]

This letter sounds quite negative.. Ouch.. I think the workmanship and attention to detail in this product are FIRST RATE, but I fear the company will leave a lot of money on the table by adopting a "buy all or nothing" approach.

Create a mount for your EVF that can get onto our existing top mount, then charge $500 or so for it, and you will get a lot more customers. Trust me.
:)

Jay

Jay,

We are listening. The primary reason we built this system is the handheld/eng/efp options. It is light....weights will be up shortly, and you will be suprised. The viewfinder can mount almost anywhere. We can look into another option. (options are good....)


A note to everyone:

The reason we made a different bottom mount is we really needed to lower the center of gravity on the camera. The other available mounts all raise the camera another 1/2 inch or so....and this is alot in a camera that weights this much. Every millimeter lower makes the camera more useable.

Its hard to show ergonomics on a camera like this. We will take more pics on Monday, and show how well it balances. There will be a pad included with the hand held bracket, but it will not come attached....it will be your choice to glue it on or not, as alot of operators have their own "special" mounts.


We hope to be at NAB and Cinegear, but we will keep you notified to what we are planning as we get closer. My head designer (Mike Atkins) is going to NAB, so feel free to give him ideas.....

[John DeBoer]

Please, create a plate that will go over the ENTIRE right side of the camera and replace ALL the mounts with industry standard hardware... We're waiting for this in a big way!

Jay

Coming......

[John DeBoer]

I have a question. If the toe piece works with Arri dovetails, and the handheld bracket is made to work in the toe piece, then why wouldn't the handheld bracket work with other plates that accept Arri dovetails? It says in the description that the bracket only works with the Sim toe piece.

It probably will not work....it would fit the dovetail on the front, but because we wanted to lower the center of gravity, the two pieces match...ie, the shoulder mount has cutouts in it that match the Toe Piece. This also allows the balance point to move forward, allowing the camera to balance.

Hand held rigs require three things: perfect balance, low center of gravity, and the least amount of weight possible. The perfect match is a camera that balances on your shoulder without hands, (please do not try this at home...lol) and is light enough to carry for 3-4 hours.

[John DeBoer]

JDB what's the ETA on the whole handheld setup? Your model is more of what I want in a handheld rig than ET's. Those handgrips and bars look nice. Do they work like the 535's? Can you adjust the width of the handgrips? Also, is there any issue with the shoulder mount bumping into the back of the camera when you try to slide the handheld rig forward? Does the plate slide into a standard dovetail or do we need the Toe piece thing?

The toe peice is required.....it is actually a dovetail mount, but has cutouts to allow the shoulder mount to come as far forward, and remain as high as possible.

If you put a dovetail across the bottom of the camera, you raise the camera by 1/2 inch, and I already feel the camera is top heavy. Every mm helps.


ETA.....my hope, in the next 2 weeks.

[Jay A. Kelley]

Coming......

Thank you for your reply.. I will keep a close eye on your company, there's a lot of wonderful potential here to be sure.
Jay

[Brent J. Craig]

I went to SIM in Toronto today and checked out their accessories. All I can say is they are completely worth the money. They are the best engineered, best made and most rugged Red accessories I have seen.

With the camera on an Oconnor 2575, I grabbed the top handle and tried to make the camera move or flex on the head. It didn't move at all. This is a rock solid setup. People who are used to plastic HD camera bodies will be shocked. Because of the solid one-piece handle, and the fact it mounts to the camera with 4 points I would say this is the most rigid handle setup I have seen on any camera, film or video. Motion control and VFX people are going to love this setup.

No one has mentioned it yet, but the SIM accessories make use of the existing screw holes in the camera. You don't have to modify anything and you can restore the camera to factory condition at any time (but you won't want to).

The handle has a nice flat top, so you could use it to undersling the camera qiute successfully. It also has a tape measure hook in the proper spot.

The viewfinder mount is included with the top handle and it is also very well thought out. It locks very solidly and can be adjusted to move the finder forward and back about 18 inches. It is easily removable in case you are not one of the 20 people who have received finders.

The included battery mount allows you to swing the battery way up out of the way and locks securely without tools. It is easily removable to allow for different options, such as the rumoured drive cage.

The toe plate is solid and simple and locks securely. It fits standard arri dovetails. It appears that the design of the locking mechanism will fix the common problem of Arri-type plates not always locking on third-party dovetails.

How good is this stuff? The reduser member I took with me bought two complete sets of handles, toe plates, and breakout boxes and he doesn't even have his camera yet.

My only complaints about the gear were cosmetic - specifically the colors. The pieces look great and are well made with clean edges and nice rounding where needed, but in these early prototypes all the knobs and locks are pimped out in shiny silver, red or blue. In my opinion, anything that is visible from the front of the camera needs to be black or else it will reflect in stuff. We already jump through hoops to keep from reflecting in the cars and products we shoot and 'pimp my ride' camera accessories won't help.

The other cosmetic thing is even more minor - the breakout box is anodized black. Since it is so closely mated to the camera it would be nice if it was the same dark-grey powdercoat as the actual camera body so it didn't look like an afterthought.

Hopefully our input here will convince SIM of the need for a super breakout box that includes proper XLRs for audio and BNCs for timecode in and out. I wonder if it would be possible to include record level pots in such an arrangement so the sound guys would have a fighting chance?

All in all, great work from the guys at SIM. These will be the premium Red accessories and people won't regret buying them.

[David Battistella]

All in all, great work from the guys at SIM. These will be the premium Red accessories and people won't regret buying them.

Totally accurate!

David

[Chris Parker]

Yep. What Crewpix said. I was there. Bought 2 of everything they currently have. For cameras that aren't here (yet). This setup is solid. I love Element Technica's stuff too, but I certainly won't regret buying these SIM parts. The RED looks pimped with them.

I agree with crepix. I would actually prefer if SIM made my order without all the different colours, and went with all black. But only if I can still get it as quick. I am dying to get my hands on these.

Oh yeah....the handheld system. Also kicks ass. Design isn't quite done....but looking good. Great work SIM.

T-dot in da house.

[Stacey Spears]

It all looks great!

Since there does not appear to be away to mount top rails with the Sim Red Handle, how would one use the View Factor Inclino digital follow focus? I am not sure if the Inclino can be mounted on the bottom rails, like a traditional follow focus.

[John DeBoer]

It all looks great!

Since there does not appear to be away to mount top rails with the Sim Red Handle, how would one use the View Factor Inclino digital follow focus? I am not sure if the Inclino can be mounted on the bottom rails, like a traditional follow focus.

Hi Stacey:

We will have a top rail mount system that can easily be removed...it will be an option.

[Dylan Macleod, CSC]

All I can say is...

"Sim, will you pimp my RED?"

Nice work. I'll be dropping by... when I get my camera!

Dylan Macleod
Cinematographer
Toronto, Canada
www.dylanmacleod.com

[Brent J. Craig]

I am not sure if the Inclino can be mounted on the bottom rails, like a traditional follow focus.

Wow. I hope it would be. I can't think of any reason why it couldn't!

[Nils Ruinet]

John,
I'm getting more and more interested in your system.
I can't wait to see what you come up with regarding the Red drive craddle, and the leightweight handheld system.

A few more questions :
- in a previous post, you said the downconverter was also able to output a PAL signal, but on the store it only says NTSC. Which one is it ?
- do we still have access to the HDMI output with the breakoutbox / downconverter ?
- Your battery mount looks fine, but will there be a way to attach it on the lower part of the camera to lower the center of gravity (especially for handheld work) ?

Oh, and will you lower the price if we take the whole package ?:whistling:

Thanks,
Nils.

[Jason Wingrove]

Quality of finish looks great, lots of adjustment and the quick change from tripod to shouldrmount all looks very nice and arri,

although i agree on the need for all black anodising and a simple breakout box with at least one fullsize XLR in would be very popular im sure.

Also what eyepeice leveler are you using with your VF extension?
ta
j

[John DeBoer]

Also what eyepeice leveler are you using with your VF extension?
ta
j

Arri EL system......most people already own them with their heads....