DVX 100 - Stedicam Flyer - Letus question

[Eatsnax]

Hey guys this is my first time posting. Ive been filming with the DVX for a few years and now want to spend some cash in upgrading it. I plan on buying a 35mm adapter, either letus, brevis, or m2. Im still deciding.

If I get the Stedicam Flyer or Flyer 24. Will I have any problems getting it to balance with an adapter hooked up to the camera?

Does anyone have any experience with the Flyer series and can possibly give me some advice if it would work fine with my DVX-100a and an adapter?

I'm looking for an adapter that would be good for run and gun style shooting. Of cause I would want one with less light loss. But I'd rather go for portability then light issues.

Any advice would be great

Thanks

[THX-1138]

I'd go with a Letus 35 Flip and indi Rails

Whatever you do, spend some extra cash on some fast lenses for indoor... 50mm f1:2 should be fine.

I'm suggesting the letus because of the flip feature and compact design that lends itself to run and gun work.

Others will work fine that just my 2 cents.

[Eric Piccoli]

Brevis is the one that have the least loss of light. It also doesn't rails since it's not heavy. But you'll need a monitor that you'll have to flip or you can buy a varizoom monitor that offers the flipping image.

[mikkowilson]

The Steadicam Flyer monitor can flip the image (all Steadicam monitors can, and the monitor mounts in themselves are reversable for low-mode).

Be sure to budget for a wireless radio-remote follow-focus system too. You will need it for your assistant to control focus. Look to spend about $4k for a decent one-channel system (focus only), you will need a 2nd channel (another $4k) if you plan to do iris pulls.


You will find 35mm (even by way of an adapter) and Steadicam are a long way from "Run 'n gun".


- Mikko

[PaPa]

i believe the brevis is coming out with a flip unit that is modular and can be used with a variety of adapters. should be out sometime in the near future.

[Eatsnax]

Wow thanks a lot guys a lot of good info I got there. Mikko thanks also for the info on the follow focus. I will look into that. SO Mikko do you think the Breavis or Letus? I think Im gonna start my purchase soon. I just hope I make the right decision.

$4000 for a follow focus alone. I swore I saw one the other day that works with the Dvx for under 200. I'll see if I can find it.

[mikkowilson]

Aah, but a $200 follow focus is a mechanical one - that won't work on a Steadicam.

Because you can't touch the lens during a Steadicam shot, you need a radio controlled system. Radios and motors with enough precision to be used to pull focus don't come cheap. Hence the starting price tag of just under $4k for a BFD (http://www.bartechengineering.com/) and motor.

- Mikko

[Eatsnax]

Wow, Mikko you making me feel as if a stedicam is no longer worth it without a remote follow focus. Is that true? I've never seen a stedicam, ever. Sol I dont know much about them. Would it be possiable to use a stedicam effectivly without pulling focus? I'm sure you could but you'd be limited to shots where the main object of focus would have to be within the focus range all threw the entire movement.

Wow, I'm stunned.

Well I do have another question. Ive been looking at the M2 adapter. I like the fact that it has a the ability to use older lenses which makes it cheaper. But from looking at it it looks a little bulky. Would I have to be carefull with the shape of an adapter or just its weight if I want it to work with the Flyer?

Another question is the Stedicam Flyer hard to balance? I remeber trying to balance a glidecam 2000 and that thing made me feel worthless. I could not ever get that thing balanced. I heard from a few peolple that that is just how the Glidecam is. Are stedicams that difficult to balance?

I appreciate your input, it's really helping me along.:dankk2:

[Dennis Wood]

There are conditions under which you can use a stablilizer without pulling focus. By using a wider angle lens, and dialing in f4 to f8 or so, your effective DOF would be fairly deep. The trick would then be maintaining distance from your subject so they remain in focus. An example would be walking beside someone. If you set focus and then practice maintaining a fairly consistent spacing, the shot would work. If you need to vary distance then that wireless system Mikko refers to (we've got a remote wired system coming) would be a necessity.

I've personally mounted the Brevis on a stabilized rig with with the GS400, XH-A1, and the HV20. The Brevis with our 72mm HD achromat and Nikon 28mm f2.8 lens would add about 700 grams (~1.4 pounds) to your rig. Rails would not be required.

[mikkowilson]

Oh Steadicam with a deep DOF works great! - But trying to do shallow DOF work - such as with a 35mm adapter - with Steadicam without wireless FF, becomes really restricting really quickly. You can do it for some very specific shots, but as a general case, it really isn't worth it.

Radio FF is prety much standard fare in a profesional Steadicam operator's kit. Most professional ACs have radio FF either in their kit, or quickly available, too.

And Steadicam operating is a peice of cake compared to the AC's job when pulling focus for Steadicam, especially if it's a less planned shot.


The shape of objects on a Steadicam does not matter (within reason) near as much as the weight. Balance only cares how much something weighs (and where it's center of mass is), not so much what shape it is.

Yes the Steadicams are easier to balance than Glidecams - one of the things Glidecam does to cut cost is to take out most of the parts that make adjusting easy, and replaces them with simple (cheaper) rudimentary adjustments that do the job, but not as elequently and easily as Steadicam.

- Mikko

[Dennis Wood]

A wireless focus puller on steadicam...that has got to be a focussing ballet.

[Eatsnax]

Oh Steadicam with a deep DOF works great! - But trying to do shallow DOF work - such as with a 35mm adapter - with Steadicam without wireless FF, becomes really restricting really quickly. You can do it for some very specific shots, but as a general case, it really isn't worth it.

Radio FF is prety much standard fare in a profesional Steadicam operator's kit. Most professional ACs have radio FF either in their kit, or quickly available, too.

And Steadicam operating is a peice of cake compared to the AC's job when pulling focus for Steadicam, especially if it's a less planned shot.


The shape of objects on a Steadicam does not matter (within reason) near as much as the weight. Balance only cares how much something weighs (and where it's center of mass is), not so much what shape it is.

Yes the Steadicams are easier to balance than Glidecams - one of the things Glidecam does to cut cost is to take out most of the parts that make adjusting easy, and replaces them with simple (cheaper) rudimentary adjustments that do the job, but not as elequently and easily as Steadicam.

- Mikko


Thanks a lot Mikko! Youve been a great great help. Im sure myself and those that read this will benifit a lot. Hope all is well. Take care.

[David George Ellis]

Hey Eat,

This may be late in posting, but if you know you'll be working on a job w/ Steadicam, and don't have the upfront scratch for a remote FF, you can always sub-rent one from a house. At least you know you'll have the confidence to walk onto set not having to worry about maintaining focus all day w/ a hyper distance.

Depending on where you live, there may be an operator in your area who has the day off and might be willing to rent one to you for the day(s) you need Steadicam. If you like, contact me (or Mikko, he's invaluable) and I (we) may be able to help you locate one.

But when you're ready, buy a Bartech Focus Device. I own one. Someday two. Damn near bulletproof! And Jim Bartell is a gem of a man... Good luck

ONE

FYI: Make sure to weigh everything out. Don't forget, as awesome as the Tiffen Flyer is, I believe it has a weight allowance of @ 15lbs

[Eatsnax]

Hey Eat,

This may be late in posting, but if you know you'll be working on a job w/ Steadicam, and don't have the upfront scratch for a remote FF, you can always sub-rent one from a house. At least you know you'll have the confidence to walk onto set not having to worry about maintaining focus all day w/ a hyper distance.

Depending on where you live, there may be an operator in your area who has the day off and might be willing to rent one to you for the day(s) you need Steadicam. If you like, contact me (or Mikko, he's invaluable) and I (we) may be able to help you locate one.

But when you're ready, buy a Bartech Focus Device. I own one. Someday two. Damn near bulletproof! And Jim Bartell is a gem of a man... Good luck

ONE

FYI: Make sure to weigh everything out. Don't forget, as awesome as the Tiffen Flyer is, I believe it has a weight allowance of @ 15lbs


Kick ass man. Great info. 15lbs is right which is why I think Brevis is the one. I can't wait to crank out some films me and my crew are talented in making up and writting ideas but we need to step up the production a notch. check out our site www.seeourfilms.com. A lot of the stuff on there is from 2004. So we are primed and ready to make some bigger jumps in terms of production.

Do you own an adapter?

And what do you think of it?

[David George Ellis]

Eat,

I just saw the one w/ the bio-ninja love story, f'ing hilarious!!! MUST HAVE NINJAS!!! Have it bookmarked. I don't know too much about adaptors, nor do I own one unfortunately. Have you considered using filters?

That way, you take the "video-looking" edge off and you don't have to deal too much with a wireless follow focus. May not get you the shallow DOF lenses give you, but of course you know plenty of beautiful shots were created before the rise of static adaptors.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, maximize the camera to its fullest potential, cut costs where you can, and let your future paid jobs pay for the equipment you eventually get. It's apparent you have great ideas in that wonderful head of yours, don't let what the other kids on the block have determine what you need.

Vague enough? Good luck

ONE

[Eatsnax]

Thanks much man. The comments are appreciated. I already ordered a bunch of shizz, Brevis, Multirig and Vidled so far. Excited to post some footage.

Thanks for the help. That film you liked "I cant think of Anything" is a favorite to many.

Me and my friends are writing a stage play called " Everything is Not Okay" it starts July 13th and is a 3 parter. Never made a show that way. Where people have to see all three episodes. Well anyway the Bio- Ninja is coming back for a live performance! And I get to play Saddam Hussien! Woooooo!

Peace!

[Eatsnax]

Hey Mikko,

I have another question? I want to get a LCD Monitor that can be used with my multirig pro. I want something that is going to give me the ability to flip, color correct(to a degree) and use to focus with a DOF adapter.

Im using a DVX 100

Remember when I said that I wanted the Stedicam Flyer? Well my question is do I have to buy the $5000 Tiffen screen that comes with the Flyer? Or can I opt out and buy something like a Marshall.

And if I cant do that can the Tiffen Monitor be attached to the DVX without using the Flyer? Or attacted to the MultiRig?

I'd rather not spend the $5000 on the Tiffen if I dont have to, and get another screen. Just thought what your thoughts were on this.

Thanks

[mikkowilson]

Eatsnax,
Give Tiffen a call and ask them about their monitor options for the Flyer.
The Basic Flyer monitor has a special connector - so it's not interchangeable, but some of the Fleyr versions use calssing BNC & XLR cables - which would work with most monitors.

But call Tiffen and ask them what they recomend.

- Mikko