Cartoni metal release plate

Might be a few buyers for this product mcgee, I would be interested to purchase something like this. Alternatively, I am going to have to find a local engineer to do something similar. I am thinking along the lines of replacing the whole top plate of the Focus head, if possible.
 
whoever gets one done PLEASE let us know how much it would be and we'll do a group-build (as supposed to group-buy)... I'm in without even having my tripod here yet! (so long as it isn't a greedy engineer/machinist...)

we should be able to get this machined for next to nothing... I don't mind if it is "heavy" can't be too heavy anyway, not gonna make or break your 22lbs.
 
i just cancelled my order over this thread :(
gotta find another one now
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Well, no reason to be sad about that, except that its going to cost you considerably more for a better head! But you can avoid my frustration. There are so many threads praising this head that its easy to have unrealistic expectations.

I dont want to give the impression that I think the Focus is junk, it isnt. I agree with Christopher that it does have a very nice feel. But with a lens adapter + lens + mattebox I think you will have problems. Not that it wont be "usable". Add a monitor and you will be really be pushing it.

The other issue I have with it is a small amount of backlash, which is worse when the camera isnt weighted down. For most people it wont be an issue (except that it will bother you to know its there), but its something to be aware of before buying it.

A metal plate isnt going to be a 100% fix, but it should be alot better. If someone has easy access to a machine shop and wants to take the initiative to get something made, count me in. It would probably offset some of the cost.
 
phaster said:
A metal plate isnt going to be a 100% fix, but it should be alot better. If someone has easy access to a machine shop and wants to take the initiative to get something made, count me in. It would probably offset some of the cost.
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I believe McGee will be asking his brother over the weekend... hopefully we can set up a little group buy/build with him soon...

So far we have 3-4:
_McGee
_USLatinContent
_phaster
_Christopher Barry, r u in too?
 
I am interested/in.

markwoods had an aluminium one made/powder coated. mcgee considering making one. Just have to make sure it is not a major hassle for the person heading this proposal/manufactuer. The maker could probably sell a heap of these in due course.
 
perhaps an Aluminum allow that doesn't crack... aluminum has a "life" of sorts where you won't break it with stress applied once, but over time it runs out and cracks... but it is lighter, so a mix... there are a ton out there that are easily adquired, engineers know these of the top of their heads... I'll take steel if it is cheap though
 
USLC, did you talk to Mcgee (PM?) to see if his brother would actually make this item for a number of potential parties? If not, I may be able to approach Dennis at Cinevate (Brevis35) to consider getting his CNC guys to make them. I only raise this as I see no dialog in this thread directly with Mcgee. I appreciate receiving your clarification in due course. Thanks.
 
Christopher Barry said:
USLC, did you talk to Mcgee (PM?) to see if his brother would actually make this item for a number of potential parties? If not, I may be able to approach Dennis at Cinevate (Brevis35) to consider getting his CNC guys to make them. I only raise this as I see no dialog in this thread directly with Mcgee. I appreciate receiving your clarification in due course. Thanks.
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I talked to my brother and unfortunately he will not be able to do this as his new 3 axis mill will not be set up for some time.


I'm still interested in buying one, though.
 
Thanks Matt, I'll discuss this further with Dennis (guskersthecat). At some point, we should start a new thread and perhaps try and get numbers of interested buyers. I will send Dennis some photos of the plate tomorrow and arrange to get my 2nd plate over to him to analyse and perhaps get ball park costing in due course. This will all take time from my end, shipping and also Dennis has to make time to organise manufacture with his CNC guys. Let me know your views. Thanks.
 
I'll buy one as long as the price is reasonable. Thanks alot for doing all this leg work! And keep me in the loop.

PJ Gaynard
Renaissance Filmmaker
Los Angeles, CA / All-World
pjg1872@yahoo.com
310-743-2953
 
Thanks for your interest HappyGobo and PJ Gaynard.

Today I sent via air mail my extra Focus Quick Release Plate to Dennis at Cinevate, Canada. I am hoping it will get to Dennis in a week or so. It was not practical to send via postal EMS Courier as the cost was half the price of the plate and I could not send international registered post or with insurance, because there is no available facility between Australia and Canada. If to the US, I would have been fine as the facility is available, however, I just had to wing it regular air mail post. Let's hope it arrives.

I have found Dennis very reasonable with his costs and imo, the quality of his products excellent. If there is some additional cost for the CNC guys to program in the precision cuts, I am willing to cover some of those costs for the initial development. :beer:
 
Interested:

- McGee
- USLatinContent
- phaster
- Christopher Barry
- HappyGobo (future)
- pjg1872

Once we get costs, etc, perhaps start a separate thread listing buyers names, like the Cineporter and P2 card group buy threads.

Anyone interested for now, please express by stating so in this thread and we will compile names from time to time, and this will also give Dennis some indication of potential numbers.
 
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Chris, I just sent an e-mail to Cartoni USA trying to get an acknowledgement of the problem and requesting a free solution. I figured I'd get that out to them ASAP so it can have a chance of going through their offices before Dennis gets back to you. Someone might have done this already, but when I saw that you mailed it I called right away hoping to exhaust the chances there too.
I had a little e-mail ping-pong going first with some adjustment questions I had, and I haven't gotten a reply to the last one with the plate issue and request for solution in it. I guess that means they ae looking into it.
 
That is good USLC. Dennis will not receive my plate for a good week or so (if it makes the journey). Plenty of time to explore the Cartoni view. Thank you for pursuing this avenue.
 
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