Recent content by Jim Feeley

I don't recall the details, but I do recall Sachtler made some changes to the flowtech75 bowl when they brought out the aktiv heads (I have a flowtech75 with an aktiv8 head...five years on it's still fine). I don't recall the changes and can't find details online right now. You can see a...

If you have, what do you think of the company and how they operate? And if you have, could I ask you a quick question offline, like through a message here on dvxuser or via Signal or something? Just trying to get some perspective. Thanks! Jim

Ya, the story I'm getting is that it's all the liability and damages coverage that's driving my rate increase, i.e., stuff in my producer role. At least my insurance didn't increase as much as hard drives and SSDs...

Ya, I was looking at off-brand US$800(ish) tripods to supplement my good Sachtler. and just wasn't feeling it. Maybe those other tripods will stand up, maybe they won't. Nice to be able to buy quality equipment for the same price as questionable equipment. Though again, the reason for the deals...

Let's make that three. I just bought a 75mm bowl carbon Sprinter II tripod with CX 2 head (nice for smaller rigs, my Miller-using friend says). For like $750 including tax and shipping (in US, btw). There are some other perhaps better deals depending on what you need, including 100mm bowl sticks...

Their Sprinter sticks were kinda sorta like Flowtech. Not as sexy, and I only know one guy who has one, though. https://www.millertripods.com/product/sprinter-ii-2-stage-tripod-cf/

As you may have seen on newsshooter.com: "Miller Tripods (officially called Miller Camera Support Equipment), a family business run by Mark and Diane Clementson, is said to be ceasing operations on 30 September 2026. Mark and Diane have decided to retire and shut down the business. From what I...

Looking good and useful. I'm going to download and check this out. Thanks El!

Hey Mark, pretty much same boat here: No claims, "standard" coverage. Same underwriter. I'm about to pay the next quarterly fee. And look around; I like my broker (great for getting out idiosyncratic COIs), but I'd be happy to have good coverage for a lower price. I feel like I'm a pretty low...

There's a lawsuit that fits Peter's thoughts. But who knows. From Polygon: Whole article: https://www.polygon.com/ram-manufacturers-sued-supply-price-fixing/ But as much as these price increases are a drag...and they really really are... I draw a little bit of comfort thinking that compared...

Ya, Athos seems like a good bet and for sure better than Thimble and the like. But I'd also check with your rental house to ask what short-term insurance they accept. And they might be able to make a good recommendation. San Francisco isn't all that big a market (sigh), and the local rental...

Ya, I recall the chatter when Krotos previewed/demoed their video-to-sound plugin at NAB a few months ago. Krotos says it doesn't use generative AI, but uses AI to identify what's in a shot and then find and sync appropriate real-world sfx to the shot. Not sure that's a whole lot better for the...

Huh. I got the notice just before my next quarterly payment... And *maybe it's my liability stuff. I'm on the road; hopefully I'll get some more insight when I'm back home and try to figure out what to do...

Ya, I only saw very small increases over the years...and then I got this letter. It doesn't look like equipment, both owned and rented, is the cost driver here. And I can't take the risk of dropping liability, esp. And I need it for location permits if nothing else.

Not sure this is the right forum, but it's the closest I could find on the home page.... I just got a letter from The Hartford saying the premium for my professional/biz insurance policy (for property/equipment and usual types of liability) will "increase more than 25%" and will also have some...