AF100 Wood Handles finally off to the Anodizer

olof

olof

DVXuser Sponsor
Thanks to all my Beta testers for their patience. It took a long time to figure out the switch including the coiling of the cable.

And I had a few redesigns to make the system more rugged.

I now have a 15 mm rail system mount as well.

Here are some photos:

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The photo above is of the first batch just before oiling and anodizing. The aluminum parts will all be Black and the Mahogany will be much darker after a couple coats of oil (Danish Teak Oil).

I will be shipping to my beta testers on Friday.

I should have stock for orders by the end of next week.

The initial pricing is $325.00 for a Mahogany handle either AF100 body mount or 15mm rail mount.

They will also be available in many different woods, like Cherry, Maple, Rosewood, Walnut, Andeman Padouk., and many more.

They will be available on my WEB store next week.
Or you can contact me directly.
olof@westsideav.com
603.383.9283
 
mkfotos.com said:
Any thoughts on combo pricing with your other goodies?
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Sure contact me direct. I am open to suggestions, and I would consider a discount to DVXuser members. Bear in mind that my marketing is really limited and my main job is shooting, I try to keep pricing really reasonable instead of paying for a lot of marketing.

Everything I make is something I make for myself anyway.
 
Last week Olof shipped me one of his first body-mounted adjustable wood handles for a documentary we're filming in the Palestinian territory of the West Bank. His wife Sharyn expedited shipping to be sure it arrived in time for my departure, & I can't say how much of a pleasure it doing business with their company.

There are two other DPs are on this job, & we all agree the handle is a great addition to the AF100. It makes handheld work so much more comfortable, adds minimal width, & looks great.

Along with his shoulder mount, Olof's wood handle will live on my AF100 for the life of the camera.

Regards,
Bern
 
Just a suggestion for you Olof.

Make a Pan bar version of your product. Essentially a Roll to record, On /Off switch that mounts to the Pan Bar.

The camera Roll ... On / Off switches really suck ergonomically and location wise. (Did Panasonic ask a camera operator about this at all!!!)

I use a Manfrotto device on the pan bar instead ( and exclusively).

Suggestion : Use a curly cord

...and also Olof ...I am happy to receive a finished product instead of royalties for my suggestion. :-)
 
Hey Shooter,

You ever work with an Aaton and their wooden grip? I received one of Olof's A-Grips, and it is fantastic. As of now, it can't be mounted so that your hand is supine, or palm facing up. I'm taking my unit to a machine shop tomorrow to build a single-rail mount, this will let you mount it under the rail. I've been wanting for years to operate in this manner, and was wondering what Aaton/Eclair operators thought of that grip position. It has always looked to me to be very natural and comfortable.

I haven't actually shot yet with this grip, but my first impression is that, if you do a lot of handheld work, it will be invaluable. At the price point that Olof is projecting, it is a steal. You can easily pay from $800 to $1400 (US) for an Aaton grip!

It will be a couple of weeks until I return from a shoot on the slopes of Mauna Kea with photos, and I'll post some then.
 
J...

I have hand held many cameras many , many times.

I am sure that Olof has brought an excellent facilty to the Af100 and I will consider buying one for the cool factor and the functionality

My additional suggestion is for those of us/you, that also shoot a lot...off sticks, dollys , cranes and the pan bar is a convenient location to attach a device.
 
S,

Re: remote Start/Stop switch, I agree, this is a necessity. I am truly amazed that Panasonic doesn't offer one. I made one for use with my CineCity (Indian!) handgrip set. It's gawd awful looking, but it works. I have a Manfrotto 521 for my old Sony DSR-570, and it works, but I'd rather use something simpler with the AF100. Just start, stop.

I asked about Aaton/Eclair use because those cameras are the only ones I've ever seen where you can operate with your hand in a supine position. This is completely different from the typical ENG camera. Ergonomically, it's a radical concept. God bless Godard! ...wait, he's an existentialist...
 
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Any way you can add the thumb hook (the little thing at the top of the Aaton one that keeps it from sliding out of your hand) or is that a trademark design of Aaton.
 
dop16mm said:
Any way you can add the thumb hook (the little thing at the top of the Aaton one that keeps it from sliding out of your hand) or is that a trademark design of Aaton.
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First of all my intention is not to copy the Aaton.

My design is a bit different, it relies on the shape of your grip to make a really secure handle. For me it works well. It is similar to a handle design I have made for a lot of years for planes and other hand tools. Your pinkie and ring fingers are really very good at keeping the hand from sliding up. I like having it be possible to move the thumb up to trigger the recording and then back down, it seems real natural and it keeps you from hitting the s/s button by mistake.

Here are some photos of the production of the handles, it is all done by hand.

This is epoxying the "rosette" into the handle slot:

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Here is press fitting it into the handle, using a screw to line the hole up perfectly and my old Swedish work bench vise to squeeze:

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This is the final stage before testing, soldering the switch and resistor into the handles:

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Every handle is checked several times in my AF100 before shipping:

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I will shoot some more photos of the finished rail mount system and the camera side attachment soon. I do have both versions in stock now back from the anodizer.
 
Shooter said:
Just a suggestion for you Olof.

Make a Pan bar version of your product. Essentially a Roll to record, On /Off switch that mounts to the Pan Bar.

The camera Roll ... On / Off switches really suck ergonomically and location wise. (Did Panasonic ask a camera operator about this at all!!!)

I use a Manfrotto device on the pan bar instead ( and exclusively).

Suggestion : Use a curly cord

...and also Olof ...I am happy to receive a finished product instead of royalties for my suggestion. :-)
Click to expand...

I like your idea, I will make a "Shooter Special", and you will get a Beta version.
It will be the same handle, I see it as an optional mount once you have my handle or just a single product, but interchangeable with the other mounts.


It may be a week or 2, but I will do it.

A few questions.

What is the diameter of your pan bar?

Are you right handed?
Do you use the right bar, and should it be off to the right?
I plan on using my rosette for swivel to any angle, and the same handle as the side of cam versions, does this sound good?
How long should the cable be stretched all the way, it will be coiled like the others? Of course one can always use an extension for jibs etc..

Send me an email with your shipping info (we use FEDEX). I ship a lot to the other side of the globe.
 
olof said:
Thanks to all my Beta testers for their patience. It took a long time to figure out the switch including the coiling of the cable
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Olof - In the spirit of camaraderie, and the "maker movement" ideology - would you mind sharing the technical information you discerned regarding the switch/cable leads and signals for record activation, so that others can make their own grips?
 
This looks great! Totally down for one. Will there be any discount of we want both the side mount and rail mount?

Also down for any betas you need! :)
 
Jarek Zabczynski said:
This looks great! Totally down for one. Will there be any discount of we want both the side mount and rail mount?

Also down for any betas you need! :)
Click to expand...

I will have ordering set up on my WEB store next week. You can also email me to order. I only have a limited number of the first batch. The next batch I make will be in Cherry and some Black Walnut (Walnut will be $20.00 more) and some Andeman Padouk ($30.00 more, this is rare wood and I only have a little so this will truly be a limited addition).
olof@westsideav.com

Initially there will be 2 versions. But now I will offer the other solution as an option as well. There will also be a "Shooter Special" pan bar mount soon.

These are the prices for the Mahogany and Cherry version:
The side mount version is $325.00
The 15mm rail mount version is $375
Both mounting systems and the handle is $425.00
The "Shooter Special" pan bar mount will probably be $50.00 and available in a month or so.
 
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