AF100 Wood Handles finally off to the Anodizer

Just got mine in the mail. So good to get rid of the plastic Panny handle. Just about to roadtest this FRI on a launch video for the new KIA Rio in Australia. Thanks Olof & Sharyn!
 
I will post photos of the finalized handle systems soon. I have actually sold out of the first two batches, I am starting another batch next week. I will have more choices in wood and they will be on my website when the next batch is finished.

I had a bit of a setback. I ruptured my Achilles tendon, something I definitely don't recommend doing, unless you like lying around with your leg elevated for a couple weeks. I had it surgically repaired 4 weeks ago and I am starting to hobble around pretty well now. I was actually even up a ladder on a roundhouse roof the other day to shoot a rail yard scene here in the valley. And this weekend I have to hike a mile to shoot the train going over a wooden trestle with the Moat mountains in the background, this will take a while on crutches. Anyway digress, the bottom line is a missed a couple weeks of shooting and work in the metal shop. I could still edit though, so I caught up on a couple edit jobs.

Sorry about the delay, but I will have a new batch in a couple weeks. I am also working on a couple other ideas for the AF100.
 
Olof & Sharyn- I am very happy with my new wood handle. It gives me a real comfortable grip and makes shooting a pleasure. Great dealing with you. Big Thanks.
 
Bern Caughey said:
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
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Wow you were in Israel, cool. How is the handle?
 
olof said:
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.
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May I be your Australian Beta tester for my Manfrotto pan bar? :)
 
Bern Caughey said:
Olof's wood handle is fantastic, & as I stated 6 months ago, lives on my AF100.
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Did you get the body mount or rail mount. I’m considering getting one soon. Pistol grips are to low and hard on the forearms.

I think the body mount would be the one I would buy but not sure if the grip will clear cine lenses since the fronts are so wide.
 
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:grin:Sorry for so many spelling errors today. I cant believe anyone even knows what I’m talking about.:grin:
 
olof said:
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:

picture-2.jpg


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:

picture-1.jpg


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

picture-3.jpg


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

picture-4.jpg


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.
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Wow Olof, those are awesome. I've been designing and building forever, so I very much appreciate your design/craftsmanship.
Congratulations on the starting success of your product.


Pappas
http://pappasarts.wordpress.com/
http://twitter.com/pappasarts
 
If there is a lot of demand for zoom on those lenses I would do it, it can certainly be done.

I can always make you a custom one. Contact me and we can discuss cost on the project. It may not be very expensive if you lend me your lens. I may just get the Manfrotto controller and install it in a custom handle.

I have had requests for zoom on a number of different cameras, but not in numbers sufficient to go into production.

Thanks for your interest.
 
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