F3: Bad Day. Camera Took a Fall, Input/Info Desired

V

Viddovation

Veteran
Today was a bummer, but it could have been far worse. Sheer stupidity, but the net result is that my F3 rolled off the Dana dolly, and the assembly went three to four feet to a concrete floor.

Honestly, I'm impressed. The camera landed on the top handle, then rotated onto the XLR ports. The top handle is smashed up, and the circuit board in the handle is a goner, but the camera never turned off... and kept working for the rest of the shoot. And, for that matter, it works right now.

So, I'm left with the task of either fixing the camera and continuing to use it, or selling it - either fixed or as-is. The bottom part of the top handle assembly isn't listed on the Sony parts site, and is probably considered part of the frame. I'm scared to ask them how much that is. Technically, I can probably do all the labor (I've done similar on the Sony EX1), but if they won't sell me the parts, then it doesn't matter.

So, some alternatives have crossed my mind. Get a broken F3 to use for parts is one course. Sell this camera to someone doing the same is another (essentially everything under the top handle is in good working order). And then I remembered there were those armor top mod kits. I could do one of those mods, but I'm not inclined to pay $2500+ for it. And then I thought, when they do those mods, what happens to the top handle parts they remove? Do they get returned to the owner of the camera in a baggie? If so maybe someone would sell the "spare parts" they have sitting on a shelf? That, or, does anyone know of discounts on those mod kits (the F3 is getting phased out, after all).

So... I'm looking for advice, leads, offers. If I can fix this thing cheap, I'd like to do that, but I'm open to solutions.

Thanks guys!


P.S. - Really can't say enough about how happy I am with the durability of the camera, and that it kept functioning despite the damage. It could have been far worse. And, perhaps most importantly, while I was embarrassed, I was able to keep shooting for the client.
 
Last edited:
Damn, sorry to hear that (I've always wondered just how safe/secure the Dana Dolly-style slider is). If the camera is running fine, I think your best course of action is to get an Element Technica body armour kit. It'll replace your damaged components and make the camera much nicer to work with. I believe ET are still offering their firesale prices (70% off!), so call and ask if they have any left.

However if you just want to replace the damaged parts, I can sell you the parts from my F3, the camera only had 19 hours of use when I took them off, so they're in great nick.

Shoot me a PM if you're interested.
 
Yes very sorry to hear about that indeed. I was in the process of getting a Dana Dolly and have been wondering about how safe it is, if I could ask, did your tracks flex causing the dana dolly to topple over, or was the weight on the dolly off center causing the camera+dolly to flip off the tracks? Also do you use a center c-stand to add stabilization to the middle of the track?

As for what to do with the F3, I would definitely fix it if you can so A.) you can feel better about the camera, and B.) when you sell it have a fully working unit.

Again, sorry to hear. I honestly would have died of that were my camera,,,


P.S. Do you have insurance for such an event?
 
Last edited:
Thanks all.

Regarding the Dana Dolly - the fault isn't the equipment - it's how I rigged it, and the fact that I had no assistant to catch my mistake. Essentially, I've got a very cool system I'v used with great success on industrial plant floors - I put the dana dolly flat on a utility cart. It tends to be about the right height to shoot most things in factories, including people, and virtually all plants have utility carts. Additionally, the utility cart can carry your lenses and other essentials, including tripod for when you really need a different angle. Great system. But it does require attention to detail, and you *must* always put lock the dolly (sandbags, clamps, whatever), before you roll the cart!

The Dana Dolly itself is a sturdy piece of kit. Also, I can attest that it took it's share of the fall quite well. I use schedule 80 aluminum by the way, which flexes less than schedule 40. If you go over 8ft then yes, a center support is needed - apple boxes usually are best. But I only had six feet today - using it like a slider.

I do carry insurance - but I tend to be careful about making claims for small things. I certainly want to research my options before considering a claim.

The Body Armor looks great - and if I can get it for 70% off, that might be a reasonable solution. At the retail cost though, I think I'd have to pass - the F3 is already past it's prime in the eyes of the buying public, going for as little as $6k or so last I checked. The body armor is such a custom solution, you can't apply it to anything else, and someone buying it used isn't going to pay but a fraction for that mod. At retail, I could buy a used AF100 for less, and sell the F3 (as-is) for somewhere between $2000 to $3500 I would think.

Thanks for the offer Grug - I may take you up on that. Will give ET a call tomorrow, see about that fire sale.
 
Viddovation said:
Will give ET a call tomorrow, see about that fire sale.
Click to expand...

Also ask them to see if they have handles leftover from customer conversions.

Also, call Iilya Friedman at Hot Rod cameras, he modded one F3 with a prototype top plate system and I know it stayed that way for a long time.

[edit: before you get too far with those guys though and actually spend money, I'd take the plastic cladding off and see if the magnesium main body is cracked. If the chassis is cracked, you might have back focus issues that haunt you and $500-600 spent on replacement parts or armor parts will be a waste.]
 
Update for future readers:

So, I did research on the Sony parts site, and it gave me info on most of the parts, but the bottom side of the handle assembly wasn't listed. It's shown in exploded views, but has no number. If you talk to the parts research people, at least the first layer, they can't find it either.

But, I then talked to someone at Teaneck, and they let me know that the part does exist, but the Parts Site people don't have the updated schematics and info.

So, if you're ever looking for the Handle Sub Assbly, it's part A1832160A.
 
Looks like what's on their site is a Preorder for "V2 Body Armor". It seems earlier this year they had a fire sale, clearing old inventory. Just tried calling them, got their voicemail.
 
My policy with the Dana Dolly is that someone must ALWAYS have a hand on the camera. No exceptions. If that isn't possible, then the camera gets lifted off the rails and set on the ground until it's ready to be used again.
 
Viddovation said:
Yep. I screwed up.....
Click to expand...

How do you know that deep down inside you weren't itching for an excuse to upgrade to an F5/F55 and somehow subconsciously planned the entire thing?


Doug Jensen said:
My policy with the Dana Dolly is that someone must ALWAYS have a hand on the camera. No exceptions. If that isn't possible, then the camera gets lifted off the rails and set on the ground until it's ready to be used again.
Click to expand...

Unlike these guys:

DD1.jpg
 
It's a good joke. If I didn't own the F35 I would take a more serious look at the F5 right now.

At the moment I'm leaning towards repair and keep it.

Element Technica got back to me - they apparently are treating any remaining F3 items as clearance, but they aren't sure if they have anything left of what I need. They are going to check inventory.
 
I am much tempted by these dolly/sliders that use speed rail but I always come back to the MYT Works sliders. More expensive than the speed rail based dollies but you can easily unmount the camera package and place it on the ground.

Part of the reason for staying with the F3 was to be able to get the right camera support gear rather than trying to get a setup that largely does the job but introduces either inconvenience, compromise or significant risk with the setup.

These dollies have their place and huge bang for the buck but there is a reason why you see most of the speedrail / ladder dollies with 2 or more people operating them. I think the majority here hit the wall regularly with our one-man band approach and taking on more tasks which were often covered off with a crew of 5 in the good old days.

The idea of a camera package worth 40 grand or more hitting a concrete floor gives me the willies.

Pretty sure Viddovation that you should be able to find a handle assembly from someone who has hulkanized their F3 or one of the outfits that Nate mentioned. Checking the sub-frame is an excellent idea, however, I suspect the handle absorbed most of the kinetic energy from the spill.

Check your PM Viddovation. Good luck.
 
Dana Dolly does sell a no-tip bracket kit for $99. I'll confess I didn't bother getting it with my Dolly either.
tipbrackets1a.jpg
 
It's amazing how this has partially turned into a thread about the Dana Dolly. I just want to be clear - in my case it was user error. I didn't lock my camera down before rolling the cart the dana dolly was on. Therefore, the camera tried to stay put, and let the cart move away... I'm not blaming the dolly. It was an error on my part. An assistant to have kept their hands on the camera would have helped though, admittedly.
 
lol, okay.

The other cool in about the IDS slider that I posted earlier is that it has little brakes that keep it from moving. I highly recommend this system.
 
Also I don't understand why you have insurance and don't want to take advantage of it? Seems like a great opportunity to upgrade your camera. Let's face it...the F3 is obsolete and the price you could get for it is only getting lower. This fear people have of placing an insurance claim boggles my mind. It's the whole reason you got insurance, isn't it?


Sorry for your problems though, I can empathize. I lost a camera before, it's not a fun experience!
 
My reasoning for not making an insurance claim is that the camera isn't actually totaled. Parts, at the retail cost, are likely in the $600 to $1000 range. Repair labor might be another $1000. But if your deductible is $1,000, and you can do the repair yourself....

It just doesn't add up for me. Insurance is a safety net. But it's a safety net that the insurance company is under no obligation to renew. If they decide you're too much of a risk, and unprofitable, they can drop you. Hence, I do think insurance is best claimed when the loss is catastrophic. As it is, I think the loss may only be in the range of what I was getting paid for the day.

I'm fortunate in that regard that I'm skilled enough to do the repair, and that I'm savvy enough to reach out F3 owners who may have spare parts, and that the people on this forum are kind enough to help out.

These things happen. I'll look at that slider setup. What's key to me is something I can load into a small car, but that's got at least 5' of travel.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top