How do you pan, tilt or do long slider moves and still see the monitor?

David G. Smith

David G. Smith

Steak Knife Member
I have a small wheeled slider, the CineMover ( http://www.theasc.com/ac_magazine/October2011/Drive/page1.php ) , with a Manfrotto 701 head, that I have configured on a 5 inch by 5 inch by 8 foot vinyl rail. I really like it. It moves very smoothly and, though the 701 head is not the best, it gives me great flexibility on the slider. I can do very extreme pans/tilts combined with a relatively long slider move. Very cool. The problem is, how do i set up my 7" field monitor so that I can see it for framing while doing extreme pan/tilts and moves? The angle of view on the field monitor is pretty narrow actually. I normally put the monitor on an 11 inch magic arm attached to the camera or head. Some of the solutions that I have been contemplating is to plan the move and set the monitor, on the magic arm in kind of a middle position of the move and then crane my head and body to orient to see the monitor through the move. That is probably the simplest way, but I can anticipate doing pans of well over 180 degrees and I ain't that flexible. I have thought of pulling the monitor off of the camera and setting it up on a stand, but I still think that I am going to get into some awkward positions doing that. I have thought about having an AC hand hold the monitor but something that may not be an option.

Any thoughts?


Thanks.
 
atarijedi said:
External monitor not mounted to the part that is moving?
Click to expand...

That is the problem, when pannig/tilting and sliding... it is all moving. For small pans/tilts I can mount to base of the slider, but after a very little bit of travel, it is in the way. I pretty much have to use the pan/tilt handle with that 701 head unfortunately.

Edit: I forgot to mention, I am using a FS-100 and compared to the slider and the 701 head, it is kind of bulky. When I tried to mount the monitor to the base of slider, and orient it so that I could see it, it cut into the range of the pans. Maybe I need a longer arm, but then I worry about that introducing wobble.
 
Last edited:
Ahhh, I think I have it.... I can't test it right now, but I think that is it atarijedi, I have been orienting the arm and monitor in in a normal upright position. I do not have to do that. I think I have enough clearance to mount it to the base of the slider, but orient it down...BELOW the rail. DUUUH!!!!
 
Egg Born Son said:
Install a hot shoe in a skateboarding helmet and attach the magic arm to your head?
Click to expand...

I was going to laugh... but you may have something there Egg Born Son! Maybe not a helmet... I don't like the idea of having my vision obstructed and having to swing the monitor out of the way all of the time. However, how about something I can hang around my neck, like a smaller version of an old cigarette tray, that will orient the monitor about chest high. That might be a solution to a bunch of problems I didn't know I could solve with my monitor in the future. Hmmmm...

cigarette girl.jpg


I hate d*cking around with the magic arm anyway.
 
That'd be cool, it would be like shooting with an old school twin reflex camera. And a slider. Weld a 1/4in or 3/8 stud onto one of those ridiculous belt buckles cowboys and bikers are so fond of and you're away! Just need to make sure you can stand comfortably close enough to operate the slider with that contraption on. That slight overextension leaning forwards can kill your lower back in a short space of time.
 
Egg Born Son said:
That'd be cool, it would be like shooting with an old school twin reflex camera. And a slider. Weld a 1/4in or 3/8 stud onto one of those ridiculous belt buckles cowboys and bikers are so fond of and you're away! Just need to make sure you can stand comfortably close enough to operate the slider with that contraption on. That slight overextension leaning forwards can kill your lower back in a short space of time.
Click to expand...


well, I like the belt buckle idea....

texas belt buckle .jpg


One problem though...


big-belly.jpg

..... my lower back has more to worry about than a "... slight overextension leaning forwards..."!!! Ha, Ha,Ha! :beer:
 
Magic arm! Hehe. That's a fine effort there, I've got a keg of my own. People don't realise how much work it is to maintain! My gp finally convinced me to join a gym and I injured myself at work the very next day (lifting my ample frame out of a manhole). So now I'm paying for 2-3 months of gym membership but not allowed to go. Goes to prove that nothing good can come of exercise. Never came across a pizza that ripped me off like that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top