Iris control whilst on steadicam...

B

ben1000

Active member
Howdy...

I'm about to dive into the world of Stedicam, and I'm wondering about my options for Iris control. I shoot a lot of walking shots with varied lighting, and my current system using a DVMultiRig, I'm quite easily able to adjust the IRIS ring during the shot.

Because the DVMultiRig is already being held by my hands, it's not much of a stretch to adjust the iris mid shot....

Now, when I'm flying with the steadicam, is it possible to remove my left hand from the sled (right is on the gimbal post, I assume) and adjust the iris?

I'm sure we all know the EX1 doesn't have built-in remote iris control, so my other option seems to be an expensive follow-iris system. RedRock seem to make something that might work, but still involves 'grabbing' something attached to the camera.

Has anyone tried this? Found a solution? Have any suggestions?

Thanks for your time and thoughts....

Best,

Ben

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Benjamin Freedman
VisitMyLuxuryHome.com
480.240.9262


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neo-fight.tv - {The Weekly Technology Podcast}
 
I am the happy owner and operator of a big rig steadicam and an EX1 and I thought I might share my 2cents on this.

If this is a real stabilizer with post, arm and vest you, or anyone else, cannot touch the camera during a take. It will immediately negate what the rig is trying to do and send it spinning out of control. If you have to adjust focus, iris or zoom the best, well actually it is the only way in my opinion, is with the help of a dedicated assistant equipped with proper remote lens control. This is expensive but that is the nature of the beast. There is no such thing as a cheap steadicam, even the most basic accessories, like a remote focus, and even if you shop for the best bang for the buck, will easily cost more than the rest of your gear put together. As an example a bartech focus system with motor and accessories is close to 5K and if you want Iris control it's 10K.

What you have to decide is how big of a compromise your are willing to make. Here is what I do when the budget on a production is low.

1. shot as wide as possible. Set the focus on the desired distance to the subject and then keep that distance.

2. set the iris at the desired value and compensate for changes in lighting in post.

3. Use the auto iris and hope/prey for the best.

4. ad lights, it is possible. But much more expensive than a regular shot. And it takes time...

5. Have a grib(s) chase you with portable lights and/or deflectors.

6. move the shot outside if possible.

7. on jobs that require additional equipment, rent it in and hire the crew needed to operate it. Include this in your budget.

8. be creative, it's in the job description ;)

Good luck with your steadicam, it is an amazing piece of kit.
 
Howdy...

OK, so I'm thinking about an experiment...

Has anyone considered using remote control servos to control the iris?

You can get some fairly hi-torque servos that could be connected to a small gear. The servo/receiver/battery combo could be mounted just inside the handgrip area of the EX1.

Then, using a small wireless transmitter mounted on the gimball arm, you could use your thumb to open/close the iris.

I will look into this over the next few days, but I think you could have an entire follow-iris system in place for well under $500.

Thoughts, anyone?

Best,

Ben

----------------------------------------------------
Benjamin Freedman
VisitMyLuxuryHome.com
480.240.9262
 
Anything is possible these days, so why not? Gimbal attached zoom systems are widely used by the steadicam community.

If you mount it on the gimbal, a small flexible cable is an alternative to the wireless. I would ad a min-max setting to the servo control so it couldn't turn the iris beyond the hard stops. This could also aid when pulling focus since you could program a preset focus pull, if you wanted to shift the attention during a shot.

Perhaps you could use this for inspiration http://www.jimmyjib.com/zoomfocus.html

Good luck with the tinkering
 
ben1000 said:
Howdy...

OK, so I'm thinking about an experiment...

Has anyone considered using remote control servos to control the iris?

You can get some fairly hi-torque servos that could be connected to a small gear. The servo/receiver/battery combo could be mounted just inside the handgrip area of the EX1.

Then, using a small wireless transmitter mounted on the gimball arm, you could use your thumb to open/close the iris.

I will look into this over the next few days, but I think you could have an entire follow-iris system in place for well under $500.

Thoughts, anyone?

Best,

Ben

----------------------------------------------------
Benjamin Freedman
VisitMyLuxuryHome.com
480.240.9262
Click to expand...
Thats a great Idea Ben, Let us know how your experiment goes. Ive thought of similar remote ideas just for panning and dolly stuff but have wondered whether there would be any electrical interference with the image when using remote controls near the camera.
Alex
 
ben1000 said:
Howdy...

OK, so I'm thinking about an experiment...

Has anyone considered using remote control servos to control the iris?

You can get some fairly hi-torque servos that could be connected to a small gear. The servo/receiver/battery combo could be mounted just inside the handgrip area of the EX1.

Then, using a small wireless transmitter mounted on the gimball arm, you could use your thumb to open/close the iris.

I will look into this over the next few days, but I think you could have an entire follow-iris system in place for well under $500.

Thoughts, anyone?

Best,

Ben

----------------------------------------------------
Benjamin Freedman
VisitMyLuxuryHome.com
480.240.9262
Click to expand...

I use a remote follow focus as well as a remote iris control made by bartech and m-one motor. They are the cheapest in their class (high end) but the 2 units combined will set you back 10K versus 50K for a preston system.

Dont be intimidated by the numbers because these units are very common and are available from most rentals shops at $100 a day per unit. I own my units because I use them all the time.

Good Luck and dont forget to schedule training for your steadicam. It's a must.

(Addition: I dont pull my own focus or iris, my AC does that.But for concerts/live shows I use a wired control for the zoom and the bartech has a hardwire focus control that allows me to operate without a AC)
 
Some varizoom controllers have a little iris dial as well as a the zoom toggle. They might have one the works with ex1. A lot of steady com ops use a zoom controller on the steadycam handle.
 
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