C100: Looking for a stabilizer for the C100

The C100/Helix Jr. combo is a really great match, which I've been using on all kinds of shoots for I think 2 years now. But the body is nearing the realistic weight limit already, so a 24-105 would be way too heavy. In my experience the very light and affordable Canon 10-18mm is the best lens for the job. Occasionally I'll use the 18-135mm for slightly more zoomed in shots, but they never look quite as good as the 10-18.

For music, just the slightest movement around a singer/songwriter is enough to add shot interest. Here's an example from SXSW earlier this year: two guys on a C100 with zoom lenses, and me on a C100/Helix Jr with a 10-18. https://youtu.be/WBjdAZMLWys

Cheers,
Slavik
 
slavikb said:
The C100/Helix Jr. combo is a really great match... But the body is nearing the realistic weight limit already, so a 24-105 would be way too heavy...
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I'm a little lost. Don't get me wrong, I don't even own this but for the sake of making an intelligent purchase, are you saying this based on your own usage? You got no more than 5.5 lbs. (on paper) with that C100 and a 24-105 against an advertised 7 lb. capacity gimbal. That and the fact you can slide the whole assembly back with the longer plate, wouldn't the Jr. work?? If it were me making this decision today, I'd go with the Helix Sr. with larger capy./hi-torque motors.
 
Michael Thames said:
They will be mostly indoor shoots of dancers and guitarists on a small stage. I forget the crop factor on the C100, but my 50mm will end up what, an 85mm? I'm thinking an 11 to 16, but I'm not doing skateboarders outside and would like a fairly intimate framing.

Hum..... a 70-200 on a gimbal sounds scary, don't they just intensify any shake or movement?
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No, your 50mm will still be a 50mm. I don't understand why ppl are always trying to calculate lenses on a cinema sensor in comparison to the field of view on a full frame photography camera. A 50 is a 50 is a 50! If it was meant to be called and/or compared to the field of view on a full frame photo camera, lens makers would label cine lenses accordingly, i.e. a 50mm would be labeled as an 85mm, but they don't because like I just said; a 50 is a 50 is a 50!
 
slavikb said:
The C100/Helix Jr. combo is a really great match, which I've been using on all kinds of shoots for I think 2 years now. But the body is nearing the realistic weight limit already, so a 24-105 would be way too heavy. In my experience the very light and affordable Canon 10-18mm is the best lens for the job. Occasionally I'll use the 18-135mm for slightly more zoomed in shots, but they never look quite as good as the 10-18.

For music, just the slightest movement around a singer/songwriter is enough to add shot interest. Here's an example from SXSW earlier this year: two guys on a C100 with zoom lenses, and me on a C100/Helix Jr with a 10-18. https://youtu.be/WBjdAZMLWys

Cheers,
Slavik
Click to expand...

Slavik, fantastic video! Just what I had in mind, and a real confirmation that the Helix Jr. Is the right decision for me. I feel so freed up from my tripod already just watching your video. Can't wait.

I'll be getting the 10-18 as well thanks for the tip!

BTW, did you use any monitor with the C100? I have blade and will be getting the monitor attachment. The lady at Letus told me the monitor can't be too high so they recommend it ride low and towards the back.
 
Reggie Brown said:
No, your 50mm will still be a 50mm. I don't understand why ppl are always trying to calculate lenses on a cinema sensor in comparison to the field of view on a full frame photography camera. A 50 is a 50 is a 50! If it was meant to be called and/or compared to the field of view on a full frame photo camera, lens makers would label cine lenses accordingly, i.e. a 50mm would be labeled as an 85mm, but they don't because like I just said; a 50 is a 50 is a 50!
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You forgot the theory of reletiveity. Just because it has 50 stamped on it doesn't mean it's so.
 
You'll be happy with the combo, Michael! It's awesome for music performances because just the slightest motion with the 10-18 (like not even moving your body, just the little pans with the Helix Jr) add interest to the shot. Here's another we shot later that day, same combo of C100s: https://youtu.be/3nE6fGmIZYM

As for rigging, I prefer to keep the camera bare bones and just use the C100 monitor while depending on the AF to keep things in focus. And because the C100 MK1 doesn't have internal audio, I use the right handle for a Rode Videomic Pro (or in the SXSW performances I put a heavier Rode Stereo VideoMic X). Here's some pics of the rig and how to use the C100 handle as your counterweight (nevermind the Rode Video Micro in the shots, it doesn't work on the C100): http://alaskavideoshooter.com/canon-c100-and-letus-helix-jr-photos/

If you do want to use a monitor, you might want to try the new Letus mount that goes onto the back rails (http://www.letus35.com/rail-mounted-monitor-mount-v-2/), rather than the original cold shoe mount they still sell. I've tried it with a Ninja Blade and it became so top heavy that there was no way to realistically balance it. You can indeed put a monitor on one of the handles (since they aren't part of the balancing weight), but a Ninja Blade might be pretty heavy to hold. I've used the new Ikan tiny 3.5" monitor on the right handle, which works fine, but in my experience it's just a lot less headaches to rely on the C100 monitor. You don't get to see what you're shooting as clearly as having a big monitor in front of you, but at the same time, the shooting becomes less complicated and you end up with more shots.

I'm a little lost. Don't get me wrong, I don't even own this but for the sake of making an intelligent purchase, are you saying this based on your own usage? You got no more than 5.5 lbs. (on paper) with that C100 and a 24-105 against an advertised 7 lb. capacity gimbal. That and the fact you can slide the whole assembly back with the longer plate, wouldn't the Jr. work?? If it were me making this decision today, I'd go with the Helix Sr. with larger capy./hi-torque motors.
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Yes I'm saying this with my own usage, rather than going by the stated weight capacity. Yes, the Helix Jr can hold heavier rigs, and I've even put the C300 Mark II on it. You can get a a C100/24-105 balanced on it, and you'll have to add counterweights which makes the whole rig even heavier. So by the time everything is on there, the balance is so precarious that once you turn it on, it's on over drive just to keep it balanced in its center position. As soon as you try to tilt up or pan, the rig starts to jiggle and go a little haywire. So yes, if you're planning on heavier setups, going up to the Helix Sr. is a better idea.
 
^Excellent info- thanks. I still wonder about the monitor mount. Either the rail or the cold shoe mount will place the screen in a way that could make balancing tedious, yeah? I will take your advice and think that using the C100 monitor is probably the best solution. OK on the SVMX on the right handle. This is what I use regularly.

What is up with the stitched handles on these things? Early production included the black silicone grips...
 
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Michael Thames said:
Can someone Pleeeeze recommend a grip cable extension for this thing....... something I didn't think about.
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Right, OE grip gets removed. I started to build a cable but ran out of time before a shoot and bought the (cough) Zacuto piece. Do you need more than S/S functionality? The Arduino forum has the schematic for full operation.
 
control4userguy said:
^Excellent info- thanks. I still wonder about the monitor mount. Either the rail or the cold shoe mount will place the screen in a way that could make balancing tedious, yeah? I will take your advice and think that using the C100 monitor is probably the best solution. OK on the SVMX on the right handle. This is what I use regularly.

What is up with the stitched handles on these things? Early production included the black silicone grips...
Click to expand...

Yeah adding a monitor via the cold shoe or rail does make the whole thing very top heavy, and because the Helix Jr. has a bottom to it (which allows you to place it on a table), there's only so much you can lower the entire rig so that it is balanced along the y-axis. That's different from other gimbals where you can keep lowering the rig so that more of the weight is on the bottom.

However, I haven't tried the rail-mounted monitor adapter, so I can't say how well it works, but theoretically you could mount it in such a way that it counters the weight mid-way up the rails, or at the lower end of the rails. Or leave out the C100 handle and use the monitor as a counterweight. It's worth giving a shot with a monitor like the SmallHD 502, or the Ikan 3.5" tiny monitor, but I think the Ninja Blade with batteries is still pretty bulky.

The stitched handles look fancy and give the Helix a distinct look, but yeah the silicone grips would have been just fine. In fact, the leather stitching doesn't have a completely tightened seal around the metal handle, so it actually squeaks when you squeeze it, and believe it or not that gets picked up by a mic if you have one attached to the handle. I ended up tightly wrapping some gaff tape around the right handle to make the whole thing squeak free.

As for the C100 grip extension cable, I've only used the Zacuto but there are others out there, and other forum threads on here discussing the options.

One other thing I'll say about the Helix Jr. Make sure to get extra batteries. Out of the 5 batteries I've had, two of mine went "bad". Something short circuits and the battery light stays on even when it's not connected, slowly draining when not in use. The battery can still be used with the Helix, it just slowly drains, so it's best to ask Letus to replace it with a fully working one. In the meantime, you're out of a battery. So, I'd get at least one extra one.

Cheers,
Slavik
 
control4userguy said:
^Slavic, you are our "go-to" person now for Letus. So much good insight.
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Hah, I'm just trying to get in on Michael's good graces so that some day he makes me a guitar.

P.S. I've been to Letus's office in Portland and had lots of discussions with them on the Helix Jr., but it's been a while since I spoke with them or fiddled with things like PID settings, so it's always recommended to talk to them directly for anything specific. Last I heard, they were working on adding encoders to the Helix Jr., which would be awesome.
 
slavikb said:
Yeah adding a monitor via the cold shoe or rail does make the whole thing very top heavy, and because the Helix Jr. has a bottom to it (which allows you to place it on a table), there's only so much you can lower the entire rig so that it is balanced along the y-axis. That's different from other gimbals where you can keep lowering the rig so that more of the weight is on the bottom.

However, I haven't tried the rail-mounted monitor adapter, so I can't say how well it works, but theoretically you could mount it in such a way that it counters the weight mid-way up the rails, or at the lower end of the rails. Or leave out the C100 handle and use the monitor as a counterweight. It's worth giving a shot with a monitor like the SmallHD 502, or the Ikan 3.5" tiny monitor, but I think the Ninja Blade with batteries is still pretty bulky.

The stitched handles look fancy and give the Helix a distinct look, but yeah the silicone grips would have been just fine. In fact, the leather stitching doesn't have a completely tightened seal around the metal handle, so it actually squeaks when you squeeze it, and believe it or not that gets picked up by a mic if you have one attached to the handle. I ended up tightly wrapping some gaff tape around the right handle to make the whole thing squeak free.

As for the C100 grip extension cable, I've only used the Zacuto but there are others out there, and other forum threads on here discussing the options.

One other thing I'll say about the Helix Jr. Make sure to get extra batteries. Out of the 5 batteries I've had, two of mine went "bad". Something short circuits and the battery light stays on even when it's not connected, slowly draining when not in use. The battery can still be used with the Helix, it just slowly drains, so it's best to ask Letus to replace it with a fully working one. In the meantime, you're out of a battery. So, I'd get at least one extra one.

Cheers,
Slavik
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Slavic thanks so much for all the amazing advice! You gave me a lot of confidence to order this thing. This morning I placed my order of the Helix Jr. with the monitor mount system that goes on the CF rods but then called and canceled my order of the monitor mount after reading your post. I'll try it just using the C100 monitor, once I have some experience with it I can always order it later and try it. Instead of an extra battery I got the larger size one, for an extra $50. I can always order more batteries later, and I hope I don't get some bad ones.... ha! I have a Rode video mic. which I'll mount on the handle you do. I for the most part just need a scratch track for the audio to match it up with the good stuff. I forgot to asked does the Helix make any noise other than turning it on?

Of course this whole experience went over budget...... not realizing I need a Zacuto grip cable cost an extra $300 not to mention the 10-18 lens I ordered too! Man! But I'm ready to roll once everything gets here next week.

Thanks to everyone for the stimulating comments!

Here is an example of what I do, and you can see why the Helix will really help in future videos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9ZgONrHtmI
 
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Michael Thames said:
I forgot to asked does the Helix make any noise other than turning it on?
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The motor noise is quiet and shouldn't get in the way of recording. But if you ever start to hear the motor grinding then something is wrong and it's either unbalanced or working too hard for whatever reason, like if it's tilted too high or low or pushed beyond normal use.
 
slavikb said:
The C100/Helix Jr. combo is a really great match, which I've been using on all kinds of shoots for I think 2 years now. But the body is nearing the realistic weight limit already, so a 24-105 would be way too heavy. In my experience the very light and affordable Canon 10-18mm is the best lens for the job. Occasionally I'll use the 18-135mm for slightly more zoomed in shots, but they never look quite as good as the 10-18.

For music, just the slightest movement around a singer/songwriter is enough to add shot interest. Here's an example from SXSW earlier this year: two guys on a C100 with zoom lenses, and me on a C100/Helix Jr with a 10-18. https://youtu.be/WBjdAZMLWys

Cheers,
Slavik
Click to expand...

Very tasteful clip, love how the 10-18 on the C100 looked. I take it all of the moving shots were you or was there also a little handheld mixed in there? Nice lighting too. Can you talk a bit about how you guys lit it?
 
slavikb said:
Yes, for better balance and calibration, as far as I know. But I have no idea what the status is of the potential update.
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Since you have been at this for a while, would you happen to know if the Helix Sr Mg has always been at $4k or did they cut the price between then and now?
 
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