Motion Control recommendations?

L

lightstand

Member
Hi all, I’m looking for a new motion control system and am hoping to hear other’s opinion. I’ve had the dynamic perception’s nmx for a couple of years, it just always seemed like I was trouble shooting a problem. I am looking for either a system that is more stable or more turnkey but I need something I can absolutely rely on.

I am looking at Edelkrone, Kessler’s Second Shooter, Ditogear. It would be nice if it was somewhat compact as this needs to go into a backpack in order to travel on subways (with all my other camera equipment). So obviously a system that can go from 2-axis to three. I will be using this for both time-lapse but also video. Maybe even more so for video, but with time-lapse I feel I need stop move stop for long exposures. I will most like be using smaller cameras a7's, dslr, nothing bigger than an fs-5.

I have done a search through the archives and read what I could find, not much there so I figured I would ask for recent thoughts. What is everyone using, what do you like dislike? I look forward to hearing your thoughts especially concerning it’s interface and reliability.

Thanks,

jeff
 
Out of the three you metion, Edlekrone would tend to be the best built and possibly fewest issues. I've never heard of Ditogear and the Kesslers are okay. I have the Rhino EVO Motion but even their 24" is larger and heavier than you want for backpack packing. Absolutely rely on? Almost all motion control sliders have problems and issues no matter who makes them. It's a complex, super compact system that requires a lot of things to work perfectly in concert with each other. In my experience, they all break and have issues. If you want reliability, skip the motion control.
 
Thanks for your response. yes I understand nothing is perfect, but I find it hard to believe a $50 audio speaker has relatively little problem connecting via blue tooth at any temperature, yet with the nmx that was a major problem - that and not hitting both point a and point b, maybe close for landscape but objects that have obvious lines and sides, no. In any case I need to move on.

Curious if you've used the Edlekrone or seen one in action? The Headone looks great, size wise, but I can't tell what I miss from the HeadPlus. The Headplus looks to have an accessory to accept V-mount and if it could also usb power an A7 camera that would be ideal. Anyone use either of these two units?

Any insights or thoughts would be very welcome.

thanks,
 
I would stay away from Ditogear. We bougth their motion control 3 years ago for quite a lot of money and it is s*%tty. Head is shaky and you need like 10 hours to get it right. Stay away from it..

I am using Rhino and that thing works great. Arc is not the strongest (already one RMA, so be careful). But they have new generation, it should be better and 3 axis.

Be aware of Edelkrone. I owned one their overpriced product (EVF holder) and it was so bad that I returned it after day of use. There are plenty of videos on Youtube showing their motion control system has many bugs, so rather do proper googling before buying anything.
 
Not sure about this latest generation, but the Edelkrones I've seen reviewed were too loud to be used in small rooms with dialog if that matters to you? Honestly, think long and hard about buying a motion control rig. I've had the Rhino for over two years, thought I would use it a lot and I've used it maybe five times in two years. All motion control systems seem to have issues, they all seem to break periodically. If you make your living doing timelapse or something or product shots, you need one but if you are an average filmmaker, my vote is don't get one. If I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have bought mine, it just sits around most of the time, the gimbal is too easy and convenient plus it can get so many shots the motion control cannot.
 
Puredrifting is right! I have used it couple times for year. It is nice tool, clients were so happy with it. But looking back I would rent it.
 
Thanks again for all the replies I truly appreciate the help, while I do plan to use it for video, I'm doing time-lapse so need the accuracy of a mechanical device. I don't get to do a lot of "filmmaking" or any really except for no-budget shorts, most of my work is b-roll manufacturing and corporate. I had done some youtube searches and after KrocanX recommendation I guess my keywords using the updated version name was keeping those older reviews out. Now I'm wondering does the newer fix or do the older reviews condemn.

I'd also consider the Genie II. With no extra batteries available at the moment it seems questionable. So right now I don't see any options other than Edelkrone. I really like the size of the HeadOne but the battery system of the Headplus. I can't believe I can not find first hand experience reviewing these two products. I can't even find a rental house that lists one online. Anyone with a link to a review or first hand experience with Edelkrone's updated Headplus?

As always any insights are very appreciated.

thanks,
 
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Did you try something like Sharegrid? I would really recommend to try it before buying. Edelkrone does not have good reviews for older motion controls. Also try to have a look on Arc 2 on kickstarter, which is new Rhino version. Looks good and it is cheaper.
 
puredrifting said:
Honestly, think long and hard about buying a motion control rig. I've had the Rhino for over two years, thought I would use it a lot and I've used it maybe five times in two years. All motion control systems seem to have issues, they all seem to break periodically. If you make your living doing timelapse or something or product shots, you need one but if you are an average filmmaker, my vote is don't get one. If I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have bought mine, it just sits around most of the time, the gimbal is too easy and convenient plus it can get so many shots the motion control cannot.
Click to expand...

Wonderfully put!

I give a variation of this speech on a monthly basis to an otherwise sane younger friend who insists on trading for or buying every frail and fiddly Edelkrone/Syrp motion control trinket on the market with NO concrete plan or need for them. To date, after years of purchasing, he's only shot a few bumpy tests in his living room.

All that Edelkrone advertising works on him... he imagines climbing the local mountains and shooting waterfalls (he doesn't hike), or pictures himself stringing a cable rig across a stream at dawn (he doesn't get up early).

I think Edelkrone designs gear with the sole purpose of getting the ONE SINGLE example shot they will showcase in their sizzle video.
 
Jim Arthurs said:
All that Edelkrone advertising works on him... he imagines climbing the local mountains and shooting waterfalls (he doesn't hike), or pictures himself stringing a cable rig across a stream at dawn (he doesn't get up early).
Click to expand...

This cracks me up! I do some serious hiking, at times up to 20-22 miles in a day and the idea of taking a mirrorless/DSLR and any mo co rig while hiking is a joke.
I even complain about carrying anything bigger than my iPhone 8 Plus. I used to take my 80D and a pancake lens and even it was too bulky/heavy. There is a saying
with hikers and backpackers, "Every ounce counts", that's why we will spend $500.00 on a two man tent, just to save a few ounces over a much cheaper tent.
It's aspirational marketing at it's best. The same way cars, homes and most other higher end products are marketed, "Buy this and you'll live this kind of spectacular life!"
What a load of BS most of this stuff is.
 
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I have a Kessler Cineslider, Second Shooter, and Parallax. I use it regularly for both timelapse, b-roll, and interviews. It is not a back pack kit and it takes a bit of time to set-up, but I've never had issues with it and I actually find it intuitive, reliable, and easy to use. The key feature for me is actually the Parallax attachment for controlling the pan. It allows me to have a reliable pan that I can set-up quickly without having to rely on a pan axis motor. It also means that I can get perfect manual slider panning shots.
 
This was my hike today, climbing a ladder: IMG_0002.JPG
While I wouldn't of wanted to pull up a motion control unit I had set up a 6300 shooting a time-lapse on the roof and it would of been nice to have it performing some type of move instead of stationary. I did pull up a camera and tripod with a fluid head (watched my fluid head take some hits - it was painful) but the crane was swaying too much for motion control.

Maybe I'm just tired after strong arming gear up a 150' rope but that Genie is looking nice. Marketing is suppose to inspire I have no trouble with that - sometimes that's my job. What gets me are the pseudo reviews that are just fluff. I don't care what the box looks like opening it! there are very few things I find deserving 5 stars, give me a piece of equipment I can probably find the negatives yet watching review after review, why am I wasting my time - because the last piece of equipment couldn't frickn connect or it was firmware or it didn't feel like performing today like a good motor should. When I worked editorial ok there was a side selling ads - but geez these people on youtube are they reviewing the gear or convincing themselves why they bought - I just want genuine honest opinions. I guess I'm just naturally skeptical. (and don't want to be shipping returns)

any major negatives towards the genie ii? I'm not sure I understand it's interface can you physically move it to point b and set that as point b or are you aiming it via the app hoping it tracks to about the right point?

Again I really appreciate all the help you guys have responded with.

thanks,
 
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