Has anyone tried Kessler's K-Flex track?

[Stephen Pruitt]

Hi all. . .

I'm really interested in doing some curved dolly moves, and, in particular, I'm curious how well those flexible tracks work in doing curved moves.

We have a Premier Studio Systems PD-1 dolly and would like to run it on curved track.

How well does the flexible track work compared to rigid "one-curve-fits-all" metal track like Matthews? I'm particularly interested in smaller circles like 10' in diameter rather than those huge circles which can't really be used indoors.

Thanks so much!

Stephen

 

[PatrickFaith]

I have the kflex ... I use it as a mix jib/track system and it's great for organic movements around tables and thru doors (i'm doing a inside/outside door transition using it in a jib/track shot for scene 1 of "puddles of light"). The more or less organic movement of kflex is different then a matthews track move (has a different "feel"), so it's hard to duplicate a matthew track take with a k-flex. For example though I do have a seat for the tripod, it's a bit icky sitting on the tripod. Since I use kflex in conjunction with a kessler jib almost every time, I have a more free flowing track/jib shots with remote focus going under motion control(it's has a organic feel which is inbetween a dolly and a steadicam. The rubber also gives a bit of cushion, so you don't have to mess with shims as much, but does add to that organic feel.

I kind of view the matthew track as a cadalic of sorts, and the kflex as real good for quick indie setups which integrates very nicely with the other kessler products. I am moving to the new kessler kwik release system for this setup, and hope to see improvements in my jib/track scene grip setup/takedown times(i.e. with a matthews, seems like the setup time is longer, but I'm a one man show and a crappy grip ... uber grips do miracles with the matthews track which i could only dream about[i.e. like in Woody Allen movies]).

 

[Stephen Pruitt]

Thanks for the input Patrick. Can you point me to a link with some shots of what you got using it?

Thanks.

Stephen

 

[John Brennick]

Hey Patrick, I too would be curious to see a link to your k-pod and jib setup. I bought the crane and the k-pod and youre spot on with what you said. Very organic and natural feel. I love the K-pod. How high can you get with the jib? What size load can you get on the jib?

 

[PatrickFaith]

here's some pre-production setup shots

here's some pre-production setup shots

I wouldn't send these to my mother ... but here's some pre-production setup shots ... shows basically how to connect stuff. I noticed I didn't have any decent video showing the movement of k-flex. I do have the actual shot for dailies i will dig up.

here's how to hook up the motion control to the steppers:

When I do a motion control of duel jib and kflex ... i'll remember to get a second camera showing the entire setup moving (technically i need to do that shot sunday).

Notice i use a shuttle pod rolling behind as part of my jib motion control. On my kflex motion control it only works "pulling"(not shown) ... for the jib i can go up and down randomly in the scene.

 

[Stephen Pruitt]

I am most intrigued by the motion control aspects of this set-up. I'd love to see more.

Thanks!

Stephen

 

[John Brennick]

Is this the jib or the crane? I have the crane and it looks just like this. The Jib seemed to be a little more compact.

 

[PatrickFaith]

Is this the jib or the crane? I have the crane and it looks just like this. The Jib seemed to be a little more compact.

This is the crane with the extension pieces, but is modified to be shorter to handle the extra weight of having the pan/tilt head on the end(not shown here ... but i use that a lot). I also have the smaller jib that your talking about for tighter locations but when i do use the smaller jib, i set it on the shortest extension and use it only as a fixed arm(i.e. no motion control). The smaller jib really can't handle anything over 20 pounds without it getting "flexy" when it's fully extended.


[edit ... noticed in the first picture you can see the smaller jib laying down in the background]

 

[Jarek Zabczynski]

Isn't it just PEX tubing?

 

[Stephen Pruitt]

No, Jarek, it isn't. It's a solid core "hose" of some kind. There is no hole in the middle.

Stephen

 

[Viet Mac]

Hey Patrick,
Did you ever get a chance to film some more behind the scenes of this in action? Would love to see it.

 

[Joel Arvidsson]

Does it wear down fast. I tried to leave the steel pipes at studio and try pvc pipes. To me pvc pipes can work a job a or two. But they get scratches so easy so Im back to steelpipes.

So does this get scratches easy?

 

[PatrickFaith]

Hey Patrick,
Did you ever get a chance to film some more behind the scenes of this in action? Would love to see it.

I have some scenes this saturday with the k-flex and a 12 foot jib under motion control ... i'll make sure i get some behind the scene camera rolling while the thing is in motion.

 

[Joel Arvidsson]

I have some scenes this saturday with the k-flex and a 12 foot jib under motion control ... i'll make sure i get some behind the scene camera rolling while the thing is in motion.

Sweet. Will be great fun.

 

[Joe Minuni]

Does it wear down fast. I tried to leave the steel pipes at studio and try pvc pipes. To me pvc pipes can work a job a or two. But they get scratches so easy so Im back to steelpipes.

So does this get scratches easy?

I have a bunch of kessler kit, including the flex track and their hercules tripod dolly system.
No wear problems yet, They reccomend you wipe it down before using to get any small debris off, which i do everytime. Been using it for about 8 months on and off, still smooth.
I've had a fully loaded 8' crane on top of the hercules , on the dolly track and no issues whatsoever, so weight seems to be no problem either

 

[kevin holmgren]

I am thinking about getting this similar set up. K-Flex versus regular tubing. Love to see more when you have it. I currently have a Cobra Crane 2 with Manfrotto 3059 head, but the head only supports 18 pounds and the tripod, (though it looks tough) is only rated at 44 pounds; which is JUST the weight of the tripod.

So I need to find something allot stronger. So looking at a similar set up to you. And buying my dolly wheels from iKan (4 for $180) and making a dolly for operator and tripod, as well I hope they fit directly on the k-pod. (1/2 - 13.) but I can cross purpose them. Then with the Kessler 8 foot crane, I should be able to get some good shots. Since the dolly wheels can be used both on k-flex and steel/PVC then I should be able to get different looks,

Then to save some money on a slider, I got a Madlyfins board, and a Induro Hi-Hat, then mounting that will use steel and other dolly track to create a slider.

Look forward to seeing your set up.