Microforce Handheld

[zak forrest]

Does anyone know what I would need to mount my Microforce (which is inside a Microforce pan handle with rosettes) to 19mm rods so I can go handheld with it? I tried taking apart the Red handle and putting the Microforce pan handle on it but the rosettes are different. Also that Red handle slides around even when tightened all the way down...

 

[Francis Kenny]

Hi Zak. What is it that you want to attach to the Red? Is it the handle or the motor? I guess you are trying to have power zoom capability when shooting off your shoulder. I have a couple of suggestions for you (hoping that I understood your question). Bjorn Heden once made a beautiful handle for the Aaton and Arri SR cameras that replaced the existing handles. The two handles, left and right, were black rectangular grips containing the electronics for on/off, zoom control (right handle), and focus (left handle). The handgrips were about the size of the Red handgrips. What I loved about Bjorn's rig was that the zoom was subtle and accurate. He made these things for both 15mm and 19mm. My other suggestion would be to contact Howard Preston from Preston Cinema Systems. His company makes the microforce and he would probably have something for you. For mounting the motor you will need the 15mm adapter Red sells in their store. Most of the motors use a 15mm rod system. I hope this helps and I understood your question. If not, my apologizes. F

 

[zak forrest]

Hi Francis, thanks for the advice.

I have the Microforce controller, and the bracketry for the Heden motor to go with the lens, and this is the thing that I'm thinking of how to get going in a handheld config:

http://www.prestoncinema.com/products_micro_pan.html

I think I could actually go off the rosettes on the Element Technica base, but there is no shoulder pad for that. I could make my own, and I think soon Element will have something for me anyway..

I'm just brainstorming. Wondering if there is a way to clamp onto 19mm rods or something somehow, so I could use the Red base/shoulder dovetail (which doesn't have rosettes for the Microforce pan arm adapter)

 

[Steve Gal]

Oppenheimer has a rosette style curved bar that attaches to his microforce controller holder. I have for Arri and Aaton style rosettes.

 

[zak forrest]

Just got word from Element that their handheld rig will let me replace a handle with the Microforce handle... Maybe I'll just wait this one out..

 

[Francis Kenny]

I looked at the Preston site. You have a good idea for a zoom handle/camera grip. I have seen this before where that handle becomes the right hand grip for a camera. I would think Howard could help you on this.

I wish someone would remake the Heden zoom grips. They were beautiful.
F

 

[Francis Kenny]

Steve was correct. Oppenheimer.