Custom Steadicam for REDusers <1800USD - Post your ideas

[Peter Lan]

1. Boom range of the arm expanded, so you can go lower and higher than with previous arm.
2. Sled pin on arm is adjustable, not fixed as previously (you can turn it and fix if you want).
3. Also low mode bracket is provided, so sled handle look like "L" instead of "7". Allow to operate lower.
4. Adjustable angle double battery mount (V mount or Anton Bauer on your choice).
5. Bubble levels present on top and bottom.
6. Markings on post allowing quickly tune and align things.
7. Upgraded post material - better and stronger carbon tubes with more carbon layers.
8. Docking bracked will have safety pin.
9. Longer top QR plate as requested, allowing better range. Will have option to mount lens support.
10. You can choose either present monitor mount bracket or 15mm rods monitor bracket, as you wish.

LEMO top and bottom boxes will be an option available later (as requires some time), enginners are working on them now.

Additional diameter solution for under gymbal control area will be provided, please post your preferences if you like rubber or plastic.

You can ask questions if something is not clear. I'll post photos, but it'll be later.

So just to recap of my thoughts from the photos shown.

1. Seems to work. Altough it does seem to have lost some of the weight reduction grooves along the arm. I would mill out a gap between the two metal housings (like older arm) of the spring incase when you boom up you catch your finder or branch or etc. (don't ask me how fingers would possibly be there while operating).

2. Can't really tell if present. Need detailed photos to see what is going on there. The connection post does seem a lot thinner (lower portion not connected to sled)

3. I personally would be afraid to have my rig counting on one pin from it falling to the floor, but meh, just me.

4. This is there. But like most people suggested, a connection to the lower power box should be present.

5. Doesn't seem to be present. But you said more photos are coming so I will wait

6. This was already there as most of the rig hasn't changed from this picture. (current version came is selling) http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-15kG-Load...722&pid=100011&prg=1005&rk=2&sd=111025409334&

7. Cannot tell from photo but I believe you

8. This was a nice addition, thank you.

9. Doesn't seem any longer than the one from the ebay posting I had above. (will wait for more updated picture)

10. Waiting for photo confirmation on this too. (15mm bracket) You will offset the balance if you tilt the whole J arm monitor bracket to the left and right based on the size of the thing. You should not have the need to tilt your monitor with the whole bracket side to side.

LEMO top and bottom box : waiting for photo confirmation

These are just comments I have based on the current photos provided here: http://www.nex-hack.info/wiki/laing-photos

I am sure as more photos pour in we will have a better idea on how the ACTUAL rig will be with the proper photos. Like I said previously most of the sled currently shown in the picture (90%) is still unchanged from the current one came is selling.

Anxiously waiting for more updates. As I am sure we all are.

 

[Vitaliy Kiselev]

1. Seems to work. Altough it does seem to have lost some of the weight reduction grooves along the arm. I would mill out a gap between the two metal housings (like older arm) of the spring incase when you boom up you catch your finder or branch or etc. (don't ask me how fingers would possibly be there while operating).

Thanks for your thoughs. Arms will be as is shown on photos.

Can't really tell if present. Need detailed photos to see what is going on there. The connection post does seem a lot thinner (lower portion not connected to sled)

I'll try to post better photos later.

I personally would be afraid to have my rig counting on one pin from it falling to the floor, but meh, just me.

I have big issue understanding your words. As you can use screw. Diameter is pretty enough to hold weight.

4. This is there. But like most people suggested, a connection to the lower power box should be present.

What connection exactly? Be specific, please.

Doesn't seem to be present. But you said more photos are coming so I will wait

I already specifically said that it is not present and photos will be added.

This was already there as most of the rig hasn't changed from this picture.

If you check photos in same listing below they lack any markings. Wishes list had been done before any markings where present.

9. Doesn't seem any longer than the one from the ebay posting I had above. (will wait for more updated picture)

Photos show longer forward travel that people requested.

You will offset the balance if you tilt the whole J arm monitor bracket to the left and right based on the size of the thing. You should not have the need to tilt your monitor with the whole bracket side to side.

I also fail to understand complain here. If you move monitor to sides or tilt it'll change balance the same.

Like I said previously most of the sled currently shown in the picture (90%) is still unchanged from the current one came is selling.

Guys, sometimes I have no words. As instead of using opportunity and helping, I see complains ala "not enough".

 

[Peter Lan]

Vitaliy, please do not take it the wrong way. I am merely offering critique based on the photos shown. I am sure as more photos pour in, most of my concerns would be answered. I mean no harm
thanks for your efforts to keep updating us with information. I look forward to more details.

 

[Peter Lan]

Generally it is that I meant, as it requires not only markings but also some reference pointer.

Thanks for your work.

In reality, as I said, you have horizontal bubble level to set head horizontally.

Haha just realized you posted this. Any way here are my thoughts. Correct me if I am wrong. The bubble level is on the aft( back side) so that won't tell me if the top stage is leveled tilt wise. Unless they are adding one on the side to side as well. Also, even if you level the top stage your post and lower might be off. Thats my reasoning, like I said, correct me if I am misunderstanding you.

 

[Vitaliy Kiselev]

The bubble level is on the aft( back side) so that won't tell me if the top stage is leveled tilt wise. Unless they are adding one on the side to side as well. Also, even if you level the top stage your post and lower might be off.

One level is on side, as you need to levels As for bottom rods and level - it is default at 90 degrees to post, so you can check using bottom level.

 

[Vitaliy Kiselev]

If some is interested in TrusMT V Mount plate you can contact me via PM, if we'll have enough people we'll get good discount for group buy. For laing owner it allows to get solid base with rods, also rods can be mounted on back.

For discussion go to http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?96938-TrusMT-V-Mount-plate-group-buy

 

[Brad Crawford]

You mean multiple holes for screw here?

Yes. multiple screw holes on the bridge plate. (not just holes down the center but spaced out throughout the plate.) Just can't tell from the photos. Thanks!

 

[Vitaliy Kiselev]

Yes. multiple screw holes on the bridge plate. (not just holes down the center but spaced out throughout the plate. Just can't tell from the photos. Thanks

Yep, it is good idea. But here I can't promize it. We'll see.

 

[Chris Poynton]

Great to see first new photos of the Laing "2013"(?) Great work from the engineers and factory people, god bless 'em. Couple of things in random order:

- Regarding the new arm geometry, it looks like it's getting closer to a Steadicam Flyer arm with the new closure angle and hence increased boom range. However, it seems the angle of the "lift adjustment thread" is very close to vertical, and may be throwing away some precious adjustment range. I understand that a flatter (EDIT) angle (as on the Flyer) allows for a quicker and more radical level of adjustment. Photos comparing (a non-Laing) Chinese arm to Steadicam Flyer are on my website at: http://cp.org.au/movies/steadicam-test.html This is where it can be helpful to do test data and compile "lift performance curves". Really need to see video evidence of how much effect the lift knobs actually have in terms of rotations v. "change in height".

- Regarding monitor bracket design, the rails option would allow the monitor to be brought in closer to the post (good to reduce inertia for whip pans). The odd looking Laing "drop-down" bracket does have an advantage of allowing lower monitor position. The best way to mount a monitor is so that it tilts around its own centre of gravity. Charles Papert has posted a good "yolk" design in this DVinfo forum thread. As people have many different monitors and dimensions, there is a general DIY method for making this sort of yolk on the HBS forum.

- The addition of the locking knob on the arm post gives ops the option of having a free rotating post, locked, or frictional. Good move. This adjustment affects the angle of the gimbal handle when you operate. Great discussion on SteadicamForum -> http://www.steadicamforum.com/index.php?showtopic=17067

- I suggested to Tracy a while back that multiple "arm posts" or extensions could be supplied. +3, +6, +9 inches are regarded as fairly standard. Perhaps screw in extensions are best way to go if there is a bearing in the bottom of the post. Maybe run this option past one of the professional ops on this forum? (I think on models that do not have a rotating post they actually have whole posts that you swap over.)

- Is the safety pin on the docking bracket a quick-release "aircraft" style pin? I can't see a release buttoin, so it looks like a plain pin. How does it stay in?

- With the low mode bracket, the Steadicam Operator's book recommends that it needs to be a "double shear" pin arrangement. Youtube physics video explains double shear. Looks like this may be the case in the photo, but worth double checking. The point is that a "clamp only" or "single screw" arrangement should be avoided, as they fail.

- Ops may want to have a hard-mount option for the arm. This requires supply of a second "female section" of the socket block, which can then be attached to a rigid or adjustable bracket for bolting or clamping to tripod bowl, scaffolding pipe, cars, dollies, etc. There has been some discussion of "fancy versions" of hardmounts in another thread (which for the moment eludes me), but the very basic standard mount is a Garfield mount. May be worth looking at offering spare blocks as an option or asking for people to submit prefered hardmount designs.

Looking forward to more photos of the rig ...

 

[Vitaliy Kiselev]

Chris, you have good suggestions, but I think it is best to make separate topi to discuss them in details. Here I try to catch all modifications we had on list and also power solutions options that people want.

 

[David Kellermann]

I don't agree. This thread is about all modifications suggested for the Laing. People loose track of possible changes, if separated into different threads.

 

[Tyler Bourns]

I don't agree. This thread is about all modifications suggested for the Laing. People loose track of possible changes, if separated into different threads.

I agree with David, there are enough threads already and Chris's suggestions are in response to this custom rig.

 

[Elizabeth Lowrey]

Ops may want to have a hard-mount option for the arm. This requires supply of a second "female section" of the socket block, which can then be attached to a rigid or adjustable bracket for bolting or clamping to tripod bowl, scaffolding pipe, cars, dollies, etc.

I'm glad someone remembered this. I, too, would be very interested in an option that allowed the arm to be mounted to something other than a vest.

 

[Vitaliy Kiselev]

I don't agree. This thread is about all modifications suggested for the Laing. People loose track of possible changes, if separated into different threads.

I just try to keep it about participating people opinions and suggestions, especially about power options. About modifications that will be really present in group buy rig.

Chris suggestions need some other place for discussion. Many of them are interesting, some require detailed talk and consulting. Some are just guesses and DIY like ideas, etc.
I believe that in future some of them could be implemented.

 

[Chris Poynton]

Just a further note on the new Laing arm design (this is a bit of guesswork) ... as it approaches the geometry of the Steadicam Flyer, it may come up against an issue regarding spring inter-changeability. The Flyer achieves a good iso-elastic range by using very thick spring wire (5.6mm) which is under a great deal of pre-loaded tension. If the new Laing also requires a spring with a lot of pre-load tension then this will make swapping of springs more difficult (maybe impossible?) for field users. So maybe a particular spring will have to be locked in at the factory. Not necessarily a bad thing, just saying. Got to get the specs right.

For reference, the Steadicam Flyer weight range is: minimum 5.9 kg/13lb --> recommended max 8.5kg/19lb --> absolute max approx 13kg/29 lb
The Flyer has long since been discontinued, and superceded by Flyer LE and then Zephyr, but it seems to me that Laing is kind of "re-inventing the wheel" or going down this geometry path so it can be useful to compare to Tiffen specs. (And I use the Flyer as a touchstone because it is the only Tiffen arm I have been able to test so far). I guess it all comes down to users developing a language around how to assess arms.

 

[Vitaliy Kiselev]

Just a further note on the new Laing arm design (this is a bit of guesswork) ... as it approaches the geometry of the Steadicam Flyer, it may come up against an issue regarding spring inter-changeability. The Flyer achieves a good iso-elastic range by using very thick spring wire (5.6mm) which is under a great deal of pre-loaded tension. If the new Laing also requires a spring with a lot of pre-load tension then this will make swapping of springs more difficult (maybe impossible?) for field users. So maybe a particular spring will have to be locked in at the factory. Not necessarily a bad thing, just saying. Got to get the specs right.

I think you properly defined it - guesswork Do not worry about springs and their change, all is ok

 

[Petri Teittinen]

Been away. Did I miss the group buy...?

 

[Vitaliy Kiselev]

Been away. Did I miss the group buy...?

No, you did not. Laing is finishing final touches and it'll be available soon.

 

[Petri Teittinen]

Thank you Vitaliy, and David for updating me via PM.

 

[Mike P.]

Does that mean a pre-wired v-mount (or ab-mount) with RED compatible lemo is not a possibility?