Element Technica Handheld rig "The Mantis" now available!

[Chris Burket]

The long anticipated Element Technica Handheld rig “The MANTIS” is now available. Here is a link to the product page where you can place an order: http://www.elementtechnica.com/products/view.php?p=29


The Mantis is the first Cine Style handheld system to offer an adjustable shoulder pad that can conform to each operator’s body type and shooting style. The Mantis can be mounted directly to the bottom of the Red using two 3/8-16 screws, or it can be used in conjunction with the Arri-style bridge plates. This compatibility means the MANTIS can also work with any camera with an Arri style bridge plate on the bottom of it.


For those that are interested in how the rig works, here is a link to an explanation: http://www.elementtechnica.com/hand-held-kit/background.php

A detailed description of how to configure the MANTIS can be found here: http://www.elementtechnica.com/hand-held-kit/notes.php

All of the pages include images of the MANTIS.

To see the MANTIS in action check out Geoff Boyle’s photos of his Mantis experience on Wallander.
http://www.gboyle.co.uk/wallander.html

Also, for a video demonstration of the Mantis, check out Shawn Booth’s website here: http://www.r3dguerilla.com/Element_Technica

 

[Jaime Vallés]

Looks fantastic! Thanks for the post.

 

[Mitch Gross]

Also available through Abel Cine Tech, proud distributor of Element Technica product. ;-)

 

[michael zaletel]

What did Geoff Boyle mean by this statement exactly?

"The practical use of them is not well thought out."

Isn't the RED ONE design about as adaptable, modular and accommodating as it gets?

"We had some difficulties adapting the Red cameras for the way we wanted to work, the pictures from the cameras are great but the practical use of them is not well thought out. It's very difficult to mount all the "normal" accessories like wireless follow focus, cinetape, wireless video assist. Once you have got them mounted you then have power and balance problem."

Also, why would something like this need to cost nearly $2K? I could see $750 or even $1,000 but not $2k.


-shooter

 

[Nick Gardner]

Also, why would something like this need to cost nearly $2K? I could see $750 or even $1,000 but not $2k.

Well the machinery to build some thing like this is not free, the time of the guy who had to design it, get it into some form that it could be fed into a computer, set up the machine, mill the parts, QC them, send them off to be anodized, I'm guessing he doesn't work for free.

Having just spent 3 days learning gcode and programing my mill to make a simple 100mm studio lens support, I think it's a pretty good price.

If you don't understand what is involved in making stuff like this, the price can seem high, but I assure you it's a lot of work.

Nick

 

[Shawn Booth]

Also, why would something like this need to cost nearly $2K? I could see $750 or even $1,000 but not $2k.


-shooter

Once you get your hands on one, you might think different... Also, like Nick said, if you knew what went into it... It's actually affordable for what you're getting.


And it's an Element Technica product so you know it's solid.

Thanks Chris -

 

[Nate Clapp]

Or use red handles. They work, but I do not want to be behind the wheel all day with them. for and additional $1300 you get a pro piece of gear dialed in for all day use. Look at Red cart or yaeger cart. $1300-1500 for a cart? for people who their cart is their office they live in everyday, absolutely worth it.

 

[Mitch Gross]

When did work of the first ET handheld prototypes start leaking out? February? Think about how many man hours and machine hours went into making this rig the best design they could. All of that R&D has to be paid for.

It's like a computer chip or a prescription drug. The first one costs millions and the second one costs ten cents.

 

[Poi Boy]

Boy, that picture of Geoff doing a no hander should sell this product !
Aloha
-A

 

[Andrae Palmer]

Pricing is ridiculous. Sooner or later price consciousness will hit out little community too. Perhaps next year during the depression.

 

[michael zaletel]

If you don't understand what is involved in making stuff like this, the price can seem high, but I assure you it's a lot of work.

Come on Nick? Do you really think I don't understand what is involved in making stuff like this? Seriously?

Which do you think was more complicated to build and perfect? This shoulder mount or the extremely affordable AdvantaJib which is also under $2k. By the way, I own one of these and fly my bare Red One (under 15 pounds) on it with a 10' reach and it head pan and tilt. Once I receive my extremely affordable wireless follow focus from View Factor, I'll have control over a 10' jib with remote pan, tilt, zoom and focus for under $5,000.

Both are great pieces of equipment with significantly more complex design and engineering requirements.

Sure I understand the costs of R&D but I don't believe those should be passed on to the first 100 customers. R&D is something you amortize over several years. I truly believe the Mantis should be priced at $999 and can almost assure you they'd sell 3 times as many. If the raw materials and 100th+ unit mfg. costs are less than $500 as I suspect, they'll make more money at that price point and everyone will be happier.

http://advantajib.com/price.html
http://advantajib.com/video.html

-shooter

 

[Rick Darge]

Yes the jib is nice, but what do you use for your handheld work? The Mantis is worth its weight in gold. It makes handheld work DO-able with the R1 system. You can now have your camera on your shoulder all day with minimal pain / back ache at the end of the day. I have only tested a prototype for 2 straight days of handheld, but I can strongly say that these ET guys took a hellava long time to develop this thing to absolute perfection. Those 2 days of Mantis work were literally night and day to all the other options I've used up to that point (Red handles, Camera comfort cushion, etc.)

Glad to hear that this is finally ready for the market. Awesome job dudes. :biggrin:

 

[Andrae Palmer]

With the economic downturn you could probably pick one up for $500 in 6 months. I can wait.

 

[michael zaletel]

With the economic downturn you could probably pick one up for $500 in 6 months. I can wait.

Just want to make it clear that I'd pay $1,000 for the Mantis and I'm sure lots of people will pay $2,000. I just think lots more would pay $1,000 and then everyone would be happy. That's all.

-shooter

 

[Rick Darge]

With the economic downturn you could probably pick one up for $500 in 6 months. I can wait.

How so exactly? Used? Collapse of the dollar? Super-hyper-inflation? The ET EVF system is selling for about 70% in the 2nd hand market. I can't see the Mantis selling for $500 unless it was busted up or something

 

[Andrae Palmer]

How so exactly? Used? Collapse of the dollar? Super-hyper-inflation? The ET EVF system is selling for about 70% in the 2nd hand market. I can't see the Mantis selling for $500 unless it was busted up or something

I was thinking used... but you do bring up some other viable options. Of course another company like Redrock Micro could come out with a better product sub $1000.

Just want to make it clear that I'd pay $1,000 for the Mantis and I'm sure lots of people will pay $2,000. I just think lots more would pay $1,000 and then everyone would be happy. That's all.

-shooter

I would too... I am already an ET customer multiple times over. I just think this price point is scandalous. Heck it doesn't even look as fashionable as some of their other products. We would be paying more for less sexiness.

 

[Vico Martin]

The wait worths...wow.

Less than a Kilogram...wow
less height...wow
Yes more expensive than my dreams but... it worhts.
Ok, I´ve got it: the allstar for one body at the moment and one mantis for the other next handheld job we take.

 

[Bérenger Brillante]

Well I guess a lot of people will choose the All Star shoulder dovetail....

Too bad, I would have pay $1000-1200 with pleasure for the ET rig, but 2000$ is too much for my wallet --right now :biggrin: --

 

[Mark Phelan]

After having used a friend's Red handles on a daylong shoot versus using the ET Mantis all day, I can say the difference is huge. The Red One is a heavy camera. Using the Red setup is handy, quick and convenient when you need to get a grab shot, but if you are shooting handheld all day with your arms bent upwards, you're going to lose the feeling in them as the blood drains. Moreover, the greater control you gain with the wide and low stance the Mantis offers is far superior to the close-to-the-fulcrum handles of the Red offering. Add the Origio to the built-in slot of the Mantis handles allows for natural on/off operation.

 

[Florian Stadler]

The savings in back rehabilitation alone make it a no brainer.