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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Element Technica Handheld rig "The Mantis" now available!

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

Obviously not.

Nick

Edit:

OK that's too terse.

The Jib you compare it to does about the exact mechanical opposite of the ET rig. The jib moves. It moves freely. I highly doubt there is one part on that whole jib with a tolerance of more than .01". I am sure there are no bearings, everything is stuffed in delrin or nylon bushings.

The ET rig is designed to be adjustable and not move. I am sure their tolerances are at least .001" of not .0005" Major difference.

I think it is pretty safe to say you are not a machinist. So no, if you have never designed and built a moving part from a piece of raw metal, to a tolerance of a .001", then you don't really understand whats involved.

You are welcome to think it's too expensive. I am just sick and tired of people complaining about the high cost of cinema gear with no understanding of what they are talking about.

Cheers,

Nick
 
I don't think it's a question of the product's worth. I think it's a question of the product's worth to the person who would buy it.

If I was booked 30 days for a feature and they wanted to rent a handheld unit, then this is a no brainer. it's ET all the way, but on my own with no one else's funds paying for equipment right now, it's Allstar until a larger gig comes through.

I love ET and own a number of their products, but they were purchased when larger paying gigs allowed for it. Right now, those gigs are not around, so budget trumps product in some cases. Sad but true.

Allstar may not have all the bells and whistles that ET does, but they are a hell of a lot better than a towel, and they kept the price low enough to allow me to get them without a lot of strain on the pocketbook.

Later, when I land a larger gig, and time and speed mean money, I will look at the Mantis again.

I'm sure ET's not worried, they have plenty of larger clients who will grab the mantis as fast as they can build them. As it should be

Jay
 
I've been testing prototypes of the ET Mantis since June. I now have two of the shipping version Mantis units in use with my RED One camera kits. They are well designed, light but strong, and adjustable for virtually every type of load and technique of shoulder held cinematography. They simply beat the snot out of any other shoulder held solution I've tried with my RED One cameras.

Due to its build quality and price, IMO the Mantis is for pro level cinematographers who do a lot of shoulder held work. In a world of discounted products there are still some products where you get what you pay for. ET products fall in that category. Their product positioning is: close tolerances, strong (but light) materials, durability, and finish - and on pro level sets or on location with pro crews all of those qualities are not a luxury, but rather a necessity. At this level, where dollars are ticking away by the minute, durability and familiarity in equipment are critical to staying on schedule and budget.

I realize the $1,970 price for Mantis may seem steep to some, but keeping in mind the factors I mentioned above, IMO it is priced where it should be priced. To use an industry analogy, ET is set up somewhat similar to how Cooke is - to generate a low/moderate volume of high quality products. I don't regret one single dollar I've spent on ET products over the years.

After six months of heavy use of the Mantis, my opinion of it is that it is a great addition to any professional cinematographer's kit. It is a pleasure to use and yes, it is very easy on one's lower back and shoulders.

Besides me, I only see three people (EDIT: 4 now with Sherrick) on this thread who have any experience at all using a Mantis - and each of them came away with a great impression of it. IMO the rest of you should reserve judgement on the wisdom of spending $1,970 on a Mantis until you test one. If you don't currently have the funds to buy one, that's understandable, we've all been there before. But IMO you should work hard, test a Mantis whenever you get the chance, and hopefully generate the revenue for an upcoming project to allow you to get one.

The Mantis is a top-quality piece of equipment that really belongs in a pro-level kit.
 
Steven-Marc said:
Can it also be used efficiently in situations where you have to do your own focus pulling?
Click to expand...

I've pulled my own focus at all times when using the Mantis. It can be used in single-operator eye focusing environments, big crew traditional focusing environments, or any situation in between those.

I use it with the integrated Origo at all times. That way I have instant start/stop capability with my thumb on the right handle. When sight focusing that allows me to quickly rack focus with my left hand.

The Mantis is versatile - use it however you need.
 
With all due respect Andrae and shooter, the handheld rig is affordable to rental companies, cinematographers who shoot handheld all of the time, and even the smaller shops who don't really have too many good options for the Red at the moment. All you have to do is look at Arri's prices for their matteboxes and follow focus units to see that ET is better bang for the buck. It's not cheap by any means, but keep in mind that Redrock caters to a different market on most of their products. They don't make Arri quality and they don't charge Arri prices. They are a Godsend for independents and without them it would be a lot tougher to do some of the things that indies have been able to do over the past few years.

But I would caution people to not underestimate the processes that have gone into designing a product like The Mantis. I have been on the phone with Stephen many times and it seemed like they were constantly making tweaks, constantly bringing in top level cameraman to try it out, take feedback, go back to the drawing board, etc. I have beta tested the Mantis, and I can say it is the ONLY solution for me to be able to work handheld with the RED. I have a bad shoulder, and recent back issues so I need something that will address both of those problems and the ET unit does. I also don't have football player type shoulders and haven't hit the gym very hard over the last few months, so The Mantis provides the comfort, customizing I need to work with RED on my shoulder for more than a few minutes.

I can understand people watching their wallets right now. I'm in the same boat. Some of the things I want to purchase have to go on hold for a few months. But I don't have a problem with ET's pricing. They will sell a lot of them, even at the $2K price tag. Also, keep in mind that you don't have to buy the whole rig. You can piece it out and complete it over time.

RED has set the bar very high for everyone in terms of price/performance. Even a company like Arri is having to make some moves to adapt to this new precedent set by RED. But a company like ET still needs to make some profit margin to be able to stay in business. Due to the precision of their products, I want them to stay in business. I honestly don't think the RED would be as widely accepted without some of the products ET put out there early on. They have complimented each other nicely.

By the way, I honestly do respect the opinions of those who don't agree with the pricing. This post is not trying to knock those opinions. Just offering my own perspective on this.
 
Steve Gibby said:
I've pulled my own focus at all times when using the Mantis. It can be used in single-operator eye focusing environments, big crew traditional focusing environments, or any situation in between those.

I use it with the integrated Origo at all times. That way I have instant start/stop capability with my thumb on the right handle. When sight focusing that allows me to quickly rack focus with my left hand.

The Mantis is versatile - use it however you need.
Click to expand...

I knew Gibby would chime in on that question.

I agree, and to another point let me add that if you do purchase the Mantis, buy the ViewFactor Origo to work in tandem with it. I've spoken (annoyed/harassed) Steve and Chris several times about the handheld rig and my latest request to them was for a right angle LEMO for the Origo; it would make for a nicer fit/finish. Chris did say they're working on a custom cable with right angle LEMOs. I might also add if the ET guys are reading this, that a quick release/breakaway cable safety release for the Origo might be in order. I've almost yanked the cord out of the socket several times as I forget to unplug when removing the camera from the Mantis. DOH! I know, I'm the dummy for not checking cables, but I wouldn't complain if it were to become a feature.
 
Just ordered mine from Abel. :)

Re: the cost being too high, really? I don't know, the RED Cheeseplate is 300$, the RED bottom plate is 600$! This stuff costs a lot to manufacture in small quantities.

I'm so pumped to be able to hand hold my RED comfortably that I was more than happy to throw down for it. The ET stuff I own is the most reliable stuff in my rig.

Happy new year peeps.
 
We've been waiting for a long time for a handheld solution, so this was a no-brainer. We ordered the ET Mantis last night. Cannot wait to get it.
 
With ET's "Mantis" and similar hand-held rigs you would really need to be a pilot of your shooting plus you would need a navigator and even more a hot stewardess if something is getting wrong with shooting.

Too complicated:

you are just a DP.

If you take it nothing is easy then and you can't get things on your control with your fingers (EVF, camera and lens, FF, sound etc...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!).

Soon you are OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Cristina said:
http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.472981/it.A/id.433/.f?sc=2&category=865

An affordable solution?
Click to expand...

I think you and others (who think it's too expensive) don't understand what you're actually getting here. If you have watched my video AND still do not understand - please find someone who has the Mantis, stop by ET or just imagine...

The Mantis is completely 100% customizable to the operator. You can't find another hand held system like it. Period.

Neck and back will again love you... $2K is nothing in the big picture of things.
 
My fingers are on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My fingers are on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My fingers are on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

With this rig at the pictures below I can control every button and lens adjustment I want.

Fingers_on1.jpg

RED1, Canon FD 35-105mm f/3.5 lens, Allstar handle bridge, RED handles.

Fingers_on2.jpg

RED1, Canon FD 35-105mm f/3.5 lens, Allstar handle bridge, RED handles.

Rode_NTG3_03.jpg

RED1, Leica Summilux 50mm f/1.4, Allstar shoulder pad & handle bridge, RED handles,
Sennheiser HD 25-1 II headphones, Avid/M-Audio MicroTrack I recorder, Rode NTG-3 condenser mic, Rode Dead Cat widshield.

I am pilot, navigator and AC of my run & gun RED1 rig.

With "Mantis" I'm not so sure and it looks that I'm a part of never ending handheld rig R1 game...

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Post some footage soon about my rig.
 
Sanjin - I had a similar setup when it was the only way I could go HH. Don't see how you like this or it's comfortable but more power to you. It killed my back having to arch up and back just to operate.

With the Mantis, you can still access the buttons and lens...
 
Shawn,

Mantis is just a hype...

It's about this:

Your came should be "Like a cat on the shoulder*"

i_chat.gif


LINK>>>

It was about more then 3 or 4 decades of experience with Aaton cameras.

In that case you should customize your RED1 as better as you can to reach a "cat-light-design"

that you could carry it as a cat on your shoulder.

Anyway you cannot carry any CAT or camera longer than an half of hour without intermision even if

you are Arnold Schwarzenegger like a body builder type of DP or director by yourself.

It's about 4K to get recorded and not a bloody 2/3 HD or similar crap that is in those days overload at the Hollywood production.

Get a figure.

Also who cares about Hollywood in the future!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Somebody is greedy and you don’t get that through...

It's a time for change, finally...
 
Sanjin, I like you but you're wrong. Play with the Mantis for a few hours and I swear, YOU WILL notice a big difference. It has so many neat little features. It makes handheld with the R1 easy breezy. You are an intergalatic astronaut when u use this thing. It makes pilots look like sissys!
 
Sanjin,
I have to say you are wrong. Lots of reality shooters carry a camera for longer than half an hour and I've shot concerts for 2 hours or longer with the camera on my shoulder. I have to say that I use an easyrig for most of my handheld but I'll be getting a mantis as well. You have to look after your back and your handheld rig looks painful. Camera operating should not be painful - if it is, you are damaging your body.Maybe if you put the handles and viewfinder in line with the shoulder pad it would feel better.
The bottom line is that well designed and well built gear costs money and element-technica is worth every penny.
Shane.
 
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