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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!

Olivier,

thanks for your nice report.

It's all about RED1 hand-held as you've said and showed in the pictures.

For mine point of view to shoot hand-held also means to record a sound.

How about that audio recording with your rig?


Hi Sanjin

I have the same Roland (earlier model) as you but I does not use it because the battery is not strong enough. So I use the MM1 preamp sound device fixed on my belt (in the same way of the battery of the Red). Same NTG3 Rod mic and mount as you have. Very good sound for my use. I think i will buy a little Lavallier mic just for ambiant sound without any need of quality (synchro for example).



PS : I just get today from the post the little actionProduct accessory for mounting the Red Raid (http://actionproducts.ch/actioncam/raidrack.html). So I will save some 1/10 of kg more... They look nice !
 
Thanks for your report Olivier. Since I already have the RED grips... the Allstar seems like a definite possibility.

I think you can forget them. They are quite heavy and not very steady even with the new screw that Allstar send with the shoulder. Don't buy the Allstar shoulder for that reason, buy it because it is light, well balanced, quick installed and very practical.
 

Probably not the right kind of handheld system for the Red. You need a system that is designed with the Red in mind because of the ergonomics of the camera. The one thing I have learned about buying equipment is that you should try everything before you actually buy it. A product can have glowing reviews, but then you try it and it doesn't work for you for one reason or another. Always be an informed buyer. Never buy anything on specs. It is very risky business.

That is one of the reasons I had the vendors at the Reduser event at NAB. I wanted people to be able to get hands on with the new line of Red accessories from the various third parties. It worked for the vendors and those looking to buy. Same thing will happen this year.
 
i am glad the mantis is finally there.

i've been working with the ARRI shoulder mount and RED ONE this summer and it was a painfull experience - and they charged 100 euros / week (which was a special price).

looking at the ARRI price list a new shoulder set is around 2700 euros ... i don't think the price for the mantis is ridiculous.

just my two cents - regards,
martin
 
got back today from holydays ... got to agree that the Mantis seems quite pricey.
comparing prices with ARRI does not seems a good idea, ARRI prices are survivors of a prehistoric era that will never come back, like the platypus.
even more if you think that's something designed for a super price-competitive piece of gear like RED ...
bad pricing is everywhere, think about Sony still selling HVR-Z1U at $4,600 when Scarlet is around the corner ... good is that we all have options. :)
 
Probably not the right kind of handheld system for the Red. You need a system that is designed with the Red in mind because of the ergonomics of the camera. The one thing I have learned about buying equipment is that you should try everything before you actually buy it. A product can have glowing reviews, but then you try it and it doesn't work for you for one reason or another. Always be an informed buyer. Never buy anything on specs. It is very risky business.

That is one of the reasons I had the vendors at the Reduser event at NAB. I wanted people to be able to get hands on with the new line of Red accessories from the various third parties. It worked for the vendors and those looking to buy. Same thing will happen this year.

I'm not sure that's such a hot idea this time Steve.. When you did it last year, RED was still getting up and running, vendors were still somewhat "new"... That time has past now and there will be a RED in a BUTTLOAD of booths and accessories everywhere you look. I always felt your meeting should be about the things that are NOT popular with RED.. Why not do a survy on here and find out the 5 topics that we as REDUsers feel are not touched on enough, and base the meeting around that.

If you want to help on the accessories front though, then a REDMAP would be helpful in other words start collecting company names and booth numbers of anyone with RED related gear and someone on here can make a custom map or list or something.

Just my 2 cents.

Jay

Of course, I will start with the most obvious topic.. I would like someone from RED for a Q & A session as well as a dog and pony show on Epic and Scarlet and where they are at that time.
 
The design, enginnering and manufacturing of Arriflex products justify the pricing. IMHO

actually i see it in a slightly different way.
i would say that design, engineering and manufacturing of Arri products is so good that i can go beyond the fact that i feel those products are quite overpriced ... :shifty:
 
I'm not sure that's such a hot idea this time Steve.. When you did it last year, RED was still getting up and running, vendors were still somewhat "new"... That time has past now and there will be a RED in a BUTTLOAD of booths and accessories everywhere you look. I always felt your meeting should be about the things that are NOT popular with RED.. Why not do a survy on here and find out the 5 topics that we as REDUsers feel are not touched on enough, and base the meeting around that.

If you want to help on the accessories front though, then a REDMAP would be helpful in other words start collecting company names and booth numbers of anyone with RED related gear and someone on here can make a custom map or list or something.

Just my 2 cents.

Jay

Of course, I will start with the most obvious topic.. I would like someone from RED for a Q & A session as well as a dog and pony show on Epic and Scarlet and where they are at that time.
Interesting point Jay. I guess my only counterpoint would be at the Reduser event you have everyone in one place, and you have your peers in one place so you get to bounce ideas off them in an interactive environment. And you have a cool raffle. :-)

I will probably do another poll just to see what the Reduser community wants for NAB this year. Maybe my grand ideas are not in line with what people actually want. Let's move this discussion over to the NAB thread. I don't want to hijack the Mantis thread.
 
Received ours today...simply amazing!!!
This is worth every penny we paid, the quality is outstanding. Well done Stephen, another home run from ET.
 
working with the system today... AMAZING!!!!
cant feel the weight of the camera at all.
Im in love!!!!!
I need 2 grand asap

Got mine in the other day and I must say it is the best $2k I ever spent. :love:

Now I can finally start shooting with my RED!
 
I've had my Mantis since last week. It really transforms handheld with the Red and any other cinema camera. Worth every penny - build like a tank but lightweight, and it adjusts easily to "just right". I can't imagine doing handheld without it. It even makes handheld with my Arri BL pleasant. Kudos ET!

Matthew Verkler
 
I had to wait for a job to pay out before ordering mine... Just did. :) Hopefully they'll ship mine today, it looks great!
 
You're going to love it Jeff! Be sure to try and mount the EVF directly to the rig for a NEW way of doing business.
 
Thanks from Element Technica

Thanks from Element Technica

It is great to read all the positive impressions from the MANTIS early adopters.

This has been a pretty long development for us and it's great to finally see it in use. Like all of our products this has been a genuine collaboration between Hector and myself. We literally volleyed the ideas back and forth over the course of a year as the Element team helped us execute numerous prototypes. All along the way it has been the input of the REDUSERS as well as their willingness to try out every iteration that has driven the final design. The MANTIS we originally imagined was drastically different and not nearly as functional as the unit we are shipping.

Thanks for your support and patience.
 
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