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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 :)

ET Weapon Side Handle Feedback

Yes, the battery inside the sidehandle is essential for many redusers... Including me.
Gunleik Groven said:
Hm. The batteryholding current handle has become a very integrated part of how I work with the Epic...
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Luca Orlandi said:
Yes, the battery inside the sidehandle is essential for many redusers... Including me.
Click to expand...

Same here... even tho we often need long lasting batteries, the side handle REDvolt option is a major advantage of the modular DSMC system that would be very sad to let go with Weapon.
 
Yeah, and the side handle pretty much gives me the actual DSMC functionality.
Now if that ends up costing more than an FF stills option, I might as well just bring an FF stills camera where I now don't.
Lowest possible mass/weight is definitely part of that.
And the body+sidehandle with battery kinda gives that.
 
Any which way, someone needs to come out with an elegant solution for hot swap. Another side handle that holds a redvolt is fine, but I would really like a super thin module (1/2" thick) that just went on the back. Basically, take the module adapter from the Epic, make it 1/2 as thick and put a battery in it. A streamlined camera would be nice a lot of the time.
 
Yep hot swap is what we need. Even if it only powers the cam for 30 sec
 
The Weapon Redvolt expander actually offers a way to have hot-swap capability. Granted it's another pound or so in weight and is a bit pricey, but none-the-less fills that job.

So for me, a simple round, long battery inside an ergonomic hand-fitting side handle I use for stabilizing the camera when going hand held and briefly keeps my camera powered-up (but not recording) while changing XL modules is all I need from a side-handle.

Oh, and as suggested before, that long round battery could also power a wi-fi connectivity from the handle so if it were released from the camera, could allow me to be at the director's monitor and trigger camera #2 on or off much like a Redmote should be doing at present. I don't need all the readouts, just off and on and perhaps a magnify to check focus on something like a wireless director's monitor from time to time.

With Weapon 8k on the horizon, this could save a lot of storage and media space during a shoot... not to mention keeping kit light for communicating with the camera at a distance.
 
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Gunleik Groven said:
Yeah, and the side handle pretty much gives me the actual DSMC functionality.
Now if that ends up costing more than an FF stills option, I might as well just bring an FF stills camera where I now don't.
Lowest possible mass/weight is definitely part of that.
And the body+sidehandle with battery kinda gives that.
Click to expand...
Exactly, without a SH the DSMC-concept is missing a huge thing.

I also don't agree about the REDVOLT-Expander-module being a replacement for a battery in the SH. It's a nice module but it's not the first one that comes in mind when i want to build a handheld-setup (and that is where a SH is really important). For me personally this Expander-module isn't the right thing, i mostly wouldn't need the I/O-ports - but i would miss the second REDVOLT-slot (like i have it with my DUAL-Battery-module).

SH with battery, WEAPON Base Expander, WEAPON REDVOLT XL Module (wish it would take two mini REDVOLTs) <- that would be my Weapon run&gun-setup.

For me a REDVOLT in the SH is essential, it has proven to be a great place to put some weight instead of stacking it all on the back. A RED can get heavy real quick, the only way to make the weight more acceptable is balancing it properly.
 
It is tempting to have a smaller, more ergonomic handle made specifically for Weapon, though I, too, would miss the redvolt/hot swap function found with the current side handle. But perhaps another option would be to offer some kind of compatibility mount that would enable the use of our current side handle with the Weapon, whether it places the side handle in roughly the same place as with the current Epic build, or better yet, also allows the side handle to be offset (similar in style to the FS7) for better handheld positioning. If it's able to retain current functionality, offer some kind of power continuity, and also be placeable as the user finds helpful, it would be an incredible option. Even if ET does not develop this particular idea, it would be great if another manufacturer could step in and make it a possibility, provided that Red deems it useful and feasible. That way, we could have the smaller option as many have been asking for, while giving others another option that could extend the life of redvolts (beyond the expander) and current side handles. Thoughts?
 
Antony Newman said:
What about a side handle with
+ space for 2 x hot swappable LiPo batteries
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Probably nice and more efficient than a REDVOLT (until those get updated with new cells), but it would introduce a new battery-system and the need for another charger in the bag. Cool thing about REDVOLTs is, it's just one small battery that you can use for ultra-small setups (just the SH) but also extend via DUAL and QUAD-module for longer runtimes. To me thats really a mega-plus for the small REDVOLTs. And you can charge them via one small travel-charger.
 
Maik Müller said:
Probably nice and more efficient than a REDVOLT (until those get updated with new cells), but it would introduce a new battery-system and the need for another charger in the bag. Cool thing about REDVOLTs is, it's just one small battery that you can use for ultra-small setups (just the SH) but also extend via DUAL and QUAD-module for longer runtimes. To me thats really a mega-plus for the small REDVOLTs. And you can charge them via one small travel-charger.
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Agree on all points
 
Likewise prefer to stick to the Redvolt format, given existing investment for HH/lightweight scenarios.. what we'd really love to see is some innovation in battery technology in the form factor to improve their viability in more demanding situations. Doubling the battery size in a Redvolt XL form factor to improve battery life isn't exactly innovation :)
 
Lack of Sidehandle (especially with power in it) has me on the NO side of Weapon purchase. I can't imagine life without it. I use the buttons, form factor, and power, all day, every day.
 
Darren,

People and companies are investing vast resources into improving battery technology as breakthroughs here can change the nature of the worlds power grid, the auto industry and about every portable device we use. On a long term scale battery performance is increasing about 5% per year. If Red could double the output of their Revolts they should give up on cameras and take on Tesla.
 
Matt Johnston said:
Lack of Sidehandle (especially with power in it) has me on the NO side of Weapon purchase. I can't imagine life without it. I use the buttons, form factor, and power, all day, every day.
Click to expand...

Jarred has confirmed the are working on a sidehandle...
 
If Red could double the output of their Revolts they should give up on cameras and take on Tesla.
Click to expand...
Actually, it's a little more the other way around. Tesla uses a lot of 18650 size battery cells in their cars. Not sure what size Red uses in the RedVolts.
Tesla just perfected a silicon anode in the cells which gives them more power. Indeed, they are offering a 90KW option to new buyers and existing 85 KW owners.
Same number of cells, improved battery technology.
For all we know, Red may be sourcing their batteries from Tesla/Panasonic.
I wonder what kind of restrictions apply when one wants to air ship their Tesla with all of those batteries.
 
IMO, still relevant...

IMO, still relevant...

Blair S. Paulsen said:
1) Smaller, ergonomic side handle with an internal rechargeable LiPo battery seems like the right path.

2) Knobs, buttons, etc should be placed in such a way as to allow adjustment of zoom, focus or iris while maintaining a steady grip

3) Handle should mount directly to the body without cables, but also offer the ability to be mounted other places via wireless or cabled connection. For example, I have an ET Mantis rig that is great when your hands are on the handles - but when you need to adjust focus, iris, etc you have to remove at least one hand to do so. If the new "side" handle could be mounted in place of the dumb handle then one could maintain a solid hold on the hand held rig while managing focus on the tons of jobs where a focus puller is not in the mix.

The real "vision" is to have both right and left smart handles - right has start/stop, zoom demand, etc and the left has a focus knob. They could be mounted in multiple arrangements to rosettes on rigs like the Mantis/Clutch/etc as well as be mounted on pan handles in a studio configuration. Ideally the cables would be routed inside hollow aluminum rods or perhaps a "U" channel extrusion that would allow the cables to be removed/swapped/repaired/upgraded. Ideally the knobs, rockers, etc would be programmable to support control protocols from Canon, Fujinon, etc with the proper cable. Lenses with electric motors built directly into the barrel/housing of the lens that can be controlled from "smart" handles would be so great. Your hands stay in the most ergonomic and logical position (depending on the shot/logisitics) - with the ability to control start/stop, FIZ, 1:1 mag, etc - without having to remove your hands from the handles.

It used to be that production modalities were segregated into film/cinema situations where a dedicated focus puller was SOP and the ENG/EFP world where the CamOp was expected to manage focus, and zoom themselves (with a shader riding iris on hardlined shows). All this convergence that's been going on the last decade has changed the parameters. If you have a focus puller then lock the controls and operate, but when you don't - at least it's not a juggling act where you have to chose between staying steady and staying in focus…

Cheers - #19
Click to expand...

Quoting myself, that's bandwidth hog behavior - I shall now slap myself with some Cat6...

Cheers - #19
 
Tom Gleeson said:
Darren,

People and companies are investing vast resources into improving battery technology as breakthroughs here can change the nature of the worlds power grid, the auto industry and about every portable device we use. On a long term scale battery performance is increasing about 5% per year. If Red could double the output of their Revolts they should give up on cameras and take on Tesla.
Click to expand...

I'm involved in various insights work in the ASEAN energy mix, natural resources sector incl renewables and solar/battery tech.

Where did you get the 5% p/a figure from and what is it in reference to? Is that commercial/consumer battery technology or are you suggesting R&D into battery technology across the board is only presenting a 5% performance improvement pa?

Because from what I've seen and in my humble opinion thereto, battery tech is about to go through some significant disruption and advancements in the next 12-18 months.
 
Darren,

I quoted the figure from a Battery Technology scientist being interviewed a few weeks ago on Radio National's "The Science Show." I understand he figure was meant as a long term historic average. Fingers crossed that science can significally push battery performance in the next 12-18 months as the worlds health depends on advances like these.
 
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