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Flowcine Gravity One

P

Peter Karlsson

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www.flowcine.com
Hey guys! We´ve been looking at a way of to overcome the shortcomings of the prefered way of shooting for many photographers, namely the ones that are using the Easyrig or the Walter Klassen suspender daily. The pendelum effect has always been a thorn in the side for photographers using these very popular body mounts. Now after a long period of design and r&d we are happy to tell you that the FlowCine Gravity One aka G-1 has undergone its final changes, and we now have locked down the functionality of it in our latest prototype. Its now undergone some serious testing and the results are very, very good.

So if you are a user of these kind of body mounts, please read the description below of what it does! We are just starting up, and will be releasing the patent pending G-1 on indiegogo.com on September the 10th! Please also visit flowcine.com to get the latest info about the Gravity One and future products / upgrades (more about the upgrades further down). The images are from our current test rig is equipped with the AEON bridge plate and 19mm rod system but you can of course use any kind of bridge/top plate/system together with the G-1.

G_1_Teaser_Images.jpg


FlowCine Gravity One specs and description:


  • G-1 is an very small lightweight external 2 axis Gimbal (pan axis is the EasyRig Cord).
  • It surrounds the camera externally in a very clever way so the operator can use the camera from shoulder to low mode.
  • It includes 3 small dovetail stages that you can perfectly balance the camera in 3 axis.
  • Its free float full bearing pivot supported gimbal in all crucial axis points.
  • It weights approx. 1300 grams and can fully support cameras up to 17 Kg or around 38 pounds.
  • It eliminates completely the pendulum effect created from the cord in all Easyrig style body mounts.
  • It allows the operator now to tilt freely with out effort +/- 60 degrees (that is approx. since there is always a little difference in camera height).
  • It allows the operator to freely roll the camera 30 degrees CCW, and 60 degrees CW.
  • Depending on the trim balancing tuning of the camera (perfect or a little bottom heavy) the camera will remain at all given tilting angles or rolling angles effortlessly, and the drag pendulum effect will completely be eliminated.
  • For moves being done without hands on camera, it produces very stable smooth footage, something that cannot be done with out this.

Now we know that the rigs based on helicopter gimbals with sensors and brushless motors are currently very popular. We have taken a completely different route, and have focused only on ergonomics first and foremost, with a open frame design that let the operator be as close to the camera as they are used too and still have superior versitality. Therefore it has been very important to make a solid rig, that can take almost any kind of camera weight and size and not limited it in terms of lens choices, balance or accessories.

Targeted at professional photographers our first product will be the G-1. Its a fully mechanic device, that will not let you down in any weather or terrain. Also the G-1 works well with gyros like the KS4x4 Kenyon for vehicle mount style shots, boat, aerial heli etc. mounted in a bungee cord.

Shortly after the initial launch we will offer the Gravity One Extended - G-1E : This is the most advanced version with sensor type Roll and Tilt gyrostabilized axis, and manual pan control. It includes a very small rocker joystick for tilt and/or roll control and be gyrostabilised at the same time while pan is controlled manually. We of course have more plans for the extended version, but we are taking it step-by-step and only add functionality that are something a professional photografer indeed use everyday, and make sure not to add a bunch of extra gadgets that's only gimic. Please note that we are working with technology that allows us move up to around 15 kg camera total weight on the extended version! That means you can use any choice of lens/mattebox/camera and other accessories without giving you any worries. This version is designed to be mounted on almost any kind of body mount (more about that in a later post) ;)

The most exciting version though is the G-1 which will be released end of September. And since its upgradable to the G-1E you can choose whenever you like to upgrade if you want to change your style of shooting, and go from all mechanical to a motorized version.

The G-1 is mounted on the camera using a top plate so Alexa users will have to have the Alexa handle unscrewed and an additional small mounting plate which we will provide for the Alexa.

Also the camera can go from body rig to tripod with out having to remove the G-1 from the camera. Simply attach any kind of bridge plate directly underneath the camera since the G-1 is only mounted on top it wont be in the way and allow you to move easily on and off the tripod.

You will be also able to use the Alexa shoulder pad with the G-1 with out a problem. Sonys cameras up to F65 are of course also covered!

I hope that is exiting news for you and as it is for us we are looking at a good launch just before IBC 2013. We will of course be at IBC, and be close to the Easyrig stand for people to try it out in person! Easyrigs creator Johan Hellsten is VERY impressed with what we've created. He has seen demo footage, something we will release once we go live on indiegogo.com :)

We are at crazy developing speed right now, but I'll to give updates as much as I can here! Happy shooting! /Regards Peter K * Flowcine
 
Reserved for videos :)

Sneak peek 001:

Sneak peek 002:

This is the last little sneak peek of the first prototype.. Next week we are showing in-camera footage, so you can see the results! :)

Sneak peek 003:

Indiegogo video:

Final production features of the G-1:
 
The price for G-1 will be revealed on September the 10th ;) The G-1E price is being worked on since we have not nailed down every component yet.
 
Updated with a little sneak peak video so you guys get a better understanding how the gimbal works :) [video]http://flowcine.com/media/Gravity_One_Sneakpeak_001.mov[/video]
 
Nice
 
Hey Carrey, its way more than stable shoulder-mounted shots though ;)

We started the whole idea a long time ago by nailing down a design that with minimum size, weight and setup time would allow us to stabilize all the necessary "real world rotation angles" (no one needs 360 degrees tilt/roll unless your shooting from some kind of weird rollercoaster ;)...), but still offer the best possible ergonomics for a Easyrig/Suspender operator. It is also designed in a way, that allows it to be fully upgradeable by the user (no need to send it back to us ;)...), to a full gyro-stabilized rig (G-1E) with perfect sensor stabilization and adapted to steadicam arm in a very nifty and ergonomic way. We also wanted the mechanical version to fit perfectly for a Kenyon gyro, so if the operator wants to shoot with long tele lenses from lets say a boat, we allow you to do that. It will very well become THE swiss army knife for all kind of stable shooting no matter what style you want to use.

Now the difference between the G-1E and the "heligyro design" is at that we designed something that will work with camera capacities over 15kg! and with no size limitations, or lock you to certain camera brands. No weak motors, no compromises, every accessory on board, perfect balance, no tools, and at a minimum weight.

The current G-1 weights about 1,3kg and performed with a 12kg, and a 17kg camera set up, with out a squeak. Now that was done with the previous prototype. We are still fine tuning the last things ensuring that the production version will blow you away.

Johan Hellsten is very exited about this and opened up his arms for us after seing initial demos, and Easyrig is not the only company that comes our side.

We believe so much in this design that the first thing we did after 3D simulation tests was applying for a patent for it, so its now patent pending. No secrets and no second thoughts. We are moving forward with excitement, caution and most of all knowledge. If you are at IBC please find us, and have a go! It will be a blast :)

Thank you for the comments Carey and Kwan! :wink5:
 
Hi Peter, this looks very promising! I use the Easyrig often and was hoping someone would come along with an elegant and ergonomic solution to reduce the pendulum effect without the restrictions of a Movi-style device. Won't be at IBC, hopefully you'll have a demo in LA soon? Also looking forward to the test footage, but above all would love to see it in person. I'll be following closely!
 
Hi Peter, looks promising! A professional version of what I have made at home :-)
But what about bounce/ up and down? Pendulum is not the only problem when moving with the Easyrig. I find myself switching between Steadicam, Easyrig and Monopod, which is a bit of a drag. I often combine the Easyrig with a monopod and have mounted it, so that the easyrig lifts in a point that is just above the center of gravity of the camera/monopod. Like you would when using the Steadicam.
 
Hi Caleb and Sören! Thank you for your comments! We already have been introduced to a large US dealer, that we will meet at IBC, and after the Indiegogo campain has closed hopefully they will be able to provide with US demonstrations later in the fall.

Regarding stabilizing the 4th axis (up/down movement) this is something the Easyrig string is not made to do, neither can the G-1 provide this (think complete rotational stabilization and somewhat minor position errors). Thats the reason steadicam arms exists and the G1-E upgrade is made with steadicam arm/vest in mind.

G-1 is not meant to be a stabilizer on its own. Its meant to be a solution for the Easyrig/Suspender operator to remove the string fight back force that is introduce on tilt/roll and reduce the pendulum effect while moving. However it has so many adaption possibilities , like KS4x4 kenyons for example that can really make smooth transitions, and even if its not ment to be a stabilizer, it does a pretty good job at this too :)

I'll let you watch sneak peak #2 and you tell me if it somewhat works as your monopod solution that really doesnt sound like a gimbal :P We call it the rabid run test haha Enjoy our main designer doing the first prototype tests :)

[video]http://flowcine.com/media/Gravity_One_Sneakpeak_002.mov[/video] or
 
@Peter:
The monopod is not intended to be a gimbal. It acts as a: a monopod that can be quickly extended for totally static shots (even hotugh I am still wearing the Easyrig) and b: extension of the rig's mass, just like the entire rig, consisting of post, sled, monitor etc. stabilizes a Steadicam. A bit of good from two worlds. Add to that a gimbal like yours ( or my homemade one) which has a mounting point just over the center of gravity of the entire mass, and you're almost there.
But: I believe that we can approach the 4th axis stabilisation (up/down) of the Steadicam arm somewhat, with en extra item that we can discuss. As long as the footage is stabilized enough to avoid shifts between foreground element and background, we can stabilize much better in post.
Please PM me if you'd like to discuss an idea I have.
Kind regards, Soren
 
Hey Sören! I love any kind of ideas :) I hope our main designer has PM:d you! It would be great if you can share a picture of your homemade gimbal though because it made me interested seing what you've done :) We of course have a little roadmap with different products we are working on and one thing is certain.. We´re not short of design ideas haha Will you come to IBC btw? It seems two of us will be lurking in the Swedish Pavilion, I will know tomorrow though, how things turns out! /Regards Peter K
 
Just posted the last little sneak peak video on youtube.. This will be the last video just showing the prototype rig itself. Here you can see the difference it makes without the string fightback force, and going from shoulder to low mode etc..

Early next week we are shooting different test footage so you can see the actual result! If you have any scenario suggestions, please let us know and we'll see what we can do :) We'll try to be as crazy as possible!

 
Hey Carey, we certainly feel that way atleast :) Once you tried it, its pretty hard to go back without.... Its a little weird that no one has done something like this before though, because now when it exists, its soo damn obvious it should have been there all along... Only 17 years too late, but who is counting? :)

The G-1 will be a "must have" as much as the G-1E will be a "must have" for Steadicam :)
 
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