Welcome to our community

Be a part of something great, join today!

Log in
  • 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 :)

GearNex geared head UPDATE

Bret and I just came back from our manufacture. We where very lucky to miss a huge fire near our Manufacturing plant. It came less then a few blocks away and destroyed over 60 buildings.
Fire5.jpg

Our manufacture is currently making more one off parts to fine tune the tilt shifting mechanism. We hope to look at the update by tomorrow.
Tiltshiftertest .jpg

Bret is going to LA on Wednesday to shoot the training video with Mike Frediani.
 
Im diving out of the way of air tankers and fire retardant here myself.... not fun.

I did want to ask a question the other day regarding the case and forgot about it. All gearhead cases Ive ever seen have the head in a upright position (as on a tripod) and have handles on the top and/or small sides. In this configuration one would always have to carry the case so that the heads is always upgright (it would be awkward not to). In addition, I was taught to always undo all the locks on the actual head, so the head is free-floating during transport.

However, in the case you guys are designing, it looks like the head is on its side when the case is in its normal position. In addition, since there is a handle on the long side, the case can be held and carried with the back side down and in this situation it looks like the weight of the head would be on the tilt shaft and enclosure. If the case was mishandled (dropped) I can imagine a situation where there may be a lot of force on the tilt mechanism.

Also it looks like the head, at least the tilt, would not be free floating in your current design.

Do you anticipate any of that being an issue? Just asking now during the design phase...
 
Great question. Bret and I both feel this shouldn't be an issue with the GearNex geared head because it does not use belts. In our opinion, you may need to go through some of those rituals because of the tension or lack of tension on the belt.

Since the GearNex does not use belts, we feel comfortable placing the unit on its side. We have also upgraded the density of the foam and custom fit it for the GearNex to be very snug. Most of the weight will be on the Rocker support and the GearNex body with very little pressure on the tilt rockers. We have upgraded the foam on the bottom of the case to help prevent damage if dropped.

Hope that helps answer your question.


R3D Data said:
Im diving out of the way of air tankers and fire retardant here myself.... not fun.

I did want to ask a question the other day regarding the case and forgot about it. All gearhead cases Ive ever seen have the head in a upright position (as on a tripod) and have handles on the top and/or small sides. In this configuration one would always have to carry the case so that the heads is always upgright (it would be awkward not to). In addition, I was taught to always undo all the locks on the actual head, so the head is free-floating during transport.

However, in the case you guys are designing, it looks like the head is on its side when the case is in its normal position. In addition, since there is a handle on the long side, the case can be held and carried with the back side down and in this situation it looks like the weight of the head would be on the tilt shaft and enclosure. If the case was mishandled (dropped) I can imagine a situation where there may be a lot of force on the tilt mechanism.

Also it looks like the head, at least the tilt, would not be free floating in your current design.

Do you anticipate any of that being an issue? Just asking now during the design phase...
Click to expand...
 
Would it be a possibility to mold the area around the head with enough room for the tiltplate to be permanently attached? Honestly, once its on I dont see a reason to take it off.

I guess I have the same question about the ball adapters. Though I plan on having them to ensure I can always fit whatever tripod, I doubt Id use them often. Could there be a version without the void for ball mounts, or where the void for the ball mounts is in a different orientation so to not interfere with the mitchell mount?
 
Actually, we have knock out pieces for the dovetail and a separate knock out for our GearNex tilt plate. Just in case someone wanted to keep them attached.

As for the base adapters, we have knock outs for those too. You can just leave them in if you only have one base or you can remove them as you need or remove them all and put them all together, your choice.

I'm glad to see this question because we put a lot of time and effort trying to design a case small enough but well thought out. We could have gone larger but it makes it much more difficult for people to just throw it in their car's trunk with other items like a tripod, camera, etc..


R3D Data said:
Would it be a possibility to mold the area around the head with enough room for the tiltplate to be permanently attached? Honestly, once its on I dont see a reason to take it off.

I guess I have the same question about the ball adapters. Though I plan on having them to ensure I can always fit whatever tripod, I doubt Id use them often. Could there be a version without the void for ball mounts, or where the void for the ball mounts is in a different orientation so to not interfere with the mitchell mount?
Click to expand...
 
Joe,

I don't mean to sound like a fanboy, but . . . .

As one of the earliest customers of your product, I really appreciate your frequent posts on Reduser, and your rapid reply to everyone's questions and suggestions. Red owners are somewhat getting used to a certain Wild West element to purchasing leading edge products, and to the uncertainty of development. Your responses help immensely as we wait for completion of the GearNex head. I just wanted to say that.

Best regards,

Matthew Verkler
 
Going to LA

Going to LA

Bret and I are driving down to Los Angeles tomorrow to work on the training video with Michael Frediani, who will be our expert and talent. Mr. Frediani was the former president of the Society of Camera Operators.
 
Bret and I just returned from a trip to Los Angeles where we shot the GearNex training video. The footage is in the can and ready for editing. We are very pleased with the results.

Mike-Frediani.jpg

Bret and I would like to thank the following people for all their help,

Mike Frediani, SOC
Laurel Canyon Stages,
Mike Walsh
Torrey Loomis at Silverado
Nick
Frank Kaye at JL Fisher
Sandy Torres

We also took time to visit with third party vendors for accessorizing the GearNex. It was a very successful trip. We even had time to have lunch with my brother in the commissary on the FOX lot.

More updates to come -
 
Bret and I are editing the GearNex training video right now, it's looking very good.

Soon, you will be able to learn one of Hollywood's best kept secrets, how to use a geared head and use it properly. Taught by Michael Frediani himself and boy is he good at it.

More to come -
 
Joe, I've got two questions:

What do we need to use the Element Technica Eyepiece Leveler?

How can we order the case?
 
It depends on your camera set up where you want to attach the eyepiece to the GearNex base but we have some adapters that should work for Element Technica's eyepiece leveler.

Cases are ready to be ordered, they are being made now. They will retail for $395. You can buy them soon on are website or from the vendor you purchased your GearNex.
Thanks for the question.

Adrian T. said:
Joe, I've got two questions:

What do we need to use the Element Technica Eyepiece Leveler?

How can we order the case?
Click to expand...
 
GEARNEX UPDATE

GEARNEX UPDATE

The first GearNex units should be coming off the assembly line by the end of next week. We will be contacting the owners about shipping arrangements and accessories currently available.

We highly recommend getting the wheeled hard case that was custom fitted with high density foam, not that cheap foam or cube stuff. This case also comes with a pull out tray.
Case-Layout.jpg
Case_Animated.jpg

We are currently working on the instruction booklet.

More soon -
 
The case looks great! Besides the case, what are the accessories ready for order? Will those accessories(150mm ball, Swing/Tilt plate, Dovetail, etc) which c/w the order, will be ready to ship together with the gear head?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top