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 :)

GROUP BUY - eMotimo ST4 + Dana Dolly

Going to pick up some pipe and have a few questions for Phil and other experienced Dana Dolly users, figured I would post them here for others who are new to the system.

Do you guys have any input on the following for 10ft rails. Looking for smoothest motion possible.

1. Aluminum Schedule 40 vs Schedule 80 -- any practical differences?

2. Pipe diameter: DD website mentions using 1.25", but the adapters are built to take up to 1.5" Any advantage to going bigger or smaller?

3. Aluminum vs. Steel -- Noticeable difference between aluminum pipe vs. grabbing conduit from a hardware store?

4. Any recommendations on where to grab rails in LA? The place I usually go for Metal in LA (Industrial Metal Supply Co.) has 1.5" in Schedule 80 and 1.25" in Schedule 40, but open to other options.

I'll be using these in a studio environment for now, so I'm not concerned about weight, getting banged around, etc., but would be good to address how the above apply to travel setups, too, if there are any differences.

Thanks!
 
Hi Brian!

Any idea if we'll see that update regarding the upcoming software? No rush from my side of course, as long as it comes in before the GB ends and I can still jump on board, I'm happy :)
 
Added the most recent participants.


David Coughlan said:
Going to pick up some pipe and have a few questions for Phil and other experienced Dana Dolly users, figured I would post them here for others who are new to the system.

Do you guys have any input on the following for 10ft rails. Looking for smoothest motion possible.

1. Aluminum Schedule 40 vs Schedule 80 -- any practical differences?

2. Pipe diameter: DD website mentions using 1.25", but the adapters are built to take up to 1.5" Any advantage to going bigger or smaller?

3. Aluminum vs. Steel -- Noticeable difference between aluminum pipe vs. grabbing conduit from a hardware store?

4. Any recommendations on where to grab rails in LA? The place I usually go for Metal in LA (Industrial Metal Supply Co.) has 1.5" in Schedule 80 and 1.25" in Schedule 40, but open to other options.

I'll be using these in a studio environment for now, so I'm not concerned about weight, getting banged around, etc., but would be good to address how the above apply to travel setups, too, if there are any differences.
Click to expand...

Hi David, got some answers.

1. Not really, I've noticed most use Schedule 80 and it's what Dana Dolly recommends.

2. Also not really. It's more about the track end supports being flexible to take anything in that range of size. I've seen people use wooden posts in a pinch.

3. Weight will be the biggest difference. You shouldn't have any real bowing at 10ft with the Aluminum.

4. It's literally all over. Home Depot even. Filmtools has 6 and 8 foot cuts if I'm not mistaken.

For travel I'm using Dana Dolly's Portable Aluminum Pipe Kit. It's screw together pipe in a 39" shoulder bag. The pipe is cheap but the precision machine work for the joints and cuts is what you are paying for with that kit. The advantage of this kit is I can rig 1, 2, or 3 section runs for short or longer moves. The max distance in one kit is 9.75".


Mohammed Almedfa said:
Hi Brian!

Any idea if we'll see that update regarding the upcoming software? No rush from my side of course, as long as it comes in before the GB ends and I can still jump on board, I'm happy :)
Click to expand...

Brian is actually working on a video shortly to showcase the software. I've seen it, it's real powerful and you can virtually have unlimited keyframes if that's what you're looking to do. Stand by on that one.
 
So following through with the plan, we have invoiced everyone who had filled out the Google Form. Of those that have paid by midnight on Wed, we have the following list and expected ship dates from the eMotimo offices. For those that have the Dana Dolly components, we are passing off to Mike the orders. For US orders, Mike will be shipping from Arizona directly and sending tracking directly. These orders will likely ship on different days, but we will do our best to coordinate. For international orders, they will be heading out from eMotimo in one shipment. We need to get a shipment from DD here to make it happen in bulk.


Also a great time to bring up a key piece of grip that is integral to mounting up the eMotimo to the Dana Dolly. We do not include a 100mm or 75 mm half ball adapter. Mike includes the receivers to the ball and eMotimo included a QR clamp that can screw onto a 3/8"-16 stud, but you need that stud. I recommend this one:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...tto_500BALLSH_500BALLSH_High_Hat_Adapter.html as the short length allows you to use on the ground. Also 75mm variants are good.


Name GBList Ship Order Estimated EMOTIMO Ship Date
Abiodun Shote 1 1 3/23
David Coughlan 2 2 3/23
Thomas Di Nardo 3 3 3/23
Arash Ayrom 7 4 3/23
Matthew Smith 13 5 3/26
Ian D'Amelia 14 6 3/26
David Anderson 15 7 3/26
Brian Jouan 16 8 3/26
Randall Brown 17 9 3/26
Norbert Niederacher 19 10 Int - 3/29
Craig Lees 20 11 Int - 3/29
Brent Kaplan 21 12 3/27
Anthony Berenato Jr. 22 13 3/27
Jarek Zabczynski 23 14 3/27
Marco Raboy 24 15 3/27
Carl-August Savgård 25 16 Int - 3/29
Paul Kalbach 28 17 3/28
Brandon Veen 29 18 3/28
Malik Moore 30 19 3/28
Charles Samataro (Chuck) 31 20 3/28
Bret Lyman 32 21 3/29
Bryan Burstell 33 22 3/29
Jason Farris 34 23 3/29
mark mannschreck 35 24 3/29
Tommaso Alvisi 36 25 INT 3/29
John Chater 37 26 3/30
Sean Solowiej 38 27 3/30

** Apologies for the formatting. Tables in forums are a tough. Name, GB list Order, Ship Order are what the numbers represent.

Happy Thursday!! I am putting together a video on our software integration to help with complex keyframing. I expect a short version this afternoon!

Best regards,
Brian
 
Thanks for the clear and concise updates Brian --its been a pleasure being part of the group buy, and we're really looking forward to getting the unit in house!


Brian Burling said:
So following through with the plan, we have invoiced everyone who had filled out the Google Form. Of those that have paid by midnight on Wed, we have the following list and expected ship dates from the eMotimo offices. For those that have the Dana Dolly components, we are passing off to Mike the orders. For US orders, Mike will be shipping from Arizona directly and sending tracking directly. These orders will likely ship on different days, but we will do our best to coordinate. For international orders, they will be heading out from eMotimo in one shipment. We need to get a shipment from DD here to make it happen in bulk.


Also a great time to bring up a key piece of grip that is integral to mounting up the eMotimo to the Dana Dolly. We do not include a 100mm or 75 mm half ball adapter. Mike includes the receivers to the ball and eMotimo included a QR clamp that can screw onto a 3/8"-16 stud, but you need that stud. I recommend this one:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...tto_500BALLSH_500BALLSH_High_Hat_Adapter.html as the short length allows you to use on the ground. Also 75mm variants are good.


Name GBList Ship Order Estimated EMOTIMO Ship Date
Abiodun Shote 1 1 3/23
David Coughlan 2 2 3/23
Thomas Di Nardo 3 3 3/23
Arash Ayrom 7 4 3/23
Matthew Smith 13 5 3/26
Ian D'Amelia 14 6 3/26
David Anderson 15 7 3/26
Brian Jouan 16 8 3/26
Randall Brown 17 9 3/26
Norbert Niederacher 19 10 Int - 3/29
Craig Lees 20 11 Int - 3/29
Brent Kaplan 21 12 3/27
Anthony Berenato Jr. 22 13 3/27
Jarek Zabczynski 23 14 3/27
Marco Raboy 24 15 3/27
Carl-August Savgård 25 16 Int - 3/29
Paul Kalbach 28 17 3/28
Brandon Veen 29 18 3/28
Malik Moore 30 19 3/28
Charles Samataro (Chuck) 31 20 3/28
Bret Lyman 32 21 3/29
Bryan Burstell 33 22 3/29
Jason Farris 34 23 3/29
mark mannschreck 35 24 3/29
Tommaso Alvisi 36 25 INT 3/29
John Chater 37 26 3/30
Sean Solowiej 38 27 3/30

** Apologies for the formatting. Tables in forums are a tough. Name, GB list Order, Ship Order are what the numbers represent.

Happy Thursday!! I am putting together a video on our software integration to help with complex keyframing. I expect a short version this afternoon!

Best regards,
Brian
Click to expand...
 
We have been working with the developers at Dragonframe to unlock the real-time device capability. Watch a 10 minute or so video with keyframeing in Dragonframe 4's real time interface with the eMotimo spectrum ST4:

Quick Benefits:
1) Load and Save moves and scenes - as many as you want in a regular file
2) Dragonframe runs on Mac, PC, and Ubunto for those that like to be different.
3) Keyframes - Spectrum ST4 natively handles 9 keyframes right on box. Other manufactures software is limited to 10 at last check. DF can add an unlimited keyframes per axis (1 per frame if you want).
4) Export / Import from Maya (native Dragonframe capability), or other text based formats like CSV.
5) Future real-time control of DMX lighting with the spectrum (we will see how far we can push)

Things you need:
  • Dragonframe - free to try for 30 days, $300 license.
  • eMotimo USB serial cable - connect from USB to the ST4's I/O port. - $35 or so

Timeline -
We are in early test and knocking out bugs and adding functionality for this feature now. We will be running through testing and building out cables over the next month or so. We expect to have this interface fully tuned and released by end of May.

 
Last edited:
Philip Lanyon said:
Hey, can DJI or other wheeled controllers be used with the system? Or any plans for this in the future?
Click to expand...

Great Question - we have had several requests for wheel integration over the past few months. DJI wheels looks sweet, anyone know the price? We had several requests for Alpha Wheels too, but their developers have been silent on our requests for integration (hit them up if you know them).
In short, I think it could be a great addition as an integration if there is enough interest and other companies want to integrate.

-Brian
 
Brian Burling said:
We have been working with the developers at Dragonframe to unlock the real-time device capability.
Click to expand...

Looks really solid. Exciting news about the DMX possibilities, too.

Three quick questions:

1. Do you recommend using the USB wired controller w/ Dragonframe (instead of the BT, I could see it potentially clashing with the ST4)?

2. Do you know what the length is on your serial to USB cable? I may need to Frankenstein a long one from some stuff I have lying around. Do you know the converter chip used?

3. Since you have an in with Dragonframe, any chance you can see if they would be interested in extending a GB to RUs? I imagine a few folks here would be interested in picking it up and I noticed they offer bulk discounts if you order 5 copies of the wired controller + software, so hopefully not a totally foreign concept.
 
Looking forward to the software update! This combined with dmx is gonna be crazy. I remember asking about an dmx feature for the ST4 ,about two years ago, but this is better. I’m pretty sure others(in this group buy) could possibly link up for the bulk discount once the update is released. I don’t think that’s an issue.
 
Brian Burling said:
Great Question - we have had several requests for wheel integration over the past few months. DJI wheels looks sweet, anyone know the price? We had several requests for Alpha Wheels too, but their developers have been silent on our requests for integration (hit them up if you know them).
In short, I think it could be a great addition as an integration if there is enough interest and other companies want to integrate.

-Brian
Click to expand...
Is there any possibility of adopting a traditional gearhead to do this? It seems like a sensor could be mounted onto a GearNex, Arri Head, Mitchell Head , or any other traditional gearhead for that matter. Once the sensor was Calibrated after the head was completely leveled, then the sensor can send a signal to the ST4 for whenever the pan or tilt wheels are turned. This seems like it would be much more cost-effective for those of us that already have gearheads, rather than buying something like alpha wheels. And also somebody who has the sensor interface can rent a gearhead to attache to.
 
Malik Moore said:
I’m pretty sure others(in this group buy) could possibly link up for the bulk discount once the update is released. I don’t think that’s an issue.
Click to expand...

Definitely not an issue and I'm +1 if it comes down to this, but way more convenient to have it direct. Otherwise someone will have to manage orders, collect payment, redistribute the controllers to those who want them, etc. (And I think Phil's done more than enough work on this already!) An RU discount code makes logistics easy. Also the existing discount is based on 5 seats whereas this GB brings ~40 potential new users, so maybe they'll open up a new discount tier, etc. Can't hurt to ask!
 
David Coughlan said:
Definitely not an issue and I'm +1 if it comes down to this, but way more convenient to have it direct. Otherwise someone will have to manage orders, collect payment, redistribute the controllers to those who want them, etc. (And I think Phil's done more than enough work on this already!) An RU discount code makes logistics easy. Also the existing discount is based on 5 seats whereas this GB brings ~40 potential new users, so maybe they'll open up a new discount tier, etc. Can't hurt to ask!
Click to expand...

Yeah, it never hurts to ask.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top