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HELP: O'Connor 515 compatibility with 1030 Tap-n-Go dovetail?

Janne Amunét

Janne Amunét

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Hi,

I've got a great functioning 515 that I've been using for a while now and am superbly happy with it. The only piece of the puzzle that I don't quite enjoy is the mounting mechanism of the plate to the head. The dovetail itself is solid, but the way the quickrelease plate mounts to the dovetail platform isn't confidence inspiring
This looks like this:

oconnor515.jpg

8572039199_3faa0b3b2d.jpg



Now I also own a Letus Master Cinemaseries rig which I use as the base of all my rigging these days. On the Letus website: http://www.letusdirect.com/cart/mcs-baseplate.html
It says that my baseplate for my rig is compatible with O'Connor Tap-n-go quick release platforms. Which ones will this fit on?
This? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/243317-REG/OConnor_08430_08430_Mini_European_Quick.html

Now if I understand correctly, the plate type in question is this used on the 1030 for example:
OConnor_1030._1340265870.9076.jpg



The question is? Would the dovetail system from the 1030 fit onto my 515 so that I could just snap my whole rig onto the head when I want to? This would eliminate the crappy quickrelease system of the 515 and speed up switching from handheld to trip shots ALOT.

If anyone has any knowledge on this I'd appreciate if you'd let me know.
 
I own a 515 O connor head, and it doesn't look like yours (1st picture). Mine looks just like the one on the 1030 if I'm not mistaken. I'd take a picture, but I'm about 7,000 miles away from my tripod at the moment :)
 
I recently picked up a O'Connor 515s as well. Has there been any update on this? I was under the impression that the dovetail mount wasn't compatible with the 1030 due to the fact that the head of the O'connor 515/515s slot is too narrow to accept the dovetail on the bottom half of the Touch-and-Go plate adapter/ET arri dovetail plate. Was there a run of Touch-and-Go plate adapters made as an add on?
 
I've had the 515 and 1030, now have the 1030HD and Ultimate DV heads as a team. The HD and Ultimate DV/DVS series both use the newer euro style touch and go quick plates. The older 1030 and 515/515S used the larger lever-mounted plates. I felt secure using the older ones, though they could wobble slightly if the mounting screw wasn't below the plate's surface when installed. Be sure to fine-tweak the set screws at the side of the slide-in QR base plate. These set the tension for your slider and can make all the difference in solid mounting.

The 1030/1030B/1030S/1030HD/1030HDS slider base is indeed wider than the 515/Ultimate DV/DVS series. So your 1030 dovetail will not attach to your 515 head. Nor will a touch and go system from a 1030 attach to a 515. Your best bet is to find (good luck!) an Ultimate DV or DVS head with the touch and go plate that's made for the smaller base. That base would fit onto a 515, but then you'll probably want to keep the newer Ultimate DV/DVS head instead and sell your 515.

I've often considered creating a custom machined slider to fit these 515-series heads that would go direct from the head's slider base to the Arri-style dovetail. What a joy that would be to replace four layers of sliding/locking/quick-releasing with one big dovetail. Think many other people would want one?

Sean
 
Hey Sean!

Thanks alot for the info mate!

It seems we're out of luck then.

If you want to look into doing a custom machined plate to fit the 515, I'm sure there would be quite a few ppl interested and I'd love to split the costs if that meant getting a plate I could use more securely, an attach a letus touch-n-go plate securely onto it.

Do you know any machine shops that could do this?
 
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Hi Janne,

I do have a friend who is a CAD designer, and I know of a machine shop that can do the production. I'll look into costs and let you know what I find out.
 
Sean,

I was actually playing with the idea of getting an ET 1030 dovetail plate and seeing if I could machine down the bottom edges so it slides into the slot on the head of the 515. But by my eyeball test, it looks like the replacement plate would have to have a bit of a middle section to clear the rosettes (the problem above). That said, I'm with you about trying to get single plate solution to make the overall load CoG much lower and cleaner similar to the ET 1030 plate.

An issue I would see in this setup would be the safety pin in the middle of the accepting slot of the head. It isn't that big of a deal to remove it but I'd rather have it there to reduce the chance of something catastrophic happening. The plate I roughly sketched up in Maya was pretty beefy (and I'd assume heavy), making me wonder how much material would have to be milled out of the underside to make it lightweight enough to be usable without compromising the integrity of the plate. I haven't seen the plate myself in person but they also reference some sort of safety catch on the end that seems to be somewhat visible on ET's product page but I'm not sure if that would cost effective/necessary, esp for such a small run.

I remember reading somewhere else on Reduser that most people opted for the 9 inch model on the 1030 because it could remain on the head and be stored. That would probably be the best size to go with since any rig put on the 515 platform wouldn't be trying to balance something anything that far off.

Regardless of all of this, I'd still love to hear how much something like that would cost though! Let me know as well how much something like that would cost. I can try to dig up the file if you want me to send it to you after I clean it up a bit, but I need to know what format would be most convenient. I'm guessing AutoCAD or Revit but I have to see if my copy of Maya allows me to export it in those formats.
 
Hi Howard,

Thanks for bringing up the safety screw. I'll try to incorporate the slot for it in the plans. Agreed, 9 inch is a great length - especially for this lighter head.

If you could send me what you've got in AutoCAD DXF that may be helpful. I think we can create a solid CAD from measurements, but it all helps.

Best,
Sean
 
I would definitely be interested in what you guys come up with. They are great heads, and modernizing the mounting system
would definitely enhance them. I was thinking along these lines myself. I recall the Allstar-cine dovetail for the 1030. Excellent system.
 
Sean-

I got around to cleaning up the 3d file. Sadly, Maya won't let me export to AutoCAD DXF but it DOES let me export to a standard DXF. I've also created a PDF with a schematic and cross sections of what I think the dovetail is along with approximate values. I don't have a caliper nor do I have a dovetail handy but I'm using an ET Hybrid baseplate and some measurements posted elsewhere on Reduser to approximate the measurements. All measurements are in millimeters. I have that as a PDF. I didn't bother to put in tolerances for the measurements and I'm sure you or your CAD friend might be better equipped to actual create the model. I guessed that the dovetail angles both to mate with the head and as well as the dovetail itself is 60degrees. If that is wrong, let me know what it is and I'll try to adjust the model/schematics. PM me how you want this sent etc.
 
Ok, so I sent a basic CAD design to a few different shops for quotes. So far the best price is $250 each unit, with a 6-week lead time. So now I'm working on a more sophisticated design with more material machined away. Once I re-submit that I'll be able to compare the two rates and decide whether to go with simple and cheap or more refined. More info should be available next week some time, stay tuned...
 
Id take a couple of these. Any chance of posting an image to see the direction you are going?

B
 
Here are some snapshots of the current render. It's basic, which will hopefully keep the cost of machining down. Waiting on an updated price from the machinist.
 

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Is that a standard arri size dovetail on top?

If not, wouldn't it be more flexible to just machine the bottom half of your rendering and drill out 3/8" holes, so we could choose what type of top we add? Such as ronford baker touch and go? ET Hybrid, or arri standard. Or to add something like this http://www.filmtools.com/oconnor-mini-european-quick-release.html

My 2cents.

B
 
Hi B,

The top slide is based on Arri standard spacing as is the Red Dovetail line. I'm currently using Red's QR plate to dovetail base, with the dovetail screwed to the O'Connor Euro-style QR base. So I've already got the configuration you're describing. Just looking to lighten and simplify the whole setup while extending the range of slide adjustment a little.

I originally had 1/4-20 and 3/8-16 threaded holes in the plate, just dropped them for the sake of cost. I can also price a simple slide plate for the 515/UDV head if you're curious.

Sean
 
Sean,

Im not quite sure I understand the configuration you mention above. I would be interested in seeing it. If you could post an image.
Just trying to see / learn the best route to go, so thanks in advance.

Yes, I would also be interested in simple slide plate.

B
 
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