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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 :)

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

Sean Solowiej said:
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.
Click to expand...

This is perfect! is the bottom same size as the Euro QR plate? so we can slide out the entire europlate QR system and slide this in instead?

I have the Ultimade DVS and really not a fan of the QR europlate. It's ok but limiting on balancing. A built Oconnor 515/DVS to dovetail plate would be much better.
 
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Yes, that's the idea. And so people who don't have the Euro QR but have the older O'Connor plate system can also get rid of it altogether.

Robin Leveille said:
is the bottom same size as the Euro QR plate? so we can slide out the entire europlate QR system and slide this in instead?
Click to expand...
 
515 Slider prototype arrived!

515 Slider prototype arrived!

Sorry about auto-iris on the 7D webvideo, but you can get the idea:


I'd like to add a few small tweaks now that it's in-hand. Namely:
> shorten the underside channel that stops the slider on the bottom lock-screw, so the front does not slide back past the OConnor slide-lock. This means it will have a front and a rear orientation.
> chamfer the insert corners.
> anodize with a black finish.
> thread the front and rear holes for 1/4-20
 
Hey! Looks great!! Thanks for working on this Sean! :) I'd be interested in this and also a plate adapter that simply allows you to install any quick plate on top that you want. So basically just an adapter with threads for mounting another plate on top.
This would make it more multi-use for different camera and mounting setups.

I love the work you've done on this!
 
I was also thinking about this Janne. If the top and bottom dovetails were 2 separate parts bolted together, you could remove the Arri dovetail from the top and bolt the camera (or any other part) directly to the lower dovetail when not using rods. I'm not sure if this would be worth the added complexity and cost.

A bit off topic: I just got my 515 yesterday. It seems to be in decent condition but I noticed some fluid leakage around the pan fluid knob. Does anyone here know if this is a serious problem? Where does one get replacement fluid and is it easy to top up? I've been searching for a manual online without success.
 
I'll look into making a short plate-only version when I get back in front of a PC next week.

Regarding your leak: OConnor themselves can provide the correct replacement fluid. It makes a difference that you use the right stuff. I've purchased an old 1030 head before and had it arrive "rebuilt" with some sort of marine gearcase grease. That didn't work - it had too much slip. The OConnor tripod fluid has some tack to it to help create resistance while damping the movement. There are also some old drawings of the discontinued heads at http://www.ocon.com/service/downloads/
I just saw that 515 is no longer on their downloads list, but I'll attach the drawings here.

The part numbers for the grease OConnor sold for the 515 in 2010 were:
09703 .5 pint $57
09704 1 pint $133.78

Sean


Robert Hofmeyr said:
I was also thinking about this Janne. If the top and bottom dovetails were 2 separate parts bolted together, you could remove the Arri dovetail from the top and bolt the camera (or any other part) directly to the lower dovetail when not using rods. I'm not sure if this would be worth the added complexity and cost.

A bit off topic: I just got my 515 yesterday. It seems to be in decent condition but I noticed some fluid leakage around the pan fluid knob. Does anyone here know if this is a serious problem? Where does one get replacement fluid and is it easy to top up? I've been searching for a manual online without success.
Click to expand...
 

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Thanks Sean. I think I'll try get hold of some of that fluid to top it up when needed. I also noticed that it catches a little on the pan sometimes, it's very slight and only noticeable when the pan fluid is set to zero, and it seems to go away if I pan back and forth a few times over the rough spot. Perhaps this is due to low fluid?

Those diagrams are exactly what I was looking for, but the forum has resized them too small to read. Could you please email them to me? My address is bobhof at gmail dot com. Thanks for your help!
 
I uploaded the images of OConnor 515 technical drawings to a site so they should remain full-scale in the message.


They can also be downloaded directly:
515_01
515_02
515_03



515_01.gif

515_02.gif

515_03.gif
 
Let me know what you come up with. I'm currently using a tap-n-go system with my rig and would love to stay that way but being able to screw a tap-n-go plate straight onto the lower dovetail would really be a fantastic option for me!
 
Sean,

Have you been able to make any progress?

Ready for 2 of these!

B
 
Ok, thanks for the encouragement Bob and Janne. I'm working a few projects right now so trying to fit this in. I should have a solid price with anodizing soon, so then I'll ask everyone interested to send payment for as many units as you'd like. From there it may take a few weeks to get them back from the machinist. Planning to post back here this week with a price...
 
The prototype worked out great, and now the machinist quote is in for a black finished version! I can sell these sliders for $300 apiece including USPS priority shipping within the US. Write me to figure out cost for any different shipping. They will be black anodized, milled out of 6061 Aluminum. The base angle spacing is matched to slide cleanly in the O'Connor 515 and Ultimate DV heads. The outside top angles are spaced to accommodate the Red and Arri slider plate systems. So this slider replaces the Quick Release plate system and enables faster and far further camera balance adjustment for the OConnor 515 and Ultimate DV heads. Similar to units that have long been available for the OConnor 1030 and larger heads.

PM or email me if you would like to get one. I will collect payment from those who are interested over the next two weeks. on Monday, Fenruary 10 2014 I will place the order with the machinist. They quoted a two-week lead time, plus shipping time to me. Once received, I will ship units out to people who paid for one. In short: If you want one, pay me now and receive it late February/early March when they are ready.

Let me know if you have questions!

Sean

email: solowiejs@gmail.com
 
The 515 Dovetail slider plates are officially in the machinist's hands now. I will post again when there is news of their completion. If you ordered one, you will get an email confirming your address when they are ready to be sent out.

Thanks,
Sean
 
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