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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 :)

Letus Gimbal

hienle said:
We want to start off with smaller batch of 200 units. Then it would ramp up to a much bigger number as we apparently see the demand for it. Batch 2 production is well under way. It should be around 5 weeks to completion.
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Hi Hien,
I´m a bit confused. I don´t understand this batch 2 schedule. I´m in batch 1 and did not get the e-mail to finalize the order and batch 2 should already go out in 5 weeks? Or did you mean batch 1 is completed in 5 weeks?
Thanks,
Marc
 
hienle said:
Peter,

Zeb was mad that our competitor took our design of the front rod down to the screw. I am cool with it (because this is not the first time our designs are copied by a Chinese company, so I kinda get used to it) , but Zeb with full RED and All American mentality couldn't take it.
Click to expand...

Hein,
Don't think for a second that there are not full engineering teams in China right now trying to reverse engineer your single axis Helix for use on a Steadi arm. Like RED's wavelet compression, that is your breakthrough core innovation and what many are going to try to emulate. The market for the single axis is large and you have the best solution for it. Tighten up those Patents with all your recent refinements.

It's an honor to own a RED which was created by true American Innovators like Jim, Jarred, Graeme and Ted. It is a similar honor to work with your company since it represents the same value system and commitment to investing in paradigm shifting technology that benefits all of use here on this forum and in the industry.

Although you have been extremely open with us in the past sharing your drawings, concepts and ideas . . . perhaps you might bring it inside a bit going forward. That is the hard lesson RED learned over the years. The world is full of copycats that can produce at a lower cost since you have done the R&D for them.

Cheers!

btw: Letus has a private forum that includes NDA registered Helix owners where there is less risk of IP theft.
 
Hi Peter,

The on-board battery is attached to the back of the 1st axis. You shouldn't have problem using it on a 1 axis setup. Some other people have talked about using the battery on the bottom plate of the Steadicam sledge and run the cable up to the Helix. That way the Vmount/Anton Bauer batter works as counter balance to the Helix/camera up top.

Hope that makes sense and clear up your question.

Best,

GT

Peter Majtan said:
Thanks Scott for the detailed info - much appreciated...

Given that the battery cage is on the 2 / 3 axis - do you know how the power solution works for when only the 1-axis is used?
What would be the actual weight of fully working 1-axis design including the battery and its respective mounting HW?

Cheers

:sifone: Peter
Click to expand...
 
GT Le said:
Hi Peter,

The on-board battery is attached to the back of the 1st axis. You shouldn't have problem using it on a 1 axis setup. Some other people have talked about using the battery on the bottom plate of the Steadicam sledge and run the cable up to the Helix. That way the Vmount/Anton Bauer batter works as counter balance to the Helix/camera up top.

Hope that makes sense and clear up your question.

Best,

GT
Click to expand...

Hi GT,

That is exactly how my Raptor Pro is set up, with the RED power cable internally fed, to the camera position on the Hybrid plate. Using PAG link batteries, the weight below the sled can be increased, as needed, within reaso, as 4 linked batteries is a bit much...

Zebber, your Raptor arrive yet?
 
bongobongo said:
How do you get an HDMI signal (from e.g. 1D C, MK II, etc.) to an external monitor on the Helix?
AFAIK there is only a HD-SDI connection through the slip ring.
Have looked at some HDMI - HD-SDI converters but they all seem pretty bulky (relatively).

Is the only option here to use a cable directly from the camera to the external monitor?
If that is the case, then it will not be possible to rotate camera on the gimbal (not a big consern of mine though),
and the cable will probably affect the balancing of the camera (a little more work from the gimbal)...
Then it will probably be a good thing to use a super thin and flexible HDMI cable...

Would be good to hear some information on how to best do this...

Have emailed Letus about this, but do not get an answer (have even put in a deposit for the 3-axis Letus - Batch #2)... but they are
probably busy building and shipping...
Click to expand...

Bongo - (I think you need to change your name, this is a real names forum) -

Anyway, I recently purchased a cheap SDI-HDMI converter box (thought I'd start there before I went to a more expensive alternative) which I intended to use with the unit. I tested it with my smalHD DP4 HDMI and it works bit doesn't with a cheaper LCD I have. Among the many configurations I plan on testing with the Helix over the next couple of weeks is this box feeding the DP4 and my Zeiss Cinemizer glasses. I'll post results when I have them.http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/
 
Actually, if that's Toronto Bongo...Everyone calls him Bongo. He's Bongo. Crazy no?
 
GT Le said:
Hi Peter,

The on-board battery is attached to the back of the 1st axis. You shouldn't have problem using it on a 1 axis setup. Some other people have talked about using the battery on the bottom plate of the Steadicam sledge and run the cable up to the Helix. That way the Vmount/Anton Bauer batter works as counter balance to the Helix/camera up top.

Hope that makes sense and clear up your question.

Best,

GT
Click to expand...

Hi GT - that does make sense - thank you for the clear and simple answer...

:sifone: Peter
 
Zeb B said:
Hein,
Don't think for a second that there are not full engineering teams in China right now trying to reverse engineer your single axis Helix for use on a Steadi arm. Like RED's wavelet compression, that is your breakthrough core innovation and what many are going to try to emulate. The market for the single axis is large and you have the best solution for it. Tighten up those Patents with all your recent refinements.

It's an honor to own a RED which was created by true American Innovators like Jim, Jarred, Graeme and Ted. It is a similar honor to work with your company since it represents the same value system and commitment to investing in paradigm shifting technology that benefits all of use here on this forum and in the industry.

Although you have been extremely open with us in the past sharing your drawings, concepts and ideas . . . perhaps you might bring it inside a bit going forward. That is the hard lesson RED learned over the years. The world is full of copycats that can produce at a lower cost since you have done the R&D for them.

Cheers!

btw: Letus has a private forum that includes NDA registered Helix owners where there is less risk of IP theft.
Click to expand...

Lynn Nicholson. His creation was called The Alien. Look it up. Plenty of info on the steadicamforum website. Patent below.
http://www.google.com/patents/US5963749
 
Adam Eden said:
Peter I am a Steadicam op/ dp when I get my full helix kit which I have paid for in full I will write a review here. I have a Steadicam archer 2se with g50 arm. Even though I bought the 4 axis, I really want to go from low mode to normal in the same shot so I think the single axis will work fine. I have. Great relationship with tiffen and I will be sharing the results there also . So hang tight and I'll let you know when I get my kit and when it is set up
Click to expand...

Adam - I am really looking forward to your feedback. As a fellow Steadicam op I am sure you will address all the concerns / questions I might have myself...

This is the Mk.V I had to fly in this 5-brick configuration due to various issues with this ancient rig. Trust me if I had the choice... ;o)

MKVa.jpg


As you can see in that pic - I am 6'4", so handling that rig was not that much of an issue - but I do prefer the much more modern Archer...:

Archer_a.jpg


Ultimately the best rig till date that I have flown is the swiss ActionCam Rebel. So I am really looking forward to be able to try (and possibly buy) the new Raptor...

Thanks again!

:sifone: Peter
 
hienle said:
Peter,

Zeb was mad that our competitor took our design of the front rod down to the screw. I am cool with it (because this is not the first time our designs are copied by a Chinese company, so I kinda get used to it) , but Zeb with full RED and All American mentality couldn't take it.
Click to expand...

Hienle - one word - Aaton, but lets not go there... ;o)

As Zeb pointed out - you should really focus on protecting and enforcing the one thing that is truly yours - and that is the 1-axis solution.
I, for one, can't wait to try it out, so I can make up my mind about buying it...

PS: Yes, there are many Chinese companies that do reverse-engineering and copying of others hard work - but DJI is certainly not one of them. And - for the record - I have had my own R&D and design ripped off by an "all American" companies (with extremely reputable names) on more then one occasion...

In order to move pass this, let please drop the name calling and unwarranted sarcasm (and no - I am not talking about you Hienle, just to be clear), and lets focus on constructive discussion and feedback - as this is clearly one of the areas where you (Letus) do shine brightly - kudos for that!

Respect,

Peter
 
scott devitte said:
I can't wait to get the Helix with the 1D C, which is a lowlight monster, together with my CN E 24mm T1.5. The 1.3 4k crop on the 1D C gives a 31/32 focal length. Perfect for Havana walk around at night. Much heavier rig though, but that is the beauty of the Helix, I think it will ultimately, when we all get it figured out be able to quickly accommodate a wide range of gear.
Click to expand...

I need to know if I can use a Helix with either C300/1DC with a long telephoto lens. Was out on assignment for more than a month and lost track of the helix evolving story. Planning a nature documentary in very low light here in India. I guess a Canon 70-200 f2.8 L II IS can be used. However, need to know if a longer telephoto lens can be used. Would appreciate if any one can throw light.
 
Sabyasachi Patra said:
I need to know if I can use a Helix with either C300/1DC with a long telephoto lens. Was out on assignment for more than a month and lost track of the helix evolving story. Planning a nature documentary in very low light here in India. I guess a Canon 70-200 f2.8 L II IS can be used. However, need to know if a longer telephoto lens can be used. Would appreciate if any one can throw light.
Click to expand...

I can test for you but my initial thoughts are that the 70-200mm is the max for the current design. The 1Dc is better because it gets the weight back in the sled and toward your body. Hein is working on something grande for bigger applications . . . including a fully loaded RED
 
@Hien,

I´m in batch 1 #33321 and i did not received e-mail to finalize my order ?
Please, can you tell us, when the first batch would be completed ?
Regards
Jean Michel
 
Sabyasachi Patra said:
I need to know if I can use a Helix with either C300/1DC with a long telephoto lens. Was out on assignment for more than a month and lost track of the helix evolving story. Planning a nature documentary in very low light here in India. I guess a Canon 70-200 f2.8 L II IS can be used. However, need to know if a longer telephoto lens can be used. Would appreciate if any one can throw light.
Click to expand...

I wii be testing the 1DC and C500 with all the CN E primes + 30-105 CN E zoom and EF 8/15, 16/35, 24/70, 70/200 zooms, plus whatever else is in the closet. One of the reasons that I bought the Helix is the hope that I will be able to use some of the heavier zooms. As to when I get to all of them, I don't know, but I will be first trying to get the 30-105 working, it is 5lbs, so if it works the others should. PM me in a couple days for results.
 
Last edited:
As much as all of us are drooling for footage, I have a easy question about re-balancing time. How long will it take to change lens and be up and running again. This should be answerable much sooner than questions about actual performance in the field. Thanks to all of you pioneering this and posting results. :) T
 
Thommes Ulfeng said:
As much as all of us are drooling for footage, I have a easy question about re-balancing time. How long will it take to change lens and be up and running again. This should be answerable much sooner than questions about actual performance in the field. Thanks to all of you pioneering this and posting results. :) T
Click to expand...

Depends on what you have loaded on the rails if anything. If a simple lens with no focus motors or the motors don't get repositioned then a minute with practice. If there are several changes in front of the lens mount then maybe 3-5 minutes . . . after you stop making changes to the lens accessories.

It ultimately depends on your hands-on experience with any gimbal or other complex device. My rebalance time is going down by half every time I do it since I'm learning the tricks and can anticipate the interaction between the different axis'. I'm primarily using the GH4 and 1Dc currently since it's walk before run. I will slowly bring the Dragon into the mix but really would rather have the on order Raptor arm here before starting that project. A fully loaded RED is a short take proposition on a gimbal without a support arm.
 
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