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 :)

RED Raven on Helix Jr

Brent G Miller Jr

Brent G Miller Jr

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 13, 2011
Messages
317
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
California
Website
www.ingenuityfilms.com
So I'm currently shooting a Raven and a Scarlet-W on a full size Letus Helix Magnesium and I've heard of people using RED's on the Helix Jr model which of course sounds great due to how much smaller it is but I don't want to order a new Helix unless I'm 100% it's going to work great with enough clearance for cables (from Jet Pack + Wooden Camera adapter to Helix batt etc...) and can actually handle the weight of the RED just as well as the larger version? If anyone has personal experience or photos with their RED on a Jr model then I would love to get your input!
 
As the video shows, you can fly a RED on the Jr. And since that video was made, they have improved their motors (by quite a bit, I have heard) - with the encoded motors. So it is even moire likely to be just fine. That said, the standard model is already pretty small and it is just that much more versatile in what it can handle. Is there a reason you need to go to the smaller form factor? Are you planning to keep both units?

Personally, I would really just stick with the standard size. Does your current model have the new encoded motors?
 
Terry,

I guess my interest was more in flying the Raven or a SW without having to move the monitor which is easily done with the full size version of the Helix. If we could accomplish the same thing in the Jr magnesium model (without having to move the RED field monitor which the video above does not reflect – though I have heard people doing this with the smaller/lighter DSMC2 brains) then that would be a bonus due to it being .75lbs lighter (the mg version) as well as notably smaller than the full size magnesium version.

I would imagine for most people it’s not much of a concern, but our production company in particular does a LOT of traveling as most of our projects are of the documentary genre so lightweight, portable and fast to set up rigs are crucial.

We actually have 2 full size Helixes – an aluminum with the 42 pole motors and a newer magnesium model, but I have not upgraded the motors yet. In fact, I just found out about the new motors yesterday and notice that the upgrade is $1,000 whereas an entirely new Jr Magnesium with encoded motors is $2,200; thus the decision to possibly just order a new Jr. And I'm on the fence about keeping all of the gimbals or selling one to cover the cost of a new Jr. Could go either way.
 
Anyone know when they upgraded the motors? I just bought one 2nd hand but I don't know if it has the upgraded motors or not.
 
Just got my Raven Brent and have a Helix Jr. I'll do some fiddling around with it but I think with the proper camera plate and maybe extended rods to get it balanced in the optical centre you should be able to do it with the monitor still on.
I'll report back with my findings.
 
The video you posted shows a lot of the footsteps being translated into the footage. I'm curious if you're able to reduce/eliminate that?
 
I got the Helix Jr + Raven set up out for a shoot today and it worked very well. I can have some test footage while skiing/ I'll try to do some walking after a shoot this weekend. I used different 15mm rails so I could drop the baseplate as low as possible, added the provided weights to the plate and also added a manfrotto quick release plate for easy set up and it all seems to be working nicely thus far.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top