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SIM Accessories

J

John DeBoer

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Sim Video's Accessories

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Hi Guys:

With all this talk of accessories, what do people think of the following set up we have developed at SIM VIDEO?

3448_1203709563.jpg



1) Handle/VF support/Battery Plate: This system includes everything you need for your RED upper support. Using lightweight, but extremely durable aircraft aluminum, the handle is extremely versatile with multiple 3/8th and 1/4 threaded holes. On the viewfinder mount, there are multiple adjustments available, with positive locking features, and it comes with a 4" and an 8" extension rods that works with the standard ARRI style EL3 eyepiece leveler. The battery is mounted on a moveable system that allows with one lever to adjust the battery anywhere from flat across the top of the camera, to straight down the back of the body, and any where in between. Battery holder is set up for mounting RED, Anton Bauer and IDX battery plates.

2) Toe Piece: The toe piece works with all ARRI dovetails, and has 15mm rods with Studio and Lightweight rod spacings. Positive lock system holds camera securely on the dovetail.

3) Downconverter/Breakout Box: Converts one HDSDI to VBS (standard definition) as well as giving you access to USB, and all DIN connectors on the RED. Power comes via the 12v connector on the rear of the RED.

Anytime we have shown any of this at our shops, we get bombarded with requests.

What does everyone think?


John DeBoer
Director of Eastern Operations,
Sim Video Group of Companies
(Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, Toronto, Halifax, Beijing)


WWW.SIMVIDEO.COM
 
Well have to be honest, the first reaction was not as sexy as ET very straight lines and clean (not that is a bad thing). The handle is very remindful of a ENG camera. I would like to see more angles of this setup, very interested in the breakout box. I guess a real overall deciding factor would be what is the price point of all this and is it available?
 
These handles have been adapted from our long history of changing ENG style cameras for cinematic use. We have been using these style of handles since we supplied Earth Final Conflict, many years ago. All of our cameras (Viper, F900H, F900R, Varicam, F950) have these handles. 130 in service for over 5 years, and no failures yet....they truly are bulletproof.

Prices and availability will be announced shortly.....remember, we do need to supply our 50 RED cameras with these accessories.
 
The downconverter / breakout box sounds cool. This will become handy for steadicam work and if you need to use a wireless transmitter.

Do you have more details on weight and price (and availability) ?

Nils.

EDIT: oups, sorry, you just answered my question...
WOW, 50 cameras ?!
 
Weight wise and price wise you will be very happy......


First 5 are in house......only 45 to go.....
 
Hey John,

Those look pretty good! My comments:

-have you found a way to make your Swits and Anton Bauers report voltage to the camera, or another way to use 3rd party battes without nasty shutdowns?

-have you or could you include any other connectors - for example 11-pin fischer for 12VDC (and maybe start/stop with standard accessories), B4 lens connector with start/stop and return, 4-pin hirose for SIM accessories?

-the eyepiece leveller is brilliant. Looks totally usable.

-have you considered adding normal 3-pin XLRs for sound?

-is there still a headphone out?

Nice work, guys. I'd love to see these the next time I'm in.
 
What does the big kip-lock right under the RS232 port do?

The baseplate should extend the length of the camera. Seems like there would be a lot of torque on those front screws if you put this rig on a car mount or something.

Will this system allow for the Red Drive or is CF the way to go?
 
top rails would be good. You could mount motors there when your doing steadicam.
 
Interested. Do you have a handheld configuration in the works too??
 
Jeez tough room!

Well my first thought was YAAAY a VF mount with EPL! brilliance. looks well thought out too, lots of adjustment :biggrin:

Secondly i like the fuss free simple top handle and CAM LOCKS, (crikey red why does everything red make have to have tools?)

One comment, the bridgeplate only going under some of the body looks pretty unsusual? why so much of the body unsupported? presume its more stable than it looks?

Breakout box does look good (More pics?) ET's one (although ive not used it) look flimsy enough to defeat the purpose?

Other comment is where does the drive go?

Hmm room under the camera for a drive dock?

Lastly. it seems real hard for anyone to do a separate battery block?
always having the battery on the back is a bit of a pain.

Overall, nice work guys!
 
I like this because it is streamlined and light weight. I have a question about where and how to mount a RED DRIVE in this setup. To me it only looks like a CF solution at this time.

I'd also like to see this setup with an LCD instead of the EVF.
My other question would be about how to make this a quick and comfortable handheld solution. Since this looks like it is geared toward EFP style, I think adding a shoulder pad of some kind might round out what you are trying to do here.

The battery mount and the fact that it is easy to move out of the way (to get at the camera's joystick control and rear screen) is an absolutely excellent idea.

Hope this helps.

David



David
 
CrewPix.com said:
-have you found a way to make your Swits and Anton Bauers report voltage to the camera, or another way to use 3rd party battes without nasty shutdowns?

-have you or could you include any other connectors - for example 11-pin fischer for 12VDC (and maybe start/stop with standard accessories), B4 lens connector with start/stop and return, 4-pin hirose for SIM accessories?

-the eyepiece leveller is brilliant. Looks totally usable.

-have you considered adding normal 3-pin XLRs for sound?

-is there still a headphone out?
Click to expand...
Answers:

Working on the nasty shut down problems....2 solutions being worked on now....should know answer next week.

Start/Stop is going to be very similar to the one you currently use with our F900Rs.

Eyepiece leveller is the same (you probably recognize it) as the one we used for the F900r/Varicam/Viper)

XLR3 pins will be a seperate box that will be added to the current one...you will be able to use the BNC one with/or without the XLR one.

Sorry, missed the headphone jack.....yes it is on our box as well.
 
Nice work, John. Is that made for you by VF Gadgets? They do excellent work. Not meant as a putdown or evil reveal -- I'd call it a good move to have them build this exclusive for you. We do the same with others for some of our projects.

Mitch
 
Jashunter said:
Jeez tough room!
One comment, the bridgeplate only going under some of the body looks pretty unsusual? why so much of the body unsupported? presume its more stable than it looks?

Breakout box does look good (More pics?) ET's one (although ive not used it) look flimsy enough to defeat the purpose?

Other comment is where does the drive go?

Lastly. it seems real hard for anyone to do a separate battery block?
always having the battery on the back is a bit of a pain.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the positive feedback!!

Answers to your questions:

Super Stable. Rock solid, and square to the lens mount. No Play. Arri Specs to the 1/32 inch. You will see next week why so small......hint: Handles (and I like Arri S4 Handles....they work)

Breakout box (shown one has downconverter, another will be avail w/o it) is super strong.....can take a beating.

Battery plate can be removed from handle by loosening the screw on the side of the handle......as well, this screw allows for a 1 inch folcrum adjustment of the viewfinder. (See Video early next week)

Cheers
 
Mitch Gross said:
Nice work, John. Is that made for you by VF Gadgets? They do excellent work. Not meant as a putdown or evil reveal -- I'd call it a good move to have them build this exclusive for you. We do the same with others for some of our projects.

Mitch
Click to expand...

Hi Mitch:


All the VF gadgets handles were designed by us with the help of a local manufacturer. This is why the handles look similar. If you ever seen our mods to the viper, they were not available for the general public, but look similar. We kept those viper mods internal, but when we showed the RED mods, we have had nothing but phone calls and questions on these parts......because everyone knows our stuff works in rentals....so it should work pretty good on the RED.

:)

Good eye Mitch......
 
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