Tilta DSMC2 B1 Camera Cage

[Robb Fischer]

I purchased the Tilta RED DSMC2 Rig with Advanced Tilta I/O Module (Gold Mount) to use with my MonstroVV. It has been solid on the few 1 day commercial gigs I have used it on since February, but I am prepping for a longer documentary style production and while testing, the camera has been randomly powering down. I am trying to determine if it is the RED, the batts or the Tilta system. At first I thought it was loose batteries as it seemed to occur when I bumped the back of rig. When trying to re-create that however. I was unable to. In fact for an entire day of testing it did not shut down again. Then the next day it randomly shut down 3 times. I also thought it could be individual batteries? I am using PAG batts which are stackable. My question is has anyone experienced this issue with a rig like this or has any ideas how to trouble shoot the source of the problem?
I just looked on the Tilta site and in their support forum someone posted the same issue. They said that the Gold Mount plate is designed around Dionic Batteries and that there is not an industry wide standard on size of Studs. They recommend using different batteries. No where does it say on their site that you need to use Dionic Batteries for the system to work. Very frustrating.

 

[Stuart Graham]

We have the TILTA ESR TO1 C rig, V-lock BASE EXPANDER PRO & then a TILTA V-Lock plate with extra power options.

We haven't had any power issues but just to discuss our TILTA experience so far:

I was warned by my Chinese based AC's..."Tilta is great but after 6 months of rental use or maybe 18 months by own owner Op things will fail"

ALL the connections are copies of FISHER or LEMO, some are poor & some are fine.

We had an issue with EVERY 1/4 20 bolt not quite being 20 so we replaced them with new 1/4 20's & it fits fine.

We have four ECR TO1 C rigs & have only had one female plug needing replaced, it was replaced by a genuine part & not a TILTA part/copy.

My colleague who owns 12 RED's is buying more of these rigs in favour of our beloved & long in the tooth bulky ACTION PRODUCTS systems.

So far we've had no issues with Power or V-lock TILTA fitting, this is our usual run n gun set up below.

I hope you find a solution to your power issues, Stu.

 

[Robb Fischer]

Thanks for sharing your rig Stu, I think part of the problem is the Gold Mount. I, too, switched from Action Products.

 

[Stuart Graham]

Hey Rob,
Are you getting any response from TILTA China or are you hitting the U.S. dealer who sold it to you?

I have a China based AC there (Geoff) who contacts TILTA on my behalf, good english too, maybe contacting Geoff the two of you can get something positive out of this & a better part gets made...not a fast fix but a good one in the long run?

Maybe someone at IRVINE RED might help as they seem to have adopted TILTA as the system to go for?

S

 

[Gunleik Groven]

I saw funky power behavior with the TILTA in a recent test.
V-Mount

 

[Chris McKechnie]

They did have some power/current issues on their first line of cages that went out, but that now has been remedied. That's why it has taken so long for a GB to launch, because I wanted to make sure these things were rock solid, and as of late, I've had zero issues. Should launch shortly!

 

[Robb Fischer]

Thanks Stu. I emailed Tilta Support and B&H. Have not heard from either. I know the Tilta team was at Cinegear last week. What really disturbs me is that on their support forum they acknowledge the issue, and that they designed it to work with Dionic batteries. So their advice is to try other batteries. Not a great solution.https://tilta.com/support/on-my-gol...d-on-the-whole-system-shuts-down-whats-wrong/ Thank you for offering up your AC in China. I would love to start a dialogue. Cheers,
Robb

 

[Stuart Graham]

Thanks Stu. I emailed Tilta Support and B&H. Have not heard from either. I know the Tilta team was at Cinegear last week. What really disturbs me is that on their support forum they acknowledge the issue, and that they designed it to work with Dionic batteries. So their advice is to try other batteries. Not a great solution.https://tilta.com/support/on-my-gol...d-on-the-whole-system-shuts-down-whats-wrong/ Thank you for offering up your AC in China. I would love to start a dialogue. Cheers,
Robb

Hi,
Sure, I sent him this link and a message as I think he’s a member too: Geoff Yuan.
Anyway if not, I’ll link the two of you up somehow .

S

 

[Jan Schuster]

They did have some power/current issues on their first line of cages that went out, but that now has been remedied. That's why it has taken so long for a GB to launch, because I wanted to make sure these things were rock solid, and as of late, I've had zero issues. Should launch shortly!

Doing a GB on the new cage with XLR inputs and phantom power??

 

[Jake Wilganowski]

You guys are asking for trouble, all tilta connectors are knock offs, extremely large reseller who actually has videos online touting this cage told me personally that they are junk and will eventually break

 

[Peter Lyons Collister ASC]

Well if that is true then we need to know.. DO you mean the Lemos are knock offs?

 

[Stuart Graham]

You guys are asking for trouble, all tilta connectors are knock offs, extremely large reseller who actually has videos online touting this cage told me personally that they are junk and will eventually break

Just so you know ARRI often use these Yamamichi brand connectors instead of Lemo's too. Yamamichi's have a lower ampage (2) & the Lemo's are rated at 3 amps.

S

 

[Robb Fischer]

Tilta plate may not be the problem!

Tilta plate may not be the problem!

I need to re-assess. I just finished my 3 day shoot, and had a least a dozen camera shut-downs, and I was not using the Tilta Plate, but rather the RED Base Expander and Wooden Camera Cableless Gold Mount plate. The camera shut down an unusual number of times. Twice while we were rolling. I simply cannot tell if it is a physical connection problem or something in the camera. At times it seemed like it would shut down when the battery bumped my leg, but this was not repeatable. In fact, when I tried to get the camera to power down by aggressively wiggling the batteries, it would not power down! This is very frustrating. I have opened a case with RED. Has anyone else had random and unexpected shut down issues?

 

[Gunleik Groven]

Well if that is true then we need to know.. DO you mean the Lemos are knock offs?

I believe they are not...
This is a "I believe" statement.

But seeing firsthand how MovCam works (only good), I cannot think that Tilta would start cutting corners again.