I've got a question about attaching a monitor with an anton bauer battery to the Magiqcam. I was thinking about getting that new Panasonic 7" monitor that everyone's talking about. The battery converter that Panasonic sells with it, makes it so the battery attaches to the back. That's not how you'd want to do it with a steadicam right? I'm sure you'd want to mount the battery to the opposite side.

Here's what I don't understand: How do you power a monitor with an anton bauer battery without buying that attachment? Also, do they sell special mounts for mounting your battery to a steadicam? I don't need a monitor yet, but I'm thinking about getting an XL2... in which case, I'll want a monitor.

<<<-- Originally posted by Ed Liew : its cheaper to order through ebay and the package offered usually come with a case.
mark, how is your testing coming along? do you have to adjust the sled lenght to the maximum to get get the balance with dv500 and how many np1 battery do you use at one time?

ed -->>>

Or you can ask them in the mail about extending their ebay offer to you as well.

tony,
my advice to you is that you give john the anton gold mount measurement. magiqcam universal battery holder only fit np1 battery casing. i've got a workshop to help me make a larger plate so that the anton mount can be fitted onto the universal mount. while waiting for the plate to be ready, i cann't fly my camera on it. i'm using the panasonic agdvc200 camcorder.

ed

Ok, I don't have an Anton Bauer, so I could look into getting one of those NP-1 batteries instead. Can I power the Panasonic LCD monitor with an NP-1 battery and if so, how? Is there a webpage with a FAQ or tutorial on this? Sorry for the Sesame Street question... I'm sure this is common knowledge, but I'm sorta new at this.

tony,
if i'm not mistaken, it has a canon 4 pin 12v input at the back.

ed

Let me ask a more basic question:

how do you power an LCD monitor with a large battery like an NP-1. I'd prefer to use a large battery because it would help balance my Magiqcam.

Sheesh. still waiting for my magiqcam...

so before I go mad, I will post yet another amazing steadicam scene/film.

In fact the whole film in a take !



Yes you've guessed it, the Russian bore-train Russia Ark. Its such a landamark that I HAVE to own it on DVD (sooner, than later) since I feel asleep at the cinema coz I don't really know the history of Mother Russia.

lol.


Super backbreaker !!! (did they use firestore or someother harddisk solution on that Sony ? ~ Anyone ? Charles. P ?)

They used a custom hard drive rack that was wheeled around behind the operator at some distance. There are articles about in online that I read a while back, a search might turn up the details.

I have a copy of the movie courtesy of our good friend Rob Lohman sitting on my shelf, waiting to be viewed. From what I've heard, it's an interesting achievement, beautiful in places, a bit ponderous in others. There is a reason that cutting was invented...!

Still haven't watched it eh <g>

Yes it is a good thing not every movie is done this way. But I
think it kinda fits that particular movie. It is quite a "european"
movie and definitely not something mainstream. There is a small
making of on the disc as well. The behind the scenes does talk
about how they accomplished it all. You'll be quite amazed at
how many people where both working behind the camera to get
it all done and how many people actually acted in the movie.

Now go watch it Charles!

p.s. I'm still waiting for the picture with you and the DVD
thanking me for your life changing experience..... <g>

sheesh. looks like I'll never get my magiqcam in time for mini-celeb friend's wedding this sunday, let alone practices for a flowing sequence throughout.

...

Well, I did watch "Russian Ark" and I pretty much stand by what I had heard about it:

<< it's an interesting achievement, beautiful in places, a bit ponderous in others.>>>

Yes, yes and yes.

There have been a few films shot this year that have used the same concept that I have heard about. One is a thriller that involves three houses on the same street (all one take); another has multiple 16-minute shots that are blended together (a la Hitchcock's "Rope") that was shot on Super 16mm. Neither have been released yet.

Wesley, I'm sorry to hear that your order is delayed. That's a drag.

Well nobody's fault really.
thanks for listening, Charles P and the other members ?

Indeed I fell asleep because 'Ark' was lingering around. But guess it has braggging rights now. Read somewhere the 3rd take turned out to be the charm and they had only 1 day to shoot it in the Musuem of Russian history. Plus they built one exactly on a soundstage for a howle year's rehearsal or something.

yeah. I really need to collect all those hitchkock movies to revist them.

houses on the same street ? reminds me of halloween.

I think it was the 4th take; yes, they only had one day to shoot but as far as building a replica on a soundstage...!! That would be some soundstage!! And then why not just shoot it there under controlled conditions? The rehersals and walkthroughs that are shown on the DVD are all at the Hermitage itself. I believe they did some camcorder rehearsals, and some partial ones with the full-blown Steadicam, but never the whole enchilada with all the extras.

Magiqcam Monitor
 

What monitor do you guys recommend for the Magiqcam? I'm about to order a series IIa and I'm not certain on which monitor to get. I use a DVX100a.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Well I ordered the cheaper Varizoom monitor, only to leave it late to tell John that I have a PAL version of DVX100A . so now it's up to him to put a replacement there somewhere.

I dunno but I've heard good things about the panny 7" , you may want to try that out. panny should work best with panny accesories , no ?

magiqcam nowhere in sight...
 

Geez. it's been more than 4 weeks. No sign of my magiqcam or its Fed-ex number.

No reply from John either.

Sheesh. should I freak out now ? I sent him 2 e-mails already.

Same here. I ordered mine on July 15. I emailed them and have yet to get a response. I guess I should just give them a call.

Tony

Well, you're lucky. At least you are in USA. Its gonna be a different timezone and lotsa IDDs for me to call in the wee hours on my morning here.

I'm sure that they're just backed up. I'll call them here in the next few days and let you know what they say.

Cheers, buddy !

It took about 6-7 weeks to receive my maqicam when I ordered it. I think it may have taken longer but the person ahead of me in line cancelled his due to medical problems. I would allow 8 weeks before you get worried.

i only got mine 11 weeks and now, i'm waiting for john to reply my support problem (almost 2 weeks now) :(

ed

They must be on vacation, because I left a message early this morning and didn't hear from them all day.

John emailed me yesterday (Wednesday 8-18)

I've placed my order. We'll give the MagiqCam a try, after using a Steadicam jr since it came out, this might help my right arm a bit.

Tim

I finally got a reply. John is a saint.

... but still no sight of my magiqcam...

MagiqCam
 

When did you order it?

How do I do to enter into the Magiqcam site?

You need a name and password just to go into the filmwareproducts site.

Can anyone provide me one or how do I get and see more about the Magiqcam?


Carlos

This is a bit off but for those that have bought the magiqcam should tell John to update is website to show the new improvements he has made on the vest and whatever he has done. I think by him showing off the new modes on the vest or rig might boost his sale even further. Just a tip.

<<<-- Originally posted by Charles King : This is a bit off but for those that have bought the magiqcam should tell John to update is website to show the new improvements he has made on the vest and whatever he has done. I think by him showing off the new modes on the vest or rig might boost his sale even further. Just a tip. -->>>


Is that why the entrance to the site is locked?


Carlos

http://www.magiqcam.com is not locked. Works fine.

<<<-- Originally posted by Scott Balkum : http://www.magiqcam.com is not locked. Works fine. -->>>

That URL may not be locked, but is not working as we speak. Tried both with IE and Opera.


Carlos

I just connected successfully on 2 different network connections through 2 different providers. Try cleaning your cache.

i would advice john to hire more staff to boost up it production before updating his site. at least, he would be able to meet dateline. my 2 cents worth.

ed

I ordered my Magiqcam 7-16-04 and recieved it 8-24-04. It also helped that I only live about 150 miles from them. Since I've had it I've grown quite fond of it as it is really light and handles very well. Once you have it balanced out (which will take you awhile) it will get you some really great shots.

I bought the series IIa and I'm running a Canon GL2 on it so I had to add a little more weight to the stage as the IIa is made for heavier cameras. The vest, arm and sled are very well put toghether. I recieved mine with a transport case and a docking station. The docking station is a nice item as you use it to balance the sled on one side of it or set in the cradle on the opposite side for longer times of non-use. There are two rubber covered metal rods on reach side to hang the arm and vest from, very handy!!!

So far I've only had one problem and that was the mounting peg on the sled and the mounting peg on the arm sticking and not wanting to slide freely. This was solved with a little 3in1 oil (just a light coat).

Up until now I was flying a homemade rig, which the vest and arm alone weights more than the entire Magiqcam including transport case.

So needless to say, I'm a very happy customer! And I recommend Animagique to anyone looking for a steay-cam style rig.

Thanks,
Thomas

How did you add the weight to the stage, or I guess I should ask what did you use?

Thomas,

I have the exact same problem you do with the peg sticking. Oil does help, but I can't figure out the main reason, I think the peg is machined strange at the end as I can pull it up, just not out. Very strange.

For the first question of the weights, I used steel plate of various thickness starting at 1/8" 1/4" and 1/2". My plates are 3.5 wide by 5.5 long. What I did is take off the sliding plate mount, took out the two allen head screws from the 3" x 4 3/4" aluminum plate and centered the (aluminum) plate onto my steel plates and marked out and drilled the holes. You then just install the steel plate inbetween the mounting plate (aluminum) and the stage plate. Note: you may need to install longer allen head screws depending on what thickness of plate you use. For my GL2 I needed a half inch thick plate and a 1/8" thick plate. This works very well.

As for the question regarding the pegs, I had to ask John about this as well at first. He suggested the oil. Since the pegs are at such close tolarances you may have to use a little emery paper to sand down any burrs on the metal and then use the oil. This helps out a lot. If you still have problems with the pegs binding contact John to see if there is something else that may need to be done.

When Mine first stuck on me we where out in the hot sun for quite awhile and I believe that since the rig is painted black that the metals heated and expanded. I had to take the rig off as a whole and set it in the shade to cool. The pegs were able to slide out part way but not all the way. We had to pry them apart the rest of the way. This is when I noticed a fair amount of burrs on the pegs and went to work using emery paper to smooth out the pegs and then with a little light oil they now slide smoothly.

I have not flown the rig out in the hot sun since then but I'm sure this took care of the problem. As it has still been quite hot in the areas that I have been shooting.

Hope this helps,
Thomas

hmm.. interesting thread and its changed my outlook on stadycams.. i used to see them as overproced bits of kit which hobbyists have tried to make a quick buck form, but the magiqcam seems to do the trick.. based on the vide ive seen and the promotional clip i saw (some dude walkin into a museum.. tracking shot around him follow him upstairs etc )

one steadycam shot i rememebr distinctly, was in the movie 15 Minutes.. they actually talk about it in the "making of" part, i think it runs for 7 minutes or so.. but its a brilliant piece with chaos reigning supreme and its jsut the one long shot..

hmm... pete looks into his wallet as the moths fly out.. maybe one day.......

Thomas and Scott,

A friend of mine bought the Magicam awhile back and he had the same problem with the pegs sticking. I had to take a Scotchbrite pad to the peg. It seems as though it's not machined perfectly round. His rig also had the burrs that were close to the base of the peg. I had to really work to get those smooth enough for the peg to sit all the way down and still come back out without sticking. Good idea about the oil. Will have to try that during the next practice session.

Thanks and regards,