Hail the rubber band!

Charles Newcomb · May 25th, 2009, 08:06 PM

I found some at Walmart in the hair care department that are black and about 6" long. Looks good on my black Sachtler, and it works well, too. I took it one step further, however... at the other end I attached a small LED keychain light. I can't tell you how many times I've been glad I had it there.

Boudewijn de Kemp · June 4th, 2009, 02:59 AM

wow, this actually works AMAZING.
Way better then doing it by hand!
Everyone whom is sceptic about this, just try it once and be prepared to be amazed.

Chris Soucy · June 4th, 2009, 04:26 AM

Can we kick this thread down to HD MOM and be done with it, it really has passed it's use by date up here...............

CS

(I knew this was gonna come back and kick your ..............)

Chris Hurd · June 4th, 2009, 08:40 AM

Hi Chris,

In all seriousness, the rubber band trick really works. It might not be effective on a high-end tripod system such as a Vinten or Sachtler, but it actually works quite well for the mid-range systems such as Bogen, etc.

Could somebody please record a little video clip showing how this trick works? I'd like to host it here at DV Info Net. Thanks in advance,

Chris Soucy · June 5th, 2009, 01:03 AM

I know it works.

Believe it or not, I discovered it years ago with my M@#$%^&* sticks/ head setup (well, not exactly rocket science, is it?).

My point being that this being a "Pro Forum" and all, maybe we should be promoting a slightly more "pro" and yes, unfortunately, higher budget approach to the problem?

Any equipment that needs a rubber band to perform the only function it was designed for, is, to my mind, not adequately designed for professional use and should not be sold nor touted as such.

It's inclusion in discussions here should really be on a "tolerated at best" level (IMHO) purely because I know that 99% of the posters in this thread would be stunned and amazed by the level of operational efficiency a "pro" system can provide.

I know I was when I made the switch.

One thing not mentioned much here but germain to the discussion is the change from SD to HD over the last few years.

This has pretty well put all of the "budget" support systems out the window as possibilities in the HD sphere, which doesn't leave a lot of room for manouvre on a tight budget.

My suggestion to move this to HD MOM was because there must be 100 million SD Camcorders there in the US (and rest of world) which could benefit from a decent SD support, rubber band not necessary.

There's the rub.

The "rubber band" is usually only required for HD, SD can get away with the poor performance of this gear. The business is going (fast) towards HD, why let this stuff linger here?

I rest my case.

CS

Mike Beckett · June 5th, 2009, 01:41 AM

I used the rubber band with my Vinten Pro-6 HDV (aka Manfrotto 503HDV in wolf's clothing) to great effect. I only found it useful for nice slow pans though, such as establishing shots or scenery. Trying to track a bird walking/running along the ground or flying was nigh on impossible.

Not sure if that was a limitation of the elastic band, the tripod, my fat fingers or all three.

My new Sachtler doesn't like rubber bands. <smiles>

P.S. Why don't Manfrotto include a rubber band in the box then?

Chris Soucy · June 5th, 2009, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Beckett

Why don't Manfrotto include a rubber band in the box then?

Bloody good question, actually.

Wish I knew.

CS

Charles Newcomb · June 5th, 2009, 10:19 PM

I use the rubber band on my Sachtler FSB6, and on my Miller DS20. Does that make me less of a pro? I'll take every advantage I can get. What others prefer is their choice.

Boudewijn de Kemp · June 6th, 2009, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charles Simpson

I use the rubber band on my Sachtler FSB6, and on my Miller DS20. Does that make me less of a pro? I'll take every advantage I can get. What others prefer is their choice.

I have tested it now on my Sachtler System 6 SB SL MCF & my less pro Libec LS38 2a and am amazed with both results.
Don't really understand the whole rubberband ain't pro argument either.
I highly recommend ANY pro & amateur to try this.
For me it was a great improvement on slow pans.

Mike Beckett · June 6th, 2009, 06:06 AM

Agreed... Although I have fell out of love with the rubber band (I don't seem to need it any more), what's not pro about it? If it helps you perform a task, then it's a tool - neither pro nor amateur.

Giroud Francois · June 6th, 2009, 08:37 AM

But you can imagine some nice guy will come with a handle for tripod that include some rubber inside and sell it for a "pro" price", so everybody is happy.

For example you just cut a handle in the middle and add a silent block (basically a rubber cylinder with a screw at each end), so you get exactly the same effect.

On top of that you can even add a larger tube on the handle that will slide and cover the silent block, returning the handle to its rigid state.

http://busfixx.tripod.com/sitebuilde...res/sblock.jpg

Since silent block could be a bit difficult to find, so i think a spring (the one you can find on these articulated spring lamps) should give the same effect.

June 4th, 2009, 04:26 AM	#18
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,682 Images: 18	Er, Chris H................ Can we kick this thread down to HD MOM and be done with it, it really has passed it's use by date up here............... CS (I knew this was gonna come back and kick your ..............)

June 4th, 2009, 08:40 AM	#19
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Hi Chris, In all seriousness, the rubber band trick really works. It might not be effective on a high-end tripod system such as a Vinten or Sachtler, but it actually works quite well for the mid-range systems such as Bogen, etc. Could somebody please record a little video clip showing how this trick works? I'd like to host it here at DV Info Net. Thanks in advance, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

June 5th, 2009, 01:03 AM	#20
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,682 Images: 18	Hi Chris........... I know it works. Believe it or not, I discovered it years ago with my M@#$%^&* sticks/ head setup (well, not exactly rocket science, is it?). My point being that this being a "Pro Forum" and all, maybe we should be promoting a slightly more "pro" and yes, unfortunately, higher budget approach to the problem? Any equipment that needs a rubber band to perform the only function it was designed for, is, to my mind, not adequately designed for professional use and should not be sold nor touted as such. It's inclusion in discussions here should really be on a "tolerated at best" level (IMHO) purely because I know that 99% of the posters in this thread would be stunned and amazed by the level of operational efficiency a "pro" system can provide. I know I was when I made the switch. One thing not mentioned much here but germain to the discussion is the change from SD to HD over the last few years. This has pretty well put all of the "budget" support systems out the window as possibilities in the HD sphere, which doesn't leave a lot of room for manouvre on a tight budget. My suggestion to move this to HD MOM was because there must be 100 million SD Camcorders there in the US (and rest of world) which could benefit from a decent SD support, rubber band not necessary. There's the rub. The "rubber band" is usually only required for HD, SD can get away with the poor performance of this gear. The business is going (fast) towards HD, why let this stuff linger here? I rest my case. CS

June 5th, 2009, 01:41 AM	#21
Mike Beckett Trustee Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 1,569	I used the rubber band with my Vinten Pro-6 HDV (aka Manfrotto 503HDV in wolf's clothing) to great effect. I only found it useful for nice slow pans though, such as establishing shots or scenery. Trying to track a bird walking/running along the ground or flying was nigh on impossible. Not sure if that was a limitation of the elastic band, the tripod, my fat fingers or all three. My new Sachtler doesn't like rubber bands. <smiles> P.S. Why don't Manfrotto include a rubber band in the box then? __________________ Irish Railway Videos on Youtube

June 6th, 2009, 06:06 AM	#25
Mike Beckett Trustee Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 1,569	Agreed... Although I have fell out of love with the rubber band (I don't seem to need it any more), what's not pro about it? If it helps you perform a task, then it's a tool - neither pro nor amateur. __________________ Irish Railway Videos on Youtube

May 25th, 2009, 08:06 PM	#16
Charles Newcomb Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Salida, Colorado Posts: 561	I found some at Walmart in the hair care department that are black and about 6" long. Looks good on my black Sachtler, and it works well, too. I took it one step further, however... at the other end I attached a small LED keychain light. I can't tell you how many times I've been glad I had it there.

June 4th, 2009, 02:59 AM	#17
Boudewijn de Kemp Regular Crew Join Date: May 2009 Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands Posts: 63	wow, this actually works AMAZING. Way better then doing it by hand! Everyone whom is sceptic about this, just try it once and be prepared to be amazed.

June 5th, 2009, 10:19 PM	#23
Charles Newcomb Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Salida, Colorado Posts: 561	I use the rubber band on my Sachtler FSB6, and on my Miller DS20. Does that make me less of a pro? I'll take every advantage I can get. What others prefer is their choice.

June 6th, 2009, 08:37 AM	#26
Giroud Francois Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: switzerland Posts: 2,133	But you can imagine some nice guy will come with a handle for tripod that include some rubber inside and sell it for a "pro" price", so everybody is happy. For example you just cut a handle in the middle and add a silent block (basically a rubber cylinder with a screw at each end), so you get exactly the same effect. On top of that you can even add a larger tube on the handle that will slide and cover the silent block, returning the handle to its rigid state. http://busfixx.tripod.com/sitebuilde...res/sblock.jpg Since silent block could be a bit difficult to find, so i think a spring (the one you can find on these articulated spring lamps) should give the same effect.