SR3 Advanced Steadiness

January 17, 2004

Hi, Has anyone ever noticed some vertical Jiggling on film on a Sr3, I did this shot with my camera locked for compositing purposes, and suddenly I have got the telecine footage, was checking it shot by shot and I just discovered that there is this shot that jiggles a little but it happens vertically, not that very much, It can be used but silghtly jiggles, the colorist who did the telecine tells me its the camera, I was shooting at 30 FPS, I still dont have a clue, have seen it happen with other cameras but horizontal, specially at end of film roll, any clues???

Thank you very much indeed

Oscar

Jake Kerber · January 22, 2004

Yes, I've experienced this same vertical weave (almost diagnol if I remember correctly) shooting a locked off shot with an SR3. This occured only at the end of the roll and the telecine colorist also said it was the camera--that he'd seen it before. However, I've also shot with an SR3 and not had any kind of weave or jiggle at the end of a roll.

I've been tempted ever since not to shoot the last 30' or so with an SR3, but haven't experienced it enough to know that it's a universal SR3 problem or just a one time deal.

The only "special" variable in my weave situation, was that the camera was on a geared tilt plate looking straight down (90 degrees) from over a bed. I'm not sure if the position of the camera had anything to do with the weave, but would like to hear if other people have experienced this phenomenon.

When I've had to shoot greenscreen on 16mm I've opted for an Aaton for its--arguably--superior steadiness with no problems.

-Jake Kerber

Jake Kerber · January 22, 2004

Yes, I've experienced this same vertical weave (almost diagnol if I remember correctly) shooting a locked off shot with an SR3. This occured only at the end of the roll and the telecine colorist also said it was the camera--that he'd seen it before. However, I've also shot with an SR3 and not had any kind of weave or jiggle at the end of a roll.

I've been tempted ever since not to shoot the last 30' or so with an SR3, but haven't experienced it enough to know that it's a universal SR3 problem or just a one time deal.

The only "special" variable in my weave situation, was that the camera was on a geared tilt plate looking straight down (90 degrees) from over a bed. I'm not sure if the position of the camera had anything to do with the weave, but would like to hear if other people have experienced this phenomenon.

When I've had to shoot greenscreen on 16mm I've opted for an Aaton for its--arguably--superior steadiness with no problems.

-Jake Kerber

Mitch Gross · January 22, 2004

One great advantage to Aaton image steadiness is the horizontal pressure plate, which is basically a little spring-mounted bar that pushes against the edge of the film frame at the gate. Aaton has had this from the beginning in the mid-seventies, but it took until the Arri SR-3Advanced (not the original SR-3) for the Germans to admit that the French had a smart idea. There are various places that upgrade Arri SR-1, 2 & 3 cameras and can replace the gate assembly with one that has the horizontal pressure plate. I consider it an absolute must for Super-16 work destined for 35mm blow-up.

Herman John Bolung · September 9, 2004

I also had the same nproblem and the it is more obvious if you had a split screen from 2 different locked shot. Most of the people i ask said that the SR3 or 16mm camera for that matter tend to do that because of the single transport claw and the size of the film. is this true?

Mitch Gross · September 10, 2004

Try an Aaton XTR-prod test and decide for yourself.

Alain LeTourneau · September 16, 2004

One great advantage to Aaton image steadiness is the horizontal pressure plate, which is basically a little spring-mounted bar that pushes against the edge of the film frame at the gate. Aaton has had this from the beginning in the mid-seventies, but it took until the Arri SR-3Advanced (not the original SR-3) for the Germans to admit that the French had a smart idea.

Does this include the LTR? Is the LTR steadier than the SR1?

Alain

Nathan Milford · September 17, 2004

The LTR does in fact have that feature. The lateral tension spec on an LTR is a few grams less than on a bi-phase XTR or prod but I have never personally seen a registration problem on an LTR.

Is it more steady than an SR1? Who knows. If you have two equally maintained cameras I'd put my money on the Aaton but that is more of a gut reaction.

NOTE: I work at an Aaton shop, but I own an Arri. I constantly want to argue with myself!