John Waterman

Modular51 is no longer in business. Do not order from their website, they will take your money and never ship you a product. You can buy the bags they used to sell directly from the manufacturer: Fikenca. http://fikenca.com/index.php?option=com_phocagallery&view=category&id=1&Itemid=5

Hello there. I am a local 600 focus puller and a 3D rig tech, and I would be happy to answer your questions. There are a number of things to consider with focus and 3D. There are two cameras and two lens in a 3D beamsplitter rig. Each lens must be matched to the other in all aspects (focus, iris, and focal length). If you wish to pull focus during a shot, a common thing to do, then both lens have to pull together, and in perfect sync. The standard way to do this is to use motors to drive both lens, controlled with a lens control system. Cmotion has become the defacto standard LCS to use. The Cmotion Cvolution can control up to 8 motors, allowing for sync focus, iris, zoom, and rig IA and C controls. Most lens have some variation in the focus scale from unit to unit, so it is not enough to have the motors simply running at the same time. The Cmotion Cvolution can sync up to 32 points on the each scale. During my camera prep I calibrate the focus scales using the Cmotion so that each mark on the lens matches the other lens. (10' matches 10', 15' matches 15', 30' matches 30', etc). I do this for every lens pair and save the calibration to a usb thumb drive. The Cmotion has a wireless hand control that when properly set up will control both lens for focus, iris, and zoom. I own a 3D Cmotion Cvolution kit and would be happy to answer any more questions.

I second this: Please do not buy the redrock whips. I consider them worse than nothing at all as they are far too bendable to have any accuracy. Arri ones are good.

As a DP, you should feel free to lean on your 1st AC to deal with all of the technical setup of the camera equipment. Your ACs will do all of that for you so that you can concentrate on lighting, blocking, camera movement, framing... If you want to be an artist then be an artist, your crew is behind you to make your visions come to life.

My question for you is, do you want to be a camera assistant (a technician), or a cinematographer (an artist). If you want to shoot, then go shoot. Work for free on weekends on craigslist shorts. Build up a reel. Do a spec shoot and rent a phantom and shoot some food. Build your reel and your contacts. I know many DPs that came up this way. Remember that people will most likely hire you for the same job that they hired you last for, so you end up working in one position. I love being an AC. I love everything technical about photography, cameras, and the process of making pictures. If AC work does not satisfy you in this way then you should not be an AC. Just my 2 cents.

I like to wear an under armour shirt as a base layer under my normal clothes. The "Cold Gear" shirts are best, but my "Heat Gear" works fine too.

Here are some pics!

As a 1st camera assistant and certified 3d rig technician, I have had the opportunity to work with the Element Technica Quasar Beamsplitter 3D camera rig to create stunning 3D pictures. In an effort to help make 3D productions faster and easier for the camera team, I am offering the Water Horns, a set of four handles that mount to the Element Technica Quasar 3D rig without modification. These handles allow a fully built 3D camera (weighing 100+ pounds) to be easily and effectively repositioned while protecting the delicate alignment of the beamsplitter and cameras. The Water Horns are also an effective and elegant mounting place for monitors, cinetapes and other camera accessories. By mounting the camera monitors to the Horns, the IO and convergence knobs are much easier to access for 3D alignment. The Water Horns features: • Attach with no modification to the Quasar frame • Comfortable placement and grip • Supports the 3D rig at its center of gravity • Handy attachment points for monitors and camera accessories • Handles can be removed quickly if needed • Elegant contoured design • Machined, anodized aluminum construction • Cable-management clasp Please check out my webpage at http://daufenbachcamera.com/waterhorns.php for pictures and details of these handles. I hope you and your clients will love these handles as much as we do! Best regards,

I got mine from the Hilti store in Chicago. Ask if they have any demo units for sale.

Yes, actually, quite well, even in bright sun. It is interesting, you can't see the dot with your naked eye, but if you look thru the sight it is very easy to spot.

They are the same, except the 42 has the optical sight. I own the 42 and recommend it; the optical sight is very useful when working in daylight conditions.

I really like the OConnor 2065 fluid head. We have this for our Red One package, and it's great. It will balance your SRII camera perfectly, and all of the controls are similar/in the same location as the industry standard OConnor 2575. http://www.ocon.com/products/fluid-heads/2065-1.html

Not entirely true. The Arri MB-20 mattebox system has adjustments for 3 axis, for a perfect fit on the lens.

As an example, here is a pic of my cinetape case. As you can see, they were able to cut a lot of details into the foam for a perfect fit.

I highly recommend "Innerspace Cases" (http://www.innerspacecases.com/) I had Innerspace make me a custom foam Pelican case for my cinetape system.