Quick Review: Camera Turret Company at DVinfo.net

Pat Miller · June 7th, 2006, 10:08 AM

Hi guys.
I've been reading, observing, learning, and laughing(sometimes) from this board for awhile now.
I've been 'doing' video now for about 20 years mostly in the mobile world and in HD since '93 when I started working for then the largest and only HD Studio (who owned and operated the only HD mobile studio).
Anyway, I've been buying, using, collecting small production equipment of my own for awhile now and just bought a Camera Turret Company model PT20 remote head to put on my little 12' Pro Am Jib. Now even though the little jib isn't rated but for cameras up to 10 lbs with a little adjustments and support it works great with the little remote system (wt. 6lbs.) and my XL2 (wt. 8 lbs).
I've adapted the mounting to just 2 1/4"X 2 1/2" bolts, added a single strut support cable down the middle of the crane, an L shaped shelf to hold a small 12VDC battery of which I've rewired my 7" LCD monitor and the remote head to operate off of, built it all on a steerable dolly for moving and now it's completely cable free for 'running & gunning' like on some small productions is a necessity! I can built it, balance it and shoot within about 10 minutes.
The CTC remote head is well built, quiet, EXTEMELY simple to mount, balance and learn and I'm ecstatic with the choice I've made and with the way it operates! (and it's already sub renting for 60/75% of the big jibs/cranes in town!)
Now I'll try to upload a photo or 2.
Enjoy, thanks for this wonderful board and to all who submit and read.
Pat

Jason Varner · July 7th, 2006, 11:51 PM

Good to hear. I'm calling these guys on monday so if there are any caveats let's hear them.

Duncan Craig · November 17th, 2006, 07:55 AM

I'm planning on getting a head to fit on my Hague Multi Jib holding a fully loaded Z1. I can afford the Varizoom, but as they all have roughly the same construction and exactly the same weight loading why waste money?

It would be great to hear how you guys did in the end with our PT20s?
Do you have any more photos of the rig? Or video clips if poss.

I've emailed CTC, as well as the one UK dealer they have but an unbiased opinion would be great.

Is the head as responsive and smooth as the other heads on the market such as the Zarizoom MC100 and the Kessler Vista?

Is it a proper proportional head with smooth gradations in the speed as the push the joystick. Does is start and stop smoothly when you want it to, as well a sudden stops for dramatic effect?

Can it be underslung?

And a stupid question can you pan and tilt at the same time (diagonal moves) without power drain showing on camera?

I've found a clip of the head in use, but the footage from the camera looks really bad. The starts and stops are lumpy, the footage was full of mixes so you can never tell if the head actually gives start to end useable footage. And the framing was bad. I can forgive the camerman if he was learning, but it's all I can find on the net.

Any more info would be great to hear.

TIA Duncan.

June 7th, 2006, 10:08 AM	#1
Pat Miller Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 52	Quick Review: Camera Turret Company Hi guys. I've been reading, observing, learning, and laughing(sometimes) from this board for awhile now. I've been 'doing' video now for about 20 years mostly in the mobile world and in HD since '93 when I started working for then the largest and only HD Studio (who owned and operated the only HD mobile studio). Anyway, I've been buying, using, collecting small production equipment of my own for awhile now and just bought a Camera Turret Company model PT20 remote head to put on my little 12' Pro Am Jib. Now even though the little jib isn't rated but for cameras up to 10 lbs with a little adjustments and support it works great with the little remote system (wt. 6lbs.) and my XL2 (wt. 8 lbs). I've adapted the mounting to just 2 1/4"X 2 1/2" bolts, added a single strut support cable down the middle of the crane, an L shaped shelf to hold a small 12VDC battery of which I've rewired my 7" LCD monitor and the remote head to operate off of, built it all on a steerable dolly for moving and now it's completely cable free for 'running & gunning' like on some small productions is a necessity! I can built it, balance it and shoot within about 10 minutes. The CTC remote head is well built, quiet, EXTEMELY simple to mount, balance and learn and I'm ecstatic with the choice I've made and with the way it operates! (and it's already sub renting for 60/75% of the big jibs/cranes in town!) Now I'll try to upload a photo or 2. Enjoy, thanks for this wonderful board and to all who submit and read. Pat Attached Thumbnails

November 17th, 2006, 07:55 AM	#3
Duncan Craig Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Leeds, UK Posts: 660 Images: 10	Any News? I'm planning on getting a head to fit on my Hague Multi Jib holding a fully loaded Z1. I can afford the Varizoom, but as they all have roughly the same construction and exactly the same weight loading why waste money? It would be great to hear how you guys did in the end with our PT20s? Do you have any more photos of the rig? Or video clips if poss. I've emailed CTC, as well as the one UK dealer they have but an unbiased opinion would be great. Is the head as responsive and smooth as the other heads on the market such as the Zarizoom MC100 and the Kessler Vista? Is it a proper proportional head with smooth gradations in the speed as the push the joystick. Does is start and stop smoothly when you want it to, as well a sudden stops for dramatic effect? Can it be underslung? And a stupid question can you pan and tilt at the same time (diagonal moves) without power drain showing on camera? I've found a clip of the head in use, but the footage from the camera looks really bad. The starts and stops are lumpy, the footage was full of mixes so you can never tell if the head actually gives start to end useable footage. And the framing was bad. I can forgive the camerman if he was learning, but it's all I can find on the net. Any more info would be great to hear. TIA Duncan.

July 7th, 2006, 11:51 PM	#2
Jason Varner Major Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 119	Good to hear. I'm calling these guys on monday so if there are any caveats let's hear them.