I just ordered a Magiqcam!!

Mark Jervis · July 4th, 2004, 11:51 AM

I know they are large, that's why I gave the warning. Wanted to make sure noone said they couldn't see anything. Sometimes people want larger pics, some want smaller. Can't make everyone happy I guess.

Charles King · July 4th, 2004, 12:07 PM

No problem Mark. What kind of barttery are you using? I noticed it is being supported by small ball-gimbal type piece.

Mark Jervis · July 4th, 2004, 12:24 PM

I am running two types of cameras on it so for the HD10 I use camera battery but for my DV500 or betasp, etc.. I wire into the dual NP1 battery pack. That pack also runs my lcd monitor.

Charles King · July 4th, 2004, 12:41 PM

Thanks. Two more questions. Is the dual arm have one or two springs per section? How does it perform?

Steven Wills · July 4th, 2004, 01:36 PM

Hey Mark,

How does the DV500 hold up with it. I'm assuming this is a JVC GY-DV500. I have the same camera (with a Cannon 18x6.5 lens) and this would be really important since this will be my primary camera most of the time.

Mark Jervis · July 4th, 2004, 06:30 PM

The rig I have has one spring per arm. I have only had a chance to practice with it for a few hours but am planning on doing extensive test next week and will post my results. So far I am very happy with my purchase. I didn't expect a 60k steadicam so I wasn't let down. I have a friend who has a glidecam v16 who is thinking about dumping his rig for this one now. You are correct about the DV500, it is the GYDV500U with single NP1 Battery Pack (but running from rig power) and Fuji 20x lens. I removed the viewfinder to reduce weight on myself but it performs very well. Again, I will be doing more extensive test with that and the HD10 this week (hopefully) so I'll report back with the good and bad.

Scott Balkum · July 5th, 2004, 07:32 PM

Ok, here is a video clip on my first day of practice. Nothing special, but I am impressed with the Magiqcam.

http://www.imaginationx.com/magiqcam.wmv

Wesley Wong · July 5th, 2004, 08:05 PM

I've ordered one as well, all the way in Singapore.

wonder how long it takes to get to me... :)

James Emory · July 5th, 2004, 11:40 PM

Scott. At first I thought you hopped on a motorized cart or something to track that train! That's pretty good for the first day. Once you get that horizon leveled you'll be on your way.

Charles Papert · July 5th, 2004, 11:42 PM

Scott, looks like you got some good running practice in! Hope you didn't scare the kids in the train too badly--"Mommy, why is that man wearing the leafblower chasing us?"

I would recommend getting in some more sedate practice also in a confined space like a hallway where you can really examine your horizontals and verticals. Also, I think it's safe to say that you are gripping the post too hard, which we call "overcontrolling". Experiment with lighter and lighter touches until you are barely touching the post at all, and you'll find the horizon settling down on straightaways before you know it.

Charles King · July 6th, 2004, 12:09 AM

Nice going Scott. Better than my first day ;) Make sure you take all the advice from Charles P. wspecially when he finally comes out with his video.

Scott Balkum · July 6th, 2004, 08:42 AM

Charles P.... You are absolutely correct. I kept grabbing hard, after each shot, I remind myself not to do it, and each time, I do it again... I assume it is a "trust" issue with the camera, that I don't want to trust that the camera will be ok with a light touch.

As far as scaring the kids, if you listen carefully, you will hear them laughing wildly when they see me struggling to catch the train........ sweat dripping from my face...

The "swaying" motion is definately hard to control. After changing directions on that train, getting the mass to do what I want is hard..

Steven Wills · July 6th, 2004, 10:22 AM

Very impressive!

First day? Hmmm...I can see your day rate already going up.

I had to set my Coffee down from all the sssswaaayinggg but the running shot was great!!

I AM concerned about the swaying though.

(Charles...I would like to know if the Steadicam Flyer has any advantage when it comes to this problem. Does the Flyer have any damping or other control features to avoid or lessen this?)

With the Magiqcam (now) since it has a type of "fore and aft" adjustment kinda changes my way of thinking.

Scott, how are the adjustments working for you? How well does the vest fit?

Scott Balkum · July 6th, 2004, 10:32 AM

About the adjustment, I adjusted it far to the right which is also a little back. It is balanced now. So it appears to work great.

The vest fits, somewhat. It is a little tight in the middle. I am 6' 5" and 245 lbs. John offered to lengthen the straps but I said I didn't want to do that until I had a few hours in the drivers seat. The middle straps can be loosened and the velcro does hold well so it is proving to not be an issue so far.

Swwwwwaaaaaaayyyyyyyy.... I will certainly work on that... :)

Steven Wills · July 6th, 2004, 10:39 AM

This may sound silly but...say I was working a live concert or tv show and was using Triax or some other video out. I'm wondering how the cables "route" to not upset your balance and not get in the way?

I'm only 6' and 200 lbs so that part sounds good to me. What camera are you using?

July 4th, 2004, 12:07 PM	#77
Charles King Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: sweden Posts: 795	No problem Mark. What kind of barttery are you using? I noticed it is being supported by small ball-gimbal type piece. __________________ Charles 'What we perceive to be may not be what we believe to be.'

July 4th, 2004, 12:41 PM	#79
Charles King Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: sweden Posts: 795	Thanks. Two more questions. Is the dual arm have one or two springs per section? How does it perform? __________________ Charles 'What we perceive to be may not be what we believe to be.'

July 4th, 2004, 01:36 PM	#80
Steven Wills Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 57	Hey Mark, How does the DV500 hold up with it. I'm assuming this is a JVC GY-DV500. I have the same camera (with a Cannon 18x6.5 lens) and this would be really important since this will be my primary camera most of the time. __________________ Steve Wills Jib Op http://www.kyvideoservices.com

July 5th, 2004, 08:05 PM	#83
Wesley Wong Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 143	I've ordered one as well, all the way in Singapore. wonder how long it takes to get to me... :) __________________ Do more, learn more

July 5th, 2004, 11:40 PM	#84
James Emory Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,892	Level Horizon Scott. At first I thought you hopped on a motorized cart or something to track that train! That's pretty good for the first day. Once you get that horizon leveled you'll be on your way.

July 4th, 2004, 11:51 AM	#76
Mark Jervis Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 66	I know they are large, that's why I gave the warning. Wanted to make sure noone said they couldn't see anything. Sometimes people want larger pics, some want smaller. Can't make everyone happy I guess.

July 4th, 2004, 12:24 PM	#78
Mark Jervis Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 66	I am running two types of cameras on it so for the HD10 I use camera battery but for my DV500 or betasp, etc.. I wire into the dual NP1 battery pack. That pack also runs my lcd monitor.

July 4th, 2004, 06:30 PM	#81
Mark Jervis Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 66	The rig I have has one spring per arm. I have only had a chance to practice with it for a few hours but am planning on doing extensive test next week and will post my results. So far I am very happy with my purchase. I didn't expect a 60k steadicam so I wasn't let down. I have a friend who has a glidecam v16 who is thinking about dumping his rig for this one now. You are correct about the DV500, it is the GYDV500U with single NP1 Battery Pack (but running from rig power) and Fuji 20x lens. I removed the viewfinder to reduce weight on myself but it performs very well. Again, I will be doing more extensive test with that and the HD10 this week (hopefully) so I'll report back with the good and bad.

July 5th, 2004, 07:32 PM	#82
Scott Balkum Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 67	Ok, here is a video clip on my first day of practice. Nothing special, but I am impressed with the Magiqcam. http://www.imaginationx.com/magiqcam.wmv

July 5th, 2004, 11:42 PM	#85
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Scott, looks like you got some good running practice in! Hope you didn't scare the kids in the train too badly--"Mommy, why is that man wearing the leafblower chasing us?" I would recommend getting in some more sedate practice also in a confined space like a hallway where you can really examine your horizontals and verticals. Also, I think it's safe to say that you are gripping the post too hard, which we call "overcontrolling". Experiment with lighter and lighter touches until you are barely touching the post at all, and you'll find the horizon settling down on straightaways before you know it. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

July 6th, 2004, 12:09 AM	#86
Charles King Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: sweden Posts: 795	Nice going Scott. Better than my first day ;) Make sure you take all the advice from Charles P. wspecially when he finally comes out with his video. __________________ Charles 'What we perceive to be may not be what we believe to be.'

July 6th, 2004, 08:42 AM	#87
Scott Balkum Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 67	Charles P.... You are absolutely correct. I kept grabbing hard, after each shot, I remind myself not to do it, and each time, I do it again... I assume it is a "trust" issue with the camera, that I don't want to trust that the camera will be ok with a light touch. As far as scaring the kids, if you listen carefully, you will hear them laughing wildly when they see me struggling to catch the train........ sweat dripping from my face... The "swaying" motion is definately hard to control. After changing directions on that train, getting the mass to do what I want is hard..

July 6th, 2004, 10:22 AM	#88
Steven Wills Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 57	Very impressive! First day? Hmmm...I can see your day rate already going up. I had to set my Coffee down from all the sssswaaayinggg but the running shot was great!! I AM concerned about the swaying though. (Charles...I would like to know if the Steadicam Flyer has any advantage when it comes to this problem. Does the Flyer have any damping or other control features to avoid or lessen this?) With the Magiqcam (now) since it has a type of "fore and aft" adjustment kinda changes my way of thinking. Scott, how are the adjustments working for you? How well does the vest fit? __________________ Steve Wills Jib Op http://www.kyvideoservices.com

July 6th, 2004, 10:32 AM	#89
Scott Balkum Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 67	About the adjustment, I adjusted it far to the right which is also a little back. It is balanced now. So it appears to work great. The vest fits, somewhat. It is a little tight in the middle. I am 6' 5" and 245 lbs. John offered to lengthen the straps but I said I didn't want to do that until I had a few hours in the drivers seat. The middle straps can be loosened and the velcro does hold well so it is proving to not be an issue so far. Swwwwwaaaaaaayyyyyyyy.... I will certainly work on that... :)

July 6th, 2004, 10:39 AM	#90
Steven Wills Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 57	This may sound silly but...say I was working a live concert or tv show and was using Triax or some other video out. I'm wondering how the cables "route" to not upset your balance and not get in the way? I'm only 6' and 200 lbs so that part sounds good to me. What camera are you using? __________________ Steve Wills Jib Op http://www.kyvideoservices.com