In Broadcast - July 2021 - 42

42
www.inbroadcast.com | Vol: 11 - Issue 7 | July 2021
InTech
Getting To Grips With
Camera Supports
Contributing Editor David Kirk surveys
the latest developments in camera
support systems...
he popularity of large screen UHD
domestic television displays has
made high-stability camera mounts
essential for broadcast production
except where rattle and shake are
part of the message. Wobblycam
shooting looks severely casual even
when programmes are viewed on
an iPhone let alone on a 55 inch or
larger display. Development of camera
support devices continues at a healthy
rate. This overview concentrates
on new products announced since
InBroadcast's focus on camera supports
in June 2020. Cartoni's UV-C Boxer is
an unusual addition to the 'accessories'
group but probably very welcome given
the usually close proximity between
camera operators and their equipment.
T
Tripods
Cartoni has introduced three
new tripod configurations to
support the growing need to
implement PTZ cameras in
studios and talent homes. First
is a light-weight tripod/dolly
which pairs a light-weight
Cartoni tripod with a halfball
camera attachment.
A light-weight
optional.
dolly
is
This
set-up comes
equipped with a
mid-level spreader
and rubber feet.
Second is a heightwith
various mounting platforms.
They have a black coating to minimise
reflections and rotary leg locks to
reduce slippage. Stainless steel foot
spikes protect against corrosion. The
tripods carry a payload capacity of up
to 95 kg. Miller also developed new
camera plates which enable additional
sliding ranges to suit specific rigs,
providing more flexibility for its Air, DS
and Compass X fluid heads.
Vitec Vinten's recently announced a
new addition to the Sachtler Flowtech
range of carbon-fibre tripods.
Designed to accommodate 100 mm
fluid heads, the Flowtech100 supports
a payload of up to 30 kg and is
designed for heavy-duty ENG, EFP,
wildlife, commercial and documentary
production.
Quick-release
brakes
at the top of the tripod allow the
Flowtech100 legs to be deployed
simultaneously
and conformed
automatically to the ground
surface. The tripod also includes
a removable carbon-fibre midlevel
spreader with four locking
positions, a carry handle, and
rubber feet. A hinge-lock
mechanism allows the tripod
to be raised up to 155 cm for
high shots or lowered
to 26 cm for groundlevel
shots.
Cartoni's
P20
pedestal
adjustable PTZ stand comprising
a telescopic three-stage support
complete with a ball joint and a quickrelease
sliding plate that allows users
to attach and centre a PTZ camera
quickly. The stand comes with rubber
feet and can be used alone or installed
on Cartoni's lightweight dolly. Third
is Cartoni's new P20 pedestal with a
PTZ attachment. This allows a 40 cm
vertical gliding movement and can be
moved across even floors.
Miller's HDC (Heavy Duty Cine) range
of single stage tripods are designed
for cinema shoots and are available in
three sizes (tall, standard and short)
" We've
taken everything
that's great about
the Flowtech75 and
delivered it in a tripod geared to the
professional 100 mm class of users, "
says Vitec's Sachtler Product Manager
Barbara Jaumann.
Vitec OConnor's Ultimate 1040
Flowtech100 tripod is complemented
by the Ultimate 1040 fluid head
and the company's Sinusoidal
Counterbalance. These are designed to
provide accurate balance at any point
in the tilt range and counterbalance
down to zero. It can support
payloads from 0 to 20 kg)
at 15 cm centre of gravity
and a +/- 90 degree tilt
range.
Vitec Vinten's FH-155 is a robotic/
manual pan/tilt head a maximum
payload capacity of 70 kg. Available
for both the FH-155 and its companion,
the robotic-only FHR-155, the optional
StarTracker module is an absolutereference
system that enables driftfree,
real-time tracking for roaming
pedestals in both robotic and manual
modes. Cameras using StarTracker can
be used in multiple studios without
needing additional calibration. The
manual mode includes continuously
adjustable
servo-controlled
drag.
Operators can switch between robotic
and manual modes either at the head
or from the Vinten HD-VRC controller.
The FH-155 and the FHR-155 are
claimed to be near-silent when in
motion.
Heads and Booms
Manfrotto's GimBoom is designed
for use with the company's range
of gimbals. It has a 51 cm minimum
operating height, weighs 800g and is
capable of taking a payload of 6.5 kg
at maximum extension. With two risers
and three telescopic sections, the
full extended length is 1.15 m. Three
thread connectors arranged at 120° on
the top of the middle section enable
the GimBoom to pair with dedicated
accessories.
Vinten's
FH-155
Spidercam's
Field
" The FH-155 delivers remarkable
control and accuracy at any speed,
with optional variants offering precise
data to support advanced studio
graphics and ensure productions
can create a unique visual identity, "
comments Neil Gardner, Vinten's
Global Product Manager, Robotics and
Automation.
Mo-Sys' StarTracker
Studio is
a
complete three-camera 4K virtual
studio system which can be expanded
to source from up to 16 cameras.
Configured with pre-calibrated
lenses, integral graphics processing
and 4K recording, it transforms a
compact studio space into a much
larger virtual studio without need for
physical set construction. Virtual sets
can be switched almost instantly and
augmented to include remote guests
or superimposed objects. Photorealistic
graphic capabilities include
occlusion handling which
allows
a presenter to walk in front of or
behind a virtual object, and reflection
mapping which intelligently adds
reflections to adjacent virtual objects.
Among additional
features
are
soft
shadow lighting effects and depth-offield
lens emulation.
Spidercam specialises in overhead
stabilised camera supports for sports
television OBs.
OConnor's 1040
Flowtech100 tripod system
http://www.inbroadcast.com https://www.spidercam.tv/spidercam-field/ https://www.vinten.com/en/product/fh-155 https://www.cartoni.com/products/pedestals/pedestals/p020-pedestal-p20/ https://www.ocon.com/products/fluid-heads/1040-2/ https://www.ocon.com/products/fluid-heads/1040-2/
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