GEAR GROUP | LARGE MOVES
Verdict There are only a few of these robotic, track based systems in the world – in fact, we think only three, and we have only just found the third in Hungary. from their own studio, called the MP Studio, which controls all of their robots through external high-speed track systems, turntables, dolly and FIZ systems. Control is effected through their own software programme when shooting in their studio in Portland. MOTORIZEDPRECISION.COM Motorized Precision MOTORIZED PRECISION IS BASED in Portland, Oregon, and was founded by professional photographers and filmmakers. Its robots live in a similar world to the Bolt range, producing high- precision moves as smoothly as possible and at any angle. The robots allow you to save presets and create alternative versions of moves with frame-by-frame control. You can also create frame-accurate control by triggering them with time code. Directors, cinematographers and operators can view live previews as shots are being set up and performed. Playback integration allows for reviewing shots quickly and intuitively. You can also pre-visualise your move, and import and export 3D camera data from industry-standard applications, like Maya. Motorized Precision started its line of robots with the Kira 1.0, which had a reach of 1.63m. The follow-up, the Kira 2.0, went on to have a reach of 2.01m and the brand- new robot, called the Mia, is a smaller version at 1.1m in reach. Mia has single-phase power and is around 56kg in weight. In this world, that is very portable and adaptable, as you can just plug into either 220V or 110V. Motorized Precision runs its devices
PANTHER.TV Panther
Opertec OPERTEC.TV
Verdict This is a beautifully-made new dolly system from Panther, with some very neat new tricks up its sleeve. It’s also beautifully machined throughout. the scissors-arm, Panther have developed their patented fullrange technology. This allows the scissors-arm to move the same way up as down into the negative. This means that an additional high-low rig is no longer needed. THE PANTHER S-TYPE DOLLY MIXES the advantages of two different dolly concepts: the scissors-arm and the centre-column. The dolly is powered by an electro- mechanical drive system, and Panther say it’s the world’s first of its kind. This has many advantages in contrast to other products that exclusively work with hydraulic, for example – no dripping oil, no pumps, many movements without charging, programming and limit functions, and much more. In order to realise a compact and lightweight dolly design, Panther developed new slide-in batteries for the S-Type. These are easily pushed into the side of the dolly, and a handle helps with carrying and transport. Panther have reinvented and improved the combi-wheels: in addition to a new design, the brakes have been revised, so now when you use them, the studio or air wheels will brake simultaneously with the track wheels. The S-Type scissors-arm makes a 100% linear movement, and to simplify the transport massively, the scissors- arm element of the Panther S-Type is completely detachable. In order to use the full length of
Verdict The Opertec range is impressive and again incredibly well engineered. The new arm is available and works with all kinds of active heads - check their site for details. motion, full control from the camera car and change of shooting location without disassembly. Another Opertec product is the Milli head, which is a smaller sized digital head with lens control. PHOTOGRAPHED WITH OPERTEC’S new arm is an active head called Magna. The design of this head allows the use of all of the common types of film and digital cameras. A fourth axis improves stabilisation performance and control flexibility. High stabilisation performance can be achieved even with the longest and heaviest lens, such as Optimo 24-290mm. The new active head design allows you to achieve a balanced picture even under extremely rough and difficult operating conditions. It also features high angular velocity on all axes. Opertec has also improved the effective rebalancing and calibration. You also get 360˚ pan and roll function, axis position indication, and a very solid and hopefully reliable construction. Other features include quick assembly, remote controlled handling of lens parameters such as focus, iris and zoom. You also get auto horizon. Opertec’s new arm is actually called ‘Arm’ and is a remotely gyro-stabilised camera crane. A fully stabilised boom promises smooth shooting and stable pictures even on the roughest terrain. It’s weather resistant, and Opertec says very easy to set-up. Other features include shooting in-
KIRA 2 REACH MIA WEIGHT
2.01M
100% LINEAR MOTION SCISSOR ARMS
ARM LENGTH
3.5M – 6.3M
56KG
GEARING
SLIDE-IN BATTERIES 4 STEERING MODES
WEIGHT
400KG
CONTROL
FOCUS, IRIS, ZOOM
POWER
MAX PAYLOAD
55KG
52 DEF I N I T ION | OCTOBER 20 1 8
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