Deep in the jungle with the Lion-R

Our intention with the Lion's design was to create a near permanent home for the camera.  It is great to see this bare out as the whole package becomes one, moving from the dolly, to the tripod and on to the shoulder.


This is DP Biff Bracht, deep in a jungle shooting a new reality show with the Lion-R. He wrote this very kind email.

"Hey David

Ergo is my new best friend, and the topic of much discussion amongst my camera department. Now permanently known as "Woodie", it is performing brilliantly. 
I'll give you a better download after I've used it a little longer.  I'll also send you some more action related hand held shots as they come available.  Thanks again.  The brand new Fujinon 19 - 90 is probably one of the heaviest lenses I would hang on this rig, but it's very well balanced and handles great!"

This is just a test to balance the Lion

"Quick question. I was wondering if you had any solutions for using the lion on a quick release eng style tripod plate. Currently I am using with a sachtler 20 and trying to figure out how to balance with out spending thousands on a dove tail arri plate setup."

James Peterson

Director of Photography

 This is a test to try and balance the Lion on a tripod, I used the Redrock Micro microSupport Cheeseplate, which is to short but could be made to work if the 3/8' hole for the Manfrotto Quick Release was countersunk.  On the plate is a Manfrotto 357 Pro Quick Release Adapter with 357PL Plate.

Size test with fs100

When I was down at Abel doing a fitting with the BMC, I got some time to try out the fs100 on the Lion -R.   The Zacuto Studio base plate for the C300 makes for a tight fit, it measures in at 3/4" where many quick release plate are 1/4 ".

Also I am going to offer a modification using spacers to raise the hight of the handle.

 

It really felt good on my shoulder, well balanced.

Lion - R meets BMC

AbelCine was generous enough to allow me to build the Lion -R with a demo Black Magic Cinema Camera.  They did not have the Alphatron EVF in.  I think it was out getting a firmware update (but don't quote me) so I used the Zacuto instead.  With no HDSDI in the evf is not actually functioning but hopefully the idea gets across.  The rear rods are holding the View Factor AB plate adaptor for power, this Lion is ready for power but no plugs have been installed, it is something done according to the owners preference.

 So here is the trick, the camera is so wide that it occupies the space where the EVF should be, my proposed solution is to off set it to the right by roughly 30 mm.  I used this inexpensive  piece which adjust on 2 -axis.  But to be really solid you would need two one in front of the plate and one inback.  I will have Dennis at Egli make a solid off set for the Lion - R and the BMC.

CoolRaiser

http://www.coollcd.com/coolraiser-to-raise-a-second-set-of-15mm-rods-up-down-left-right_p936.html

It could work with something like this:

http://www.coollcd.com/quick-release-video-cameras-baseplate_p933.html

The Lion - R was held by Isaac Kiener at AbelCine, thank you.

Build out the Lion - R

On the 17th I went down to Cinema Vision to build out the new Lion - R, our new hard use rig.  As always Jackie and Derek were happy to help, thank you.  We are not only showing off the new rig with a full power mod, (6 D-Taps) but the different operating positions the the Lion (R or O) is designed to compliment.  Our focus is now shifting to accommodating the Epic / Scarlet, with new modifications to the Lion to allow the body to snug all the back against the vertical section of the "L" (the sweet spot for weight distribution) but still allow access to the power and I/O.  We are also working with  MadlyFins, LLC to intergrte a on / off button into our BWG and BCG hand grips.

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Lion - R w/ adjustable rod hight.

This model is born out conversations with different rental companies looking to use the Lion, their main concern was the rod mount, they thought the Lion - O's epoxy affixed rod mount was sufficient for individual owner / operators but for the rough use that rental item endure something more robust was called for.  So with Dennis at Egli Machine help we designed and fabricated a hight adjustable rod mount out of aircraft grade aluminum (6061).   Here some picture which show 3 rod mount positions (there are actually four, the one we are not seeing is a 1/2 inch lower than the flush to the top of the bracket orientation.)

The center image is the normal position.

All the way up and all the way down.

the Lion - R

This is the Lion - R with everything, power mod w/ 6 x D-taps, new custom leather pads, new cheese plate and of course aircraft grade aluminum rod mounts.   I am going down to Cinema Vision tomorrow and get photos with the C300, Epic and hopefully the Scarlet.