Rangefinder on low mode lowmode rangefinder steadicam tips By Fabio on 6/5/19, 7:31 AM • 386 views Hi all, the other day we went low mode and my range finder got pretty useless for a while. We had a very heavy studio mattebox (we are using Hawk C-series where the front element spins when racking focus, so when a pola filter is on the clip on mattebox is not an option) and a very light camera body (Red Helium) so the steadicam op asked me to not mount the horns on the mattebox, which would have make the configuration too front heavy. So my question is: what’s your favorite spot to mount the horns of your rangefinder when going low mode? Bastien Rébéna On 6/6/19, 9:08 AM I prefere mount the horn on a magic arm fixe on the top handle. So i never have to move it and my clip-on us not plug to anything. When i do Low mode , i use a rod support that i custom to receive the horn. This way they are at the same place , still on the top.
Aidan Gray On 6/6/19, 4:27 PM Cinematic Precision makes a low angle Cinetape bracket designed to be mounted off the front of the top handle - I also have a 3D printed version of the same bracket, but unfortunately my version isn’t as rigid (atleast in its current form). Another thing I’ve seen that I really enjoy is adding a 15mm rod out the front of the top handle (also available for Cinematic Precision as “Motor Rods”) and then adding a 15mm rod clamp with a 3/8” hole on it - this keeps the Cinetape in the same place but keeps it nice and low key. https://www.cinematicprecision.com/product-page/low-mode-cinetape-bracket
Rozemarijn On 6/5/19, 11:52 AM Hey Fabio, i actually never mount it to the mattebox. Because of the various length of the lenses i prefer to mount it to the top handle, or when in low mode, to the side. And on the cpro handunit you can adjust the offset if needed. Go get em!
Gunnar Mortensen On 2/23/20, 6:07 PM I like using the 15mm top rod that i get extended to a longer length. Using the dog bone I can mount the cine rt horns free of the matte box or top handle which I remove for steadicam
Ryan On 2/6/20, 6:15 PM Hi Fabio, I usually mount my CineRT off the top handle or the top cheese plate if the the operator wants me to take the top handle off for steadi. I use Ultralite mounts instead of Noga arms to mount with. Depending on the length of the lens I will add an extra joint to get me where I want to be. Usually I do the initial set up in prep and then do minor adjustments on the day.
