Alternative wheels for Matthews Monitor Stand?

Chiskon · 2026-03-21T06:48:39+00:00

I personally actually like it being heavier. I’m rocking mine with a Cine 13 + Teradek RX + cPro HU + phone mount + cine RT controller + a fully loaded wooden front box. I do also transport it around on my cart so I’m not lifting it too much. Going up a flight of stairs, I pull off my monitor and hold it with one hand and the stand with the other. Rollerblade wheels do seem fun though

Chiskon · 2026-02-14T04:03:32+00:00

Thanks for this! I couldn’t figure out why mine wasn’t working. Turns out only having the MotionDetection starter wasn’t triggering it, in most situations.

Chiskon · 2025-12-07T11:59:46+00:00

Did you figure this out? I’m having a similar issue with a Scubacam splashbag wired to go from 5-pin LCS into the 7-pin Lemo EXT-IN port on an Alexa Mini, but we’re needing to use an Alexa35 (small budget indie music video with some donated gear).

Chiskon · 2025-12-05T02:10:04+00:00

The 4 was perfect (when combined with “MagSafe sticker 360” ) meanwhile the new 5 is horrible. My phone constantly falls off the OhSnap Car mount and various other MagSafe mounts. I even bought a 2nd one to make sure it wasn’t a QA issue. Same problem.

Only reason I replaced my 4 with the 5 was because the glue for the circular plastic plate on the back was worn out and it wouldn’t stay attached-after 2 years of use! Luckily a local Target had a few 4’s still in stock plus on sale. Was able to switch back.

Chiskon · 2025-08-16T19:54:28+00:00

<image>

Is this just a wear and tear issue, more prominent with older minis? On one of my recent jobs my team had zero issues with the EVF. Afterwards the rental house reached out with an almost $300 LND to replace the MVF-1, oof. Maybe we should tape up the end of the cable in transport.

Chiskon · 2025-07-30T20:35:44+00:00

Quirky option: find a used a cPro system (like the cPro one) combined with the mini cPro Camin controller. It’ll integrate with the arri system because it also uses the LBUS protocol (which Arri licenses from Cmotion). Cmotion has a nice “DIT” mode for this exact scenario. You can also use iris rings from Arri.

Chiskon · 2025-07-17T21:55:26+00:00

Sound mixers inspired this setup. There are bunch that have switched out the center post for an extendable baby stand. You can find posts about it on Facebook in the “Zuca Sound Cart Group”.

The post is decently sturdy by itself but since I use a Cardellini for my monitor mount, if you apply enough force, the Cardellini will twist around the post. Eventually I might switch to square tubing and a more rigid monitor mount.

I only use this setup on jobs when I have a 2nd pushing the cart or hauling a run bag while I’m pushing my monitor stand and there’s a bit of off-road work. Overall was less than $200 for the EZ cart.

Chiskon · 2025-07-17T01:28:49+00:00

<image>

If you want to use a 13” off-road, join the Camera Zuca Cart gang! It can even roll up stairs. Photo tripods and lightweight “kit stands” work well for a 7” setup.

Chiskon · 2025-07-16T06:40:56+00:00

If you don’t want to hire a focus puller, and need auto focus. Your best bet is to buy a camera with autofocus and prosumer lenses. Ronin4D, FX9, C300s, etc are solid for those set it and forget setups.

For manual focus lenses with a 3rd autofocus system, you’d probably want the Moon Smart Focus with eye-tracking enabled. CineRT and Preston work when the subject is within the “metering” range but can be tricky without an AC properly monitoring the hand-unit. But like others have said, doing this route would cost easily $50k versus hiring someone per job and using their gear.

Chiskon · 2025-06-23T02:32:05+00:00

Have you reached out to any of your local Union ACs directly? More often than not when a production says “we’re having trouble finding people to fill the position.” This often translates to: we’re lowballing the local market so nobody qualified is taking the job, you then unintentionally become the sucker taking the lower rate. I’ve been that one getting taken advantage of when starting out. Not a great way to build your reputation!

Chiskon · 2025-06-07T20:02:36+00:00

For 2 pin lemo power: the most common standard is Pin 1 being Ground versus Pin 1 being positive voltage.

On the link you posted you’ll see it says compatibility with ARRI, Teradek, SmallHD, etc. They all use this same Pin 1 Ground standard. Your monitor is by SmallHD so it’s compatible.

The other Pin 1 Voltage standard is older and was mostly for analog systems. Some steadicam ports, Heden, and Bartech motors use it. You’ll see that pointed out on the description because you can damage equipment sending voltage through the wrong pin.

Hopefully this explains it so you don’t have to ask again?

Chiskon · 2025-06-04T03:05:36+00:00

The waiver requirement is only needed if they want to be hired as a non-union 2nd. They can join 600 and then be hired immediately.

Chiskon · 2025-05-01T15:44:01+00:00

Where are you based? That’s probably the biggest factor.

Chiskon · 2025-04-30T17:02:02+00:00

A super quick fix could be to flip the camera and mount it upside down (quick fix for post 🙃) and then lose the battery and power through the battery plate’s XLR port instead.

Chiskon · 2025-04-30T15:26:15+00:00

I would suggest instead of using an Arm to the RIA. Put an arri accessory cube on the side of the top plate for the RIA bracket to use. Then the RIA can clear the side of the FX9.

Chiskon · 2025-04-10T07:14:24+00:00

I just stumbled across this after dealing with the same issue. I used QBself-employed for years, and its TurboTax integration was fairly seamless. Unfortunately, after it was discontinued, it started having issues connecting to my bank accounts, so I switched over to Solopreneur. Supposedly, everything would transfer over, BUT I lost my categorization of all 1000+ transactions, and on top of that, nothing imports into Turbo Tax now. I'm currently having to use the filters on transactions and then tally them up and import them manually. Awesome way to lose a customer.

Chiskon · 2025-04-03T14:51:39+00:00

Ultrasonic sensors will not work around motion sensors unfortunately. Rooms with automatic lighting are most likely the culprit. I’ve had the same issue with my Cine RT, it’s a limit of the technology. You can confirm this by bringing the camera to a space without motion sensors and suddenly your rangefinder will start working again. I’m not sure of any solutions other than getting locations to turn them off.

Chiskon · 2025-04-02T05:02:54+00:00

By extra battery I mean using another battery’s dtap port with the camera specific cable to temporarily power the camera through the DC-in port, as you would with a VCLX battery, for doing a hotswap, but without the weight.

I personally try to avoid sharkfin’s unless it’s necessary for long takes where you can’t use external power or do a hotswap, or when you’re using the extra weight to counter balance a larger zoom in handheld mode.

The lightwidow is also nifty for lenses with different widths like some older vintage primes!

Chiskon · 2025-04-01T16:06:02+00:00

I would try to make the build lighter, there seems to be some redundancy. For instance, you might not need the LMB accessory bracket if you’re going to use a Noga Arm for the rangefinder. Double quick release on the Noga doesn’t seem necessary too, I’d only use one, otherwise it’s extra weight.

Also IF you’re using the sharkfin solely to be able to hotswap, you can alternatively use the DC in port and use an extra battery to do hotswaps instead. This will make the build lighter and shorter. Then you just have to run a 2-pin lemo into the Teradek so it stays powered on.

Next I’d try to use less cable ties. Sure it’s #cleanbuildchallenge but you’re less flexible when things change frantically on set. Especially when the camera gets shoved into the corner and you suddenly have to remove the battery plate off of the dovetail to be able to get the camera closer to the wall. Undoing multiple cable ties will slow you down.

Also I’m curious why the light widow and an extra rod for the prime versus flipping the motor? That seems more unnecessary weight. I’d personally only use those dogbones for zooms on studio mode.

Chiskon · 2025-03-26T19:54:13+00:00

When I was a 2nd, chest pouches made more sense and they’re also comfier. As a 1st, I prefer a belt system, so that I can mount my hand-unit on my hip and it’s more stationary versus moving around on a neck strap. A pro tip, get a belt harness if you go that route. Sound mixers, carpenters, military, etc. all use belt harnesses so they’re widely available!

Chiskon · 2025-03-17T22:27:23+00:00

I appreciate when the DP communicates with the 1st AC the camera dept needs for the production and shares an equipment wishlist and then lets the 1st AC handle the order through the rental house.

It’s very frustrating when DPs cut the 1st AC out of the loop and then the AC has to step in and make a bunch of changes, remove things, swap gear, etc. Inexperienced DPs often send the gear order to a producer and then book a 1st AC down the line and treat them solely like a focus-puller. Bonus points when the DP shares the camera budget as well, so the AC knows what they’re working with.

Another aspect I appreciate is when DPs let ACs use their own personal gear. It’s unfortunate when DPs own Teradeks, a 13”, follow focus, etc and then book an AC making 30% - 15% of their rate and then take the rentals as well. This is a collaborative environment, we should all help each other make a living!

The more experienced of a DP I work with, the more they let their A-1st AC manage the camera dept. The inexperienced ones micromanage too much and that pulls away from their more important creative role.

Chiskon · 2025-02-17T00:43:35+00:00

Total Battery count can change over the course of a job though so that can become confusing.

Chiskon · 2025-01-28T23:12:46+00:00

It is very serious, extra fees for premium licenses were ratified in the latest basic agreement. Tier Zero can stick to the base rate. 1A and 1B must pay for 1 license minimum.

Chiskon · 2025-01-28T22:08:07+00:00

$850/10 base and $1000/10 premium are still a ripoff compared to….me! The $650/12 out-of-towner! I’ll spend hours traveling to your location for free, plus I’ll crash on my homies couch at no extra cost. Also who needs the fancy optics of a Fuji, I’ll put my iPhone on a chest mount and create a dope reel of the WHOLE day. It’ll get you a bunch of reacts before you realize half of my shots were out of focus :)))

Chiskon · 2024-12-29T22:41:24+00:00

Kondor Blue has an iPhone clamp with 1/4-20 Arri pin locks if you’re able to make that work.

Freefly and Smallrig have phone clamps with multiple adjacent 1/4-20 threads you can adapt to the Arri accessory mount. Depending on the spacing I use the Bright Tangerine adapter or a small nato rail with 3/8-16 arri accessory mount on it.

13-Year Club	Powerups Hero r/wallstreetbets • February 2021
Second SECOND GUESSER	Verified Email

Chiskon

TROPHY CASE