OConnor to Show New Fluid Heads, Tripods and O-Focus DM Follow Focus System at IBC 2012

OConnor DM-1030D-baseplate

OConnor to Show New Fluid Heads, Tripods and O-Focus DM Follow Focus System at IBC 2012

Burbank, CA: August 7, 2012 – OConnor, part of Vitec Videocom, a Vitec Group company, will show several new offerings at IBC2012 in booth number 11.E55.

60L Carbon Fiber Tripod

For the first time in Europe, IBC attendees can experience hands-on the new 60L Carbon Fiber Tripod, a lightweight, speedy-to-deploy support with a heavy capacity to fulfill the needs of professional cinematographers who require a versatile shooting package for larger cameras such as ARRI ALEXA or Sony F65.

Ideally suited for the OConnor Ultimate 2065 and 2575D 150mm ball-based fluid heads, the 60L combines the benefits of new-age materials with precision engineering to provide a support system that is lighter weight with quick setup features, yet is solid enough to carry large film and digital camera configurations. The 60L weighs just 4.1 kg (9 lbs) and has a double extension design that can safely and stably carry payloads of up to 95 kg (209 lbs), even at its maximum height of 154 cm (60.6”). Despite its generous height range, the 60L tripod folds down to a mere 76 cm (29.9”).

Ultimate 1030D / 1030 Ds fluid heads

OConnor also has new camera support solutions for lighter-weight full-format sensor cameras, such as the RED Epic and Scarlet, Sony PMW-F3 and Canon EOS C300 and C500. The Ultimate 1030D (13.6 kg/30 lbs capacity) and Ultimate 1030Ds (18.6 kg/41 lbs capacity) fluid heads incorporate a sporty industrial design and features that were originally engineered for OConnor’s larger fluid heads. These features include stepless, ultra-smooth pan and tilt fluid drag, which provides ultimate control and stability for digital cinematography shooting.

OConnor’s legendary Sinusoidal Counterbalance system, which provides true, accurate balance at any point in the tilt range, is also incorporated into the new heads. The counterbalance can be adjusted by a new ergonomic crank-style control that pulls out of the back of the head. The 1030D model provides a tilt range of ±90° while the 1030Ds head has a ±60° tilt range for heavier loads up to 18.6kg/41 lbs.

The OConnor 30L carbon fiber tripod is a perfect fit for these heads. It combines the benefits of new-age materials with precision engineering to create a support system that is lightweight, yet solid and stable. The 30L weighs just 4 kg (8.8 lbs) and can safely and stably carry payloads of up to 95 kg (209 lbs).

OConnor O-Focus Dual Mini Follow Focus System

The latest addition to OConnor’s growing lineup of camera and lens accessories is the new O-Focus Dual Mini, a compact, double-sided direct drive follow focus unit optimized for both still and cine-style camera lenses. The precision gear drive of the main bridge offers a gear ratio of 1:0.75 so that 360 degrees of input results in 270 degrees of output (i.e. rotation on the drive gear).

There are two versions of the O-Focus DM: the Photo Set and the Cine Set. Each provides its own unique transmission ratio. The difference is accomplished by the use of two different types of handwheels that interface with the main bridge to generate optimized transmission output. Changing the transmission ratio is as easy as changing a lens. The handwheels can be easily swapped without tools.

The Photo Set utilizes a new Hard Stop Handwheel, which has a transmission ratio of 1:1 (input: output). When coupled with the O-Focus Bridge, it yields a follow focus industry first; a 1:0.75 transmission ratio. This translates to longer, more exacting focus pulls when using limited barrel rotation still lenses for digital cinematography, and allows more precise lens control than has previously been available for these camera configurations. The hard stops enable the operator to set minimum and maximum focus points for lenses with unlimited rotation and to carry out hard focus stop pulls. To allow the focus-puller to react to unexpected movements, the unique single-hand-operated hard stop on/off switch allows for instantaneous disengagement of the end stops for critical adjustments while the shot is in progress.

The Cine Set utilizes OConnor’s existing CFF-1 Studio Handwheel, and has a transmission ratio of 1:1.8 (input:output). When coupled with the O-Focus Bridge, it yields a 1:1.4 output transmission ratio well suited for cine lenses with an expanded focus scale. The Studio Handwheel is offset, so it has 360 degrees of rotation for optimum placement and view of the lens witness marks.

Designs proven in the field

For the demo film, Tumulus, which had to be finished in time for NAB, DP Sebastian Wiegärtner from Germany equipped his Sony PMW-F3 with professional camera accessories by OConnor. He used the O-Box WM Mattebox together with the O-Grips handgrips and the new O-Focus DM Follow Focus Cine Set with glow-in-the-dark marking disks. “For this important shoot, it was certainly a risk deciding to use accessories I had never worked with before. However, everyone in the industry knows about OConnor’s excellent quality. I had extremely high expectations, and the OConnor accessories greatly contributed to my satisfaction with the results. Anyone who has worked with OConnor camera and lens tools once will want to do it again and again,” concludes Sebastian Wiegärtner.

For more information on OConnor, a Vitec Group brand, visit www.ocon.com, email [email protected], become a fan on Facebook, follow the company on Twitter; or contact OConnor, 2701 N. Ontario St, Burbank, CA 91504, Phone: 818-847-8666, Fax: 818-847-1205.

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About OConnor

OConnor has been the choice of professional cinematographers since the invention of the fluid head 60 years ago by founder Chad O’Connor. OConnor’s award-winning fluid heads are known for their smooth feel, fluid movement and intuitive control. Designed for film-style shooting, each facilitates seamless transition when changing payloads and offers stepless, ultra-smooth pan & tilt fluid drag for maximum control. In addition to fluid heads and tripods, OConnor offers a growing line of camera and lens accessories engineered to fill the needs of today’s fast-paced camera work. The line includes the CFF-1 and new O-Focus DM follow focus systems for cine and still photo lenses, the award-winning O-Box WM mattebox, innovative O-Grip handgrip system and the Universal Baseplate. OConnor products are respected and trusted by individual users and rental houses worldwide for their reliability, longevity and toughness.

Along with other leading brands in the broadcast industry, OConnor is part of the Vitec Videocom, a Vitec Group company.  For more information on OConnor, visit www.ocon.com

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