2012Operating forum
Choosing sled length and battery placement for different operating styles in television and film
14 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- A compact sled base keeps the rig close to the operator's body and reduces the need to shift sides during shots
- Longer sleds provide greater pan inertia which results in smoother movements
- Longer sleds allow monitor placement farther from the sled, improving visibility during operation
- The EFP sled requires dynamic balancing modifications to achieve stable operation out of the box
- Modified compact EFP sleds work well for live television requiring frequent dutch rolls and whip pans
- Standard EFP sleds work poorly for live television production due to balance and handling characteristics
- Longer sleds like the Ultra series perform better for slow film shots with telephoto lenses
- Placing the monitor close to the sled and looking down at it helps prevent arm contact with the monitor during 360-degree shots in live television
- Battery placement can be adjusted on some sled designs to fine-tune inertia characteristics for different shooting requirements
Depends on
- Discussion focuses on personal experience with specific sled models from 2012
- The Ultra 2 sled design allowed customizable inertia through adjustable bottom components
- No detailed technical specifications provided for the modifications discussed