2007Operating forum
Cable management techniques for tethered camera operation
19 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Right angle connectors at the camera connection point can reduce strain from cable movement
- Adding significant slack in the cable run decreases the risk of pulling forces affecting the camera
- Attaching cables at the camera's center point rather than at the ends reduces the mechanical advantage of any pulling forces
- A small cable loop passing through the operator's fingers just in front of the gimbal, with the cable then wound around the forearm, minimizes external cable influences on operating precision
- Flexible coaxial cables with specifications equivalent to Belden 8218 but with superior flexibility can carry HD-SDI signals
- Triax cables have become significantly smaller and more flexible than earlier slinky cable options
- Custom rewiring of zoom and focus controllers with ultra-flexible silicone-jacketed cable improves rig handling feel substantially
- Operators can adapt to cable stiffness over time and learn to compensate for its effects on operating, similar to adjusting for other equipment limitations
Depends on
- Testing of the flexible prototype coax was limited in scope and duration
- Cable solutions discussed are specific to tethered rig operations and may not apply to all camera types
- Pricing and availability of flexible cable alternatives are not comprehensively documented
- The shoulder-attachment cable routing technique requires practice to execute quickly for rapid decabling