XR: Anti-Wobbly Review
Jun 8th, 2007 by General Henz
Background
The Istech Wescam Pictovision XR (or whatever they’re calling themselves these days) is an anti-Wobbly ground weapon from the company best known for their role in shaping the modern aerial stabilization industry. With a head office located in the hot-bed of stabilization activity that is
Highly regarded for their engineering prowess, the team believed they had struck product development gold a second time immediately following the (first) introduction of the XR. From respected performances at the Sydney Olympics and block busters Catch Me If You Can and The Last Samurai, the XR appeared to be well received at launch.
The question that arises then, is why, after a satisfying start, did the XR fail to become synonymous with anti-Wobbly ground products like the Wescam achieved with aerial anti-Wobbly weaponry?
The answer comes down to a single word (one that the Canadian engineers behind the XR mispronounce, painfully rhyming it with the name for the dinner dish): niche.
While the XR’s stability and steering are triumphs of engineering, achieved thanks to the massively large R&D budget at Wescam, some workflow quirks, introduced to the system in order to achieve the stabilization and steering performance in the current packaging of the technology, have kept the XR from becoming a run-of-the-production anti-Wobbly weapon.
Said differently, the XR can deliver the best ground-based anti-Wobbly performance, but it comes at the cost of longer set-up, lens and mag change times.
Since its start 5 years ago, the XR has been tagged within the production community as a specialty piece of gear. Like a circus show dog capable of performing the most astounding tricks, the XR has its place; however, a circus show dog is a needy animal that requires a lot of tlc.
MY REVIEW
I was able to secure some time with the XR on a warm autumn day. Sitting in my motel room I decided to familiarize myself with the product before heading out for a day of work on a camera car.
- From Panavision (who shamefully should be large enough to hire a good marketer!):
- From Wescam:
- “and has since been involved in numerous sporting events“ (editor: not only has it played first base for the Mariners, but it sounds like the XR also occasionally fills in for Hasselbeck)
Anyway, after finally finding some understandable reviews I set out for my XR test. When I arrived the XR was already mounted on a crane on the back of a camera car. My first impression was a mix of equal parts awe (for how advanced the system looked) and apprehension (for how advanced the system looked).
With the system already rigged I was unable to witness one of the common complaints of the XR – a set-up time that’s longer than the industry norm.
We set out down the road with an 11:1 and ran the system through a number of light tests. Standing with my hands on the wheels I was impressed with the responsive crispness of the XR’s steering.
Anti-Wobbly performance was unlike anything I had experienced before, validating the various reviews that I had read earlier in the day. Pushing the 11:1 beyond 270mm, the XR stripped away all Wobbly, leaving me in a blissful Wobbly-free state of euphoria.
My happy-dust jubilation party-for-one came to a sudden end when I wanted to test a new camera and lens package. The technician went to work. While the process took slightly longer than I’ve come to expect with ground-based anti-Wobbly weapons, it appeared to be far more complex. In an industry where perception counts for a lot, I was left with the feeling that the XR was a complex piece of technology, requiring someone who had a cpu that was a neuronet processor (a learning computer) to set-up and adjust.
Once the new package was set-up we pushed the XR hard and the anti-Wobbly performance and precision steering once again lifted my spirits, moving me towards a vicodin-like state of euphoria.
If you approach the XR with correct expectations - that it is a complex piece of technology and will take slightly longer than other anti-Wobbly weapons to set-up and change mags, lens, etc. and realize that it benefits best from an engineer-in-a-box, then you’ll benefit from the anti-Wobbly performance.
Just like a circus show dog, this puppy can do tricks that no other anti-Wobbly weapon can do. But like a circus show dog, the additional tricks offered come at the cost of additional tlc over less skilled mutts.
As with anything, when expectations aren’t aligned the XR can prove to be a frustrating experience. But with correct expectations, the anti-Wobbly performance of the XR can’t be beat.
Pictorvision was contacted via email to contribute to this article but failed to provide information.
13 Responses to “XR: Anti-Wobbly Review”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
General,
Ouch… enough twisting the knife. I think you may have punctured a lung.
Seriously, a half a shooter out of 5 for Ease-of-Use? That’s a bit harsh, even with a war on. I’ll admit that the learning curve on the XR is a bit steep but its not like an XR tech is the only person on set that needs to be skilled. Combating the Wobblies is a complex proposition. Our friendly, neuronet equipped, technicians are there to help simplify things.
If you’re still interested in contacting someone at “Pictovision” for contributions to the war effort, or just want help with the Jello Cam I would be happy to oblige.
Mike
The slippery slope leads to the can of worms. I knew this would happen! General, if you wish to opine on the merits of various anti-wobbly weapons, you must apply like conditions to your tests. We would be very pleased to mount a Panavision 11:1 and drive over the same streets on the same camera car on which your PictorVision XR test was conducted. Are the Wescam, Istec, Pictor Folks willing to fly their XR at 120 knots on a AS350B2 or 3 on a bumpy day and execute +-90 2g bank turns with pan and tilt rates of 120 degrees per second? I think not. The English language is a beautiful form of communication, but in spite of the excellence of your rhetoric, basic scientific procedures cannot be ignored and therefore your ratings are sadly, irrelevant.
Ron “sorry to be so logical” Goodman.
Mike,
Salutations from The General. It’s been a while since we crossed paths…. was it Showbiz ‘00? Anyway, I appreciate that the war effort can reunite comrades.
The rating for ease-of-use didn’t reflect the fact that a technician was needed. Currently, every anti-Wobbly product needs support in the field and from our experiences to-date with these reviews every anti-Wobbly product has been supported by a capable and well-trained technician (kudos to the various rental houses).
I will be contacting you later today to discuss the review.
As for input on the Jello Cam - I think your anti-Wobbly experience would benefit the debate on “whether vodka or gin [could] be substituted for tequila without stabilization performance degradation?”
Ron, I just call them as I see them.
I think it’s fair to state that the XR and the Spacecam as two very different weapons. One’s for the ground and one’s for the air.
The logic of comparing ground and air products is lost on us. I don’t see the point of comparing apples and oranges. It’s like comparing tanks to tomcats.
I liked the XR. I also liked the Spacecam. I said so in both reviews. In fact, I’ve liked every anti-Wobbly product that I’ve reviewed to-date. As I’ve said many times, there is no one silver bullet that on its own will defeat Wobbly. Every anti-Wobbly weapon has its place in the arsenal.
Once again, The Knights of the Wobbly Table are competing amongst themselves while the true enemy continues to wreak havoc.
But if you and the folks at Pictorvision wanna meet behind the shed for a “shoot-out at noon”, that is between you guys. I will gladly post the results for all to see.
Hey, Pictovision guys! What do you say? Are you up to Ron’s challenge?
Yours in Battle, Henz
Hey General!
Take it easy! As you say, air and ground…. No need to become the duel master! I know being around danger is attractive and all…
You risk scaring “lesser” but “very-useful-none-the-less” fish away (I do appreciate the comic bent myself tho’).
Dear Ron,
as a long time appreciator of your marque, I really don’t think you need feel strongly challenged in your niche (there it is again - non Canadian delivery). Those that “know” realise the limitations of “open architecture” designs (it was an XR) and this site appears to be interested in expanding the spread of “knowledge”.
The Wobbly General hit the ether with a ground based appraisal. I noted he even used the same test crane (per photo inserts) with the XR as used in the other significant tracking vehicle based appraisal; the Scorpio stabilised product. It will be interesting to note if this support system remains consistent throughout the tracking evaluations. It is not a “common” arm so, by example, such consistencies will eventually help to define the validity of his approach.
Dear Mike,
I have not had as much exposure to the XR system as I would like. No jokes here. What I have seen in service, fairly noting the G’s comments, was truly impressive. I envy the apt person who gets the opportunity to techinically detail this system re it’s application in the market place. Your comment re non exclusivity of skill base is highly relevant and will come to the fore as discourse proceeds.
No tongue in cheek, Mike - seriously impressive product.
Cheers
VHS
Wow! This is getting exciting. General, I enjoyed your review.
It seems that you were able to get a good sense of what the XR is capable of but I’m not sure I agree with your assessment of where it fits in the cinematographer’s tool kit. It is unfortunate that you found the XR to be so complex. I really hadn’t viewed you as a technophobe until you expressed such bewilderment at the convergence of assorted machined bits and and the networked processors and servos that make up the XR. I also take exception to your assessment that the excellent performance comes at the cost of increased set-up time. No matter which remote head you’re using, a change from one lens to another of different form factors will require that different iris rods be installed and the Preston drives be properly engaged. This does take a bit more time than a camera in studio mode but it’s a reality of remote heads not just the XR.
What I do agree with is your characterization of the XR as an opiate. Over the years I’ve watched (with at first surprise and now with pride) as first time XR operators spin the wheels. First they try their personal test moves; up, down, left, right, faster and faster then slower and slower as they look for the anticipated threshold where their input no longer translates into a precise movement of the image on the monitor. I can see it in their eyes that they expect some sort of lag or bounce but eventually realize that the steering is perfectly connected. By this point their mouth is gaping and their eyes wide. This is just the beginning, once they start to line up actual shots is where the addiction really kicks in.
Even the Techno operator and the grip swinging the bucket start to feel it as the XR makes every shot look exceptional. The XR generally finds itself on A-list crews but everyone usually needs one or two rehearsals. All of a sudden the rehearsals are all bump/wiggle/shake free. Even the director and producer begin to feel the velvety pleasure as complicated set-ups are completed with fewer and fewer takes as the crew learns to appreciate and exploit the talents of the XR.
This is not to say that every XR job is a big love-fest. I find that focus pullers aren’t crazy about the idea of a contraption that makes 800+mm focal lengths a possibility on a moving platform. That being said, the pros I’ve had the pleasure of working with have always managed get the shot tack sharp when it counts.
As for your shooter count:
Steering and Stability: Right-on General!
Ease of use: C’mon it couldn’t have been that bad. We deserve at least a 3.5-4 if you’re comparing remote heads to remote heads.
Cost: We’re pretty competitive with Libra, Scorpio, Flight, etc. And we include a lot things the others charge for.
Payload versatility: You must have been feeling generous at 1.5 but I still don’t think it’s fair. We can handle any lens even the Panavision 3:1 (Hubble) and lots of cameras from Super16 to IMAX 15/70.
I do regret that I wasn’t the tech riding along with you on that warm autumn day so that I could see your expression as you put the XR through it’s paces. Then again maybe I was and you are one of the many my post is referring to. I do apologize that we didn’t respond to your e-mail inquiry but you can always call me directly at the Van Nuys office.
Stephen Pizzo
818.785.9282
Actung General: In your recent comment you correctly state that ground and air anti-wobbly weapons are different and that you would not dare to compare them. Your weird triangular comparison chart stands in contradiction though as it seems to list everything you have sampled so far. Come see us at CineGear and see a brand new weapon on display for the first time…..
Ron
It’s incredible how worked up some people are getting over these ‘reviews’ and comments on this site, and I don’t really blame The General for somewhat egging it on.
I admit, it’s making me somewhat interested in where it all is going, despite my general dislike of ‘viral’ marketing.
As an aside, couldn’t you have found someone who has seen Photoshop before to do your posters, they look quite unprofessional, even with their humorous intent, anti-aliasing does wonders for painfully jaggedy text.
Ron, you’re right that the “weird triangular comparison” confusingly groups both ground and air anti-Wobbly weapons together. In all future reviews I will address this issue.
However, I do not believe that it “stands in contradiction” to my statement that air and ground anti-Wobbly weapons are different. They’re very different. And I’ve repeatedly stated that. It’s an area of marketing mumbo-jumbo that the war effort is addressing.
Now, how about an exclusive preview of the new product so that we can highlight it on the site?
DCB, Welcome to the War on Wobblies. The Knights of the Wobbly Table are a passionate group so I can respect their excitement over being featured on such a high-class site.
What I do find odd though, is when individuals get upset over a positive review! We’re in this together fighting against a common foe.
I’ll also have you know that I’ve been enjoying a viral free life since ‘77. That summer was… well… busy.
Also, am I interpreting your comment on Photoshop correctly? Are you looking to volunteer for the war effort?
Ron,
To answer your question: “Are the Wescam, Istec, Pictor Folks willing to fly their XR at 120 knots on a AS350B2 or 3 on a bumpy day and execute +-90 2g bank turns with pan and tilt rates of 120 degrees per second?”
Yes! Yes! Yes!
In fact, how about 200+ knots on a fixed wing? We’ve been doing this for a while.
As for the +-90, we can make that a barrel roll.
Finally, how about steering rates up to 200 degrees per second for those really skilled operators.
Now this is just our lowly ground product. We can discuss our new aerial product, the Eclipse, when we get to Cinegear. I believe we will be neighbors there.
Stephen Pizzo
Common guys! There is a time to make donuts and a time to eat them! Let’s stop playing games and start making movies that people actually enjoy. When is the last time kids came out of a theatre talking loudly to their friends about the 2g, barrel roll shot? Give me a break! Focus on the donuts! I’m getting too old for this!
OK, first the General. The triangular graph stands in contradiction of your statement, “The logic of comparing air to ground products is lost on us”, however you do just this by including all products in your comparison chart. Now as for our new product, we would be delighted to show it to you at CineGear.
Now Stephen really! I am not referring to a little sensor package carried on a Predator in a small dome. I am referring to a full-up film camera payload of 65 to 100 lbs., and you guys have never flown one of those at 200Knots and you certainly have never controlled such a payload at 200 degrees/second with say, an acceleration of 100 degree/sec/sec. As for the “Eclipse” I am aware of the technology and ask you if you really want to continue a discussion with me?
Ron.