NovaCam HDF... OConnor Fluid Head Conversion
"High Density Fluid"
515 Fluid Pan Module showing the 50 stacked bronze drag plates
As the industry transitions to smaller and lighter digital cinema cameras, the opportunity arises to use smaller tripods and heads, especially in documentary / small crew shoots. The problem: The smaller fluid heads just feel smaller...we would all prefer the more solid feel of the larger heads, but the counterbalance mechanism of those heads are best used with larger cameras. For example, in my opinion, the minimum weight camera for a 1030S head is about 15 to 20 lbs (with 4" CG...see chart on the OConnor page). A lightly configured Canon C-300, etc. weighs as little as 10 lbs, or even less in the case of the Panasonic GH5, or the Sony A7s. To be able to have that OConnor "feel", one would want to use the smaller Heads.
We have a solution: The NovaCam HDF, High Density Fluid conversion. The O'Connor 515/515s and DV/DVs heads, although no longer made, are perfect heads to support the weight of the smaller cameras ... and now they can be upgraded for the more solid feel of a 1030 head, giving them a new lease in life.
The NovaCam HDF conversion:
Over a period of about a year, with input from a chemical engineer, we experimented with replacing the standard OConnor fluid in a 515 head. We tried out heavier density fluids of the same type that OConnor uses, mixing in a proprietary friction reducing material and came up with a fluid mixture, that while still retaining the extraordinary OConnor fluid feel, has a much higher viscosity. We then field tested it in hot and cold weather for several months.
The result... we believe we came up with a modification that is significant in this time of smaller cameras ... an OConnor 515 head that feels like a 1030!
We then converted a DV head and the results were the same, if not slightly more robust (due to the slightly larger plates in the DV series heads).
Note...in both cases, the upgraded head could be "dialed down" to almost zero drag, just as before, but now they were able to be dialed up to much stiffer drag settings for shooting with long lenses or for extremely smooth, slow moves.
We are now offering this conversion, along with overhaul service on these OConnor Heads...please see the Contact / Prices page for pricing.
The Conversion Process ... What is Included:
The NovaCam HDF conversion involves first inspection and dis-assembly of the head and noting any worn or damaged parts, any fluid leaks, reporting back to the customer with a quote to replace any parts, if necessary, that are required other than the O-Ring seals (which are replaced automatically and included in the costs shown on the Contact / Prices page). The old fluid is then drained and damaged parts, if any, are replaced.
Please note that other than the O-Ring seals indicated above, very rarely do internal parts on OConnor heads go bad...they are extremely robust designs. (please see the discussion on seals at the bottom of the Contact / Prices page ... all seals are not created equal).
We then replace the fluid with NovaCam HDF fluid. All systems are checked and adjusted to factory specs. It is bit of work and takes a week to 10 days, from start to finish (a lot of the time is to drain the old and re-fill with HDF fluid ... it is very thick stuff). We then re-assemble and test it over a period of several days.
Note that the conversion does not alter the counterbalance weight capacity. The process above does not include dis-assembly or any work on the counterbalance mechanism, which is separate from the fluid drag mechanisms.
Please see the Contact / Prices page for conversion prices.
We have a solution: The NovaCam HDF, High Density Fluid conversion. The O'Connor 515/515s and DV/DVs heads, although no longer made, are perfect heads to support the weight of the smaller cameras ... and now they can be upgraded for the more solid feel of a 1030 head, giving them a new lease in life.
The NovaCam HDF conversion:
Over a period of about a year, with input from a chemical engineer, we experimented with replacing the standard OConnor fluid in a 515 head. We tried out heavier density fluids of the same type that OConnor uses, mixing in a proprietary friction reducing material and came up with a fluid mixture, that while still retaining the extraordinary OConnor fluid feel, has a much higher viscosity. We then field tested it in hot and cold weather for several months.
The result... we believe we came up with a modification that is significant in this time of smaller cameras ... an OConnor 515 head that feels like a 1030!
We then converted a DV head and the results were the same, if not slightly more robust (due to the slightly larger plates in the DV series heads).
Note...in both cases, the upgraded head could be "dialed down" to almost zero drag, just as before, but now they were able to be dialed up to much stiffer drag settings for shooting with long lenses or for extremely smooth, slow moves.
We are now offering this conversion, along with overhaul service on these OConnor Heads...please see the Contact / Prices page for pricing.
The Conversion Process ... What is Included:
The NovaCam HDF conversion involves first inspection and dis-assembly of the head and noting any worn or damaged parts, any fluid leaks, reporting back to the customer with a quote to replace any parts, if necessary, that are required other than the O-Ring seals (which are replaced automatically and included in the costs shown on the Contact / Prices page). The old fluid is then drained and damaged parts, if any, are replaced.
Please note that other than the O-Ring seals indicated above, very rarely do internal parts on OConnor heads go bad...they are extremely robust designs. (please see the discussion on seals at the bottom of the Contact / Prices page ... all seals are not created equal).
We then replace the fluid with NovaCam HDF fluid. All systems are checked and adjusted to factory specs. It is bit of work and takes a week to 10 days, from start to finish (a lot of the time is to drain the old and re-fill with HDF fluid ... it is very thick stuff). We then re-assemble and test it over a period of several days.
Note that the conversion does not alter the counterbalance weight capacity. The process above does not include dis-assembly or any work on the counterbalance mechanism, which is separate from the fluid drag mechanisms.
Please see the Contact / Prices page for conversion prices.