Quickdraw is Changing the Way We Balance Gimbals and Steadicams

It's not everyday that a new category is created in the film industry. And it's even rarer for the innovation to solve a problem every DP faces: balancing. It may sound like a small issue... but when you are on a tight production schedule, every second counts. So why chance missing that magic hour shot when you don't have to. Quickdraw just might be the solution all New York DPs have been seeking.

Quickdraw is a 3D-printed counterbalance system that aims to make lens swapping easier when working with a gimbal or a steadicam. It normalizes the center of gravity of each lens in the kit by adding weight to lighter lenses. Quickdraw can be screwed onto the front filter thread of any lens and thanks to the additional weight it will match the center of gravity of this lens with other heavier lens. Therefore these lenses will be swappable without the need for rebalancing the camera setup. Making this the ideal tool to use for run-and-gun shoots and shoots where you have multiple lens changes. It also allows gimbal and steadicam operators to expand their creativity by no longer being pressed for time with lens changes.

The idea of using this system is to balance the setup with the heaviest lens that you are planning to use. Then use Quickdraw for each additional lens you intend to fly on the gimbal or steadicam. As an example, if you want to use four lenses, you will need three Quickdraws. The heaviest lens will be without it and every other lens with a custom balanced Quickdraw.

Every set of Quickdraw is customized to the lenses the customer specifics, for the lenses they want to balance on their gimbal or Steadicam. This customization ensures that Quickdraw stays as compact as possible. It also allows for additional customizations such as adding on filter clips, an attachment for your matte box, integration onto your rail system, and more.

On Quickdraw Sebastian Barbera, the founder of Reflex Cinema and inventor of Quickdraw, states “I created Quickdraw to save myself time while I was on set. When I realized the impact it would have on other shooters, I immediately knew I needed to expand on it.” Quickdraw is currently patent pending and is manufactured here in New York in the forgotten borough and has been used by many DPs, especially those in the Lower East Side film scene.

What We Love

What we love about Quickdraw is its customizable nature and sleek design. It allows for easy integration into your kit and can be modified to suit your needs. It also saves you time, which in this industry is key.

Quickdraw is currently available on Reflex Cinema’s site, www.reflexcinema.com.