Kessler Second Shooter Pro Announced – Improved Motion Control Capabilities

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by Jeff LochJune 29^th, 2020

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Kessler Crane, the US company specialized in camera movement and rigging solutions, just launched a new motion control unit: the Kessler Second Shooter Pro. This Pro version has extended WiFi capabilities, a new industry-standard Lemo 2-pin power input port, you can program up to ten positions, it is compatible with the new Second Shooter Remote app, and is compatible with all your current Second Shooter equipment. Let’s take a closer look at this updated motion control brain unit!

Kessler Second Shooter Ecosystem

The original Kessler Second Shooter has been on the market since 2014. If you never heard of it before, let’s start with a quick introduction. The Kessler Second Shooter is a motion-control system that is compatible with all Kessler sliders. The system consists of several components that allow you to control different axis of the movement: the controller module, various slider modules, a tilt/pan motor, FIZ motors to control your lenses, camera cables, and so on.

The original Kessler Second Shooter. Image credit: Kessler

You can use the Kessler Second Shooter to shoot time-lapses, stop-motion animation, VFX plates, or looping camera movement like interviews. The brain of this system is the controller, powered via batteries that allow you to shoot in a remote location. This controller connects to three different axis motors via Cat5 Ethernet cables and will enable you to program your movements. If you need to control more than three axes at a time, you can link two controllers together, which allows you to control up to six-axis simultaneously.

The original Kessler Second Shooter. Image credit: Kessler

In the last couple of years, things have changed in the motion control industry, and an update to the controller was much welcome to a product that has been well-established in our industry – various members of our team have been using the original Second Shooter on their professional productions since day one. Even though the original Second Shooter is still very functional and often used nowadays, this new Kessler Second Shooter Pro brings a lot of new features to the table.

Image credit: Kessler

Kessler Second Shooter Pro Features

Let’s start by saying that if you already invested in the Kessler Second eco-system, this new Pro controller won’t run your investment obsolete. Indeed, the Kessler Second Shooter Pro is compatible with all your existing motors, sliders, pan/tilt head, and so on. This is an excellent move from Kessler, every filmmaker will agree with me, we hate having to upgrade all our equipment once a new version comes out and we spent thousands of dollars again into a new ecosystem of products.

Here is a quick overview of all the improvements made to the Kessler Second Shooter Pro:

• A new exterior design, more rugged, impact-resistant, with improved ergonomic controller body design. The control surface is more substantial, and the interface is more intuitive to use. The back of the unit still features a Magnetic Mount for compatibility with the Second Shooter system and accessories.
• You can now power it via an industry-standard Lemo 2-pin Power Connector. If you have original Second Shooter batteries, there is a 12V AC power connection.

Image credit: Kessler

• With a new WiFi antenna, the range is now much more important: over 200 ft./60m operational range.

Image credit: Kessler

• The Kessler Second Shooter Pro is compatible with the upcoming Second Shooter Remote App, available for iOS and Android devices (will become available soon). The app gives you access to a smoother and more efficient bezier-based motion. Also, the app will automatically and wirelessly update your Kessler Second Shooter Pro hardware.

Image credit: Kessler

• Also, this upgraded controller is still compatible with the kOS software. Available on PC, Mac OS, and iPad compatible devices, the software is as flexible as you need it to be, boasting a whole host of features not found in the Second Shooter Remote App or Second Shooter Pro controller.
• It is now possible to program up to ten keyframes per axis via the app or kOS software.

Image credit: Kessler

• The Kessler Second Shooter Pro is compatible with Bluetooth devices, and you can control it wirelessly via a PS4 controller operation. Let’s hope it will support upcoming PS5 controllers too.

Image credit: Kessler

• There is a new Quiet Mode for audio-sensitive environments. Also, two new modes should soon be implemented: Accelerometer-based mimic mode and Facial tracking mode.

Image credit: Kessler

The Second Shooter Pro controller provides up to 3 axes of control— but by merely bridging two Second Shooter Pro controllers together (or a Second Shooter Pro with a Second Shooter Plus), you’re able to control up to 6 axes at one time with as many as ten keyframes each.

As you can see, this new Kessler Second Shooter Pro is not a minor update, and we can easily say that the Kessler team put a lot of work into it.

We can’t wait to get our hands on a unit to review the Second Shooter Pro as soon as possible.

Pricing and Availability

The Kessler Second Shooter Pro will start shipping July 10th maximum. You can already pre-order it for $600.00, which is the same price as the previous Second Shooter Plus controller. For more information or pre-ordering it, you can visit Kessler’s website here. Like with the previous Second Shooter Plus controller, Kessler is also offering a Second Shooter Pro Bundle – Starter and also a Second Shooter Pro Bundle – Complete, which includes absolutely everything you need if you are starting from scratch.

What do you think about the Kessler Second Shooter Pro? Did you already invest in the Second Shooter ecosystem? Let us know in the comments below!