Zephyr ION Owner's Manual download pdf (Page 12)

Balancing

Balancing the sled

The Steadicam

Zephyr

™

stabilizing system works, in part, by the careful balancing of

components (camera, monitor, accessories, and battery). We always balance the sled

to help us get the shot, so that the operator does the least amount of work to aim the

camera. There are several components of balance. The rst one to work on is “static”

balance, where we balance the sled in all three axes (top-to-bottom, side to side, and

fore-aft), so that the sled hangs upright and is not too bottom heavy.

To adjust the balance, we need to put the sled on the docking bracket

balancing stud where it can hang freely from the gimbal

• Pull the aircraft pin and remove the

sled and camera from the docking

bracket.

• Release the top clamp knob and

slide and extend the docking

bracket. Tighten the locking knob.

• Place the gimbal’s mounting hole

on the balancing stud.

Top to bottom balance

Let’s start with top-to-bottom balance, as

it is one of the least understood aspects of

balance.

It’s best if the sled is slightly bottom

heavy. Clearly, if it is top heavy, it will

tip over. If it is too bottom heavy, it will

hang upright (a good thing) but be hard to

tilt and very hard to control as you move

around (not good at all!).

Note: Before letting go of

the sled, be certain that

it will hang more or less

upright. If the sled wants

to hang upside down, the

camera weight is beyond

the weight specications of

the Steadicam

Zephyr

™

So immediately, you should understand

that top-to-bottom balance is a

compromise between competing desires.

If it is just slightly bottom heavy, it can

be balanced to hang at a particular angle

and easier to control.

How do we get the right top-to-bottom

balance?

When balancing a

heavier camera, you

may have to extend

the post. While holding

the bottom of the sled,

release the post clamp

and lengthen the post.

Close the clamp.

If the sled is neutrally balanced (neither

top nor bottom heavy) it’s impossible to

balance the sled fore-aft or side to side,

and the operator must do all the aiming of

the sled – not good either.

Note: changing the

length also changes

the range of lens

heights. This can

be a useful tool with

any weight camera.

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Zephyr ION Owner's Manual Page 12

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