MANUAL FOR: Universal stabilization system for video cameras weighing from 300 g to 4(5) kg

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Dora Norton
5 years ago
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1 MANUAL FOR: or Universal stabilization system for video cameras weighing from 300 g to 4(5) kg

2 SETUP INSTRUCTIONS Front view Rear view Top view LEGEND: 1 Base plate (for tripod). 2 Fixing bolt (for camera). 3 Adapter (Tripod). 4 Snap mechanism. 5 Knob. 6 Base Nuts. 7 Base (platform). 8 Cartridge. 9 Elbow rest. 10 Handle. 11 Hollow bar. 12 Clamp. 13 Minor hollow bar. 14 Base. 15 Loads.

1. Loosen up the snap mechanism (4) and remove the

Fig 1 The fixing bolt (2) must be near the edge of

INCORRECT position of the fixing bolt (2).

3 1. Loosen up the snap mechanism (4) and remove the Base (1) with Adapter (3). 2. Fix the baseplate to the camera (1). Do this as shown in figs 1, 2 and 3). Fig 1 The fixing bolt (2) must be near the edge of the base plate and its major part must be under the lens (figs 3 and 4). Fig 2 Fig 3 Incorrect Correct Fig 2 shows the INCORRECT position of the fixing bolt (2). Your assembly should look like (fig 4) Fig 4 3. Take eight loads (15) and add them to the base (14), four pieces on each side (fig 5). Fig 5

6-B). Incorrect Fig 6-A Correct Fig 6-B Tighten the Clamp (12) till the Minor

Install the Base Plate (1) with camera on the Adapter (3).

If you are using a still camera then you should stretch back the platform till the

4 4. Loosen up the Clamp (12). Rotate the Base (14) in such a way as to make it parallel to the Adapter (3) (fig 6-B). Incorrect Fig 6-A Correct Fig 6-B Tighten the Clamp (12) till the Minor Hollow Bar is fixed. But do not apply extra force! 5. Install the Base Plate (1) with camera on the Adapter (3). Preliminarily adjusting the platform in the Center position. If you are using a still camera then you should stretch back the platform till the very edge opposite to the lens (fig. 7-А). Fix the position using the Snap Mechanism (4). Fig 7-A Fig 7-B 6. Please be careful: to remove the base plate (1) from the Adapter (3) you must press knob (5) (fig. 7- Б)

7. CONFIGURING THE X PLANE Let s see the X plane, where the steady-cam falls forward or backward.

8) Main Hollow Bar (11) must remain in a position perpendicular to ground. Unless like this (fig.

Move till the Hollow Bar (11) reaches vertical position (in X Plane). Then fix the Base Plate with Snap Mechanism (4).

5 7. CONFIGURING THE X PLANE Let s see the X plane, where the steady-cam falls forward or backward. Hold the Handle (10) and raise the steady-cam. (Attention! Hold the steady-cam right in front of you as in fig. 8) Main Hollow Bar (11) must remain in a position perpendicular to ground. Unless like this (fig. 9), unscrew Snap Mechanism (4) and move the Base Plate (1) opposite to the slope. Move till the Hollow Bar (11) reaches vertical position (in X Plane). Then fix the Base Plate with Snap Mechanism (4). Fig 8 Fig 9 Correct Incorrect You can also move the loads on Base (14). Move the Loads only from one side of the Base, from the side to which the steady-cam is inclined. Move the Loads towards the center (as shown below), till the steadycam reaches the perpendicular position.

Hold by the Handle (10) and raise the Steady-cam (fig. 10). Please check if the steady-cam is non-perpendicular to ground? Even if there is a minor slope, it is necessary to adjust.

6 8. Adjusting the Y-Plane (note. It is mostly for Still cameras, which have their weight mostly concentrated on the right, where the battery resides) The Y Plane this is the plane, in which the camera falls to the right or left. Hold by the Handle (10) and raise the Steady-cam (fig. 10). Please check if the steady-cam is non-perpendicular to ground? Even if there is a minor slope, it is necessary to adjust. Place the steady-cam. Unscrew the two Base Nuts (6) under the Base (7). Now the Adapter (3) is not fixed to the Base and it can be moved to right or left. Move the Adapter for 1-2 mm opposite to the slope. Periodically raise the steady-cam, to make sure that the steady-cam is perpendicular to ground. Move till you achieve the required result (see fig 11). Fig 10 Fig 11 Correct Incorrect If the steady-cam is hanging perpendicular, fix the Base Nuts (6). 9. Now it is necessary to remove extra loads. Hold by the Handle and raise the steady-cam. Then bend it as shown in the image on the right and lower it. If the steady-cam descends in 1 ~ 1,5 seconds, this means it is adjusted/configured. If it descends faster you need to unload the Base, removing one load from both sides. Repeat and remove loads until you achieve the required speed of steady-cam descent. (note. After removing the loads once again check the steadycam s perpendicular position in X and Y planes. If you notice any deviations, readjust as shown in steps 7 and 8). 10. Adjustment of MY STEADY ULTRA/BLACK for video cameras weighing less than 1 kg. This adjustment involves steps 1-8 shown above.

unscrew the two Base Nuts (6) and remove the

13 Fig 14 Fig 15 Then install the Additional

7 IMPORTANT! Before starting to adjust, add one load on each side of the Base (14). This is necessary for proper static balance during shooting. 11. You need to fit the Additional platform, included in the package (fig 12). This platform will act as load agent for your camera. Fig 12 To fit the Additional platform, unscrew the two Base Nuts (6) and remove the tripod Adapter (3) (figs 13, 14 and 15) Fig 13 Fig 14 Fig 15 Then install the Additional platform on the Base (7) (fig. 16) Fig 16 Place back the Adapter (3) (fig. 17). And tighten Base Nuts (6) (fig. 18). Fig 17 Fig Install the Loads (15) on the Additional platform.

Depending on the type of your camera you either place a number of Loads to both sides or only on one side.

5 seconds (see step 9). If it descends faster, add a Load or two to the Additional Platform.

(camera). To learn how to properly adjust the steady-cam you can also refer to our video «Adjusting STEADY-CAM simple and understandable! on our Youtube channel youtube.

8 Depending on the type of your camera you either place a number of Loads to both sides or only on one side. For example push or pull the Base Plate (1) with the camera till the end and add Loads to the opposite side. Go through adjustments as per steps 1-8. Check if the steady-cam descends for 1 ~ 1.5 seconds (see step 9). If it descends faster, add a Load or two to the Additional Platform. If the camera weighs more than the lower part of the steady-cam, unscrew Clamp (12) and lower the Minor Hollow Bar till the lower part of Steady-cam (base) will not weigh more than the upper part (camera). To learn how to properly adjust the steady-cam you can also refer to our video «Adjusting STEADY-CAM simple and understandable! on our Youtube channel youtube.com/mysteadicam A FEW SHOOTING TIPS To learn the technique of shooting with MY STEADY ULTRA/BLACK, you will need 2-3 days of training. It will be best if you go outside with a partner. Train by shooting while in motion: shooting side-view, from behind the object, in front of the object, shooting around the object, running shot, following shot. Before starting motion, it is necessary that the steady-cam would be in rest position, i.e. it should not be shaking or rocking. After you press the record button, the next step is to stop the shaking or rocking! Don t strain your legs. Walk relaxed and confidently. Concentrate on managing the panorama with the left hand. This is something that you need to get used to. Initially try not to jump start motion, better with a 2-3 step acceleration". After sometime you will feel how steady-cam reacts to your body movements, so you could shoot not paying attention to your walk or equipment handling. Shooting with MY STEADY ULTRA/BLACK, you hold the handle with the right hand and with the left hand you manage panoramic movement (fig.19). This is the hand position for a professional steadycam operator! Easily, with just 2 or 3 fingers of the left hand you rotate the Hollow Bar (11), just as if rotating the volume knob of your stereo. Only rotate horizontally! Don t press to the sides! (see fig.19) It is possible for you not to hold the Hollow Bar with you left hand, especially when you move ahead or run after the person. But in this case it is desirable that your left hand remains close to the Cartridge (8) (fig.20), so that at any time (especially when you improvise) you could perform panoramic movement.

For the people who are using the steady-cam for the first time, we recommend that they lower the minor Hollow Bar (13), to which the Base is attached.

This way the system will be more stable. But remember, lowering the hollow bar, you make the lower part (Base) heavier as compared to the upper part with the camera.

When you lower the Minor Hollow Bar, make sure that the Adapter is parallel to the Base, (see step 4) Fig 19 Fig 21 Fig 20 To shoot the flight overland or as we call it

Turn MY STEADY ULTRA/BLACK by 180 degrees (fig.22). While editing, you will need to turn the video by 180 degrees in your software of choice. Fig 22 ATTENTION!

9 For the people who are using the steady-cam for the first time, we recommend that they lower the minor Hollow Bar (13), to which the Base is attached. To do this loosen the Clamp (12) (turning it for 180 degrees) and lower the minor Hollow Bar (13) for Afterwards tighten the Clamp (fig 21). This way the system will be more stable. But remember, lowering the hollow bar, you make the lower part (Base) heavier as compared to the upper part with the camera. In this case you must unload the Base, by removing 1 load from each side. Or you can use the Additional Platform to give weight to the camera. (see steps 10-12). When you lower the Minor Hollow Bar, make sure that the Adapter is parallel to the Base, (see step 4) Fig 19 Fig 21 Fig 20 To shoot the flight overland or as we call it shoot rubbing the lens across the ground, you must loosen the Clamp (12) and completely remove the Minor Hollow Bar along with the Base. Turn MY STEADY ULTRA/BLACK by 180 degrees (fig.22). While editing, you will need to turn the video by 180 degrees in your software of choice. Fig 22 ATTENTION!!! The MY STEADY ULTRA/BLACK stabilization system is designed for use with cameras weighing from 0.3 to 4 kg. Adding more Loads it is possible to use cameras weighing up to 5 kg. RECOMMENDATIONS: Try not to leave the Steady-cam for extended periods of time in cold premises with high humidity levels.

10 Never place steady-cam under heavy weights (loads). Never install cameras weighing more than permissible weight range on the steady-cam. If you don t use the steady-cam for a long period of time, we recommend you store it in its case. Also when storing for extended periods of time loosen the Clamp (12), so that it won t compress the Minor Hollow Bar (13). The package includes: 1. Steady-cam 2. Base Plate (tripod platform) (installed) 3. Casing 4. Loads (10 pieces) 5. Additional Platform (for cameras weighing less than 1 kg) Have a nice shoot! The MOVIE YEAH! team Saint-Petersburg Tel: +7 (812) my@movie-yeah.com

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