11
A DROP TIME OF 2 - 2.5 SECONDS IS PREFERRED.
Note:
Recheck the balance by looking at the sled. If necessary, use the side screws and the bottom
plate screws to make required adjustments.
Balancing Review
Proper system balance can only be achieved once your camera is set up with the appropriate
accessories ready for shooting. This means batteries, lenses, media cards, LCD viewfinder/
monitor, quick release plate, on-cam lights, and all the gear you will use for your recording
session.
Remove the top plate of the flycam and line up your camera so that its center of gravity is
as close to the center of the plate as possible (basically hold the camera in your hand until it
feels balanced both left and right as well as forward and back).
Find the hole in the plate that is as close to the threaded tripod mount on your camera as
possible (while you are still holding your camera's center of gravity to the center of the
plate). Attach your camera (or quick release mount if you have one). Tighten it down so it
won't accidentally rotate.
Re-attach the top plate to the flycam. Center it, but don't worry about getting it absolutely
perfect yet.
Remove most of the weights from the base platform, but leave one on each side.
Insert the center post as far as it will go and tighten so it won't slide out.
Hold the handle normally and turn the flycam Junior so that it is horizontal to the ground.
Let go of the stalk while keeping a firm grip on the handle and count how long it takes to
return to vertical again. You should be able to count a good, "One-one thousand, two-one
thousand", before it rights itself. With only two little weights it might take considerably
longer.
Make sure that everything is tight and position yourself behind the stand.
Grasp the center post near the base and move the center post from vertical to horizontal.
Hold it there. Be sure that it will not hit the stand when you drop the center post and put
your free hand to catch the center post when it drops.
Count how many seconds it will take to fall to vertical. Try using a stopwatch.
If the drop time is less then 2 seconds, it is too bottom heavy. You need to move the bottom
mass closer to the post.
If the drop time is more than two seconds, it is top heavy.