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
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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
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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
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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.
12
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.
