FLYCAM FLCM-HD5-QT Handheld Stabilizer Instruction Manual

HD-5000 Handheld Stabilizer (FLCM-HD5-QT)
Assembly Manual

What’s In The Box

Please inspect the contents of your shipped package to ensure you have received everything that is listed below.

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Features

‘V’ Shaped Adapter Included in Hardware Kit
NOTE: Included in the hardware package are two different sized V-shaped adaptors used to attach the camera to the head plate. Choose the one that is suitable for your camera. A locking pin located at the front of the adaptor prevents  camera rotation on the head.

Safety Hints

ATTENTION: PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE USING TO PREVENT SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE GEAR!
BE HIGHLY VIGILANT OF SURROUNDINGS
Check the area you will be shooting in, before shooting. Make sure your path is clear. Look for obstacles and note anything you might run into or trip over. Extra care is also necessary when tackling stairs and other kinds of uneven  ground.
ALWAYS WEAR PROTECTIVE GEAR
If you intend to shoot while moving fast or while traversing uneven terrain, do not hesitate to wear protective gear as knee or elbow pads, or a helmet.
ALWAYS WEAR PROTECTIVE GEAR
If you intend to shoot while moving fast or while traversing uneven terrain, do not hesitate to wear protective gear as knee or elbow pads, or a helmet.
DO NOT SHOOT IN UNSAFE CONDITIONS
Avoid situations where one commonly falls like skis, skates or running in muddy fields.
ADULT SUPERVISION IS RECOMMENDED
Minors using this product should have adult supervision.
FOLLOWING THESE GUIDELINES WILL PROVIDE BETTER SHOTS AND TROUBLE-FREE OPERA- TION.
SHOULD YOU NEED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE ‘ONLINE’ BY CONTACTING YOUR SALES REPRESENTATIVE

Specifications

HD-5000 STABILIZER

• Construction: Aluminum black anodized Camera stabilizer
• Weighing capacity: 1-5kg/2.2-11lb
• Length extendable from 55cm to 73cm
• Head Plate Dimensions: 8.5 x 5 inches
• Base Platform Dimensions – Shortest: 11.5 x 5 inches
• Base Platform Dimensions – Longest: 17.2 x 5 inches
• Number of weight plates: 16 pcs
• Weight of single weight plate: 143 to 145gm
• Flycam weight without weight plates: appx. 1.4 kg

UNICO QUICK RELEASE

• Material: Polymide 66
• Color: Matt Black
• Dimension: 13.57.22cm
• Self Weight: 135g (0.30 lb)
• Accepts both 1/4″ or 3/8″ mounting screw size

HD-5000 Stabilizer Setup

Adding Weights & Positioning for Proper Balance

• Loosen both the knobs of the base platform.
  And then loosen the knob on the other side as well.
  

• Then you can adjust the platform according to your requirement by sliding the Base Platform, as shown in the image.
  

• Loosen and remove the washer using M6 screws.
  

• Insert an M6 screw into the base platform then insert a washer to hold the bolt in place.
  

• Similarly, follow the same procedure to insert each M6 screw into the base platform.

• After inserting the M6 screws into the base platform, insert the weight bars into the screws, as shown in the image.
  

• Put the weights according to the weight of the camera and lock with the screw caps on both side of base platform.
  

• Similarly, follow the same process to install the weight bars on the other side of the base platform.

• Remove the cap from the middle of the base platform, as shown in the image.
  

• Base Platform for attaching Central Post.
  Securely tighten the adjustment knob on telescoping clamp by rotating it clockwise.
  The slots located on the Head Plate and the Bottom Plate allows you to easily adjust X & Y Axis for perfect balance. Place the assembly in line with center of stabilizer post and tighten the side adjusters, as shown.

• The x-axis of the head plate can be adjusted with the help of the knob on the camera platform.

• You can balance the camera platform according to your requirement, as shown in the image.
  For Example : Head Plate X-axis adjustment.
  

• The y-axis of the head plate can be adjusted with the help of the side knob attached to the camera platform, as shown in the image.

• You can balance the camera platform according to your requirement, as shown in the image.
  For Example : Head Plate Y-axis adjustment.
  

• Remove the Allen bolt from the bottom of the head, mid & the bottom plate by loosening it using the Allen key.
  

• Align the holes in the camera plate with the top of the center post and then tighten the bolts for securing the assembly.
  NOTE: If you wish to by-pass the quick release plate, the camera (Not Included) can be directly attached to the Head Plate by using following assembly sequence (without quick release plate).

• Now, loosen both the gray knobs of the camera platform.
  

• Then, remove the top plate of the camera platform.
  

• Loosen and remove the Allen bolt on the bottom of the quick release adapter and attach the adapter to the head plate.
  

• Then insert the bolts by matching the center hole of the quick release adapter and the top plate, and then secure the assembly by tightening the bolts.
  

• Properly mount the top plate on the camera platform, as shown in the image.
  

• The top plate with quick release adapter is properly attached to the camera platform.

• Remove the plate by pulling the lock lever of the quick release adapter.
  

• Now attach the quick release adapter to the bottom of the camera (Not Included) and tighten the bolts using the screw driver.
  

• After attaching, secure the assembly by locking it with the provided lock lever of the quick release.
  

• Vertical Adjustment of telescopic central post is made by loosening the control located at the base, raising or lowering the post to desired location and then re-tightening the vertical control. Do not over tighten this control.
  

Balancing Your Flycame Handled Stabilizer
Before beginning the balancing process check the following

• Camera is securely attached to head plate.
• Lens cap has been removed and secured.
• Telescoping clamp has been tightened.
• Weight discs are added successfully.
• All screws are tightened securely.
• Battery, all accessories and cables should be secured.

NOTE: If you wish to use Table Clamp, then below are the steps:

• Loosen the knob of the table clamp, as shown in the image.
  

• Now, attach the table clamp to the table, and then secure with the knob of the clamp.
  

• Remove the cap of the handle of the central post, as shown in the image.
  

• After removing the cap from the handle, insert the bush by matching it with the hole in the handle.
  

• Then put the handle on the clamp. It helps to achieve balance within seconds and saves your valuable time.
  

Balancing The Horizontal Axis

When your Flycam HD Stabilizer is properly assembled, you can start the test and setup of horizon-tal balance. Horizontal Balance allows the camera to remain level, during operation, with the Central Post in a vertical position unless off- axis framing is desired.
When testing for horizontal balance start from a flat and level surface like table. This will allow the stabi-lizer to hang freely as you hold it. If your stabilizer is correctly balanced on its horizontal axis, then it will be both leveled & upright,  with Central Post in a perfect vertical position.
NOTE: If you do not have enough weight on Base Platform the entire Flycam could flip upside down. If this movement starts to happen, be ready to catch the sled before a complete 180° occurs. This type of unwanted movement requires  more weight to be added to the base with additional weight discs.
Another way to accomplish Horizontal Balance is to move the center of gravity of camera by re-mounting the camera to a different area of the Head and Mid Plate, either front-to-back or side-to-side.
If the stabilizer be front heavy, loosen the screws on the sides of Head Plate and gently slide Head Plate back until optimum balance is achieved. Tilting to the back means the load is tail heavy requiring the plate to be adjusted forward on  the head.
If the stabilizer leans towards right, then loosen the screws on the bottom of Bottom Plate and gently slide the Mid Plate towards left. If it leans to left, then adjust the Mid Plate towards right. A bit at a time until balance is achieved.

Balancing The Vertical Axis
The sled should be tied up to the docking adapter of your stand or similar, so that you can start the fore & aft balancing adjustments by centering the camcorder over Central Post. To do this-

• Loosen the side screws of Head Plate and the bottom screws of Bottom Plate.
• Look at the stabilizer from side. If the camcorder lens is tipped up or down, move the camcorder forward or backward until the center of balance is situated over Central Post.
• Then, look at the stabilizer from front. If the post is not vertical, adjust the bottom plate until Central Post is vertical.
• You can also adjust the weight cups closer to & farther away from the sled as per requirement, till the post is straight up and down.
  NOTE: The stability of Flycam Stabilizer depends on it being slightly bottom heavy. If it is top heavy, it will tilt more. If it is too bottom heavy, it will be sluggish and hard to aim.

Slightly Bottom Heavy, it will be both stable and easier to control.
Check the Vertical Balance by using this Drop Time Test

• Make sure that everything is tight.
• Grasp Central Post near the base and move it from vertical to horizontal.
• Hold it there. Be sure that it will not hit the stand when you drop it. Keep your free hand to catch the central post when it drops.
• Count how many seconds it takes to fall to vertical. Try using a stopwatch.
• If the drop time is less than 2 seconds, it is too bottom heavy. You need to move the bottom mass closer to post.
• If the drop time is more than 2 seconds, it is top heavy.

A drop Time of 2 – 2.5 Seconds is preferred.
NOTE: Recheck the balance by looking at sled. If necessary, use side screws and bottom plate screws to make required adjustments.
Balancing Review
Proper system balance can only be achieved once your camera is set up with appropriate accessories ready for shooting. This means batteries, lenses, media cards, LCD viewfinder/ monitor, quick release plate, oncam lights, and all the  gear you will use for your recording session.

• Remove top plate of stabilizer and line-up your camera so that its center of gravity is as close to the center of plate as possible (basically hold the camera in your hand until it feels balanced both left and right as well as forward and  backward).

• Find hole in the plate that is as close to threaded tripod mount on your camera as possible (while you are still holding your camera’s center of gravity to the center of plate). Attach your camera (or quick release, if you have one).  Tighten it down so it won’t accidentally rotate.

• Re-attach top plate to the stabilizer. Center it, but don’t worry about getting it absolutely perfect.

• Remove most of the weights from Base Platform, but leave one on each side.

• Insert the central post as far as it can go and tighten so it won’t slide out.

• Hold the handle normally and turn stabilizer so that it is horizontal to the ground. Let go of the stalk while keeping a firm grip on 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.

• Add one pair of weights at a time and repeat ‘horizontal to vertical’ test, until it falls at the correct rate. It will probably not be perfect.

• You’ll get one movement that’s too slow and then you’ll add a pair and it will fall too fast. When that happens, take off the last pair of weights that you added.

• Tighten down the weights so they don’t slide around.

• To get the perfect count, slightly lower Central Post that attaches the Base Platform with the weights, until you get the ‘one-one thousand, two one thousand’ count to vertical position.

• Fine-tune the left-right, forward-backward balance. You will have to go back and forth between the two directions to get the balance just right. Loosen the screw sets that allow the sled to move left and right.
  Adjust the top plate so that it is centered and tighten down the screws.

• Repeat for forward-backward balancing.

• Check to see if your camera is sitting level. If not, repeat the necessary steps until it does.

• Practice walking movements ensuring your body motion is not transmitted to your hands and then to stabilizer and camera.

Holding your Flycam Stabilizer

When handling your Flycam HD Stabilizer, one hand holds onto the handle while other is used to gently guide the camera in direction you wish to shoot and frame shot.
For normal shooting, hold the handle in middle.
For shots that require framing the camera up, down or sideways, hold the handle firmly at bottom.
This will allow the yoke part of gimbal to rotate without hitting your hand or knuckles.

• When you handle your HD Stabilizer, you will want to use your ‘stabilizer hand’ to gently hold onto either, the point just below yoke and bearing assembly, or an area down by the Base. These two areas allow for easy control of HD  Stabilizer when in use.

MAINTENANCE

Bearing Maintenance: The main bearing on HD stabilizer is attached to Central Post about two inches from top. It is of metal construction and partially enclosed by bearing assembly. If after a period of time your bearings don’t turn  smoothly, lubricate with a minimum quantity of light lu-bricating oil. It can also be used on the Yoke and Handle Bearings. Be sure to keep oil away from your camera, & clean up any over spill.
Cleaning: Do not use solvents or harsh cleaners of any kind on your stabilizer. If the unit be -comes dirty, use a damp soft cloth or sponge with mild detergent to gently clean external parts.

• Storage: Should you need to store your Flycam HD stabilizer for a long period of time, then place the unit upright in a dry or low-to-normal humidity area whenever possible. If you are unable to find this kind of environment then  we suggest you store the unit in an airtight plastic bag. Stand-ing the unit upright is preferred as it alleviates stress on the system.
  NOTE: Flycam HD Stabilizer doesn’t work under water, nor is it waterproof. Avoid direct exposure to rain, water spray or any harsh environment. The bearings are not sand proof. Avoid getting dirt or sand in them.

Practice Makes You perfect – Walking the ling

• Using masking or gaffers tape, create a cross mark on a flat and even wall. The mark becomes your framing center. On the floor leading up to the cross mark, lay a straight tape line of about 20 feet. Practice walking the line, while  keeping the cross mark center framed and in-focus. With a bit of effort, dramatic fluid like movements will become your second nature and provide production value to all your setups.
  

YOUR FLYCAM HD-5000 HANDHELD STABILIZER ALL DRESSED UP AND READY TO GO!

(SHOWN WITH OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES)

Warranty: We offer one year warranty for our products from date of purchase. Within this period of time, we will repair it without charge for labor or parts. Warranty doesn’t cover transportation costs nor does it cover a product subjected to misuse or accidental damage. Warranty repairs are subjected to inspection and evaluation by us.
Liability: We are not liable for damage caused by products that we do not supply or from mishandling in transit, accident, misuse, neglect, lack of care of the product, or service by anyone other than our company.
Contact Us: In case of any kind of dissatisfaction, please Contact us immediately and we promise our utmost support and care until you use our product.

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