FLYCAM FLCM-DN-ABQ DSLR Nano Handheld Camera Stabilizer Brace Support Instruction Manual

FLCM-DN-ABQ DSLR Nano Handheld Camera Stabilizer Brace Support
Instruction Manual

What’s In The Box

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Features

Handheld Steadycam with Base Platform Setup

• Remove the cap from the middle of the base platform, and you will see 1/4 thread located in the center, as shown in the image.
• Attach the extended part of the post via threaded insert at the bottom to the 1/4 screw present on the expandable base platform.
• Remove the bolts on either side of the head platform. Mount the head plate to the center post.
• Insert both the bolts by matching the threads of the plate to the center post, and then tighten them using the Allen key.
• Loosen the side knob and then position it according to your requirement by sliding it.

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.

• Remove all the knobs of the head plate by loosening them.

• Remove the head plate from the 3-piece head assembly in preparation to attach it to your camera.

• Insert the bolt into the center hole of the top head plate, as shown in the image.
  NOTE: You can mount the camera onto any of the provided threads on the head plate, according to your requirement.

• Attach the plate to the bottom of the camera (Not Included), and then properly tighten it using the screw driver.

• Mount the camera (Not Included) by sliding it on the mid plate.

• Tighten the provided knob to secure the top camera plate with the mid plate.

• Tighten the plate using both the side knobs. 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).

Head Plate with Quick Release Adapter

• Remove the Allen bolt from the bottom of the head, mid & the bottom plate by loosening it using the Allen key.
• Similarly, remove the second bolt of the plate as well.
•  Loosen and remove the Allen bolt on the bottom of the quick release adapter and attach the adapter to the head plate.
• Properly re-tighten the bolts by matching the center hole of the quick release adapter and the top plate.
• Place the quick release adapter and the top plate by sliding them onto the middle plate.
• Align the plate to the middle plate and secure the head plate and the middle plate with the help of four knobs.
• 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.
• DSLR Nano Handheld Camera Stabilizer setup is now ready to use.

Adding Weight Sand Positioning for Proper Balance
Continuing the assembly and balance requirements to make your FLYCAM DSLR Nano fully functional you will note that the base platform has a provision to mount the balance weights in their cups via a slot found on both sides of the post.
The purpose of the counter weight system is to match the low end of the stabilizer to the weight of the camera and accessories at the high/top end with the gimbaled handle as the pivot point in between. The heavier the camera and accessories, the more weights are required to achieve proper balance. Generally as you add weight to one side of the central post, an equal amount has to be added to the other side to maintain horizontal balance. However if you are using an offset configuration such as a flip out viewfinder or
off center accessories, extra weights might be needed on the opposite side of the post to counter act and maintain proper balance.
Total weight fixed to the base platform should be equal to the weight of your camera plus the head and any accessories.
Horizontal adjustment on the base platform is made by loosening the retaining screws and moving the mounted cups closer to or further away from the stalk and then retightening. You will probably need to adjust and re adjust the horizontal position to achieve optimum performance/ personal preference. NOTE: When adding weight in the cups, use the supplied foam spacers as silencers to prevent metal to metal washer noise.
Vertical stalk Adjustment
The up and down (vertical) position of the telescopic central post is adjusted by loosening the control located at the base, raising or lowering the stalk to the desired location and then retightening the vertical control. Do not over- tighten this control. Balancing Your Fly am 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.

Balancing The Horizontal Axis
When your FLYCAM DSLR Nano is properly assembled, you can start the test and setup of the horizontal 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 a table. This will allow the FLYCAM DSLR Nano to hang freely as you hold it. If your FLYCAM DSLR Nano is correctly balanced on its horizontal axis, then it will be both level & upright, with the Central Post in a perfect vertical position.
Warning: If you do not have enough weight on the Base Platform the entire Flycam could flip upside down. Should this movement start to happen be ready to catch the stalk 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 the camera by re-bolting the camera to a different area of the Head and Mid Plate, either front to back or side to side.
Should the FLYCAM DSLR Nano be front heavy, loosen the screws on the sides of the Head Plate and gently slide the 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.
Always secure the screws after any adjustments.
If you cannot achieve front to back axis balance with this method, then try remounting your camera to a different hole on the Head Plate. Having achieved horizontal balance for the front to back axis, tighten the screws on the Head Plate. If the FLYCAM DSLR Nano leans to the right, then loosen the screws on the bottom of the Bottom Plate and then gently slide the Mid Plate to the left. If it leans to the left from the perator’s point of view, then adjust the Mid Plate to the right. A bit at a time until balance is achieved. Secure all parts after adjustments are made.
It may be necessary to reconfigure front to back adjustments once correct side-to-side fine-tuning has been accomplished. Another option to consider is moving the Counter Weight cups back & forth on the Base Platform by sliding them either closer to or further away from the Center Post via the built in base slots. Make sure to tighten the cups down should you move them.
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 the central post. To do this

• Loosen the side screws of the head plate and the bottom screws of the bottom plate.
  Look at the FLYCAM DSLR Nano from the side. If the camcorder lens is tipped up or down, move the camcorder forward or backwards until the center of balance is situated over the central post.

• Then, look at the FLYCAM DSLR Nano from the front. If the post is not vertical, adjust the bottom plate until the center post is vertical.

• You can also adjust the weight cups closer to & further away from the sled as per the requirement till the post is straight up and down.

•  The stability of the FLYCAM DSLR Nano depends on it being slightly bottom heavy. If it is top heavy, it will tilt more. If 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 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.

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 DSLR Nano 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.

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

• You’ll get one 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 count perfect, slightly lower the center post that attaches the Base Platform with the weights until you get the “one-one thousand, two one thousand” count to the 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 like you would a tire slowly and alternating side to side.

• 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 the Flycam and camera.

HOLDING THE FLYCAM DSLR NANO
When handling your DSLR Nano one hand holds onto the handle while the other is used to gently guide the camera in the direction you wish to shoot and frame the shot.
For normal shooting, hold the handle in the middle.
For shots that require framing the camera up, down or sideways, hold the handle firmly at the bottom.

• This will allow the “yoke” part of the gimbal to rotate without hitting your hand or knuckles

MAINTENANCE

Bearing Maintenance
The Main Bearing on your FLYCAM DSLR Nano is attached to the central post about two inches from the top. It is of metal construction and partially enclosed by the Bearing assembly. If after a period of time your bearings don’t turn smoothly, lubricate with a minimum of light machine oil. Light lubricating oil 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 Flycam DSLR Nano. If the unit becomes dirty, use a damp soft cloth or sponge and a mild detergent to gently clean external parts.
Storage

• Should you need to store your FLYCAM DSLR Nano 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 container or bag.
• Standing the unit upright is preferred as it alleviates stress on the system.
  NOTE: The FLYCAM DSLR Nano doesn’t work under water, nor is it waterproof. Avoid direct exposure to rain, water spray or any other harsh environment. Also the bearings are not sand/ grit proof and need to be kept free of these contaminants. Avoid getting dirt or sand in them.

Practice Makes perfect – Walking the ling

• Practice this simple exercise to master your FLYCAM DSLR Nano with professional results.
  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 second nature and provide production value to all your set ups.

YOUR FLYCAM DSLR NANO HANDHELD CAMERA 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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