FLYCAM FLCM-5000-Q 5000 Handheld Video Stabilizer User Guide

5000 Handheld Video Stabilizer (FLCM-5000-Q)
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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Head Assembly (These three individual pieces are shipped as one assembled unit) 

NOTE: A locking pin located at the front prevents camera rotation.

Safety Hints

ATTENTION: PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE USING IT TO PREVENT SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE GEAR!

BE HIGHLY VIGILANT OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS
Check the area you will be shooting in, beforehand. 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 such 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 OPERATION. SHOULD YOU NEED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE ‘ONLINE’ BY CONTACTING YOUR SALES REPRESENTATIVE.

Handheld Video Stabilizer Setup

• A threaded stud is located in the center of the base platform for attaching the central post. Next, securely tighten the adjustment knob on the telescoping clamp by rotating it clockwise. NOTE: The adjustment knob should only be tightened by hand. Do not over-tighten it as it could cause thread stripping.

• Loosen Allen bolts at the bottom of the Camera Plate, align the plate with the top of the central post & re-tighten them, securing the plate to the post.

• Unscrew the four side knobs and remove the head plate.

• Loosen Allen bolt at the bottom of quick release adapter and attach the adapter to Head Plate.
  

• Then attach Head Plate to the stabilizer with appropriate fore & aft positioning and tighten all four side knobs
  

• Open the lever and remove the quick release plate from the adapter. Then attach it to your camera (Not Included) using a screwdriver (Not Included)
  

• Attach your camera setup (Not Included) to the adapter and tighten the lever back.

• NOTE: If you wish to bypass Quick Release Plate, the camera can be directly attached to Head Plate by following this assembly sequence:

• Remove the Head plate from the 3-piece Head assembly to attach it to your camera (Not Included). You will note several mounting holes to adapt various cameras.

• Keep the camera (Not Included) in the center of the Head Plate and secure it properly. Do not over-tighten this adjustment as it can break the threaded insert.
  

• The many slots located on Head Plate and Bottom Plate allow you to easily adjust X & Y -Axis for perfect balance. As shown, place the assembly in line with the center of the stabilizer post and tighten the side adjusters. Further fine-tuning will probably be required.

Images showing Head Plate X adjustment

Images showing Head Plate Y adjustment

Adding Weights & Positioning for Proper Balance

Continuing the assembly and balance requirements to make your Flycam Handheld Video Stabilizer 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 counterweight 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 is 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 counteract and maintain proper balance.
The 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 counterweight plates closer to or farther away from the post and then re-tightening. Therefore, you will probably need to adjust and re-adjust the horizontal position to achieve optimum performance.

NOTE: When adding weight to cups, use the supplied foam spacers as silencers to prevent metal-to-metal washer noise. SPIKE FLEX+ Conical Fermenter – SPIKE 2ertical Adjustment of the telescopic central post is made by loosening the control at the base, raising or lowering the center to the desired location, and then retightening the vertical control. Do not over-tighten this control.

Balancing Your Flycam Stabilizer

•  Before you begin the balancing process, check the following and make sure they have been done:
• The camera is securely attached to Head Plate
• The lens cap is removed and secured
• The telescoping clamp is tightened
• Weight discs are added successfully
• All screws are tightened securely
• The camera Battery and Recording Media are installed.

Horizontal Balancing

• Now that your Flycam Camera Stabilizer is set up and assembled properly, you can test and set up the horizontal balance of the system. If the Stabilizer is horizontally alanced correctly, then the camera will remain level and the central post will remain vertical during operation unless you intentionally position the stabilizer otherwise or release any pan, tilt or roll pressure on a central post.
• When testing for correct horizontal balance you need to make sure that you pick up your Stabilizer from a flat surface (for e.g. a table) and that you let the Stabilizer hang freely as you hold it.

NOTE: If you do not have enough counterweight on the base platform at this time, the entire Stabilizer will flip completely upside down. If this happens add more counterweight below until during this test the Stabilizer remains up.
Another way to accomplish Horizontal Balance is to move the camera’s center of gravity 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 is front heavy, loosen the screws on the sides of the Head Plate and gently slide Head Plate back until the 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 the right, then loosen the screws on the bottom of the lower plate and gently slide the mid-plate towards the left. If it leans to the left, adjust the mid-plate towards the right.
NOTE: Always secure the screws and all parts after any adjustments are made.

Vertical Balancing

Dynamic balance is extremely important for precise operation. For each arrangement of the camera, monitor position, post length, accessories, etc. there are many possibilities for statically balancing the Stabilizer. However, for each arrangement, there is only one combination that also balances the sled dynamically.
Dynamic balance can easily be achieved by the trial and error method. In all cases, when a sled is in dynamic balance, the camera’s center of gravity will be towards the rear of the center line of the central post. This rule gives you some points to begin balancing the Stabilizer.
Now that your Stabilizer is horizontally balanced, its vertical axis can be tested and properly balanced. If the Stabilizer is vertically balanced correctly, then the camera will remain level and the central post will remain vertical during operation unless you intentionally position the stabilizer otherwise. If it is not balanced properly, then it will swing like a pendulum when you walk, run, or turn.
NOTE: The stability of the 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 falls.
• Count how many seconds it takes to fall vertical. Try using a stopwatch.
• It is too bottom-heavy if the drop time is less than 2 seconds. It would help if you moved the bottom mass closer to the 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 the sled. If necessary, use side screws and bottom plate screws to make required adjustments.

Holding your Flycam Stabilizer

When handling your Flycam 5000 Stabilizer, 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 normal shooting, hold the handle in 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.
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, on-cam lights, and all the gear you will use for your recording session

• Remove the top plate of FLYCAM and line up your camera so that ts 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. Center it, but don’t worry about getting t 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 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 hat’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 o 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.

Maintenance

Bearing Maintenance: The main Bearing on your Flycam Handheld Stabilizer is attached to the Central Post is 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. The 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 overspill.
Cleaning: Do not use solvents or harsh cleaners of any kind on your Flycam Hand held stabilizer. 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 Hand held 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 container or bag. Standing the unit upright is preferred as it alleviates stress on the system.
NOTE: Flycam 5000 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 Line
Practice this simple exercise to master your Flycam Handheld stabilizer with professional results.
Using masking or gaffer 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 one 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 setups.

NOTE: If you wish to use the Table Clamp, then follow this:

• Attach the clamp to the table, tighten the provided knob to secure it, and attach the handle to the clamp. It helps achieve balance in just seconds and saves your professional time.

YOUR FLYCAM 5000 HANDHELD VIDEO STABILIZER ALL DRESSED UP AND READY TO GO! (SHOWN WITH OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES)

Warranty: We offer one year warranty for our products from the 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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