PROMASTER 77813 Key Grip Video Head Instructions
- September 18, 2024
- promaster
Table of Contents
PROFESSONAL
77813 Key Grip Video Head
Congratulations on your purchase of the ProMaster Key Grip Video Head!
Please read these instructions thoroughly to ensure proper operation of your
new video head, even if you have used other heads before. With proper use and
care, the Key Grip will provide many years of service.
Be sure to refer to the main parts diagram as well as each of the figures
throughout the pages as you read. When a specific part of the Key Grip is
referred to in red, you will find it shown on the main parts diagram and/or in
the referenced figure.
Parts Diagram:
ATTACHING YOUR CAMERA
(USING THE QUICK RELEASE PLATE)
Unscrew the handle end cap from the head’s control handle, and you will find a
set of hex keys stored within the handle. The hex keys can be used for a
variety of purposes listed later in this manual. One of the 4mm hex keys will
be used to tighten the QR plate to your camera or lens.
Loosen the QR knob on the video head and remove the QR plate. In most cases
you will be using the ¼”-20 mounting bolt; however, the larger 3/8 ”-16
mounting bolt may be necessary with some gear. Professional lenses and cameras
often have two mounting holes, for which you can use both the ¼-20 bolt and
3/8”-16 bolts simultaneously. If you prefer to remove one of the mounting
bolts, remove the soft cover from the bottom of the QR plate, slide the bolt
out, and replace the soft cover. When mounting any camera or lens, slide the
bolt(s) within the slot in the QR plate to achieve the best positioning. The
plate should be mounted parallel to the direction of your lens. Use one of the
4mm hex keys stored in the control handle to tighten the mounting bolts. These
bolts can also be tightened with a flathead screwdriver. Now place the QR
plate (with your camera attached) into the top of the video head and tighten
the QR knob to hold it in place. When mounting your camera to the head, slide
the QR plate back and forth within the QR platform to find the best balance
point before fully tightening the QR knob. Note the location of the plate
using the numbered scale on the QR platform for future, repeatable mounting in
the same place. Notice that the QR knob is repositionable—you can pull outward
on it, rotate it to a new position, and let go of it. This will change the
phase position of the knob without loosening or tightening it. This
repositionable feature allows you to set the QR knob to the most convenient
resting place.
The QR plate’s anti-twist pin is designed for an anti-twist hole found in the
bottom of some cameras and lens mounting rings. If your camera or lens does
not have this hole, the spring-loaded pin will retract on its own as the QR
plate is installed. If preferred, you can remove the pin by unscrewing it from
the bottom of the QR plate with a flathead screwdriver.
On the bottom side of the QR plate you will notice two protruding safety
bolts. These prevent the QR plate and your camera from sliding off the top of
the video head if the QR knob is loosened accidentally.
The safety bolts can be removed if you choose using the 2.5mm hex key stored
in the control handle.
Removing the bolts will allow the QR plate to slide into the top of the video
head more easily, but will eliminate the safety feature. We do not recommend
removing the safety bolts from the QR plate.
USING THE VIDEO HEAD
The Key Grip is a precision machined aluminum video head. It is a 2-way head,
meaning there is control for the tilt adjustment and separate control for the
panning motion. An extendable control handle with a soft, comfortable grip
helps achieve smooth panning and tilting motions. The QR platform can also be
set up in various orientations for front-to-back QR plate mounting or side-to-
side.
Each of these are explained below.
Using the Control Handle
The Key Grip control handle is extendable. To unlock the handle in order to
extend it, hold the grip and twist to the left. Then, pull back to bring the
handle to its full extension, and twist to the right to lock it in place.
Reverse this procedure to return the handle to its standard length.
To adjust the handle’s angle, loosen the handle release knob approximately 1
full turn. Reposition the control handle to a comfortable angle, hold it in
place and tighten the handle release knob to secure its position. Two facing
stainless steel rosettes prevent the handle from slipping out of position
during use.
Pan and Tilt Adjustments
The Key Grip video head has an independent base panning control with a laser-
engraved scale for precise rotational movements. Loosen the pan lock knob and
you can rotate the entire head 360° around its base.
Please note, the pan lock knob is indeed a lock and does not offer any type of
tension adjustment.
This head uses static drag for panning. Do not attempt to apply tension using
the pan lock knob or you may damage the mechanism. This knob should only be
set to a locked or unlocked position but nothing in between.
The tilt adjustment knob controls the tension of the head’s tilt adjustment.
When this knob is fully tightened it will lock the tilt axis, thereby holding
it in a fixed position. When loosened, the head can be tilted up to 90°
forward and 60° backward. (The head features an etched scale with degree
markings to aid in making precise, repeatable movements.) The tilt adjustment
knob allows for some tension control. This means that you can adjust the knob
between its fully tightened and fully loosened positions to apply varying
amounts of tension. Doing this will slow down the movement of your camera and
can help achieve smoother motions. Greater tension can be beneficial when
working with heavier camera rigs.
Changing the Direction of the QR Platform
In its default setup, your camera mounts to the head in a front-to-back
sliding direction. This can be changed to a side-to-side direction, which is
particularly useful for mounting a camera with an L-bracket or cage attached.
With the QR plate removed from the head, notice the large, silver bolt in the
top center of the QR platform. Remove this bolt using one of the 4mm hex keys
stored in the control handle and lift the QR platform away from the head. You
can reposition the platform in any one of 4 positions at 90° intervals.
Replace and tighten the bolt to re-fasten the QR platform to the head.
USING THE HEX KEYS
The hex keys stored within the Key Grip’s control handle serve a variety of useful purposes, including the following:
- Tightening a QR plate to a camera or lens
- Changing the direction of the QR platform on the Key Grip Video Head
- Adjusting grub screws on a tripod or monopod
- Removing certain types of tripod or monopod feet and spikes
- Tightening a tripod leg to a tripod collar
- Installing and removing items to or from a camera cage
Some examples are pictured here.
TIPS FOR USE
-
USE THE PAN LOCK PROPERLY
The pan lock knob should either be tightened to lock the panning motion of the video head, or fully loosened to allow free panning movement. Bear in mind this knob cannot control tension. The anning movement uses static drag only. Do not attempt to control tension with this knob or the internal mechanism may become damaged when you attempt to rotate the head. The knob should only be set to a locked or unlocked position but nothing in between. -
MAKE ADJUSTMENTS WITH YOUR GEAR IN MIND
The Key Grip provides several ways to customize its operation to best suit your rig, starting with a long QR plate which lets you balance your equipment before using the tripod. Depending on the size and weight of your equipment and the type of movements you will be making, you may prefer to use the control handle in its extended or collapsed position. Finally, adjust the tilt adjustment tension to best suit your preferences. -
PAIR THE HEAD WITH AN APPROPRIATE TRIPOD
A head is only as good as the legs beneath it. To gain the full potential from the Key Grip, mount it to a quality tripod and be sure to set it up properly for maximum stability. Head to your nearest ProMaster retailer for expert advice.
PRECAUTIONS
-
The Key Grip Video Head is not water resistant. Do not submerge it or expose it to heavy rain or snow.
-
Never expose the Key Grip to salt water.
-
Make sure that everything is properly locked down and secure before operating the head.
This includes the QR knob, pan lock knob, and tilt adjustment knob. -
Always make sure the QR plate is securely attached to your camera before mounting it to the Key Grip, and make sure that the QR knob is fully tightened before operating the head.
ONE YEAR UNCONDITIONAL WARRANTY
If for any reason, this ProMaster product fails with ONE YEAR of the date of purchase, return this product to your ProMaster dealer and it will be exchanged for you at no charge. ProMaster products are guaranteed for ONE FULL YEAR against defects in workmanship and materials. If, at any time after one year, your ProMaster product fails under normal use, we invite you to return it to ProMaster for evaluation.
Code 77813
Made in China
WWW.PROMASTER.COM
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Read User Manual Online (PDF format) >>