21
to zero. Release the centre lock
and the tilt brake
. Turn the balance
counter-clockwise until the head falls away from horizontal under the weight of the camera.
21.2 Release the slide plate clamp
and slide the camera backwards or forwards until it balances
horizontally. Apply the slide plate clamp
21.3 Turn the balance knob
clockwise until the camera does not fall away when the head is tilted
and released.
21.4 Repeat
and
until perfect balance is achieved, when the camera will remain
set at any angle from +90° to –90° without falling away or springing back. Re-apply the centre lock
and the tilt brake
21.5 Press the switch
and make a note of the digital display
. This will facilitate rebalancing this
particular payload.
Locking the platform
22
The centre lock mechanism is operated by a slider on the rear of the head. To engage the lock, hold the
platform in the horizontal position and push the slider
to the left.
23
To release the centre lock, push the slider
to the right.
Pan and tilt brakes
24
Friction brakes on each axis allow the head to be locked at any chosen position. The operating knobs
for the pan brake
and tilt brake
are fitted on the left-hand side of the head.
25
To apply the brake, turn the knob fully clockwise. To release the brake, turn the knob fully anti-
clockwise.
Pan and tilt drag
26
Both the pan and tilt mechanisms incorporate the Vinten thin film (TF) system to ensure smooth
movement of the camera about these axes and are fitted with control knobs to adjust the drag setting.
NOTE:
If the digital balance setting of the particular payload is known, press the switch
and
turn the balance knob until the digital display
shows that setting.
NOTE:
Maximum tilt angle is less than 90° for heavy payloads with a high C of G - see balance
graph
.