12
Balancing the head
Balancing a Vision head achieves two objectives. Firstly, when a head is correctly balanced the
operator will need a minimum amount of even effort to move the head. Secondly, once balanced,
the head and its payload can be set to any tilt position and the head will maintain this position with
‘hands off’.
Prior to balancing the head ensure that the pan bars and any ancillary equipment have been fitted
in order to prevent upsetting the balance once it has been achieved.
1. Release the tilt brake (7). Turn the balance knob (2) counter-clockwise until the head falls
away from horizontal under the weight of the camera.
2. Release the slide plate clamp (10) and slide the camera backwards or forward until it bal-
ances horizontally. Apply the slide plate clamp (10).
3. Turn the balance knob (2) clockwise until the camera does not fall away when the head
is tilted and released.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 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 tilt
brake (7).
WARNING! Be prepared to prevent the head falling away suddenly.
NOTE:
Maximum tilt angle is less than 90° for heavy payloads with a high C of G - see
balance graph (Fig 3).
