VariZoom VZCS5LK User Manual
Page 5
5
* FOR PROFESSIONAL CAMERAS
Since professional shoulder-mount cameras typically use a quick-release tripod plate of some sort, it is important to note
that in some cases the friction between the camera’s mounting plate and the mounting plate of the VZ-MC50 may not be
sufficient to ensure a secure mount when tilting. You may want to line one or both of the surfaces with electrical tape,
gaffer’s tape, or something to provide a more slip-resistant contact. Of course, you’ll want to securely tighten the
mounting bolts, as well. Some quick-
release tripod plates also have a lot of ‘play’, so you may need to shim or even
eliminate the plate to sustain proper balance, because if the camera shifts at all it will throw off the balance.
TROUBLESHOOTING: UNWANTED CAMERA MOVEMENT
1-
TURN OFF YOUR CAMERA’S OPTICAL IMAGE STABILIZER (OIS) WHILE IT IS MOUNTED TO THE PAN/TILT
HEAD. OIS DOES NOT REACT WELL TO PAN/TILT SYSTEMS.
2-TURN THE SPEED DIALS UP
3-MAKE SURE your camera is perfectly balanced by disengaging your motors and tilting the camera at various angles
– it
should not move at all if the camera is in balance (if necessary, re-balance
– see Page 1).
4- IF SOLUTIONS 1-3 DON
’T WORK, you may have motor drift - do not worry! To find out if you have motor drift, do the
following: *** turn the speed dials all the way up for both pan and tilt, and with all of the power and control cables
connected (a mounted camera is not necessary), disengage the motors so that the brass gears on the motors can spin
freely. If the brass gears turn on their own, without your command, the motor control joystick needs to be calibrated (if
they don’t move, the drifting must be attributed to bad balance).
If Motors Drift:
With the motors disengaged from the head so
they can spin freely, remove the large black threaded
plug on the side of the control box (A.1.) and you will
see two dials for calibrating the pan and tilt (A.2).
Carefully use a small tip Phillips or flat screwdriver to
turn the dials until the motors stop moving. Try to
center the dials between the points where the motors
begin moving in each direction. * Do not press hard
on these dials or damage may result. *
TROUBLESHOOTING: ERRATIC CONTROL UNIT
Erratic control unit behavior may also result from damaged cables or bad power connection.
MAINTENANCE:
The MC50 should not require much maintenance, but over time wear and tear may take its toll. The most common wear
and tear issue is damaged cables, which are relatively easily replaced. After much use, the bearings in the base may
need light lubrication. These bearing are the two sets of thin triple washer-like assemblies above and below the base
block (where the rotating shaft fits). If you lubricate these bearing, just
use light oil and don’t add very much or you will
simply attract more dust. As long as the unit pans smoothly, you shouldn’t worry about this.
Most other maintenance should be performed by the factory.
REMINDER: KEEP FINGERS, LOOSE CLOTHING, AND
HAIR AWAY FROM MOVING PARTS AND GEARS! ALWAYS UNPLUG MC50 PAN
AND TILT HEAD WHEN NOT IN USE! WHEN IN DOUBT ABOUT SAFETY, ASK
QUESTIONS FIRST!!! 888-826-3399 / www.varizoom.com
A.1.
A.2.