Flycam 5000 User manual

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What’s In The Box
Please inspect the contents of your shipped package to ensure you have received everything that is listed
below.
5000 Handheld Video Stabilizer (FLCM-5000-Q)
Assembly Manua l
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No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmied by any form or by any means,
electronic, mechanical, photo-copying, recording, or otherwise, except as may be expressly permied by the applicable copyright
statutes or in wring by the Publisher.
Central Post
Base Plaorm with 16
weight discs
Handle

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Head Plate Boom Plate
Mid Plate
Head Assembly (These three individual pieces are shipped as one assembled unit)
Quick release
plate
Quick release
adapter Lever to remove /
aach the quick release
Unico Quick Release Adapter 1X 19mm Adapter
1X 22mm Adapter
NOTE: A locking pin located at the front prevents camera rotaon.
Table Clamp
Storage Bag
Safety Hints
ATTENTION: PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE USING TO PREVENT SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE GEAR!
BE HIGHLY VIGILANT OF SURROUNDINGS
Check the area you will be shoong in, before hand. 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
protecve gear as knee or elbow pads, or a helmet.
DO NOT SHOOT IN UNSAFE CONDITIONS
Avoid situaons where one commonly falls like skis, skates or running in muddy elds.

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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 plaorm for aaching the central
post. Next, securely ghten the adjustment
knob on the telescoping clamp by rotang it
clockwise.
NOTE: The adjustment knob should only be
ghtened by hand. Do not over-ghten it as it
could cause thread stripping.
• Loosen Allen bolts at the boom of the
Camera Plate, align the plate with the top of
the central post & re-ghten them, securing
the plate to the post.
• Unscrew the four side knobs and remove the
head plate.
• Loosen Allen bolt at the boom of quick
release adapter and aach the adapter to
Head Plate.
• Then aach Head Plate to the stabilizer with
appropriate fore & a posioning and
ghten all four side knobs

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• Aach your camera setup (Not Included) to
the adapter and ghten the lever back.
• Open the lever and remove the quick release
plate from the adapter. Then aach it to
your camera (Not Included) using a
screwdriver (Not Included)
• Remove the Head plate from the 3-piece
Head assembly to aach it to your camera
(Not Included). You will note several
mounng holes to adapt various cameras.
NOTE: If you wish to bypass Quick Release Plate, the camera can be directly aached to Head Plate by
following this assembly sequence:
• Keep the camera (Not Included) in the center
of the Head Plate and secure it properly. Do
not over-ghten this adjustment as it can
break the threaded insert.
• The many slots located on Head Plate and
Boom 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 ghten the side adjusters.
Further ne-tuning will probably be
required.
Images showing Head Plate X adjustment
Images showing Head Plate Y adjustment

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Adding Weights & Posioning for Proper Balance
Connuing the assembly and balance requirements to make your Flycam Handheld Video Stabilizer fully
funconal you will note that the base plaorm 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 counter weight 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 has to be added to the other
side to maintain horizontal balance. However if you are using an oset conguraon such as a ip out
viewnder or o center accessories, extra weights might be needed on the opposite side of the post to
counter act and maintain proper balance.
Total weight xed to the base plaorm should be equal to the weight of your camera plus the head and
any accessories.
Horizontal adjustment on the base
plaorm is made by loosening the retaining
screws and moving counterweight plates
closer to or farther away from the post and
then re-ghtening. Therefore, you will
probably need to adjust and re-adjust the
horizontal posion to achieve opmum
performance.
NOTE: When adding weight to cups, use the
supplied foam spacers as silencers to prevent
metal-to-metal washer noise.
Vercal Adjustment of the telescopic
central post is made by loosening the control
at the base, raising or lowering the center to
the desired locaon, and then reghtening
the vercal control. Do not over-ghten this
control.

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• Before you begin the balancing process, check the following and make sure they have been done:
• Camera is securely aached to Head Plate
• Lens cap is removed and secured
• Telescoping clamp is ghtened
• Weight discs are added successfully
• All screws are ghtened securely
• Camera Baery and Recording Media are installed.
Horizontal Balancing
• Now that your Flycam Camera Stabilizer is setup and assembled properly, you can test and setup the
horizontal balance of the system. If the Stabilizer is horizontally balanced correctly, then camera will
remain level and central post will remain vercal during operaon, unless you intenonally posion
stabilizer otherwise or release any pan, lt or roll pressure on central post.
• When tesng for correct horizontal balance you need to make sure that you pick up your Stabilizer
from a at surface (for e.g. a table) and that you let the Stabilizer hang freely as you hold it.
Balancing Your Flycam Stabilizer
NOTE: If you do not have enough counter weight on the base plaorm at this me, the enre Stabilizer
will ip completely upside down. If this happens add more counter weight below unl during this test
the Stabilizer remains up.
Another way to accomplish Horizontal Balance is to move the camera's center of gravity by re-mounng
the camera to a dierent 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 unl the opmum balance is achieved. Tilng to the back means the load is tail heavy requir-
ing the plate to be adjusted forward on the head.
If the stabilizer leans towards the right, then loosen the screws on the boom of the lower plate and
gently slide the mid-plate towards the le. If it leans to the le, adjust the mid-plate towards the right.
NOTE: Always secure the screws and all parts aer any adjustments are made.
Vercal Balancing
Dynamic balance is extremely important for precise operaon. For each arrangement of camera,
monitor posion, post length, accessories, etc. there are many possibilies for stacally balancing the
Stabilizer. However, for each arrangement, there is only one combinaon that also balances the sled
dynamically.

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Dynamic balance can easily be achieved by trial and error method. In all cases, when a sled is in
dynamic balance, the camera’s center of gravity will be towards rear of the center line of central post.
This rule gives you some point to begin balancing the Stabilizer.
Now that your Stabilizer is horizontally balanced, its vercal axis can be tested and properly balanced. If
the Stabilizer is vercally balanced correctly, then camera will remain level and central post will remain
vercal during operaon, unless you intenonally posion stabilizer otherwise. If it is not balanced
properly, then it will swing like pendulum when you walk, run, or turn.
NOTE: The stability of Flycam Stabilizer depends on it being slightly boom heavy. If it is top heavy, it
will lt more. If it is too boom heavy, it will be sluggish and hard to aim.
Slightly Boom Heavy, it will be both Stable and Easier to Control.
Check the Vercal Balance by using this Drop Time Test.
• Make sure that everything is ght.
• Grasp Central Post near the base and move it from vercal 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 vercal. Try using a stopwatch.
• It is too boom-heavy if the drop me is less than 2 seconds. It would help if you moved the
boom mass closer to the post.
• If the drop me 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 boom plate
screws to make required adjustments.

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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 direcon you wish to shoot and frame the shot. For normal
shoong, hold the handle in the middle.
For normal shoong, hold the handle in middle.
For shots that require framing the camera up, down or sideways, hold the handle rmly at boom.
This will allow the yoke part of gimbal to rotate without hing your hand or knuckles.
Balancing Review
Proper system balance can only be achieved once your camera is set up with appropriate accessories
ready for shoong. This means baeries, lenses, media cards, LCD viewnder/monitor, quick release
plate, on-cam lights, and all the gear you will use for your recording session.
• Remove top plate of FLYCAM and line up your camera so that its center of gravity is as close to the
center of the plate as possible (basically hold the camera in your hand unl it feels balanced both
le and right as well as forward and back).
• Find hole in the plate that is as close to threaded tripod mount on your camera as possible (while
you are sll holding your camera's center of gravity to the center of the plate). Aach your camera
(or quick release mount if you have one). Tighten it down so it won't accidentally rotate.
• Re-aach top plate. Center it, but don't worry about geng it absolutely perfect yet.
• Remove most of the weights from Base Plaorm, but leave one on each side.
• Insert the center post as far as it will go and ghten 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 rm grip on the handle and count how long it takes to return to vercal again.
You should be able to count a good, "One-one thousand, two-one thousand", before it rights itself.
With only two lile weights it might take considerably longer.
• Add one pair of weights at a me and repeat the "horizontal to vercal" test unl it falls at the cor-
rect rate. It will probably not be perfect.
• You'll get one that's too slow and then you'll add a pair and it will fall too fast. When that happens,
take o the last pair of weights that you added.
• Tighten down the weights so they don't slide around.
• To get count perfect, slightly lower the center post that aaches the Base Plaorm with the
weights unl you get the "one-one thousand, two one thousand" count to the vercal posion.

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• Fine-tune the le-right, forward-backward balance. You will have to go back and forth between the
two direcons to get the balance just right. Loosen the screw sets that allow the sled to move le
and right. Adjust the top plate so that it is centered and ghten down the screws like you would a
re slowly and alternang side to side.
• Repeat for "forward-backward" balancing.
• Check to see if your camera is sing level. If not, repeat the necessary steps unl it does.
• Pracce walking movements ensuring your body moon is not transmied to your hands and then
the FLYCAM and camera.
Maintenance
Bearing Maintenance: The main Bearing on your Flycam Handheld Stabilizer is aached to the
Central Post about two inches from the top. It is of metal construcon and parally enclosed by the
Bearing assembly. If aer a period of me your bearings don’t turn smoothly, lubricate with a
minimum of light machine oil. Light lubricang oil can also be used on the Yoke and Handle Bearings.
Be sure to keep oil away from your camera, & clean up any over spill.
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 so 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 me then
place the unit upright in a dry or low to normal humidity area whenever possible. If you are unable
to nd this kind of environment then we suggest you store the unit in an airght plasc 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 geng dirt or
sand in them.

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Using masking or gaers tape, create a cross
mark on a at and even wall. The mark
becomes your framing center. On the oor
leading up to the cross mark, lay a straight
tape line of about 20 feet. Pracce walking
the line, while keeping the cross mark center
framed and in focus. With a bit of eort,
dramac uid like movements will become
second nature and provide producon value
to all your set ups.
Pracce Makes You Perfect - Walking the Line
Pracce this simple exercise to master your Flycam Handheld stabilizer with professional results.
NOTE: If you wish to use the Table Clamp,
then follow this:
• Aach the clamp to the table, ghten the
provided knob to secure it, and aach the
handle to the clamp. It helps achieve
balance in just seconds and saves your
professional me.
YOUR FLYCAM 5000 HANDHELD VIDEO STABILIZER
ALL DRESSED UP AND READY TO GO!
(SHOWN WITH OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES)

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Warranty: We oer one year warranty for our products from date of purchase. Within this period of me,
we will repair it without charge for labor or parts. Warranty doesn’t cover transportaon costs nor does it
cover a product subjected to misuse or accidental damage. Warranty repairs are subjected to inspecon
and evaluaon 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 dissasfacon, please Contact us immediately and we promise our utmost
support and care unl you use our product.