Flycam Vista-I User manual

Flycam Vista-I Stabilizing Arm & Vest
(VSTA-I-AV )
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Instruction Manual

FLYCAM VISTA– I STABILIZATION SYSTEM 2
Subject Page
Foreword 3
Introducon 4
Assembling 7-13
Warranty 14
At Flycam, our goal is to ensure 100% Customer Sasfacon in all that we do.
We back our sales with a 1 year warranty from the date of purchase and work hard
to resolve any problems in the unlikely event one should arise.
With our commitment to connuous improvement and your Feedback, building on
our reputaon of providing aordable, quality products is
PRIORITY #1.
Table of Contents

FLYCAM VISTA– I STABILIZATION SYSTEM 3
Dear Client,
On behalf of all the people that work so hard to provide you with the most
up-to-date, exible and cost-ecient producon gear, we would like to welcome
you into the Flycam family.
By purchasing your Vista-I Stabilizing Arm & Vest, you have just joined a host of
designers, engineers, machinists, assembly, customer service and oce sta that
take great pride in all that they do. Our mantra of connuous improvement has
been the guiding principle of how we conduct our business since day one.
Once you have the opportunity to experience your new Flycam Vista-I Stabilizing
Arm & Vest, we hope you will agree that we cra quality products at a compeve
price. Products designed to meet and exceed the standards of today’s real
producon world.
Standards set by our valued clients and standards we strive to maintain.
With Best Wishes,
Flycam Team
Welcome To Proaim!

FLYCAM VISTA– I STABILIZATION SYSTEM 4
INTRODUCTION
Flycam unveils its new powerful combinaon of Vista-I Stabilizing Arm & Vest
support to achieve superne smooth moves in acon. The dynamic design of
seconal Vista Arm allows even beginners to learn its operaon with ease. The
Flycam Vista-I Arm & Vest makes extended shoong nearly
eortless, providing complete comfort and funconality for extended
producons and long connuous shots. The arm has a manually adjustable tension
steel spring which maintains the posion of the stabilizaon system depending on
the combined weight of camera and handheld stabilizer.
YOUR NEW VISTA-I STABILIZATION SYSTEM COMES IN TWO STORAGE CONTAINERS
 Flycam Vista Arm
 FLYCAM C5
 VISTA DV Vest
What’s In The Box
Please inspect the contents of your shipped package to ensure you have received
all that is pictured and listed below You will receive this package in 7 boxes. .

FLYCAM VISTA– I STABILIZATION SYSTEM 5
COMPONENT FEATURES
VISTA DV VEST
Our Vista DV Vest is comfort designed to t and easily distribute the weight of the FLYCAM
Vista, camera and accessories across the shoulders, back and hips of the operator. With its six
point suspension system, two snap locks on the shoulder pads, two 26 inch waist belts and an-
other two at the center of the vest all Velcro secured, this lightweight and comfortable Support
Vest can be custom adjusted to t a wide range of body types. For safety, quick release snap
locks and buckles allow the vest to be removed quickly.
FLYCAM VISTA ARM
Our innovave lightweight single arm design has a manually adjustable steel tension spring
that maintains stabilizer posion in relaonship to the total load carried. Easy to operate,
exceponally smooth and quiet, it can carry cameras weighing up to 12 pounds. The single
arculang arm can be operated from either the right or le side.
Spring tension allows the operator to set the desired amount of elascity in the spring for
personal preference High, Medium or Low. The knob control located in the mid secon of the
arm is used to ‘dial in’ tension adjustments as required.

FLYCAM VISTA– I STABILIZATION SYSTEM 6
FLYCAM C5
The HAND HELD FLYCAM C5 with new design of weight disc and gim-
bal. The C5 FLYCAM is a lightweight stabilizer. It can be used without
any body support system as well. The Quick release plate of the FLYC-
AM C5 is High quality quick release universal system for camera.
THE HEAD
Side To Side
Adjustment
Knob
Fore And Aer
Adjustment Knob
Camera Mounng Plate
locking Knob
Side To Side
Adjustment
Knob
THE POST
The FLYCAM C5 has a built in telescopic post used to help balance
the camera and accessories. Loosen the control knob to adjust the
height as you aempt to balance and then re-ghten for safety. You
may have to do this a few mes to ‘get it right.’
THE GIMBAL CONTROL UNIT
Our Gimbal control unit has been completely re-designed with high
load bearings. The body, yoke and handle are precision engineered
to perfectly match for total control.

FLYCAM VISTA– I STABILIZATION SYSTEM 7
CENTERING THE GIMBAL CONTROL UNIT
 Place the control unit on the docking stud (as you would for normal balancing), give
yourself a four second drop me (2 or more seconds), and aim the camera along a line
through the two bearings in the yoke.
 Balance side to side and fore-a as precisely as you can to get the post vercal. We
recommend you use a bubble level on the stage. Tweak the fore-a balance as precisely as
you can, then do not touch the stage adjustments for the rest of the procedure.
 If the sled does not hang perfectly level, move the whole sled “uphill” with the yoke
bearings.
 Adjust the yoke bearings equally i.e. loosen one and ghten the other the same amount
and do it in small increments.
 If it gets worse, you chose the wrong one to loosen! If is gets beer, keep going unl it is
perfect. Do not rebalance fore and a at this stage.
THE BASE PLATFORM
The base plaorm moves fore and a as well as side-to-side al-
lowing you to quickly adjust the horizontal balance of your cam-
era and accessories. Vercal adjustment starts with adding coun-
ter weights as needed. When proper balance has been achieved,
your camera and accessories almost oat providing uid like
movement and control.
ATTACHING THE CAMERA
 Aach the FLYCAM Head to the central post.
 Secure using the provided L’ key.
 Insert the C5 post into the base plaorm and ghten with
the ‘L’ key.

FLYCAM VISTA– I STABILIZATION SYSTEM 8
 Remove the top plate from the base plate by loosening the
blue knob, aach your camera to the plate and ghten it.
 Insert the camera plate into the base plate.
 At the base of your FLYCAM where the base plaorm con-
nects is a lever control that allows you to lengthen or short-
en the stalk to help achieve proper balance. Loosen to ad-
just the stalk up and down and make sure to re-ghten to
secure.
BALANCING OF FLYCAM C5 HEAD

FLYCAM VISTA– I STABILIZATION SYSTEM 9
BALANCING YOUR FLYCAM C5 STABILIZER
When your FLYCAM C5 is assembled and properly set up, test the horizontal balance of the
system. The objecve in obtaining correct horizontal balance is to allow the Camera to re-
main level during operaon. In other words, if the FLYCAM C5 is horizontally balanced cor-
rectly, then the Camera will remain leveled, and the Central Post will remain vercal unless
you intenonally re-posion the FLYCAM C5 for an o axis shot. When proper horizontal bal-
anced is achieved, it will always return to a level pan, lt, or roll pressure on the Central Post.
When tesng for correct horizontal balance pick up your FLYCAM from a at and level sur-
face (e.g. table) and let the FLYCAM hang freely as you hold it. If the FLYCAM is balanced cor-
rectly on its horizontal axis, it will be leveled up right, with the Central Post in a perfect ver-
cal posion.
Aer mounng the camera onto the FLYCAM C5, add the balancing weights to match the
weight of the camera as shown above.
Before beginning the balancing process check the following:
 Camera is securely aached to head plate.
 Lens cap has been removed and secured.
 Bracket mounts have been ghtened properly.
 Weights are added successfully.
 All the screws are ghtened securely.
 Monitor mount and Baery mount are aached properly.
 All the wires are secured properly.
 The Gimbaled Control Unit should beneath the top of its post.
 Posion the monitor for preferred ‘eye line’ while factoring
overall system balance
Warning If you do not have enough weight on the Base Plaorm the enre FLYCAM will ip upside
down. Be prepared to catch it if this happens. You will need to add more weight to the base plate
and retest unl the FLYCAM remains right side up. The best way of adjusng the horizontal bal-
ance is to move the center of gravity of the Camera.
This can be accomplished by re-bolng the Camera to a dierent area of the Head Plate and Mid
Plate, either front to back or side to side with the Camera unit.

FLYCAM VISTA– I STABILIZATION SYSTEM 10
BALANCING THE VERTICAL AXIS
The sled should be ed up to the docking adapter of your stand or similar so that you can start
the fore & a balancing adjustments by centering the camcorder over the central post. To do
this,
 Look at the FLYCAM C5 from the side. If the camcorder lens is pped up or down, move
the camcorder forward or backwards unl the center of balance is situated over the central
post.
 Then, look at the FLYCAM C5 from the front. If the post is not vercal, adjust the boom
plate unl the center post is vercal.
 You can also adjust the weight cups closer to & further away from the sled as per the re-
quirement ll the post is straight up and down.
 The stability of the FLYCAM C5 depends on it being slightly boom heavy. If it is top heavy,
it will lt more. If 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 VERTICAL BALANCE BY USING THIS DROP TIME TEST:
A DROP TIME OF 2 - 2.5 SECONDS IS PREFERRED.
Note: Recheck the balance by looking at the sled. If necessary, use the side screws and the
boom plate screws to make required adjustments.
CUSTOM FITTING YOUR DV VEST
 Having put your vest on, insert the hooks of the 26’’ long
straps into the appropriate aluminum buckle.
 Tighten both straps with Velcro for a comfortable t and lock
both with the aluminum buckles.
 Make sure that everything is ght and posion yourself behind the stand.
 Grasp the center post near the base and move the center post from vercal to horizontal.
 Hold it there. Be sure that it will not hit the stand when you drop the center post and put
your free hand to catch the center post when it drops.
 Count how many seconds it will take to fall to vercal. Try using a stopwatch.
 If the drop me is less than 2 seconds, it is too boom heavy. You need to move the
boom mass closer to the post.
 If the drop me is more than two seconds, it is top heavy.

FLYCAM VISTA– I STABILIZATION SYSTEM 11
 Repeat this acon using the mid waist straps and buckles
aaching them to the central part of the chest plate.
 The length of the chest plate can be adjusted according to the
height of the person by using this adjusng screw.
 Properly set up and custom t, your vest should look like the
provided picture
 Straps are mode of trough nylon and Industrial Strength Velcro
and can be easily replaced or adjusted to suit individual needs.
 Our DV vest can be used with all professionals arms incl.
Steadycam, Tin, Glide cam and Sachtler.
ASSEMBLING OF VISTA ARM
 Insert the male part of the socket aached to the vista arm into
the female part of the socket aached to the vest.
 Adjust the steel spring tension to maintain a preferred posion
on the stabilizer factoring in the combined weight of your cam-
corder and stabilizer.
 Your FLYCAM is ready to mount on the Vista Arm.
Once vercal and horizontal balance is achieved, mount the FLYC-
AM on the gimbaled control unit of the arm.

FLYCAM VISTA– I STABILIZATION SYSTEM 12
MAINTENANCE
Bearing Maintenance – The Main Bearing on your FLYCAM C5 is aached to the Central Post
about two inches down from the top. It is metal and parally enclosed by the Bearing
Assembly. The Vista Arm also contains the bearings. If aer some period of me your bearings
don’t turn smoothly as when new, you can oil it lightly with light lubricang oil. We recommend
that you use a minimum amount. Only a few drops are required, plus anything more than a
lile will end up dripping from the bearing and onto the rest of your Vista Arm & FLYCAM C5
Light lubricang oil can also be used if needed on the Yoke and Handle Bearings. Be sure to
keep the oil away from your Camera, and clean up any over spill when done.
Cleaning– Do not use solvents or harsh cleaners of any kind on your Vista Arm, DV Vest 7900A
& FLYCAM C5. If the unit becomes dirty, use only a cloth or sponge with water and a very mild
detergent to gently rub the unit clean. Rinse well.
Storage– If you are going to store your Vista Kit for a long period of me then please store the
unit up right in a dry or low to normal humidity area whenever possible. If you are unable to
nd an environment like this, then we suggest you store the unit in an airght plasc container
or bag. Standing the unit upright helps to alleviate stress on the system.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT SHOOTING TIPS
Walking the Line- This is an exercise designed to help you operate your FLYCAM C5 more
accurately and easily. Using masking tape, or gaer’s tape, create a cross mark on a at and
even wall. This cross mark will be used for framing purposes.
Now on the oor leading up to the cross mark, tape a straight line, about 10-20 feet long.
The purpose of this exercise is to walk the line that you have taped on the oor, while keeping
the cross mark centered in the LCD monitor. Praccing this exercise will teach you how to
frame a shoot with precision.
BALANCING REVIEW
Proper system balance can only be achieved once your camera is set up with the 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 ses-
sion.
 Remove the top plate of the 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 the hole in the plate that is as close to the 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 mounts if you have one). Tighten it down so it
won't accidentally rotate.

FLYCAM VISTA– I STABILIZATION SYSTEM 13
 Re-aach the top plate to the FLYCAM. Center it, but don't worry about geng it
absolutely perfect yet.
 Remove most of the weights from the 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 correct 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 the 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.
 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.

FLYCAM VISTA– I STABILIZATION SYSTEM 14
YOUR FLYCAM VISTA– I STABILIZATION SYSTEM
ALL DRESSED UP AND READY TO GO
Exclusive of Camera, Mic & Lcd Monitor
WARRANTY
We oer a one year warranty for our products from the date of purchase.
We will repair or replace your product, free of charge, in the event of a defect in materials or
crasmanship obtained during normal use or handling based on the user manual. Please note
that we will not cover any shipping costs for returning the product to us. If any VAT or import
dues are applied to the return, we will also charge these costs to the customer.
The warranty does not include, by the way of example, 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.
We are not liable for incidental or consequenal damages resulng from the use of the unit or
occurring due to any breach of this warranty.
Replacement parts of the product will be provided at nominal cost (covering the cost price of the
replacement parts only) to the customers aer the Warranty Period has expired. We will cover
the complete cost of sending replacement parts within the warranty period. Aer that, Nominal
cost of the product & Actual shipping cost will be charged.
Do not send the unit to us without rst geng a response and geng the approval to send back
the item.
In case of any kind of dissasfacon, we urge you to Contact us immediately and we shall do our
Best to help you out. For any other assistance you can reach us via email.
For any other assistance you can reach us via email.