KES G1 User manual
Included in package:
G1 Gimbal head
1 packet of spare screws containing
2- ¼-20 x ¾ Flat head patch screws
1- ⅜-16 x ¾ Low head cap screw
10 YEAR GUARANTEE
This product is guaranteed to the original purchaser to
be free of defects in materials or workmanship for ten
years from the date of purchase. Products will be
repaired or replaced at our option.
If not purchased directly from Kirk Enterprise Solutions,
please keep your original receipt for warranty repair as
proof of purchase of original ownership will be required.
Please note
All knobs are captive, meaning they cannot come off
without damaging them. Do not attempt to remove the
knobs. This will damage the head and void the warranty.
Also the G1 head is lubricated at the factory and parts
that require lubrication are sealed. NO LUBRICATION IS
REQUIRED BY THE USER. Just keep the G1
components free from contamination to maintain smooth
action.
Kirk Enterprise Solutions 333 Hoosier Dr Angola In 46703 www.kirkphoto.com 260-665-3670
Please read these instructions to fully understand the functions and capabilities of your new G1 Gimbal head.
A
B
G
H
I
DE
F
A- Tilt axis tension knob
B- Tilt axis lock knob
C- Panning lock knob
D- Panning tension knob
E- Quick release platform adjustment knob
F- Side arm adjustment knob
G- Spring loaded safety pin
H- Spring loaded pan base locking pin
I- Quick release clamp placement adjustment screw
J- Arca Style quick release clamp
K- Quick release mounting platform
L- Gimbal vertical arm
M- Vertical rail for quick release mounting platform
N- Four detent holes for pan base locking pin (H) at
every 90 degrees
O- Gimbal horizontal base
P- Quick release adjustment knob
J
K
L
M
N
C
O
P
Figure 1
Page 1
Represents lens center axis
J
Figure 2
Figure 3
Represents Step 3
Represents Step 2A
Represents Step 2C
G1 Gimbal Top Mount Set Up
Step 1 Tighten pan lock knob (C) that is located on the gimbal head panning base. Attach
the head to your tripod or leveling base and slightly tighten down. Loosen knob (C), press
down and hold pan base locking pin (H) slowly rotate clockwise until locking pin engages
into one of the four detent holes. Continue to press down locking pin (H) and fully tighten
the head in place. Release locking pin (H). For removal of the gimbal head, reverse the
above steps.
Step 2A Balancing your lens. Please note: camera body must be attached to the lens
for proper set up.
You will need to center the quick release mounting platform (K) close to the tripod center
axis as shown in Figure 2. To achieve this, loosen side arm adjustment knob (F) make
your adjustments and retighten knob (F).
Step 2B Please make sure tilt axis lock knob (B) is fully tightened and that tilt axis tension
knob (A) is fully loosened.
Loosen quick release platform adjustment knob (E) and lower quick release platform (K) to
the lowest position as shown figure 1 photos on page 1.
You will now need to attach your lens to the gimbal quick release clamp (J).
Please note: every lens that you plan to use with the gimbal head, will require an arca-style
quick release plate attached to the tripod foot.
Once you have mounted your lens, stand behind the lens camera set up, grab the camera
body as if you were going to take a picture. Now slowly loosen the tilt axis knob (B). If the
lens end pitches forward (tilts downward) you will need to slide the lens toward you. If the
lens pitches backward (tilts upwards) you will need to slide the lens away from you. To
make any adjustments needed, you will need to slightly loosen quick release clamp lock
knob (P). Make sure to retighten knob (P).
Step 2C If you determine that you are not comfortable with the placement of the lens plate
in the quick release mounting platform, you have the ability to adjust the quick release
platform (J) to a position you are more comfortable with. To achieve this, you will need to
loosen the quick release placement screw (I) with the built-in 3/16” allen wrench as in
Figure 3. Make sure to retighten screw (I). By doing this step, you will need to rebalance
your lens, following directions in step 2B.
Step 3 Now that you have properly adjusted the forward and backward balance of the
lens, you will now need to adjust the vertical position of the lens. To achieve this, loosen
quick release platform adjustment knob (E) and adjust the vertical position of the quick
release mounting platform (K) so that the center of the lens is parallel or slightly higher than
the center axis of the gimbal head like shown in Figure 2. Loosen knob (B) and tilt the lens
roughly 30 degrees toward the sky. When you let go of the lens, if it wants to keeping going
in the direction you tilted it, you will need to lower the position of the lens by adjusting the
position of the mounting platform (K). If the lens wants to return to the level position, you
will need to raise the position of the mounting platform (K). The goal is to perfectly balance
the lens so that it stays pointed in any position when the knob (B) is completely loose. By
adding slight tension from knob (A) this will help you achieve this quickly.
Step 4 The G1 gimbal head is designed with the ability to apply tension of the tilt axis and
pan axis from knobs (A) and (D). To achieve this, you will slightly turn the desired knob
clockwise for more tension or counterclockwise for less tension. This will help with
balancing and let you set your desired resistance.
The goal is to perfectly balance the lens so that it stays pointed in any
position even when the Head is completely loose. Fine tune the vertical
and forward-backward position of the lens until you’ve achieved perfect
balance. Remember by applying tension to the tilt axis, this will allow for a
quicker, more precise set up. It gets much easier to do and will take very
little time to achieve as you get more practiced. You can shoot with the tilt
axis and panning lock knobs loose or locked in when photographing your
subject. The choice is up to you.
Page 2
Step 1
Step 2
Step 2A
BOTTOM VIEW OF QUICK
RELEASE
How to convert the G1 Top Mount Gimbal to a Side Mount Gimbal
G1 Gimbal disassembly for storage
Step 1 Loosen quick release platform adjustment knob (E)
and slide the quick release mounting platform (K) to the
top and remove off the vertical rail (M).
Step 2 Loosen slide arm adjustment knob (F) and slide
the gimbal vertical arm (L) to the end of the gimbal
horizontal base (O). Push down the spring loaded safety
pin (G) to allow for complete removal of the gimbal vertical
arm.
E
K
G
O
Page 4
F
M
L
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