Vinten Vision 3 Manual

Vinten
Camera Control Solutions
Operators Guide
Vision 3
Pan & Tilt Head

Vision 3
Pan and Tilt Head
Publication Part No. 3543-8 Issue 4
Copyright © Vinten Broadcast Limited 2004
All rights reserved throughout the world. No part of this document may be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, copied
or reproduced in any way including, but not limited to, photocopy, photograph, magnetic or other record without the prior
agreement and permission in writing of
Vinten Broadcast Limited.
Vinten and Vision are registered trademarks of Vinten Broadcast Limited.

3
Safety - read this first
Warning Symbols in this Operators Guide
Where there is a risk of personal injury, injury to others, or damage to the pan
and tilt head or associated equipment, comments appear, highlighted by the
word WARNING! and supported by the warning triangle symbol.
Technical data
Weight
Head 2.3 kg (5.0 lb)
Pan bar 0.2 kg (0.4 lb)
Bowl clamp 0.14 kg (0.3 lb)
Height to mounting face 12.1 cm (4.76 in.)
Length 12.9 cm (5.08 in.)
Width 14.8 cm (5.83 in.)
Load capacity Up to 10 kg (22 lb), dependent on spring fitted
Tilt range ±90°
Pan range 360°
Tripod fixing 75 mm ball
Further information
For further information or advice regarding this pan and tilt head, please contact Vinten Broadcast
Limited, your local Vinten distributor (see back cover) or visit our website.
For full details on maintenance and spare parts, please refer to the Vision 3 Pan and Tilt Head
Maintenance Manual and Illustrated Parts List (Publication Part No. 3543-9) This is obtainable
from Vinten Broadcast Limited or your local Vinten distributor. For information on-line, visit our
website at
www.vinten.com.

4
Contents
Page
Safety - read this first . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Further information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Operation
Installing the head on a tripod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Mounting the camera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Checking the camera balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Pan and tilt brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Pan and tilt drag. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Servicing
Routine maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Cleaning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Battery replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Brake knob and drag control knob adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Changing the balance spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Parts list. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Associated publication
Vision 3 Pan and Tilt Head
Maintenance Manual
Publication Part No. 3543-9

5
(1) Battery compartment
(2) Switch for illuminated level bubble
(3) Pan drag adjustment knob
(4) Illuminated level bubble
(5) Pan brake knob
(6) Pan bar mounting
(7) Tilt brake knob
(8) Slide lock release
Vision 3 (Left-Hand Side)
(8) (1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(7)
(6)
(5)

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(9) Slide plate
(10) Spring cover plate
(11) Tilt drag adjustment knob
(12) Bowl clamp
(13) Slide plate clamp
(14) Pan bar
(15) 3/8 in. Camera mounting screws
(16) VHS Adaptor
Vision 3 (Right-Hand Side)
(9)
(10)
(11)
(13)
(15)
(14)
(12)
(16)

7
Introduction
The Vision 3 pan and tilt head embodies LF drag assemblies for pan and tilt motions and an ad-
justable camera mounting plate. It is available in different balance spring configurations, which en-
ables it to balance a wide range of cameras.
Both the pan and tilt mechanisms incorporate the patented Vinten lubricated friction (LF) system
to ensure smooth movement of the camera about these axes and are fitted with control knobs (3)
(11) to adjust the drag setting.
The whip-pan facility is unaffected by the pan drag setting.
Friction brakes on each axis allow the head to be locked at any chosen position. The operating
knobs for both brakes (5)(7) are fitted at the left-hand side of the head.
An illuminated level bubble (4) is fitted to the rear of the head. When the switch (2) is pressed, the
bubble will be illuminated for approximately 15 seconds. The battery for the illuminated bubble is
contained in a battery compartment (1).
Pan bar mounting points (6) are located at the rear of the head, on either side of the camera
mounting platform. The pan bar is attached using a pan bar clamp, with angular adjustment avail-
able on the mount serrations. A fixed pan bar (14) is supplied. A second pan bar may be fitted.
The camera is attached to the head by means of a slide plate (9) and 3/8 in. screws (15) or the
VHS adaptor (16) (see Mounting the camera). A clamp (13) is provided to hold the slide plate in
position and a lock (8) prevents its inadvertent removal from the head.

8
Operation
Installing the head on a tripod
The Vision 3 pan and tilt head is supplied with an integral 75 mm ball mount, designed for instal-
lation on a compatible Vinten Vision tripod.
Adaptors are available which enable the head to be installed on tripods or pedestals fitted with
other mountings. These are listed under Optional accessories - tripod and pedestal adaptors.
To install the head, remove the bowl clamp assembly (12) from the head, position the head on the
tripod and refit the bowl clamp assembly from below. Level the head with the aid of the level bub-
ble (4) and tighten the bowl clamp. The level bubble may be illuminated by pressing the switch (2).
The light will extinguish after approximately 15 seconds.
Mounting the camera (VHS adaptor)
(9)
(15)
(16)
(8)
(13)

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Mounting the camera
Mounting the camera (3/8 in. mounting screws)
Remove the slide plate (9) from the head by releasing the slide plate clamp (13), pressing the slide
lock release (8) and pulling the plate out to the rear.
Attach the slide plate to the camera or camera mounting plate under the approximate centre of
the camera's weight using both mounting screws (15).
Set the platform level and apply both the pan and tilt brakes (5)(7).
Push the slide plate and camera into the track in the platform, ensuring the slide lock release (8)
snaps into position.
Check the balance of the camera (see Checking the camera balance).
Mounting the camera (VHS adaptor)
The VHS adaptor (16) consists of a VHS pin and a 1/4 in. BSW camera mounting screw connected
by a plastic link.
To mount the camera using the VHS adaptor, proceed as follows:
Remove the slide plate (9) from the head by releasing the slide plate clamp (13), pressing
the slide lock release (8) and pulling the plate out to the rear.
Remove the two 3/8 in. BSW camera mounting screws (15) from the slide plate.
Position the VHS adaptor (16) in the longer slot in the slide plate, with the pin facing for-
wards. Screw the pin securely into the slide plate.
Secure the slide plate to the camera with the 1/4 in. BSW camera mounting screw, ensuring
the pin engages in the hole in the camera.
Set the platform level and apply both the pan and tilt brakes (5)(7).
Push the slide plate and camera into the track in the platform, ensuring the slide lock re-
lease (8) snaps into position.
Check the balance of the camera (see Checking the camera balance).
Checking the camera balance
The Vision 3 pan and tilt head is available in different balance spring configurations, which enables
it to balance a wide range of cameras.
Check the camera balance as follows, remembering to ensure that the pan bar(s) and any ancil-
lary equipment have been fitted:
Reduce tilt drag (11) to minimum.
Release the tilt brake (7).
NOTE: Be prepared to prevent the head falling away suddenly.

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Position the camera correctly on the head by releasing the slide plate clamp (13) and sliding
the camera backwards or forward until it balances horizontally. Apply the slide plate clamp
(13).
Using the pan bar, tilt the head backwards and forwards. If the head tends to fall away, a
stronger spring should be fitted. If the head tends to spring back, a weaker spring should
be fitted (see Changing the balance spring).
Pan and tilt brakes
Friction brakes on each axis allow the head to be locked at any chosen position. The operating
levers for the pan brake (5) and tilt brake (7) are fitted at the left-hand side of the head.
To apply the brake, turn the lever fully clockwise. To release the brake, turn the lever fully counter-
clockwise.
Pan and tilt drag
Both the pan and tilt mechanisms incorporate the Vinten LF system to ensure smooth movement
of the camera about these axes and are fitted with control knobs to adjust the drag setting.
The pan drag adjustment knob (3) is rear of the head, the tilt drag knob (11) is on the right -hand
side. The whip-pan facility is unaffected by the pan drag setting.
Both drag knobs are provided with graduated scales. To increase drag, turn the knob towards a
higher graduation. To decrease drag, turn the knob towards a lower graduation.
WARNING! When the brakes are not in use, always turn the levers fully
counter-clockwise.
DO NOT use the brakes to supplement drag.
NOTE: Reduce drag to a minimum when the head is out of use for long periods.