NEW Zero Gravity by VariZoom

This is just a gimbal mount. The way it works is it has two sliding plates (one for fore and aft and another one for up and down) that allow you to physically move the camera so that the camera's center of gravity (CG) coincides with the tilt axis of the head. When this occurs, the camera's weight, which acts at the CG, cannot apply any torque to the head because there is no leverage (i.e. no "moment arm") on the tilt axis. Thus, it feels "weightless". Remote heads generally already have this feature to balance the camera on the tilt axis to reduce the load on the motors.

The gimbal mount has been around for centuries and is even used in photography for long lens (see the Wimberley mount below). I suppose Varizoom might be able to "patent" this for being the first to apply it to a manual video head but the basic idea is certainly not new.

WH-200-with-lens.jpg
 
Zero Gravity footage

Zero Gravity footage

Yes, we are setting up demo now with our SnapCrane and Zero Gravity and the Cinetrac system. Should be posted on website and linked from here next week.


jstunzi said:
Any chance we can see some footage from this head?
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I realize this is a much different thing, but how would this compare to something like a Cartoni Focus or Vinten Vision3? I'm looking for a new tripod and head, and this thing looks pretty cool--and cheaper. I've just never used anything like it before.
 
This may be wrong, but the Zero Gravity doesn't have the control that one of those heads has. Think of it like a great accessory head to have for very specific shots. You can balance your camera perfectly on it. However if you're looking for drag control and what not... I don't think it can compare. In fact, I may be so bold as to say its completely fluid.

However, how many heads give you the range of vertical freedom that this head does is very rare. It's versatile and easy to use. This head will really shine in jib/crane work where it easily converts into a under slung head... an application great for tabletop work and what not. Another thing to note is it has a maximum capacity of 25lbs which may restrict you.

It's not everyday that you find a tripod head that can point straight up!
 
Zero Gravity

Zero Gravity

No the Zero Gravity does have a drag control for both pan and tilt. Your'e right though that it can be completely fluid with zero drag. It was actually designed for tripod use first and the underslung use with jib was just a bonus but another valuable option.



jstunzi said:
This may be wrong, but the Zero Gravity doesn't have the control that one of those heads has. Think of it like a great accessory head to have for very specific shots. You can balance your camera perfectly on it. However if you're looking for drag control and what not... I don't think it can compare. In fact, I may be so bold as to say its completely fluid.

However, how many heads give you the range of vertical freedom that this head does is very rare. It's versatile and easy to use. This head will really shine in jib/crane work where it easily converts into a under slung head... an application great for tabletop work and what not. Another thing to note is it has a maximum capacity of 25lbs which may restrict you.

It's not everyday that you find a tripod head that can point straight up!
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Motorized heads like this have been around for years. The Weaver Stedman unit and the Cinema Products "Hot Head" are a couple of examples of older ones.
 
All I will add (as one of the DV and Videography writers) is that we were very impressed with the product. and were pleased to give it awards from both magazines.

Ned Soltz
 
Is the item stable enough for smooth tilts and pans with a 20x tele-lens like the XL A1 in the outmost tele position?
 
Zero Gravity video

Zero Gravity video

I just wanted to give those interested a heads up. We shot some video today of the Zero Gravity with a Zero Gravity on a tripod as well as underslung on a VariZoom Snap Crane. I will post the link to video in the next day or two.

t100am_zg_med.jpg




dust'n the callipygous said:
Any footage yet? I want to see how it works.
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Zero Gravity

Zero Gravity

Alfred, alot of that depends on the operator but chances are you would need a motorized head with granny gears for that kind of situation.

alfred said:
Is the item stable enough for smooth tilts and pans with a 20x tele-lens like the XL A1 in the outmost tele position?
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zero gravity & lens adapters...

zero gravity & lens adapters...

Was truly excited about this. Called today to order the zero gravity and realized 2 things.

1). They are out of stock! (Congrats!)
2). I was told it's probably not the right tripod for me since I'm using a lens adapter (i'm using the Letus35 Extreme for reference).

I appreciate the honesty from Varizoom! Sincerely. I still find myself a little bummed. I was looking forward to working with it!

Thought I'd share since I didn't see any other posts on lens adapters and the zero gravity.

Cris
 
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VariZoom Zero Gravity

VariZoom Zero Gravity

Cris,

I will work with you on a unit as I would like your feedback using it with the Letus.

Ask for Tom

Thanks,



Cleverpork said:
Was truly excited about this. Called today to order the zero gravity and realized 2 things.

1). They are out of stock! (Congrats!)
2). I was told it's probably not the right tripod for me since I'm using a lens adapter (i'm using the Letus35 Extreme for reference).

I appreciate the honesty from Varizoom! Sincerely. I still find myself a little bummed. I was looking forward to working with it!

Thought I'd share since I didn't see any other posts on lens adapters and the zero gravity.

Cris
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Tom,
I noticed in your photo 2 tripod handles - one to pan, the other to tilt. Does the head come w/2 handles ? Is it a true fluid head or a "friction" head like the Bogen 501?

chris
 
The head comes with two handles. The primary handle can pan and tilt the head. The secondary handle is there for if you're shooting straight up or straight down where the handle you saw as the "tilt" handle is unusable.

The tripod is technically a fluid head. It mounts in 100mm bowl tripods. It's not a screw on head like some of the Bogens. Nonetheless... this is mean for people interested in truly fluid moves. I could see this used by someone who is shooting a lot of sports action where they need rapid fast control of where the camera is aiming.
 
Tom McKay said:
Cris,

I will work with you on a unit as I would like your feedback using it with the Letus.

Ask for Tom

Thanks,
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Just thought I'd re-post real quick. I hadn't caught that Tom had posted this and I went ahead and ordered (they just got 4 in stock so I lucked out) thinking I would attempt to create a "fix" for it, but the unit arrived, I whipped it out of the box, and within a couple of minutes had my DVX100b with the Letus35 on and balanced.

Honestly, I'm not confident what the fear was with the lens adapter not balancing. I use the R15B80 rods put out by Cavision and they help deal with the potential balance issues.

I've not yet used the Zero Gravity in general so I can't give any more details than that, but for me, balancing my DVX100b/Letus35 is not an issue whatsoever.

cris
 
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