CMR Blackbird Stabilizer + FS100 = Great combo, but I have one concern...

K

KMarandi

Member
Hi all,

Recently picked up the CMR Blackbird Stabilizer... what a fantastic piece of kit.

I have no experience using any kind of stabilizer system, but after a lot of reading and research, decided to pull the trigger on the CMR BB.

Getting it balanced is very simple once you understand the mechanics of how the weight plays with the balance. Once you've figured out the initial "recipe", subsequent setups become very quick to perform. The Smooth Touch feature is brilliant and I feel is the main reason why I've already been getting some really smooth flying shots with only a small amount of flight time under my belt.

One concern though... I'm noticing that during flight, the gimbal area seems to making sounds as if under mechanical stress. Is this normal? Is it due to the FS100 being heavier (although nowhere near the rig's maximum allowed weight even with the kit lens)?

If it is normal operation, have any of you noticed it or have it ruin the audio in a shot?

Cheers,
Kian
 
I have two of them and have not noticed any noises. I have not put an FS100 on it - seems way too heavy for a black bird. I have only used it with DSLR.
 
That doesn't sound normal. We have 3 Blackbird stabilizers and I've floated my FS100 on it and never heard strange noises like that. Also, I've taken my FS100 to CMR as they are in the same town as me and they've shown me them floating it on the rig as well.

It's not as easy as flying a DSLR but if you do not use the gymbal extender, the weight is manageable. You can use the blackbird with a vest/arm as I tried one they had at CMR, so if it gets too heavy, there is that option.

I'm going to be using the BB with my FS100 this weekend coming up on some complicated shots. Just make sure you let your arm rest when you don't need to be holding the camera, I have a bad habit of not doing this and wondering why my arm gets so tired! :)
 
there is a small tension nut/bolt under the blackbird gimbal. its gold. i know mine was fully extended and it was making noises i screwed it back up and now it doesn't do it. seems as if the bolt was getting caught...
 
Just wanted to update everyone on the situation.

First of all, let me say this: I have never experienced such great customer service than what transpired in the last few days with Rich and his team at CMR.

Without even me requesting a response from them, Rich contacted me via email after he saw my post here and took immediate action to get things resolved, even offering to send replacement parts if necessary.

Turns out the noise was just being caused by the "Smooth Touch" nut being overly loose. Once you tighten that up just a little bit, any sort of noise goes away.

I gotta say... I absolutely love this thing. I've used the Blackbird on multiple shoots already and it performs great, every time.

Combine that with top notch customer care (which I can say from experience now), and I would whole-heartedly recommend this product to anyone looking for a stabilizer.

...go out and get your Blackbirds people...

Cheers,
Kian
 
Awesome! I was just talking with Rich a few days ago about this situation to see how it went. They are AMAZINGLY responsive.

I'd love to see a photo of how you use the FS100 on your blackbird. I am getting ready to set mine up a bit different. Wondered how others use theirs.
 
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