How do I balance the Flycam Nano

J

Jamal Jonesy

Active member
I just got the Flycam Nano a few days ago after hearing great things about it on cheesycam.com, and watching (the very few) videos of how well it works. I'm having an impossible time getting the thing steady though with my GH1 + FD 2.8 28mm. I heard about the challenges people have balancing their camera sleds, but I just can't balance mine. Do I have to do exact weight measurements of the GH1 + lens and the washers I use to counterbalance? Its killing me, and the time I need to get shoot my film, so does anyone know how to balance a steadycam like the flycam nano? Please Help!
 
The nano is tricky because it is so small, but it should work like any of the other flycam models:

1. Set up your camera exactly how you want to have it while you are recording. This means batteries, lenses, cards, LCD screen open, quick release plate, on-cam lights, etc.

2. Take off 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 and feel where it feels balanced both left and right as well as forward and back).

3. Find the hole in the plate that is as close to the threaded tripod mount on your camera as possible (while you are still holding your camera's center of gravity to the center of the plate). Run a screw through that hole and attach your camera (or quick release mount if you have one). Tighten it down so it won't accidentally rotate.

4. Re-attach the top plate to the flycam. Center it, but don't worry about getting it absolutely perfect yet.

5. Take off most of the weights, but leave one on each side. Insert the center post as far as it will go and tighten so it won't slide out.

6. Hold the handle normally and turn the flycam so that it is horizontal to the ground. Let go of the flycam (just don't let go of the handle at the same time :) ) and count how long it takes to right itself so that it is vertical again. You should be able to count a good, "One one thousand, two one thousand", before it rights itself. With only two little weights it might take considerably longer.

7. Add one pair of weights at a time and repeat the "horizontal to vertical" test until 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 off the last pair of weights that you added.

8. Tighten down the weights so they don't slide around.

9. To get the count perfect, slightly lower the center post that the weights are attached to until you get the "one one thousand, two one thousand" count right on. You now have the basic balance perfected.

10. Now it is time to fine tune the left-right, forward-backward balance. I usually start with left-right (but it doesn't matter because you'll have to go back and forth between the two directions to get the balance just right). Loosen the screw sets that allow the sled to move left and right. Adjust the top plate so that it is centered and tighten down the screws like you would a tire (in other words slowly and alternating around the sides).

11. Repeat the step 10 for "forward-backward" balancing.

12. Check to see if your camera is sitting level. If not, repeat steps 10 and 11 until it sits level.

13. Practice walking so that your body movements aren't transmitted into your hands -and thus, the flycam.

That's about it. Hope it helps.
 
Thank You, but for some reason, it still didn't work. I think I need smaller in between weights, you know, like 5g and 10gram washers to balance this thing. What do you think about that, should I weigh the GH1 with whatever lens its using, then but the EXACT equivalent on the bottom to counterbalance?
 
The damn thing keeps wobbling all over the place. The absolute worst thing though is that it spins around slowly on its own. Its driving me nuts, and I'm getting more and more discouraged from trying to balance it. I followed your steps, an I think I got close, but I still spins ever so slightly, even when I don't move it.

My idea, which I just wanted to know if it'll work, is if I use 5 gram, 25 gram, and 50 gram washers to fill in the "in between" weights for 100 gram washers. The weight for the Gh1 + whatever lens its using can't be an exact multiple of 100 grams is my theory. So I'll fill in the gaps with smaller weights and try to get the EXACT weights of washer on the bottom to counter balance.

I 'm looking on ebay know for those washers....any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated though just in case my theory fails. Please, I'm really desperate since I paid $140+ for my Flycam Nano. It seems like such a great product, I just want it to work. :(
 
The spin will always happen, in my experience, because it is on a free spinning bearing. An object in motion wants to stay in motion (Newton's First Law).

I don't think the weights are the problem. The post moves up and down and if it is at the wrong height the center of gravity will be off. If the weight is exactly the same as the camera, but it is too low, it will be bottom heavy. That is why the "drop test" is more reliable than using exact weights.

Anyway, the solution is the same for all Flycams (I've used the 3000, 5000, and 6000): use thumb and forefinger on the center post to control the direction of the camera's rotation (by "rolling" the post between your fingers). Be sure to touch the post as close as possible to the bearing to avoid wobbling it, and use a light touch.
 
Okay, looks like I have to update my opinion. The nano apparently sucks.

Just got word back from a guy who's been testing it for a month or so. He says it's no good for DSLRs. It needs to be used with super light weight cameras. He said if the center post was a few inches longer it might have worked, but he couldn't get rid of the wobble no matter what he tried (including using different size washers).

You're better off returning it and going with a 3000. Sorry :(
 
An object in motion wants to stay in motion (Newton's First Law).
Click to expand...

unless it's balanced correctly. Get rid of that thing before you throw it through your window. grab a WONLAN ARES. best bang for the buck.
 
Except for shipping , did you paid local customs or anything else ?
What was the TOTAL cost ?
Did they send it with regular airmail or courier company ?
 
It explains it on the ebay posting, but I am still waiting for mine in the mail. I paid shipping for Fedex and local tax (I would assume I have to pay)...
 
mastercapture said:
Here is a recent how to balance a flycam nano with a similar setup to a gh1 and 28mm (actually I think his setup has more weight than yours)

http://cheesycam.com/the-most-boring-video-in-the-world/

EDIT: Mojo beat me to it, but its a good video and helped me balance mine
Click to expand...

That actually was a different video (tutorial vs demo). Your link explained "bottom heavy" in a way I never understood before, in terms of a problem solved by adjusting height rather than adding/subtracting weight.
 
How do you guys find the vertical movement with the flycam nano? I've got a DIY stabilizer supposedly balanced (yeah I'm not 100% sure on that heh) on a T2i+tokina but if I ever try to do a chasing scene where I'm running with the stabilizer in hand, there is definitely vertical bobbing motion being transferred from my feet as I run. Second, as the whole thing gets heavy on the hands, they start to shake lending to that up/down movement too.
 
I was /out to order a nano and found this thread. What is the verdict? Are people successfully using this rig with the gh1/2?
dracore said:
How do you guys find the vertical movement with the flycam nano? I've got a DIY stabilizer supposedly balanced (yeah I'm not 100% sure on that heh) on a T2i+tokina but if I ever try to do a chasing scene where I'm running with the stabilizer in hand, there is definitely vertical bobbing motion being transferred from my feet as I run. Second, as the whole thing gets heavy on the hands, they start to shake lending to that up/down movement too.
Click to expand...
 
ghosttv said:
I was /out to order a nano and found this thread. What is the verdict? Are people successfully using this rig with the gh1/2?
Click to expand...

I love it, but that being said I have not used any other stabilizer. I find that I can set it up pretty quick and the results so far are great! It packs small and it's only 110 dollars!
 
I read that the flycam nano can cope with camera/DSLR up to 700 grams, but the GH2 with 14-140 weigths 904 grams :( ( 609g with 14-42 but I don´t want that lens)
So would it be possible to use this rig together or it´s just too heavy?
 
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