How do I balance the Flycam Nano

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?

I can easily fly the GH1 with the stock lens and http://cheesycam.com says that he can fly the 7d and a tokina wide lens (very heavy) which must be a lot heavier than the GH2 and the stock lens. I am almost absolutely sure that you would be ok, but check that site out to find out for sure..

Mojo,was it 110$ shipped (to usa?)? if you dont mind where did you grab one from, I want to order one..thanks!

It was 110 plus shipping from India and came in 3 or 4 days through Fedex. It doesn't look home made like a lot of the others and I found the link off of ebay. Just do a search for flycam nano and it will come up.
 
I can easily fly the GH1 with the stock lens and http://cheesycam.com says that he can fly the 7d and a tokina wide lens (very heavy) which must be a lot heavier than the GH2 and the stock lens. I am almost absolutely sure that you would be ok, but check that site out to find out for sure..
Thanks, that´s very good news. I´ll check it out.
 
Works with my 7d...

I'm happy with it, and yes I know how to balance it. (I think mine was $130 w/ shipping)
 
Did you paid any taxes or customs ?
How much ?

I can easily fly the GH1 with the stock lens and http://cheesycam.com says that he can fly the 7d and a tokina wide lens (very heavy) which must be a lot heavier than the GH2 and the stock lens. I am almost absolutely sure that you would be ok, but check that site out to find out for sure..



It was 110 plus shipping from India and came in 3 or 4 days through Fedex. It doesn't look home made like a lot of the others and I found the link off of ebay. Just do a search for flycam nano and it will come up.
 
I got one of these and I've managed to get it balanced almost perfectly save one issue: it always leans a bit towards the handle, no matter which direction the whole rig is oriented.

Has anyone else had this issue? Is this just a bad bearing? I can wiggle the bearing a very teeny amount side to side, looking forwards away from the handle.
 
I don't seem to have this issue. Are you saying that the horizontal is slightly off then?
 
No - if I hold the handle upright in one position and rotate the camera 90 degrees (viewed from the top), it will fall a different way each time (towards the handle).

edit: I appear to have 90% fixed it by unscrewing the bolts that attatch the V thingy to either side of the bearing assembly, flipping it over and messing with different tightening tensions. I think it was just overtorqued in some way before.

edit 2: pretty sweet considering I'd never touched a steadycam before tonight:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO6kaExP1tk
 
Last edited:
For the price it's absolutely amazing. It may need tweeking due to the country of origin, but for the $, flippin' amazing.
 
What is the build quality of the nano? Is it constructed from PVC tubing? I read from another forum that the regular Flycam was not made from aluminum and with cheap nuts/bolts. Apparently while on a shoot for one user, the whole rig fell apart on him and the camera almost crashed...
 
Last edited:
No - if I hold the handle upright in one position and rotate the camera 90 degrees (viewed from the top), it will fall a different way each time (towards the handle).

edit: I appear to have 90% fixed it by unscrewing the bolts that attatch the V thingy to either side of the bearing assembly, flipping it over and messing with different tightening tensions. I think it was just overtorqued in some way before.

edit 2: pretty sweet considering I'd never touched a steadycam before tonight:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO6kaExP1tk

Seems pretty steady to me! I find you just have to tweak it in really small increments to get the balance just right.

For the price it's absolutely amazing. It may need tweeking due to the country of origin, but for the $, flippin' amazing.

I absolutely agree, what a bargain!!!
 
What is the build quality of the nano? Is it constructed from PVC tubing? I read from another forum that the regular Flycam was not made from aluminum and with cheap nuts/bolts. Apparently while on a shoot for one user, the whole rig fell apart on him and the camera almost crashed...

It's made of metal. Fall apart??? I don't see how... Mind you, my Manfrotto BHDV561 fell apart on me on a shoot the other day. I was pissed!!!
 
It's made of metal. The bolts and stuff are the same as you'd buy in a hardware store I suppose. They may not be the finest bolts available to man, but they're... metal, they seem pretty standard. The adjustment screws have plastic heads that you tighten but I'd be surprised if they fell apart, plus they give you extras anyways.
 
I bought it too, i am still waiting for arriving.
How do you calculate the weights in the bottom ?
Is there any formula ?
If , for example, my camera is about 400gr (0.4 Kgr) what is the weight i have to put in the bottom ?
 
I bought it too, i am still waiting for arriving.
How do you calculate the weights in the bottom ?
Is there any formula ?
If , for example, my camera is about 400gr (0.4 Kgr) what is the weight i have to put in the bottom ?

No, you will know if it is too light. If it is then add more weights... Obviously the less weights the easier it is on holding it.
 
> Is there any formula ?

No, but there is a process. It can take ~ 5 minutes to balance it at best, sometimes longer if it's a first time set up. I bought a quick release plate to live on there to help speed up the process.

> What is the build quality of the nano? Is it constructed from PVC tubing?

You must have it confused with another product. I'd say the build is less than but in the same league as the low-end glide cams. It's definitely not in the DIY league.
 
It is too heavy in the way that it is dipping. It is very hard to explain and I have had a few drinks, but I will try. The sled is too bottom heavy and therefore is compensating for the front (which seems balanced but is not). Try bringing up the sled (very very small increments) and then everything should be out of whack, but more true. Then make your top adjustments. If there is still a problem when spinning the top end around the bring the sled up again (small increments) etc...

Let me know if this works...
 
someone says, that maybe there is a problem with the gimbal... is there any possibility ?

You say that is too bottom heavy... my drope time is about 2 seconds... is this ok?
My main problem is that i can level it back and forth, but not left-right (on all sides).
 
Back
Top