FAQ Video of balancing Letus Helix Jr with Sony fS5?

B

Budgieboots

Well-known member
Hello,

I recently purchased a Letus Helix Jr with a standard camera plate -- and after reading the manual and looking at the videos on Letus' page, my balancing so far has not been great.
I keep getting unusual grinding noises on my movements, but I have not updated the firmware or used the custom GUI yet.

Are there step-by-step tutorial videos out there on how to balance the Helix Jr with a Sony FS100 or Sony FS5 and then, proper techniques for filming with it? That show how to walk, tilt with it?

I notice it doesn't like it when I tilt downward or upward, it seems to start having jerky erratic movements and attempts to flip the camera on me.
Also, I am a bit unfamiliar with gimbals, are they supposed to sound like a computer humming when you use them?

Thank you for your time.
 
Hi there -

I think Letus is working on making demo videos, but not sure when they'll be out. In the meantime, I'm happy to help.

I've been happily using the C100 with the Helix Jr on dozens of doc shoots around the country - just got the FS5 and today did a quick balance with the kit lens that seemed to work great (leaving the handle on, LCD screen attached to the Helix's 15mm rod). I'll work on it more tomorrow and take photos. In the meantime, here's some pics and info of my C100 setup and PID settings - http://alaskavideoshooter.com/canon-c100-and-letus-helix-jr-photos/

I didn't change my PID settings for the FS5 balance, and it seems to work fine. You'll definitely want to adjust the settings, doesn't matter if you use your computer or a tablet/phone. Yes, humming is normal, excessive "grinding" is not. If you tilt too far up or down, or touch the rig, it'll temporarily go haywire. You can always set it down, turn the motor off/on and let it get a fresh start.

And congrats on the Helix Jr! It may seem like a big learning curve right now, but it's a ton simpler than other rigs and it'll save you lots of headaches down the road.

Cheers,
Slavik
 
Thank you Slavik!

That is very reassuring.

I do have one quick question about the Sony FS5.

Does it have an internal microphone to record a scratch track?
 
olof said:
Yes it is in the top handle, so if you take the handle off, no. But there is still an XLR on the body.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately Olaf is correct. I'm kind of disappointed, because up until now I thought it was supposed to have an internal microphone. In the manual on page 61, there's a graphic that shows "Internal Microphone"but the arrow points to the tip of the handle. So, we'll have to connect a small microphone to the body's XLR input.

Anyway, I took some more pics today and did some tests around the house. Got it balanced with just the kit lens, FS5 handle remains on (even in briefcase mode), but with the velcro strap removed, and the LCD screen fits onto the Helix's 15mm rod without additional accessories (super kind of Sony to give the LCD a standard 15mm attachment). The kit lens at its widest is not wide enough for my taste, but I'll try it with a Tokina 11-16mm later.

I use the same PID settings as my C100 setup, kept the Manfrotto quick release plate on, Helix handles at the same place, but had to add counterweights and move the y and z axis to balance.

120fps on a Helix looks pretty cool.
sony-fs5-letus-helix-jr.jpgsony-fs5-letus-helix-jr-3.jpgsony-fs5-letus-helix-jr-2.jpgsony-fs5-letus-helix-jr-4.jpg
 
Slavikb, thank you for taking the time to do that.

I really appreciate it and it helps me visualize the setup required.
Hope you have a Merry Christmas!
 
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