Why all vibrating adapters suck on tripod with small cameras

Patryk_Rebisz

Patryk_Rebisz

Veteran
Most of my shooting occurs handheld but from time to time i'm forced to use my 35mm rig on tripod, and that's the time the issues arise. Namely the vibration of the ground glass caused by the motor sometimes transfer back to the unit causing the footage to wobble. Even on the adapters with variable motor speeds physical factors (such as the vibration transfer through the tripod handle) might cause the footage to shake:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx9uGqrNoCs

I'm pretty sure the issue is cause by the sheer size of the camera (in my case HV20) as it's just to small to counter balance the micro vibrations of the adapter. If you found solutions to the issue i would be happy to hear (though i have tried many and they all failed, it seems the only way to get the vibration out is to use human body as the "buffer" - go handheld).
 
It shouldn't be doing that, looks like a motor issue, I've seen similar things with the Letus Extreme before on larger cameras; the speed of vibration increases so quickly that it translates to the footage. I would contact Letus about sending the unit in. If not, you can put on hand on the adapter and push down as you pan (or a very light sandbag), that will get rid of the vibration.
 
well, the fact that this issue is so unpredictable forces me to think that introducing micro-vibrations is not a good idea in the first place.
 
Patryk_Rebisz said:
well, the fact that this issue is so unpredictable forces me to think that introducing micro-vibrations is not a good idea in the first place.
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When the Extreme and the Mini were released, vibrating units were the only way that you can get an adapter in a more compact form. The spinning units at the time (SGPro, M2) were very bulky in comparison with the "lunchbox" design. It's not until later on that Letus was able to release a spinner unit (the Ultimate) in its current formfactor, and SGPro came out with the Blade later on. So there are advantage and tradeoff to the vibrating route.
 
turn off the image stabilization on your camera. Should fix it..if that's not the problem, then try a different shutter speed, or balance the speed of your vibration to work with the shutter speed.. but it looks like image stabilzation is on to me.
 
the only time I had an issue like that with the hv20 and vibrating adapter was when the stabilzer was on or when the speed of the adapter motor was wrong. Does the wobble stop if you try a different shutter speed?
 
well the speed is determined by the battery. As it doesn't have the variable speed dial i actually tried to build a power source with resistors to decrees the power supply but at some point the grain started to be visible.

I really feel we are screwing ourselves with vibrating adapters.
 
Have you tried a spinning adapter ? Are you sure that will solve your problems? Maybe any motor could cause this problem.

Seems like we just went through how people post in a previous thread. Isn't it possible to post exactly the same information and questions without making sweeping , damning generalizations like

"Why all vibrating adapters suck on tripod with small cameras".

Its just bad net manners. Sorry to be a prude but it matters how discussions are held here and affects whether many people post at all esp manufacturers. It gets nasty too easily and has driven people off in the past. Think twice before posting though I do understand your frustration and it is a serious post.
 
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Patryk_Rebisz said:
I really feel we are screwing ourselves with vibrating adapters.
Click to expand...

Have you tried contacting Letus to see if they have any advice on how to correct the problem? It seems several people has all suggested that there might be a problem with the speed or power of the motor's oscillation, but you seem to just want to dismiss these suggestions and blame the problem on "all" vibrating adapters.

As I said on HV20.com, I have two Brevis units and neither have any problems being using on a tripod, so again I will say it. There is no reason to make these broad statements on several boards about how "all" vibrating adapters have this problem just because yours is having this problem.
 
Yes, i have and their suggestion was to add a counter weight to the motor's weight. Not the most scientific approach but i would accept it if it worked while in reality all it does is mask the issue (as the wobbling is just less apparent even though it's still there). Having struggled with the issue for quite some time i can jump to the conclusion that the principle behind the vibrating adapter is simply wrong from the start. Yes, i could have used less "trashy" title but that doesn't change the fact that to have an adapter that's operating procedure is to cause micro-vibration is just to ask for trouble. ANd yes, maybe you are the lucky one that avoided those troubles (or i'm the unlucky one that didn't) but it's a general warning for all people out there looking for an adapter to buy. Just because there are so many vibrating models doesn't mean those people have actually figured out the quirks.
 
So did you buy the adapter new or used? If it was used, maybe there was damage from the previous owner? If it was new and you've always had this problem with using it on a tripod, then why didn't you return it for them to repair or refund your money?

To say vibration is a flawed design because your particular adapter doesn't work properly and making sweeping generalizations, claiming that all vibrating adapters have these problems is just sensationalizing your situation.

It would be like someone saying "The internal combustion engine is a flawed design because my car broke down."
 
Exactly, there are Letus Mini users out there who had used the HV20 with no trouble, and also Brevis owners. If your adapter happens to have problem, chances are that its a problem with that particular unit and not with the adapter design. Think about it, why would Letus and Cinevate shoot themselves in the foot by releasing something that doesn't work? In Letus' case, the Mini model is made specifically for the HV20, so they'll look pretty stupid if the product doesn't actually work.

Send it back to Letus, get it fixed. The repair fee is minimal and turn around time is just a couple of days.
 
What about the whole system stability? i mean tripod legs, head, rails? How does it look like? a picture please ?
 
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