User Manual

120EX Fluid Pan & Tilt Head

Stability

Use the mid-level or floor spreader to ensure that the tripod legs are spread sufficiently so that

the center of gravity of the tilted payload remains within the footprint of the tripod.

Balancing the head

Make sure that the head is level before balancing. Check the bubble level to verify that the head

itself is level and make sure that the platform is also level.

Balancing the 120EX head achieves two objectives. First, when a head is correctly balanced the

operator will need a minimum amount of effort to move the head. Second, once balanced, the

head and its payload can be set to any tilt position and the head will maintain this position with

'hands off'.

The chart below shows the range of load and C of G heights that can be maintained in balance.

The area between the min. and 90° lines (shaded white) corresponds to load/C of G

combinations that can be balanced over the full tilt range of ±90°. The area to the right of the 90°

line (shaded grey) corresponds to the progressively reducing tilt range with greater load and

higher C of G combinations.

Warning!

When mounting the head on a tripod, it is possible to set the tripod legs so

that the center of gravity of the tilted payload falls outside the footprint of the

tripod, leading to instability.

NOTE: It is important that the handle(s) and all camera accessories (lens, zoom and

focus controls, viewfinder, prompter etc.) are fitted in their operational position

before balancing the head. Any equipment fitted or adjusted later can

unbalance the head.

Figure 4 120EX Pan & Tilt Head - balance graph