FREEWAVE ORBIT MOTORIZED PAN HEAD WITH REMOTE User Manual
THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING VELLO The Vello FreeWave Orbit is a programmable motorized pan head that allows you to capture full 360° panorama pictures for photo stitching as well as still or moving product photography. You can adjust degree angles, number of shots, panning speeds, and direction of your panoramic photos. Your camera attaches securely to the Orbit’s 1/4"-20 camera mount and is easily affixed to most tripods with 3/8"-16 or 1/4"-20 mounting options.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Precautions ���������������������������������� 4 Connecting a Camera �������������12 Using the Remote ��������������������20 Contents �������������������������������������� 6 LCD Overview �������������������������13 Product Photography ��������������23 Overview ������������������������������������� 7 Menu Settings ���������������������������14 FCC Compliance ���������������������24 Charging the Battery ����������������� 8 Moving Mode ����������������������������14 Specifications
PRECAUTIONS • Please read full manual before using device. • Do not disassemble or modify this device. • Should the product break open due to accidental damage, remove the batteries and send it to an authorized repair center. • Keep dry. Do not handle with wet hands, immerse in water, or expose to rain or snow. 4 • Do not use in the presence of flammable gases. Failure to observe this precaution could result in fire or explosion. • Keep out of the reach of children.
• Use only the batteries listed in this manual. Do not mix new and old batteries or different brands or types of batteries. • Batteries may leak when fully discharged. To avoid damage to the product, be sure to remove the batteries if the product will not be used for an extended period of time or if the battery power is low. • Do not attempt to shortcircuit or disassemble batteries. • Do not put batteries in a fire or apply direct heat to them.
CONTENTS • Vello FreeWave Orbit • Remote • EN-EL3e rechargeable battery • Shutter release cables: 2.5 mm to 10-pin 2.5 mm to 2.5 mm 2.5 mm to 3-pin 2.
OVERVIEW 1. 1/4"-20 camera mount 2. Locking wheel 3. Mode Button 4. / Back Button 5. Power switch 6. TFT LCD screen 7. Nonslip camera pads 8. / + Button 9. / − Button 10. Select Button 11. Menu / Set Button 12. Battery compartment 13. Motorized panning base 14. USB interface 15. Shutter trigger port 16.
CHARGING THE BATTERY 1. Align the EN-EL3e rechargeable battery's contacts with those on the EN-EL3e battery charger. 2. Slide the battery into the charger so it locks in place. 3. Flip out the foldable plug, and connect the charger to a power outlet. A red indicator light will glow while charging. When the battery is charged, the indicator light will turn solid green.
INSTALLING THE BATTERIES Orbit 1. Slide the battery compartment latch in the direction of the arrow, and open the battery compartment door. Note: When the Orbit’s battery level is low, it is indicated on the LCD screen. 2. Insert the battery, with the contacts matching those inside the battery compartment. 3. Close the battery compartment door until it clicks.
Remote 1. Open the battery compartment door by sliding the cover in the direction of the arrow. 2. Insert two AA batteries matching the visual battery guide on the inside of the battery compartment. 3. Close the battery compartment door by sliding it back into place until it clicks.
MOUNTING THE ORBIT The Vello FreeWave Orbit can be mounted to any 3/8"-16 or 1/4"-20 mounting stud. 1. Screw the tripod’s mounting stud into the threaded mount on the bottom of the Orbit. If you need to mount to a 3/8"-16 stud, remove the 1/4"-20 reducer bushing. 2. Use your tripod’s locking mechanism to secure the Orbit to the mount.
CONNECTING A CAMERA 1. Make sure your camera and the Orbit are turned off, and then seat the camera’s tripod mount onto the 1/4"-20 camera mount of the Orbit. 2. Turn the locking wheel counterclockwise until the camera is secure. 12 3. Use the appropriate shutter release cable to connect the Orbit’s shutter trigger port to your camera’s remote port. 4. Turn the Orbit and your camera on.
LCD OVERVIEW 1. Operation mode (Moving or 360° Panorama) 2. Panning direction 3. Panning angle 4. Number of shots (Moving Mode only) 5. Panning speed 6. Wireless remote channel 7. Number of shots taken/ total number of shots 8. Operation status 9. Camera triggering status 10. Sound: On/Off 11.
MENU SETTINGS MOVING MODE You can access the panning mode settings and system settings menu. Moving Mode allows you to take a series of photos for panoramic stitching, and set an angle of view less than 360°. For example, you can capture just a cityscape panorama, and not what's behind you, by setting the Moving Mode to capture only 180° angle of view. To navigate the menus: • Menu/Set: Enters menu and confirms changes. • Select: Selects menus or highlights settings to adjust.
1. Angle: panning angle from 5°–360°, in 5° increments. 2. Shots: number of shots (1–200) 3. Motor direction: direction of panning (clockwise or counterclockwise) 4. Motor speed: speed of the panning head (1–3, from fastest to slowest) 5. Shutter: control the length of time the shutter is open (1–99 sec., for exposures longer than 1 sec. set your camera to bulb mode and set the Shutter value on the Orbit.) 6.
360° PANORAMA 360° Panorama mode allows you to take photos for panoramic stitching with a full 360°angle of view. This angle is divided by the number of shots (see table 1a). For example, if you set the Orbit to three shots, it will take a shot every 120° until it completes the 360°. Same for eight shots, one shot every 45°. A smaller number of shots are good for still product photography where you might want to capture different angles.
1. Shots: number of shots (3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 36, 45, 60, 72) 2. Motor direction: direction of panning (clockwise or counterclockwise) 3. Motor speed: speed of the panning head (1–3, from fastest to slowest) 4. Shutter: control the length of time the shutter is open (1–99 sec., for exposures longer than 1 sec. set your camera to bulb mode and set the Shutter value on the Orbit.) 5.
SYSTEM SETTINGS 1. Press and hold the Menu button until the Menu screen appears. 2. Press the Select button repeatedly to highlight Settings. 3. Press the Set button to enter settings. 18 4. Press the Select button to highlight the settings to adjust. Use the (+) and (−) buttons to change the values. 5. Press and hold the Set button to confirm changes.
1. Buzzer: A beep will signify any altering of settings or the end of the panning cycle (on or off). 2. Reset: Resets the Orbit to its original settings (on or off). 3. Language: English. 4. Version: The Orbit’s current firmware version.
USING THE REMOTE Overview 1. LED indicators 2. Display 3. Button 4. + Button 5. Menu / Set Button 6. Button 7. − Button 8. Mode Button 9. Button 10. Trigger output port 11. Power switch 12. Locking wheel 13. Mounting foot 14.
Use the remote to wirelessly access the Vello FreeWave Orbit’s panning modes and settings from up to 100' (30 m) away. It has a Ready Mode to run the Orbit in Moving Mode or 360° Panorama, or a Settings Edit Mode for adjusting the angle degrees, number of shots, and panning speeds. Remote Navigation • Mode Button: Changes between Moving Mode and 360° Panorama (indicated by the green light). • Button: Starts and pauses the Panning Mode cycle.
• + and − Buttons: Press once to increase or decrease the value of the selected setting. • Wireless Channel: 1–16. • Speed: Speed of the panning head (1–3, from fastest to slowest). • Shots: 1–99 (Moving Mode only). You can set 1–200 shots from the Orbits’ menu. See table 1a for 360° Panorama. 22 • Angle: 1–72 in 5° increments (Moving Mode only). This will appear as numbers 1–72 on the remote, and in degrees on the Orbit's LCD.
PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY The Orbit’s 8" product plate (available separately or in a kit) allows you to capture stills or add 360° moving imagery to products on display such as jewelry or mobile electronics. 1. Attach and secure your camera to a tripod. 2. Attach the Orbit remote to the camera’s hot shoe via the remote's mounting foot, and secure it with the locking wheel. 3. Use a compatible shutter release cable to connect your camera to the trigger output port on the Orbit remote. 4.
FCC COMPLIANCE 6. Align the threaded 1/4"-20 socket on the bottom of the product plate with the Orbit’s 1/4"-20 camera mount. 7. Rotate the product stage counterclockwise until secure. 8. Press the Button to start the panning cycle. Note: for best results, use manual focus and prefocus on your subject. 24 This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and 2.
SPECIFICATIONS Maximum remote range 100' (30 m) Mounting 3/8"-16, 1/4"-20 with reducer bushing Camera mount 1/4"-20 Ports 2.5 mm trigger output USB Mini-B (for firmware upgrades) Frequency 2.4 GHz Wireless channels 16 Panning speeds 1, 2, 3 Number of shots 1–200 (1–99 with remote) Operation time 500 rotations @ speed level 1 Power Orbit: EN-EL3e 7.4 V rechargeable Remote: 1500 mAh lithium battery Remote power 2 × AAA batteries Dimensions (W × H × D) 5.1" × 2.6" × 4.7" (13.1 × 6.
ONE-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY This VELLO product is warranted to the original purchaser to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal consumer use for a period of one (1) year from the original purchase date or thirty (30) days after replacement, whichever occurs later.
To obtain warranty coverage, contact the Vello Customer Service Department to obtain a return merchandise authorization (“RMA”) number, and return the defective product to Vello along with the RMA number and proof of purchase. Shipment of the defective product is at the purchaser’s own risk and expense. For more information or to arrange service, visit www.vellogear. com or call Customer Service at 212-594-2353. Product warranty provided by the Gradus Group. www.gradusgroup.
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