Pan & Tilt Head Operators Guide Vector 450 Vinten Camera Control Solutions
Vision 450 Pan and Tilt Head Publication Part No. 3805-8 Issue 1 Copyright © Vinten Broadcast Limited 2004 All rights reserved throughout the world. No part of this document may be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, copied or reproduced in any way including, but not limited to, photocopy, photograph, magnetic or other record without the prior agreement and permission in writing of Vinten Broadcast Limited. Vinten, Vector, QuickFit and Quickfix are registered trademarks of Vinten Broadcast Limited.
Safety - read this first Warning Symbols in this Operators Guide Where there is a risk of personal injury, injury to others, or damage to the pan and tilt head or associated equipment, comments appear, highlighted by the word WARNING! and supported by the warning triangle symbol. Technical data Weight 15 kg (33 lb) Height to wedge adaptor mounting face 24.8 cm (11.3 in.) Length 22.5 cm (8.9 in.) Width 34.2 cm (13.5 in.
Contents Page Safety - read this first . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Further information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(19) (1) (18) (2) (17) (3) (16) (4) (15) (5) (14) (6) (13) (7) (12) (8) (11) (10) (9) Vision 450 (Right-Hand Side, with Spherical Base) (1) Camera wedge (2) EFP Quickfit adaptor (3) Quickfit adaptor safety lock plate (4) Quickfit adaptor lock bar (5) Sliding plate adjustment handle (6) Carrying handle (7) Centre lock plunger (8) Balance knob (9) Tilt brake lever (10) Pan brake lever (11) Bowl clamp 5
(12) 150 mm spherical base (13) Illuminated level bubble (14) Timer button (15) Digital display (16) Illumination button (17) Centre lock release lever (18) Quickfit adaptor mounting screws (19) Camera fixing screws 6
(20) (27) (21) (26) (22) (25) (23) (24) Vision 450 (Left-Hand Side, with Flat Base) (20) Sliding plate clamp lever (21) Pan bar mounting (22) Tilt drag adjustment knob (23) Pan drag adjustment knob (24) Mitchell adaptor key way (25) Four-hole mounting plate (26) Battery cover (27) Graduated sliding plate 7
Introduction The Vector 450 pan and tilt head embodies a unique and patented spring counterbalancing mechanism, thin film (TF) drag assemblies for pan and tilt motions and an adjustable camera mounting plate. Perfect balance The spring counterbalancing mechanism comprises four springs operating against a three-dimensional cam connected to the camera mounting platform.
Where a load/C of G combination falls outside of the graph it will be necessary to increase or decrease the weight or the C of G height - if possible - to enable the head to balance the load. A digital display (15) indicates the setting of the balance mechanism on a scale of 0-100. The display is active when the balance knob (8) is turned and extinguishes automatically approximately 15 seconds after adjustments are complete. The display may be lit by pressing the illumination button (16).
Flat base The flat base is has a standard Vinten four-hole mounting plate (25), which includes a `Quickfix' mounting and provision for a Mitchell adaptor (24). Carrying handle A retractable carrying handle (6) is provided on the right-hand side of the head. The handle is spring-loaded to the closed position. Electronic unit An electronic unit is fitted to the rear of the head, powered by a battery housed in a compartment (26) in the base of the head.
Operation Installing the head WARNING! If using lifting equipment to raise or lower the head, use slings or straps. DO NOT use shackles. Ensure that slings or straps are securely attached to the head. A suitable lifting point is at the rear of the platform, accessed by moving the sliding plate (27) to the fully forward position. DO NOT attach lifting slings or straps to the carrying handle.
Ensure that the centre lock (7) is engaged (see Locking the platform on page 13). Insert the forward edge of the camera wedge (1) into the Quickfit adaptor. Push the wedge down until the lock bar (4) clicks out. Slide the safety lock plate (3) backwards to hold the lock bar (4) in position. Install the remainder of the payload (lens, zoom and focus controls, viewfinder, prompter etc).
Release the sliding plate clamp (20) and pull out the sliding plate adjustment knob (5) until it engages with the platform drive. Turn the knob to move the sliding plate fore and aft to achieve horizontal balance. NOTE: The sliding plate is graduated to facilitate balancing. If the balance setting of the payload is known, turn the knob until that setting is reached. The horizontal balance is correct when no perceptible tilting force can be felt on the pan bar with the platform level.
Pan and tilt brakes The pan (10) and tilt brakes (9) are operated by levers on the right of the head. The brakes are applied by pushing the appropriate lever down and released by pulling the lever up. The brakes should be applied whenever the camera is left unattended. Pan and tilt drag Both the pan and tilt mechanisms incorporate the Vinten thin film (TF) system to ensure smooth movement of the camera about these axes and are fitted with control knobs to adjust the drag setting.
Digital display The digital display (15) comprises a two-row LCD display. It has three modes of operation, selected by the buttons (14)(16). The display may be illuminated by pressing the illumination button (16). Clock and stopwatch The top row of the display is a 24-hour clock (15.1), which is always visible. This is the default mode. The bottom row is a stopwatch, counting in seconds and minutes from 00:00 to 59:59. To set the clock: Press both buttons (14)(16) momentarily. The hours display will flash.
Calibration This mode allows the balance display to be calibrated (see Balance mechanism digital display calibration on page 19). It is activated by pressing and holding both buttons (14)(16) for five seconds. Low battery The low battery indicator (15.2) will flash whenever the battery requires replacement (see Electronic unit battery replacement on page 18).
Servicing General The Vector 450 pan and tilt head is robustly made to high engineering standards and little attention is required to maintain serviceability save regular cleaning. Refer to the appropriate section in the Maintenance Manual if any defect is apparent. Adjustments and repairs should be carried out only by a competent person. Routine maintenance Replace the electronic unit battery whenever the low battery indicator flashes.
Electronic unit battery replacement The battery powers the digital display and illuminates the LCD, the level bubble and the drag knob scales. The battery should be replaced whenever the low battery indicator flashes. NOTE: Removal of the battery will not affect the calibration of the balance mechanism display. Prise out the battery cover (26). Pull the battery (26.1) out of the battery compartment as far as the wiring will allow. Pull the connector (26.
Balance mechanism digital display calibration The digital display (15) indicates the setting of the balance mechanism on a scale of 0 (minimum setting) to 100 (maximum setting). In the unlikely event of this system requiring calibration, proceed as follows: NOTE: If more than five minutes is allowed to elapse before completion, the system will shut down and revert to its previous settings. Level the platform and apply centre lock (7).
Converting the base Spares kits are available to convert the head from ball base to flat base versions and vice versa. Kit 3805-900SP comprises a ball base, bowl clamp and fixing hardware; while kit 3805-901SP has a flat base, mounting bolts and washers, a spanner and fixing hardware. To change the base: Remove the payload, then remove the head from its mounting. On the base, remove eight screws (12.1) and separate the base (12) from the head.
Adjustments To enable the payload to be correctly balanced, the EFP Quickfix adaptor may require repositioning. The following adjustments may be necessary after prolonged use: The platform slide clamp may require adjustment. The pan and tilt brakes may require adjustment. Repositioning the EFP Quickfit adaptor The EFP Quickfit adaptor (2) is secured by six screws (18) which pass through the adaptor into the sliding plate (27). The EFP Quickfit adaptor may be fitted in three positions.
Platform slide clamp adjustment The platform slide clamp should be set so that, in the up or clamped position it prevents the platform slide from being moved, while in the down or released position it allows free adjustment of the slide. To adjust the clamp, proceed as follows: Pull the slide clamp lever (20) fully upwards. Slacken the clamp screw (20.2). Turn the slotted shaft (20.1) fully clockwise to apply the clamp. Tighten the clamp screw (20.2).
Parts List The following list includes the main assemblies, user-replaceable spare parts and optional accessories. For further information regarding repair or spare parts, please contact Vinten Broadcast Limited or your local distributor. For information on-line, visit our website at www.vinten.
