Owner`s manual
10
Attaching the
Camera
Attaching the camera to the sled
We attach the camera to the sled via a dovetail plate. With the Zephyr
™
stabilizer,
this plate has safety stops on the ends, and several holes for mounting screws. We
want to attach the dovetail to the camera so that we have the widest possible range of
adjustment, both fore-aft and side to side.
We start this process by nding the
camera’s center of gravity (c.g.) or
balance point, then properly position the
dovetail plate relative to the camera’s c.g.
Finding the camera’s c.g.:
• If you like, remove the battery from
your camera if it has an auxiliary
power input, either 12 or 24 volts.
With a very heavy camera (15+
pounds/6.8kg or so), this is a good
idea, but it’s not necessary or
advisable with a very light camera.
• Attach all accessories, matte boxes,
obie lights, etc. and load the tape
or lm. If the camera has a quick-
release plate (tripod adaptor), leave
it on the camera.
• Balance the camera fore-aft on a
rod or pencil (as shown) and mark
the balance point with a piece of
tape.
• Repeat for side to side.
Attaching the dovetail plate:
• Examine the dovetail. Turn it over to
locate the three rows of large and
small slots, and the stops.
• Remove the screws that are stored
at the front of the dovetail.
• Place the dovetail against the
bottom of the camera (or quick
release plate) and move the dovetail
fore-aft until the second slot from
the rear is over the camera’s c.g.
This position is not intuitive, so
pay close attention to this detail.
• Now move the dovetail as little as
possible until one or more screw
holes are accessible. Choose
holes as far apart as possible for
maximum stability.
• Insert the screws and tighten with a
screwdriver.
Finding the camera’s side to
side center of gravity.
Finding the camera’s fore-aft
center of gravity.