Owner`s manual
22
Basic Operating
Hand grips
The two-handed technique was invented
by Garrett Brown while working on The
Shining, and it has been the preferred
method of operating ever since.
Basically, the right hand does the work
of positioning the sled in space (moving
horizontally and vertically relative to the
body), and the left hand aims the sled
(and therefore the camera) by panning
and tilting.
If the sled is properly balanced, very little
force will be needed to aim the camera.
Clenching the center post or gimbal hard
will counteract the sled’s “oat.” Light
control is the key to a steady camera and
smooth moves.
The left hand also has the interesting job
of keeping the sled level as we move
about. As we accelerate or decelerate,
go around corners, etc., the left hand
must prevent the sled from going off-
level before it happens. One of the big
operating skills is anticipating how the
sled will behave as we move along. There
are several classic “grips” we use to aim
and control the sled.
Finding your grip
• Grab the center post with your left
hand just below the gimbal. All
ve ngers should be LIGHTLY in
contact with the post, but this isn’t
a tea party. Don’t just use your
ngertips – wrap you ngers a bit
around the post.
• The right hand ne tunes the
position of the sled, moving it side
to side or closer to or farther from
your body, and booms the arm
up and down. It also has the job
of eliminating the bounce of the
springs – i.e., preventing unwanted
up and down movements as you
move along.
• Grab the gimbal handle with your
right hand.
• Make sure that this hand does not
cross the bearing and touch any
part of the Y-shaped yoke, as this
will inuence the aiming of the sled.
The preferred grip, using the
pinkie nger to prevent a
pendulum effect.
Also used, the full hand grip: all
ngers surround the post with
a light touch.