Introduction; Perfect Balance; Tf Drag; Pan And Tilt Brakes - Vinten Vector 950 OE Guide De L'utilisateur

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Introduction

The Vector 950 OE (Fig 1 and Fig 2) combines a manually-operated pan and tilt head with electronic en-
coders to provide precise real-time digital electronic positioning, which, when combined with an 'Active' Se-
rial Box and an appropriate lens, greatly reduces unwanted image movement from a shot.
The Vector 950 OE pan and tilt head also embodies a unique and patented spring counterbalancing mech-
anism, 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. The balance mechanism is adjusted by a knob (5), situ-
ated on the right front lower part of the main body, which varies the mechanical advantage between the
cam and the springs. The knob has a 'push in and turn' action and is fitted with a clutch to prevent inad-
vertent damage to the balance mechanism.
Maximum and minimum payloads that can be balanced, and tilt ranges, are dependent on the weight of
the camera and accessories and on the centre of gravity (C of G) height.
The graph (Fig 3) shows the range of load and C of G height that can be maintained in balance. The shaded
area of graph corresponds to those load/C of G combinations that can be balanced over the full tilt range.
The area to the right indicate the progressively reducing tilt range with greater load and higher
C of G.
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 (11) indicates the setting of the balance mechanism on a scale of 0-100. The display is
active when the balance knob (5) is turned and extinguishes automatically approximately 15 seconds after
adjustments are complete. The display may be lit by pressing the illumination button (12). The battery for
the system is housed in a compartment in the base of the head, closed by a cover (20).

TF 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 (18), (19) to adjust the drag setting. The
whip-pan facility is unaffected by the pan drag setting. Both drag knobs are provided with scales illuminated
by the button (12). The lights will go out after approximately 15 seconds.

Pan and tilt brakes

Friction brakes on each axis allow the head to be locked at any chosen position. The operating levers for
both brakes (6), (7) are located side-by-side on the right-hand side of the head.

Centre lock

A centre lock (4) allows the head to be locked in the horizontal position.

Illuminated level bubble

A level bubble (9), illuminated by pressing the illumination button (12), is fitted to the rear of the head. The
same button also illuminates the pan and tilt drag knob scales and the LCD display. The light will go out
after approximately 15 seconds.

Pan bar

Pan bar mounting points (17) are located at the rear of the head, on either side of the camera mounting
platform. A telescopic pan bar is supplied and is attached using a pan bar clamp, with angular adjustment
available on the mount serrations. A second pan bar may be fitted.
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