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Why is balance important?

Imagine the scenario: a person holds a weight at shoulder height with their arm bent and close to their body; the further they extend their arm fromtheir elbow, the harder it becomes to support the weight.

Why? The weight does not become heavier but the amount of effort (torque) required to support the weight increases as the weight ismoved further from the elbow (pivot point).

This explanation is also true for a camera that is tilted. The further it is tilted fromthe horizontal, the more torque is required to prevent the camera falling.

This torque is produced by the pan and tilt head’s counterbalance system. If it does not match the camera weight and angle exactly the camera will either fall away or return to centre.

Why is Perfect Balance the best solution?

Most manufacturers offer counterbalance systems that cannot produce the exact amount of torque required. Figure 1 shows that the amount of torque required as a result of tilting the camera has a precise but non-linear pattern. This means that the out of balance effect is most prominent on heads manufactured with linear counterbalance systems.

Even where a manufacturer has included continuously variable counterbalance, if it is only approximate the camera will not be completely controlled throughout the tilt range of the head (see Fig.2).

This explanation is also true for a camera that is tilted. The further it is tilted fromthe horizontal, the more torque is required to prevent the camera falling.

This torque is produced by the pan and tilt head’s counterbalance system. If it does not match the camera weight and angle exactly the camera will either fall away or return to centre.

The Vinten Perfect Balance system is easy to set and offers infinite adjustment, providing precisely the right amount of torque necessary to counterbalance the camera throughout the head’s tilt range.

Minimal effort is required to move the camera; the camera operator can even go hands-free. Vinten’s infinite adjustment allows exactly the right amount of torque to be generated at whatever angle the camera is positioned. Compensating for the effect of gravity, Vinten’s Perfect Balance makes the camera appear weightless in the hands of the camera operator. And, as it balances perfectly the drag control can be used for what it is intended to do: shot framing and control, rather than helping to balance the camera.

This means:

  • Consistent movement and easy positioning of the camera at any angle
  • Perfect shots captured with minimal effort
  • Physical strain eliminated; easy to work longer
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