Varizoom Flowpod...Any owners yet?

Charles Papert · October 6th, 2003, 07:28 AM

I think the things you guys are finding in your photography that seem to be the result of using the OIS--probably are. It's mostly noticeable on pans.

Yow, have you checked the drop time (regular readers of my posts that revolve around pendulum-type issues probably guessed this one by now)? This requires turning the rig to fully horizontal, then allowing it to fall back to a vertical position, and counting how long it takes to do so. It should be between 2 and 3 seconds. If it falls much faster, you have too much bottom weight, and this will cause the rig to swing out going around turns more than usual. This is top-to-bottom balance, every bit as important as side-to-side and fore-and-aft. The nice thing is that you don't normally have to trim it the way you do with the other two axes, it's mostly a set-and-forget operation. Give that a try!

Yow Siang · October 6th, 2003, 09:04 AM

thanks charles for your advice. do you have any advice on controling zoom when using flowpod? or we are not suppose to use zoom at all during flowpod use..?

us

Dave Largent · October 6th, 2003, 09:17 AM

Charles has said before that you "zoom with your feet" -- which means you don't use the camera's zoom but instead just have to walk closer to the subject.

Yow Siang · October 6th, 2003, 06:43 PM

thanks for all your advice.. am quite getting the hang of it now.
thanks.

Bob Harotunian · October 24th, 2003, 10:23 AM

I tried the FlowPod soon after it became available. I thought it was a great concept and tried it but eventually sent it back. First problem came when I couldn't get it to safely balance with a GL2 equipped with a wide angle lens. The extra front weight of the camera required the plate to be set to far back and it did not look secure. Also, if I remember correctly, I had to use all of the weights making the thing totally unwieldly and heavy. It may be okay for a very light camera but I couldn't imagine working with it without severe arm fatigue.
Bob

Rob Easler · October 24th, 2003, 02:23 PM

It works great for me with the GL2 and balances easily with 2 of the weights, but I have not tried it with the WD58 on it.

Yow Siang · October 24th, 2003, 03:45 PM

i use only one weight infact with a vitacom. 0.5X wide angle lens and it balances very well.
Maybe you could try using a different screw slot. so the camera will not be set to far back.

ys

October 6th, 2003, 07:28 AM	#31
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	I think the things you guys are finding in your photography that seem to be the result of using the OIS--probably are. It's mostly noticeable on pans. Yow, have you checked the drop time (regular readers of my posts that revolve around pendulum-type issues probably guessed this one by now)? This requires turning the rig to fully horizontal, then allowing it to fall back to a vertical position, and counting how long it takes to do so. It should be between 2 and 3 seconds. If it falls much faster, you have too much bottom weight, and this will cause the rig to swing out going around turns more than usual. This is top-to-bottom balance, every bit as important as side-to-side and fore-and-aft. The nice thing is that you don't normally have to trim it the way you do with the other two axes, it's mostly a set-and-forget operation. Give that a try! __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

October 6th, 2003, 06:43 PM	#34
Yow Siang Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 153	thanks thanks for all your advice.. am quite getting the hang of it now. thanks.

October 6th, 2003, 09:04 AM	#32
Yow Siang Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 153	thanks charles for your advice. do you have any advice on controling zoom when using flowpod? or we are not suppose to use zoom at all during flowpod use..? us

October 6th, 2003, 09:17 AM	#33
Dave Largent Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,483	Charles has said before that you "zoom with your feet" -- which means you don't use the camera's zoom but instead just have to walk closer to the subject.

October 24th, 2003, 10:23 AM	#35
Bob Harotunian Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 360	I tried the FlowPod soon after it became available. I thought it was a great concept and tried it but eventually sent it back. First problem came when I couldn't get it to safely balance with a GL2 equipped with a wide angle lens. The extra front weight of the camera required the plate to be set to far back and it did not look secure. Also, if I remember correctly, I had to use all of the weights making the thing totally unwieldly and heavy. It may be okay for a very light camera but I couldn't imagine working with it without severe arm fatigue. Bob

October 24th, 2003, 02:23 PM	#36
Rob Easler Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 219	It works great for me with the GL2 and balances easily with 2 of the weights, but I have not tried it with the WD58 on it.

October 24th, 2003, 03:45 PM	#37
Yow Siang Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 153	i use only one weight infact with a vitacom. 0.5X wide angle lens and it balances very well. Maybe you could try using a different screw slot. so the camera will not be set to far back. ys