O'connor 1030 counter balance question at DVinfo.net

Joe Thatcher · March 15th, 2007, 12:41 PM

Hello thanks for looking, I just got an o'connor 1030 and I think my counter balance adjustment is broken. I was wondering what excactly this feature does and what the counter balance range is in pounds? Will I be able to balance a 12 pound camera with this head or not? Any info on this head would be much appreciated thanks.

Joe

Tim Le · March 16th, 2007, 11:56 AM

The counterbalance feature allows the head to remain stationary when you tilt the camera up or down, even with the drag off. I assume you have the 1030B and not the 1030S. If so, the maximum payload the head will balance is 39 lbs at 4" CG, 30 lbs at 6" and 24 lbs at 8". AFAIK, the minimum payload is close to zero. So your 12 lb camera should work. Note you have to spin the counterbalance dial numerous times to move from zero to maximum. That dial is driving a fine thread jack screw that moves up and down inside the counterbalance mechanism.

Joe Thatcher · March 16th, 2007, 05:19 PM

Thanks tim, I don't know if its because the head is so old or what but its extremely difficult to turn the counter balance dial and after turning it 2 or 3 times all the way around it got harder and harder to turn and I didn't notice any real change in the heads counter balance so I just thought it was broken. Well I decided to give it another try today and after 30 minutes of turning it about a 1/4 turn then resting my fingers for a bit then tilting the head back and forth then turning the dial again I finally got it down to where I needed it. Thank you Tim for the reply it gave me some reassurance that I was suppose to turn it as much as I did even though it probably wasn't suppose to be as hard to turn as it was but all I care about is that it works now and so far I love this head very smooth a big step up from my 503. thanks

March 15th, 2007, 12:41 PM	#1
Joe Thatcher Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Pima, AZ Posts: 70	O'connor 1030 counter balance question Hello thanks for looking, I just got an o'connor 1030 and I think my counter balance adjustment is broken. I was wondering what excactly this feature does and what the counter balance range is in pounds? Will I be able to balance a 12 pound camera with this head or not? Any info on this head would be much appreciated thanks. Joe

March 16th, 2007, 11:56 AM	#2
Tim Le Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 350	The counterbalance feature allows the head to remain stationary when you tilt the camera up or down, even with the drag off. I assume you have the 1030B and not the 1030S. If so, the maximum payload the head will balance is 39 lbs at 4" CG, 30 lbs at 6" and 24 lbs at 8". AFAIK, the minimum payload is close to zero. So your 12 lb camera should work. Note you have to spin the counterbalance dial numerous times to move from zero to maximum. That dial is driving a fine thread jack screw that moves up and down inside the counterbalance mechanism.

March 16th, 2007, 05:19 PM	#3
Joe Thatcher Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Pima, AZ Posts: 70	Thanks tim, I don't know if its because the head is so old or what but its extremely difficult to turn the counter balance dial and after turning it 2 or 3 times all the way around it got harder and harder to turn and I didn't notice any real change in the heads counter balance so I just thought it was broken. Well I decided to give it another try today and after 30 minutes of turning it about a 1/4 turn then resting my fingers for a bit then tilting the head back and forth then turning the dial again I finally got it down to where I needed it. Thank you Tim for the reply it gave me some reassurance that I was suppose to turn it as much as I did even though it probably wasn't suppose to be as hard to turn as it was but all I care about is that it works now and so far I love this head very smooth a big step up from my 503. thanks