Question on the Principles of Balance for different cameras & the GUI

Hi there,

So I have my first shoot with my MoVI next week, and the client would like to see a camera test. I currently only have access to a Canon 7D, and will be shooting on the Red Epic next week.

I've shot a few camera tests with the Canon 7D with the MoVIs default settings, and the footage does appear a little wobbly, like it's not translating the motion that well. I figure the principles are the same with the steadicam? The heavier the equipment, the greater the center of balance, the smoother the footage?

However, since the MoVI is actively stabilized using the 3-Axis motors, and since these stiffness and looseness of these motors is set inside the GUI, I'm assuming that in order to achieve smoother footage, I'll need to stiffen or loosen the Pan, Tilt and Roll motors differently for each camera. Right?

So two questions - First, in terms of the Majestic Configuration, does increasing the Value of the smoothing tighten or loosen it? I'm just trying to understand the relationship between the Values in the GUI under Majestic Config as they relate to the MoVIs ability to translate motion properly in order to counter the motion of the operator.

Second, does anyone have some general guidleines from expierence as to what a good range is for something as simple as a 7D only weighing about 2.4lbs? Do you have a good range for the Red Epic with Wireless FF setup and lens coming in around 10-12lbs?

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!

Nick

 

Hi Chris,

So I toyed with it a bit and I may have gotten a few things mixed up, here is the issue I'm facing and the question.

I was adjusting the Values in the Majestic Config tab, but it looks like what I wanted to adjust was under the Tuning tab. I noticed that my horizon wasn't even when I was playing back the footage, and I checked the balance of the camera on the gimbal to make sure it was spot on. The camera was good, so the assumption I made was that the motors may be a little to stiff or tight, which may be resulting in a rocking image. I initially adjusted the settings under Majestic Config Tab, but that was probably a mistake, right? Are my following assumptions correct:

1. Adjusting the Stiffness under the Tuning Tab will adjust the stiffness or looseness of the Pan, Tilt and Roll motors, which you want to adjust to help the computer compensate for translating the motion of the camera. i.e., if the tuning is either too loose or too stiff under these settings, it will result in more of a rocking (loose) or shaky handheld (stiff) look rather than a properly smooth image with an even horizon (I know the other factor is the smoothness of the operator and his/her ability to translate the vertical motion of the steps he/she is taking).

2. Does adjusting the Value from 10-20 stiffen the motor or loosen it?

3. Under the Majestic Config Tab, the changing the Pan/Tilt smoothing adjusts the rate and smoothness at which the Pan/Tilt bevels in or out of a position on the gimbal. I think I understand what the Pan/Tilt Smoothing adjusts, but I'm a little confused as to what the Pan/Tilt Window adjusts.

Basically this is all about understanding how to setup the MoVI to achieve an "even horizon", without, of course, taking into account the skill of the operator.

Thanks in advance.

Nick

 

Hey Gary,

I have only had the chance to get through some of the setup videos, which was probably my primary mistake. The process for setting up the MoVI and balancing it does make sense now, my initial questions were based off of some misconceptions and incorrect assumptions about how the MoVI balances the camera and translates the motion. The long and short of it is that I took the advice of yourself, Chris and Justin (thanks guys!) and brought the gimbal settings to the point where they were osciliating and then backed them off a bit. I do have one follow up questions here:

I noticed that the MoVI does make a bit of a grinding/hissing sound when I back off the motors after they start osciliating. So for example, my Pan Stiffness would start oscillating around 110. It would stop oscillating but continue to make a hissing sound down to about 80, and then went mostly silent around 70. I remember seeing some videos on Youtube with Tabb and Vincent Laforet where they said the MoVI was "virtually silent", does this mean I should back the stiffness on my Pan, Tilt, Roll off to the point where they aren't oscillating but are still making a bit of an active, light sound, or should i back them off just to the point where they become silent?

In any event I ran another test after applying your suggestions, and it came out much, much smoother. I am seeing a little bit of rocking still in the shots where I am walking, but I think that's mainly the result of learning how to walk with the device to properly translate the vertical motion caused by my steps. Everything looks really smooth when I jog, run or sprint.

I'll follow up with some Pan, Roll and Tilt settings and an image of the current setup tomorrow - if you have any suggestions when you see it to smooth things out more that'd be great. I really appreciate the time and advice! This is easily the best piece of camera gear I've ever used and I'm really excited to work the RED with it next week.

Nick