O`Connor C1225-0001 Users Manual

120EX/EXe Pan & Tilt HeadFluid

C1225-0001
C1226-0001

ONLINE REGISTRA

HTTP://REGISTRATION.OCON.COM

Operators Guide

C1225-4980/3

TION:

OConnor

120EX/120EXe

Fluid Pan and Tilt Head

Operators Guide

Publication Part No. C1225-4980 Issue 3

Copyright © 2011 The Vitec Group plc

All rights reserved throughout the world. No part of
this document may be stored in a retrieval system,
transmitted, copied or reproduced in any way,
including, but not limited to, photocopy, photograph,
magnetic or other record without the prior agreement
and permission in writing of the Vitec Group plc.

Trademarks

OConnor™ is a registered trademark of the
Vitec Group plc.

Important information about this document

Information contained within this document is subject
to change. Camera Dynamics Limited reserves the
right, without notice, to make changes in equipment
design or performance as progress in engineering,
manufacturing or technology may warrant.

Published by

Vitec Group Videocom Division
Technical Publications Department
William Vinten Building, Western Way
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 3TB
United Kingdom
Email: [e-mail]

120EX/120EXe Fluid Pan & Tilt Head

Preface

Congratulations on the purchase of your new 120EX/120EXe from OConnor!
We want you to get the most from your new fluid pan and tilt head, and therefore encourage you

to read this operators guide to familiarize yourself with its many features, some of which may be
new to you. It also covers essential health and safety information and a section on maintenance
that will ensure your new product is kept in perfect condition.

Features and benefits of your new 120EX/120EXe

The 120EX/120EXe head is the flagship of OConnor’s new EXTENDED CAPACITY range of
fluid heads—the EX range. Based on the new patented EX-technology, this head features a new
kind of stepless counterbalance system, as well as a new ultra-smooth pan and tilt fluid drag
designed for film-style shooting.

OConnor’s fluid heads are famous for ultimate control and stability for film-style shooting. Now,
with the use of EX-technology, OConnor can offer the features it has become famous for with
the additional benefit of extended capacity. With a new counterbalance mechanism at the heart
of the EX-technology, the 120EX/120EXe can be boosted into EX-mode to achieve a whole new
realm of counterbalance. True and accurate balance is achieved through the sinusoidal EX­counterbalance technology. The EX-drag technology is ultra-smooth and stepless—just what
OConnor is famous for.

The EX-mode

Getting more than 100% is the best way to describe the EX-mode on the new EX range of fluid
heads by OConnor. The EX/EXe fluid heads have a given payload range for the ±90° tilt range.
With traditional counterbalance mechanisms any payload heavier than this maximum weight
cannot be balanced. But with the EX range of fluid heads, you can go far beyond that maximum
payload by slowly limiting the tilt range as the payload is increased. The tilt range is still an
impressive ±60° at the maximum payload of 240 lbs (109 kg). The full tilt range of ±90° is
maintained with payloads between 30–120 lbs (14–54 kg). All of these ranges are based on an
8" (20.3 cm) center of gravity.

Other features

A collapsible counterbalance crank knob and digital readout make counterbalancing the payload
easy—even though the range is huge. The new easy-to-use sideload mechanism features a
‘push and turn’ platform knob with a ‘pop up’ gear to engage the camera mounting plate and
adjust the platform fore and aft easily and precisely. It is easy to move heavy camera payloads
forward and backwards on the head with this mechanism. Geared and non-geared plates can
be used on the platform.

OConnor’s fluid drag system allows extremely quick pan movements from one position to
another, recovering instantly without any spring back. You can set up easily in low light
conditions by using the illuminated level bubble and backlit display.

Once again, thank you for choosing the 120EX/120EXe. We are confident it will give you many
years of reliable performance.

3

Operators Guide

Safety – Read this first

Warning symbols in this Operators Guide

Where there is a risk of personal injury or injury to others, comments appear
highlighted by the word ‘WARNING!’—supported by the warning triangle symbol.

Where there is a risk of damage to the product, associated equipment, process or
surroundings, comments appear highlighted by the word ‘CAUTION!’.

Disposal of waste batteries

Any batteries included with this product must not be treated as hou seh old wa st e. By ensuring
these batteries are disposed of correctly, you will help prevent potentially negative consequence s
for the environment and human health, and help conserve na tural re so urce s.

Refer to the section ‘Replacing the battery’ (on page 20) in this manual for instructions on how to
safely remove the battery from the product. Hand the battery over to the applicable collection
point for recycling waste batteries.

Contact information

For further information or advice regarding the EX range of fluid pan and tilt heads, please
contact OConnor at:

OConnor
2701 N. Ontario St.
Burbank, CA 91504
USA

Tel.: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]
Or visit our web site www.ocon.com and use the contact form.

4

120EX/120EXe Fluid Pan & Tilt Head

Declaration of Conformity

In respect of the following equipment manufactured by Camera Dynamics Limited:

Model: OConnor 120EXe
Part no.: C1226-0001
Description: Encoded Manual Fluid Head

in accordance with the following European Directive:
EU EMC Directive 2004/108/EC
by application of the following Harmonised Standards:

EN550103-1:2009 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part 2: Emissions

standard for audio, video, audio-visual equipment

EN550103-2:2009 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part 2: Immunity

standard for audio, video, audio-visual equipment

EN61000-4-2:1995 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part 4-2: ESD

EN61000-4-3:1996
+ A1:1998 + A2:2001

requirements
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part 4-3: Radiated

immunity

FCC certification

In addition, this product conforms to the following standards:

FCC C.F.R., Title 47 (Telecommunications), Part 15.b, 2006 -

Equipment authorization of unintentional radiators

5

Operators Guide

Technical specification

Dimensions

Height. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.8 in (24.9 cm)

Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.5 in (34.3 cm)

Depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.5 in (26.7 cm)

Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 lbs (15.5 kg)

Payloads and ranges

Note: Payload capacity and tilt ranges are based on a C of G height of 8" (20.3 cm).

Payload capacity (see the balance graph, Figure 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30–240 lbs (14–109 kg)

Tilt range. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ±90° for payloads up to 120 lbs (54 kg)

±80° for payloads up to 147 lbs (67 kg)
±70° for payloads up to 188 lbs (85 kg)

±60° for payloads up to 240 lbs (109 kg)

Pan range. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360°

Counterbalance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . continuous

Environmental

Operating temperature range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -40°F to +140°F (-40°C to +60°C)

Mounting

Dolly/tripod fixing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mitchell base

Level bubble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Yes

Level bubble illumination time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 5 seconds (timeout function)

Encoded outputs (120EXe fluid head only)

Pan encoder resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,000 lines per 360° (native analog output)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.8 million counts per 360° using 25x interpolator (after quadrature)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.6 million counts per 360° using 50x interpolator (after quadrature)

Tilt encoder resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,000 lines per 180° (native analog output)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.9 million counts per 180° using 25x interpolator (after quadrature)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.8 million counts per 180° using 50x interpolator (after quadrature)

Power supply (encoders) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +5V ±10%

Data interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16-way Fischer connector, locking

6

120EX/120EXe Fluid Pan & Tilt Head

Contents

Page

Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Features and benefits of your new 120EX/120EXe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

The EX-mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Safety – Read this first. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Disposal of waste batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Contact information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Declaration of Conformity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

FCC certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Technical specification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Extended capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Digital display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

OConnor 120EXe (encoded fluid head). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Encoder technology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Ultra-smooth fluid drag. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Pan and tilt locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Tilt lock pin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Illuminated bubble level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Handle mounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Camera mounting platform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Mitchell mount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Installing the head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Handles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Eyepiece leveller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Compositing systems and data loggers (120EXe fluid head) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Mounting a camera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Stability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Balancing the head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Setting fore and aft balance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Payload weight and C of G height adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Locking the platform. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Pan and tilt locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Pan and tilt fluid drag. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Balance display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Low battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

7