VariZoom VZCINEMAPRO-JR-K5 User Manual

Cinema Pro JR-K5

Operations Manual

BEFORE YOU START, READ THESE WARNINGS

1) NEVER PLUG POWER DEVICES OTHER THAN THOSE SUPPLIED BY

VARIZOOM INTO THE SYSTEM. ONLY USE VARIZOOM POWER SOURCES
AND CABLES. USING DIFFERENT POWER COMPONENTS CAN LEAD TO
SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE HEAD AND EVEN THE CAMERA. THIS TYPE
OF DAMAGE IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.

2) DO NOT MODIFY THE SUPPLIED CABLES OR ATTEMPT TO

DISASSEMBLE THE HEAD.

3) LENS CONTROL CABLES MUST ONLY BE PLUGGED INTO THE

SPECIFIED INPUT JACK ON THE LENS ITSELF – NEVER PLUG A 12-PIN
CONNECTOR ON A VARIZOOM LENS CONTROL CABLE INTO THE 12PIN
JACK ON THE CAMERA BODY. WHEN IN DOUBT, CONSULT VARIZOOM
OR YOUR LENS MANUAL.

4) THE ADVANCED CONTROLLER DOES NOT REQUIRE SEPARATE POWER,

IT RECEIVES POWER THROUGH THE GREEN-CODED CONTROL CABLE
THAT CONNECTS TO THE HEAD. THE “AUX” POWER JACK ON THE
ADVANCED CONTROLLER IS ONLY UTILIZED IN WIRELESS
CONFIGURATIONS AND SHOULD ONLY BE CONNECTED TO A
VARIZOOM POWER SUPPLY.

5) DO NOT OPERATE THE HEAD WITH AN UNBALANCED LOAD (i.e., with

the camera’s weight extremely off-center either horizontally or
vertically).

6) DO NOT GET THE SYSTEM WET – IT IS NOT WATERPROOF.

7) ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOUR LENS AND POWER CABLES HAVE ENOUGH

SLACK RUNNING THROUGH THE TILT AXIS TO PREVENT TWISTING
AND TEARING OF THE CABLES.

8) MAKE SURE YOUR LENS CLEARS THE BASE OF THE HEAD WHEN

TILTING. IF THE LENS DOES NOT CLEAR THE BASE, SET SOFT LIMITS
(SECTION 7) TO PREVENT THE LENS FROM STRIKING THE BASE OF
THE HEAD WHEN TILTING.

9) WHEN USING THE CP JR’s ONBOARD LENS CONTROLS TO CONTROL

YOUR CAMERA, ALWAYS POWER THE CAMERA UP LAST. OTHERWISE,
THE RECORD START/STOP FEATURE MAY FALL OUT OF SYNC. TO
AVOID THIS ISSUE, JUST MAKE SURE TO CONNECT XLR POWER TO
THE HEAD BEFORE YOU TURN YOUR CAMERA ON.

General Description

The CinemaPro JR is a lightweight, two-axis motion control head for film
and video cameras. It has a wide variety of operating modes: manual operation
from joystick, motion control style record and playback, “go to mark” preset
framing*. Software upgrade options are also available for additional features
such as intervalometer, camera sync, PC data share, and additional recorded
takes and mark points.

The Cinema Pro JR’s optional advanced Controller can give the user all
input and programming capabilities and has a joystick for pan & tilt control.
The Advanced Controller also works in concert with two optional control input
devices: Pan Bars for broadcast-style operation or Hand Wheels for cinema­style operation.

The Jibstick remote is a simpler, less expensive controller designed for
one-man jib operation. The jibstick only offers joystick pan & tilt with
smoothing and speed control.

The Cinema Pro JR’s lens interface controls zoom and focus. It handles
several control signals: RS-232 for Fujinon digital lenses or Varizoom (TOC)
motor drives, RS-422 for Canon digital lenses or Preston motor drives, position
or speed based analog, pulse width type RC servos, and LANC.

*Go to marks and presets are only available when using the advanced controller.

1. Basic Setup

-Secure the head to crane, tripod, or solid mounting beam

-Plug the FACTORY POWER SUPPLY into AC mains

-Connect XLR cable between head and FACTORY POWER
SUPPLY

-Plug green control cable into the head and the jack marked
“CTRL” on the Advanced Controller (or Jibstick, if applicable)

-If applicable, connect camera power (red) and lens control cables
(orange) and route the cables through the tilt axis port hole to connect to your camera

-Make sure to turn camera power on as the LAST step.

Feeding External Cables through the Head

In some cases, you will need to feed video or other
cables through the head. To do so, simply remove the
cable covers (pictured at right, covers may differ
slightly in appearance). 4 screws secure the long
vertical cable cover, while only 2 screws secure the
short horizontal cover. Run the cables through the pan
base and tilt arm with enough slack, and reattach the
cable covers.

If using the TOC system

Connect the TOC 3A (3 axis lens drive box) between the
orange 16-PIN lens control connector located on the
head, and the grey “control” connector located on the
TOC 3A. Connect the Lens drive motors to the
appropriate connection according to their function (zoom, focus, iris)

If using a Preston MDR2*

Connect the MDR2 box between the 16-pin LEMO connector on the front of the head, and the
appropriate command connected on the MDR2 box (refer to the manufacturer’s instruction manual for
proper connections). Connect the Preston lens motors according to their manufacturer’s instruction
manual

Center of Mass

*** Make sure that the MDR2 is not connected to any power source (including batteries) prior to
connecting to the head. This can result in damages to the control console. The MDR2 will get all
necessary power directly from the head. ***

Balance the Camera – Although the head will hold position very well, it operates best when the camera

is balanced on the mounting platform. With heavier cameras, it is essential, as an out-of-balance load
will cause the servos to constantly fight to hold position. Make sure that the motor power is turned off

before balancing. This will allow you to move the tilt axis by hand. To balance the camera

horizontally, you need to place the camera’s front-to-back center of mass at the center of the mounting
platform slot. You can do this by trial and error, sliding the camera front-to-back on the mounting
platform until it stays level. The simplest accurate way to find the camera’s center of mass is to lay a
pencil/pen on a table and try to balance the camera on it front-to-back. The spot on the camera where
it comes closest to balancing on the pencil is the center of mass. Place the camera’s center of mass at
the center of the mounting slot and secure the camera with mounting screws (2 if possible). When
horizontally balanced, the platform should stay level.

To get the vertical balance right, raise or lower the platform to get the
camera’s vertical center of mass located on the center of tilt rotation. To
adjust, loosen the platform locking lever about ½ turn. Turn the brass knob
on the underside of the platform to precisely raise or lower it. Rotate the
platform to various angles and adjust until it holds position at any angle. If
it falls down, you need to adjust the platform upward. If it drifts upward,
you need to lower the platform. When balance is achieved, tighten the
platform locking lever.