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1. VariZoom www varizoom com VZ SnapCrane 16 Ta i 7 4 Professional Modular A T Camera Crane Instruction Manual For a video tutorial SnapCrane Build Design and Assembly go to YouTube htto www youtube com watch v hlTbSn4ge w Please read the instruction manual thoroughly before operating your Crane system for the first time to avoid injury or damage to the unit The durable construction of the SnapCrane makes it an excellent long term investment but its precision design also means that you must exercise care in the storage transport and operation of the unit to ensure optimal long term performance Always exercise caution when operating the SnapCrane to avoid collisions with people objects and power lines Do not operate in windy conditions Dolly is for setup not for freely rolling the loaded crane around Parts List Crane Arm Sections 1 Tail Section short w sliding micro adjust counterweight 2 Pivot Section w half moon shaped brake plate 3 2 x Extension Sections triangular cutouts 4 Front Section short w VariZoom Logo Support Sections 5 Camera Platform 6 Pan Tilt Mounting Base for Crane Arm fulcrum 7 Tripod 8 Dolly Cables individually labeled 9 Ext 1 red w hardware each end 10 Ext 2 red w hardware each end 11 Cable 1 black w hardware each end 12 Cable 1A black 13 Cable 2 black 14 Cable 3 black 15 Cable 4 black Other Parts 18 W2. configuration you can estimate how much of a radius you will need to operate Reposition the dolly tripod based on your situation lining up a forward pointing tripod leg with the crane s forward rest default direction this will maximize stability For safety engage the dolly wheel brakes before continuing assembly Pull both T handle pins out by pressing in on the blue button and pulling out on the t handle Let the pins hang by their lanyards Pivot Section The pivot section is the sub section that attaches to the pan tilt base To install the pivot section of the crane slide it into place between the arms of the base aligning the pivot holes Make sure the brake knob and brake plate half moon are on the same side so the brake plate will Slide into the clamping mechanism Align the hole on the pivot section with the hole right above the brake knob on the base While depressing the button slide the thicker t handle pin all the way through the base and pivot section Option If you want to reduce the amount of counterweight needed in SnapCrane 16 mode you can shift the brake plate forward so you can use the front pivot hole this will minimize the amount of counterweight needed at the back of the crane VariZoom Extension Section 1 lf using the Crane in the 2 shortest modes you can skip this section and go to Front Section Next you will need to attach extension section 1 to the pivot secti
3. to make the crane arm rigid Gradually add weight until the crane just begins to float Using the aid of a helper or stand to hold the crane arm up mount your remote head and camera securely When attaching a remote head use the dual purpose plate adapter to work with either 100mm half ball mounts or a flat base mount The most common method of attachment is underslung shown right The remote head can also be overslung by reversing the plate attachment Counterweighting note it takes approximately 140 pounds to float the SnapCrane 16 by itself From there as a rough guide it takes approximately a 5 to 1 weight ratio for every pound you add at the camera platform For example if your remote head and camera package weigh 25 pounds you ll need at least 125 pounds of additional counterweight therefore you should need roughly 265 lbs minimum 140 125 Now that the camera platform is fully loaded with the remote head and camera tighten the black cable turnbuckle until the camera platform is level Continue gradually adding counterweights to the weight bar until the crane is just short of balanced and then add your remote controls as the final counterweight Use the sliding micro adjust counterweight to fine tune the balance Once the crane is fully counterweighted you need to tighten the red cables sufficiently to straighten the crane i e it should form a straight line from a side view parallel to the ground Especiall
4. 3 SnapCrane 16 Reduced Counterweight Mode front pivot hole use black cable 1A red ext cables 1 amp 2 Arm Sections used Front extension 1 amp 2 Pivot amp tail sections Camera capacity up to 30lbs in underslung position Unit weight 75 lbs Folded length 55 Overall length 184 Distance from tripod to camera 14 8 Vertical movement amp Max Height 15 10 amp 177 One hardware set supplied for all 5 black cable lengths To switch hardware pull the Quick Release pins and remove the hardware from the cable then attach to the appropriate length cable Note Vertical Movement is measured to camera platform while Max Height is measured to overslung MC100 platform 3 TRIPOD amp DOLLY SETUP Before assembling your crane make sure the dolly is on a completely flat level surface Insert the tripod feet into the dolly receivers For maximum stability extend the tripod feet so they snugly fit toward the outer edge of the receivers and the spreader is flattened out PAN TILT BASE First you will need to attach the base unit to the tripod Unscrew the base mounting knob and insert the base into the tripod Re attach the base mounting knob securely making sure the base is seated correctly Check the bull s eye level and adjust the tripod leveling feet as necessary Position the dolly triood To prevent toppling ONLY push at the base of the legs not up high Based on the crane
5. eight Bar 24 long stainless rod 19 Plate Adapter round domed 20 Braided Sleeving for video power cables SNAPCRANE MODE GUIDE Compact Mode front pivot hole use black cable 4 Arm Sections used Front and Pivot sections only Camera capacity up to 50lbs Unit weight 36 Ibs Folded length 55 Overall length 7 3 Distance from tripod to camera 5 8 Vertical movement Max Height 8 9 9 Mid Size Mode rear pivot hole use black cable 3 Arm Sections used Front Pivot and tail sections only Camera capacity up to 50lbs Unit weight 46 lbs Folded length 55 Overall length 9 3 Distance from tripod to camera 6 0 Vertical movement Max Height 9 10 9 SnapCrane 12 Mode rear pivot hole use black cable 2 red ext cable 1 Arm Sections used Front Extension section 1 Pivot amp tail sections Camera capacity up to 30lbs in underslung position Unit weight 58 Ibs Folded length 55 Overall length 13 10 Distance from tripod to camera 11 Vertical movement Max Height 12 6 143 SnapCrane 16 Mode rear pivot hole use black cable 1 red ext cables 1 amp 2 Arm Sections used Front extension 1 amp 2 Pivot amp tail sections Camera capacity up to 30lbs in underslung position Unit weight 75 lbs Folded length 55 Overall length 184 Distance from tripod to camera 15 6 Vertical movement amp Max Height 16 6 amp 18
6. end with turnbuckle to the latch point at the rear of the tail section 3 4 turnbuckle SS D Next place the cable over the cable guide and secure the other end to the latch point at the front of extension section 1 Note You may need to loosen up the turnbuckle to create enough slack to clip the cable onto the loop Ext Cable 2 clip the end with the turnbuckle to the latch point closest to the front of the crane Place the cable over the cable guide and secure the simpler end to the latch point it can reach closest to the rear of the crane Camera Leveling Cables black cables Select the appropriate black cable according to the mode quide on page 2 At the camera platform slide the quick release pin through the eye of the turnbuckle on the selected cable Run the other end of the cable to the Pan Tilt base and slide Its quick release pin through the cable eye Make sure black cable is on this side of the cable guide to clear the red cables Counterweighting and Mounting Remote Head amp Camera Slide the weight bar through the hole at the back end of the tail section There is a notch in the center of the weight bar Use the stainless steel thumbscrew at the back end of the tail section to engage this notch and prevent the weight bar from accidentally sliding out when adding or removing weights Run all video and remote cables and loosen the tilt brake Tighten the red cables to remove all slack and apply tension
7. on Loosen the dovetail lock thumbscrew just enough to allow the two sections to engage Slide extension section 1 into place tighten the dovetail lock screw and snap down the locking latch latch tension is adjustable w flat screwdriver Extension Section 2 The second extension attaches to the first extension in the same way FRONT SECTION Next attach the front section printed with VariZoom to your crane Loosen the dovetail lock screw just enough to allow the two sections to engage Slide the front section into place tighten the dovetail lock screw and engage the latch Now pull the pins out of the camera platform and attach it to the front section Attach it to the front section with the large pin and leave the small pin hanging TAIL SECTION Attach the Tail section to the rear of the pivot section Loosen the dovetail lock screw just enough to allow the two sections to engage tighten lock screw and engage the latch VariZoom CABLE INSTRUCTIONS There are various cables for use in the SnapCrane s different modes For compact amp mid size modes you ll only use the black cables skip to Camera Leveling Cables For the SnapCrane 12 amp 16 you ll also need to use the Red Ext Cables 1 for SnapCrane 12 2 for SnapCrane 16 see below Pull the pin out from the cable guide baseblock Lift the cable guide and insert the pin to secure Grab Ext Cable 1 and Clip the
8. y if you have a fairly heavy camera and remote head you may want to tighten the cables even more to achieve maximum rigidity you can always insert a screwdriver through the hold in the turnbuckle body to give you a lever to make turning easier When fully balanced the SnapCrane should float in position i e tt should rise and fall with minimal effort Warnings When disassembling the crane NEVER pull the camera off first This could cause the crane to catapult up and topple creating serious danger to nearby people Always support the front end of the crane with a stand or chair of some kind and gradually remove weights Once you ve removed enough weight then you can remove your camera The dolly is intended for initial setup on completely flat smooth level surfaces not for free rolling of the loaded crane Any time you move the dolly you should always push at a low point on the legs as pushing at the top can more easily lead to toppling Do not roll the fully loaded crane around Too many unknown factors could create instability and potentially lead to collisions and or toppling severe safety hazards For this reason we do not recommend rolling the loaded crane around especially outdoors
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