Dynamic balancing methods for stabilized camera rigs compared

Gear

ZephyrCan I fly my Alexa or RED on a Zephyr?389

Master SeriesIs a used Master Series rig worth buying as a first big rig?191

BFDHow do I power my BFD receiver from my camera or sled?186

VoltCan I retrofit a Volt onto my existing sled or gimbal?168

ArtemisHow do I power my camera and accessories from an Artemis sled?166

MDRWhere can I mount my Preston MDR on my rig?143

ModulusIs there a Modulus option for HD wireless video?141

G-70Will my G-70 fit my vest, gimbal or sled?126

FI+ZCan I control iris and zoom wirelessly, not just focus?60

HU3Where can I get my HU3 repaired, refurbished or repainted?60

CineLiveHow do I pack and case my CineLive rig for transport?54

G-70XHow does the G-70X compare to Pro Titan, Xarm and other arms?46

Trinity 2Is Trinity 2 SUP 3.0 firmware safe to install or buggy?46

Ultra VestWhich vest should I choose for my body size, comfort and operator type?39

2010Brackets/Widgets forum

16 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.

DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.

A drop test method can achieve dynamic balance by orienting the rig vertically, then rotating it 90 degrees to level the monitor and battery rack, then performing drop tests and adjusting arm lengths and camera position until the rig hangs flat without rolling or panning
The Mickey Dynamic Balance tool functions similarly to the drop test method but uses a fixed point instead of performing 90-degree drop tests
The Mickey tool has limitations including reliance on centerpost roundness, introduction of rotational drag, and a slight acceleration component that leaves approximately 2% of balance unachieved
When monitor and battery center of gravity are on the same horizontal plane, both the drop test method and Mickey method can work effectively
When monitor center of gravity is positioned above battery center of gravity, static balance does not guarantee dynamic balance and different balancing approaches produce different results
Once a rig is dynamically balanced with the monitor and battery rack positions fixed, no further dynamic balancing is needed even if other parameters change
The drop test balancing method is faster to perform than traditional spin-based balancing and can be executed while waiting for camera preparation on set

The drop test method requires understanding the relationship between monitor and battery center of gravity positioning
Results depend on accurate measurement and adjustment of arm lengths and camera position
Whether the drop test method requires specific drop time duration or produces identical results to spin testing was disputed in the thread
The effectiveness of balancing methods when fiber tether cables are attached to the rig was not conclusively addressed
Mickey tool costs approximately 200 USD
The thread discusses primarily stabilized camera rig balancing which may not apply to other camera systems
One participant demonstrated that balancing could achieve static balance without achieving dynamic balance depending on center of gravity positioning