The skills of a Camera Operator may be greatly enhanced by making use of some of the additional features of the PANAHEAD in order to customize the head to the requirements of a particular shot without the need to exchange the head for another type.
Using the PANAHEAD as a Free or Friction Head
For very fast “whip pans” the PANAHEAD may be used as a free head by attaching a pan bar to the rear of the head. An auxiliary pan bar may also be fitted to the front of the head. In this mode the gearing should be set to neutral. Resistance or “feel” may be introduced by tightening the “feel” adjusting levers.
Using the PANAHEAD as a Gyro Head
For long smooth pans the PANAHEAD may be used as a gyro head by using it as a free head but with the hand wheels fitted and the gearing set to the highest ratio to maximize the effect. The finger knob of the tilt wheel may be reversed to eliminate the possibility of it snagging on the operator’s clothing. (Press the button at its center to release.)
Using the PANAHEAD as a Remote Head
For reasons of safety, or to get shots that would otherwise be impossible with a Camera Operator in close proximity to the camera, the PANAHEAD may be used as a remote controlled head by use of the PANAREMOTE remote control system. In this mode slave motors are fitted in place of the PANAHEAD hand wheels and the camera controlled by remote handwheels, the aid of a Video Assist and remote lens and camera controls. The Operator may be 150 ft. away from the camera and still be able to operate the camera with all the subtlety of a hands–on situation.
The PANAREMOTE system also incorporates facilities to control the focus, zoom focal length and aperture of the lens and the camera on/off operation. All the controls, together with the video assist image, a video picture of the lens settings and film and other camera data can be passed to the operating position along a single cable.
1. PANAHEAD with pan handles attached, 2. Tilt handwheei with knob turned round when PANAHEAD is in gyro–head mode, 3. PANAREMOTE remote pan and tilt system, with remote control motors fitted in place of normal pan and tilt handles, 4. PANAREMOTE system, control console.