Panasonic DVCPro Operating Manual

Operating Guide for the RTN Panasonic DVCPro Camera
Tripod
The tripod is the first thing to set-up. Use the tripod whenever possible as your
shoulder is not nearly as steady as the tripod is (plus, the camera isn't exactly "light.")
Your instructors will notice when normally stationary objects, especially buildings and
signs, jiggle around on the screen.
1. The best way to set up a tripod quickly and keep it level is to extend the legs to
the desired height before separating them. Extend the legs by loosening the larger
square-like knobs by turning them counterclockwise and pulling the leg down until the
desired level. Then tighten the knobs to lock them in place by turning them clockwise.
To separate the legs, loosen the smaller knobs on the inside extender bar. Once you've
separated the legs, tighten the smaller knobs to lock the legs in place.
Note: To ensure that the camera is steady and won't tip over, spread the legs out as
far as they can go. If your shooting space restricts you from doing this, spread the
legs out as far as reasonably possible.
2. Make sure the tripod is level by checking the green bubbles located on the base
and head of the tripod. If the bubble on the head is in the little black circle then you are
level. Adjust leg heights accordingly to get the bubble in the circle if it is not there. You
can make subtle adjustments by turning the black tips of the tripod legs.
3. The panning handles are down when the camera is stored in the carrying case
so you will need to loosen the adjustments which clamp the handles in place, raise the
handles up and retighten the adjustments. The handles can be further extended by
loosening the knobs that are attached to clamps on the handles, pulling the handles out,
and tightening the knobs back up.
4. In order to tilt the camera, first loosen the tilt lock, which is located on the
upper right-hand side of the tripod by the Manfrotto logo if you are standing behind it.
When you have found the desired tilt level, tighten the knob back up. In order to pan the
camera, you have to loosen the pan lock, which is on the back of the tripod under the
upper bubble. Do not try to tilt or pan the camera without loosening these knobs, as you
will damage the tripod.
5. The tripod can be raised further by using the crank located on the base of the
tripod below the panning handles. To release the crank, push the black ring around the
crank towards the center of the tripod and pull the crank handle out. Raise the tripod by
turning the crank to the right. Lower by turning the crank to the left. When you finish
shooting, make sure the tripod is lowered all the way down. Return the crank handle to
its original position by once again pushing the ring inward and pushing the handle in
towards the tripod until it clicks into place.
Revised January 22, 2003