The Glide Gear REVO 50 is a comprehensive 360-degree product photography and videography rig designed to capture seamless rotating shots of objects. This user manual details the assembly, components, and operational features of the REVO 50, making it accessible for both amateur and professional content creators.
Function Description:
The primary function of the REVO 50 is to provide a stable and adjustable platform for capturing rotating video and photographic content. It allows a camera to remain stationary while an object, placed on a rotating top plate, spins smoothly. This setup is ideal for creating product showcases, e-commerce listings, and any visual content requiring a full 360-degree view of an item. The system is designed to ensure balanced rotation, preventing wobbling or uneven movement during operation.
Important Technical Specifications:
The REVO 50 comprises several key components that contribute to its functionality and stability:
- Base Plate (A): This serves as the foundation of the rig, providing stability. It features four holes for mounting purposes, allowing the rig to be securely attached to a surface if needed (screws are not included).
- Center Shaft (B): This vertical shaft connects the base plate to the main rail system and the top plate. It can also be mounted directly onto a C-Stand for alternative setup configurations.
- Long Rails (C) and Short Rails (D): These horizontal rails form the main track along which the camera and other accessories are positioned. The modular design allows for the addition of one or two sets of short rails to the long rails, depending on the desired length and setup requirements.
- Clamps (E): Two clamps are included to secure components onto the rails and prevent twisting, ensuring the stability of the entire system.
- Camera Clamp (F) and Camera Pole (G): The camera clamp attaches to the long rails, and the camera pole is inserted into it. This pole provides the vertical adjustment for the camera's height.
- Backdrop Clamp (H) and Backdrop (I): The backdrop clamp secures the backdrop to the rails, allowing for a clean and consistent background for the rotating object. The backdrop itself is a large, rectangular black panel.
- Top Plate (J): This circular plate is where the object to be photographed or videographed is placed. It sits on the center shaft and rotates smoothly.
- Counterweights (K): These weights are crucial for balancing the rig, especially when a backdrop and camera are attached. Correct balancing ensures seamless and stable rotation.
Usage Features:
The REVO 50 offers a high degree of adjustability and flexibility, making it adaptable to various shooting scenarios:
- Modular Rail System: The ability to add one or two sets of short rails to the long rails allows users to customize the length of the rig, accommodating different object sizes and camera distances.
- Camera Height Adjustment: The camera pole (G) enables precise adjustment of the camera's height, ensuring optimal framing for the subject.
- Camera Angle Adjustment: The ballhead at the end of the camera pole (G) allows for fine-tuning of the camera's angle, providing flexibility in shot composition.
- Camera Position Adjustment: The camera can be slid along the rails, offering control over the distance between the camera and the rotating subject.
- Counterweight System: The inclusion of counterweights (K) is a critical feature for achieving perfect balance. When correctly balanced, the entire pole system, including the camera and backdrop, should spin seamlessly, preventing any unwanted vibrations or jerky movements.
- Versatile Mounting Options: The center shaft (B) can be mounted directly onto a C-Stand, offering an alternative to the base plate for different studio setups. The base plate (A) itself has four mounting holes for secure attachment to a surface.
- Easy Assembly: The manual provides clear, step-by-step instructions with accompanying figures, making the assembly process straightforward. Components are secured with thumb screws and clamps, requiring minimal tools.
Maintenance Features:
While the manual does not explicitly detail maintenance procedures, the design of the REVO 50 suggests ease of care:
- Durable Construction: The components appear to be made from robust materials, implying longevity and resistance to wear and tear.
- Simple Cleaning: The smooth surfaces of the rails, plates, and backdrop would likely be easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth to remove dust or smudges.
- Modular Design for Part Replacement: The modular nature of the rails and clamps suggests that individual components could be replaced if damaged, rather than requiring a full system replacement.
- Secure Fasteners: The use of thumb screws and clamps indicates that components can be easily tightened or loosened, allowing for quick adjustments and secure connections during setup and breakdown.
Important Warning Regarding Cellphone Use:
The manual includes a crucial warning for users intending to use cellphones with the REVO 50. Built-in stabilization in most cellphones can cause the subject at the center of the top plate to appear off-centered in videos. This occurs because the phone's stabilization system attempts to keep the phone fixed relative to the subject, even as the subject rotates. This can lead to the stabilization switching cameras or attempting to re-center, preventing the subject from being perfectly centered throughout the rotation. For optimal results, it is recommended to use cameras with manual stabilization control or to disable cellphone stabilization features if possible.
In summary, the Glide Gear REVO 50 is a well-designed and highly adjustable rig for capturing professional-quality 360-degree product visuals. Its modularity, precise adjustments, and emphasis on balance make it a valuable tool for anyone looking to create dynamic and engaging rotating content.