The MANTIS Hand Held Kit Configuration Notes
Please refer to these notes when configuring your MANTIS handheld system.
Overview: The Element Hand Held Rig was designed to allow each operator to position the handles and shoulder pad in a neutral position, comfortable for their shooting style and body type.
The shoulder pad is adjustable in two axes; YAW (Pan) and ROLL. Both of these movements are locked and unlocked by means of a locking lever between the shoulder pad and dovetail. Before mounting the camera, unlock the locking lever and place the handheld rig on your shoulder. Adjust (extend and rotate) the handles and extensions so that they are in a comfortable preliminary position. With the unit on your shoulder, observe the direction the dovetail is pointing relative to your forward looking LOS (Line Of Sight). Generally, when you are looking forward, the shoulder mounted dovetail will be pointing at an angle 7 to 20° across your LOS. By releasing the shoulder pad locking lever it is possible to pan the dovetail up to 25° clockwise so that the dovetail (and camera) and your LOS are parallel. Once you’ve found an angle that suits you, close the locking lever.
It is possible to adjust the roll axis of the handheld rig with the camera mounted and on your shoulder and is recommended for the best fit. The handheld rig mounts to the camera using the Arri style bridge plate. Simply slide the camera off the dovetail on the tripod head and on to the handheld rig’s lightweight dovetail. Lock the bridge plate lever and you’re ready to go. Once the camera is on your shoulder, you can now open the locking lever and level the camera to the horizon by pushing up/down on the right and left hand grips. By viewing the LCD or EVF you can match the frame to the horizon while resting the shoulder pad in the most comfortable position on your shoulder. When you’re satisfied with the level, close the locking lever. The last adjustment between the shoulder pad and dovetail is a fore/aft linear adjustment which replicates the movement between the bridge plate and dovetail. For most configurations it should start somewhere between full forward and half way.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
The YAW (Pan) adjustment is most easily executed before the camera is mounted to the Hand Held Kit. The YAW adjusting components are comprised of two spring loaded custom rosettes. When there is no weight on the system and the lever is opened, the spring forces the two rosettes apart which allow the shoulder pad frame and dovetail to rotate relative to each other in the YAW axis. When the camera is mounted and its weight is loading the system, the same locking lever will only permit the shoulder pad frame to rotate in the ROLL axis.
