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Operating Technique Compendium

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Hi there,

I would like to start a thread to which all are invited to add knowledge regarding camera operating only. It would be great to share our knowledge and experience and help one another develop as operators.

To start, here are a couple of tips:

When using a fluid head on a track and dolly and tracking in, lock the tilt on the head at the start of the shot so that the momentum of going from stationary to moving on the dolly isn't translated to the camera. Ease the tilt lock off once you're moving so you can tilt as required. The same is true at the end of the movement: feather the tilt lock.

When using a geared head, count the number of turns for both wheels. I memorise them in terms of how many turns I make and o'clocks, such as 6 o'clock being 180 degrees. Then, when you come to make the move, you don't have to rely so much on visual clues. You can do this even on complex moves, so long as you've a good memory and can make your hands turn the wheels to the required positions without looking at them!

Please feel free to add your tips here.
 
Use your cross hair as a reference point to get the frame/composition back to where you want it after a complex move.
 
For extremely precise tilts on a bad fluid head, I like to intentionally unbalance the camera in the direction I am going to tilt. So instead of fighting a potentially rough fluid head, I can use the weight of the camera to smoothly and naturally tilt by counterbalancing it with my own force.
 
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