The Camera Motion Research Blackbird Stabilizer is a handheld camera stabilizer for camcorders up to 8 lbs. It offers precise x-y positioning and built-in tilt and roll bubble levels.
Quick Change
Changing the camera between the Blackbird and a tripod is fast and easy using the included quick change tripod adaptor plate. Just remove the camera with mounting plate attached and drop it into the tripod adaptor and secure it.
Gimbal and Control Rings
The unique Blackbird gimbal is designed for very low intrinsic friction, alignment and ruggedness. The Blackbird gimbals are machined on precision multi axis CNC screw machines in order to obtain the required tolerances for perfect gimbal axis alignment. The main operator control ring for roll, tilt and pan is located above the gimbal and a second ring below the gimbal provides useful "pan only" control.
Smooth Touch
The CMR patent pending SmoothTouch technology provides user adjustable friction in the tilt and roll directions. A controlled amount of frictional damping in the gimbal can be very effective in reducing roll and tilt motion artifacts without noticeably affecting isolation from the operator's hand. That's what the CMR SmoothTouch technology achieves and the result is better shots at all operator skill levels.
Vertical Balance
Obtaining correct vertical balance or "drop time" is essential to good stabilizer performance. The procedure for obtaining correct vertical balance is easy and can be done in just minutes for any camera. The counterbalance weights are dropped in or removed by loosening the counterbalance weight locking nuts. Next a finer adjustment of vertical balance is achieved by moving the counterweight T-bar up or down. The T-bar locking lever provides fast secure locking with an advanced clamping design.
Soft Case
The Blackbird comes with a soft carrying case with die-cut foam padding for convenient and safe storage and transport.