Who knows best Glidecam settings?

[DeeJco1]

Who knows the best settings for the Glidecam 4000 when putting the XL2 on it with the viewfinder flipped up so as to view the lcd screen and pretty much nothing else that would throw the balnce off. How many weight discs, where are they placed (nearest to the post, middle or outer ends), how high to make the post adjustment, which hole in the mounting plate to use, etc? I can't get this damn thing balanced. It's supposed to remain perfectly level when lifted off a flat surface. It keeps tilting over in any and all directions. Need advice!

Dave

[J.R. Hudson]

The XL2 and GC4000 require a K Bracket Mount when used together.

[DeeJco1]

What's the k bracket mount? What's it for?

Dave

[J.R. Hudson]

Hi Dave

I was just kidding; feeling abit mischievous.

No mount needed other than it's going to take some serious patience getting this calibrated properly. Start over; slow down and read the instructions (If I remember, the GC Series instructions are about as useful as Panasoncics DVX Manual).

Every adjustment you make towards the desired balance must be made inthe tiniest of increments and when mounting the camera, mount it as you would use it (With Tape and Battery and LCD open and any accessories already on etc etc).

IN time, you will have it set up in 5 to 10 minutes.

Sorry about the playing :thumbsup:

[jaegersing]

Have you seen "The Stability of Balance" video clip at the link below? This only tells you the general principles, not the detailed settings you are looking for, but if you haven't seen it, it might be useful.

Richard Hunter

http://www.glidecam.com/demo.html

[VIDEOMIKE]

Glidecam is now selling a vest and arm that fits the 4000 Pro for $1500. Looks real slick. Another vest and arm (DV Sportster) is selling for $700 at VariZoom.com , doesn't look as substancial. I don't know if it's made by Glidecam. I'd be very excited about this if I wasn't busy paying off my XL2.

Would like to know how you make out with balancing your XL2 please keep us informed as to how it's done.

[DeeJco1]

There's a camera expo coming to the Boston area this Friday and saturday. Glidecam is going to have a seminar there to show off the new smooth shooter. I think I'll just bring my GC 4000 and my camera and have the rep balance it for me. If he agrees to do it, I'll take notes.

[DeeJco1]

After having seen it done at the camera show, it's a very complicated process. That's all I can tell you.

[Neil Rowe]

:huh: there are no secret or "best" settings. you just adjust it unitll it balances.. like johns said you want to do it with the camera ready to hit record and shoot. so NOTHING changes when you go to shoot. i think it took me 20 min the firt time to get the right amount of weights on the bottom once, and like john said after that it actualy only took me apx 1 minute to balance it any time afterwards. the bottom should be slightly heavier than the camera on top so when you hold the sled horizontal so the camera is off to one side and the weights on the bottom are off to the other. and you let go.. the weights should take about 3 sec to get to the bottom. so its only ever so slightly heavier on bottom than it is on top. once you have the weights right you just simplky balance the camera on top. its really not that hard. little dinky adjustments will do ALOT. so only move hairs at a time. .once you do it a few times youll ge the hang of it and be able to do it in no time.. espescialy since the weights will already be set up (unless you add more weight to the camera on top with some accessory or something)