100B and Glidecam 2000 problem

A

accentphotography

Active member
This is my first question and I am sure it will not be my last. I just picked up a 100B and a used Glidecam 2000 PRO that is giving me a hard time with the balance. Personally i think the Glidecam is not working properly. I don't think that I am a idiot when it comes to the theory of balance but let me describe my problem and you can be the judge.

Because I have grown tired of adjusting and holding the combination I decided to get out a Bogen stand with a Bogen Super Clamp and a Bogen accessory shaft that the Glidecam fits over nicely. This way I have the steadiness and the light stands main shafts acts like a line to compare level or parallel with.

So here is the interesting part. When I balance the camera with the lens facing away from me it is parallel with the lightstand. Rotate the camera so the lens is facing me (180 degrees opposite) it is leaning. If I rotate the camera so the mic level side is facing me, the camera leans away from me and when I go to the opposite side it lean as well. Now I slide the camera to adjust for the side balance one side will be parallel and the other side leans. Basically any time I adjust the for one wacky side and get it right the other side goes out. I cannot more than one side to really be parallel.

Now if I walk with the camera it tries to slowly rotate. I have spent hours trying to fix this. I even have checked the main bearing, screw tightness and the small bearings and they all seem fine. I am guessing there is a problem with the gimbal area. Any ideas? I am stumped, tired of trying and very frustrated.

Or should I just ask if anyone is successful and enjoying their Glidecam? Thanks!
 
First, the Glidecam is a bit of a challenge to balance. But once you figure out the magic formula, it doesn't take as long.

While your description of the problem is hard to follow, I can tell you that trying to balance the camera while it is suspended is probably what's causing your problem. Make sure that you already have a tape in the camera and the battery attached, as well as any other accessories (lens shade, mic/cable, filters, etc.).

The best thing to do is to set it on a hard, flat, level surface (like a table). Then, grab the Glidecam handle and lift it straight up. See which direction it favors. Set it back down, make adjustments as needed... remember that the tiniest balance adjustment can make a huge difference. Then lift it straight up again and see if it wants to tilt. Adjust. Repeat until you can pick it straight up and it does not tilt.

As for the Glidecam wanting to rotate on its own as you walk with it, well... any slight wind resistance will cause that. And you can't stop air from traveling around the camera. The Glidecam is a two-hand operation: one hand on the handle, and the other very lightly (thumb and forefinger) touching the gimbal just above the handle. The thumb and forefinger can act against the rotation, and with very light pressure can pan the camera as the Glidecam moves.

Don't stress. This is one of those things that just takes some time to figure it out. Glidecam's website has a video tutorial for balancing.

I have a 4000 with my DVX and I enjoy it. I would recommend that you get a support vest in the near future, as handheld operation of the Glidecam will wear you out quickly.
 
Hmmmmmm

Hmmmmmm

Thank you for the information and hope. As far as the starting from the flat surface ... I did that for hours. The rotation happens even when not moving. Again this is a used unit and I feel the small gimbal bearings or main bearing alignment might be in question

The reason for the permanent post to mount it on was for a perfect and non motion setup stage as I needed a more controlled setup station. Again, what does not make any sense to me, is that if the unit is perfectly level as I hold it away from me looking at the viewfinder and I rotate the camera so now the lens is facing me instead of the viewfinder, why does the units pole start to lean a lot (like 3-4 inches from plumb). It is similar for the side camera view (me looking at the main control setting side) as it can be perfectly level and then I rotate it to the opposite side and it leans out or pitches.

I always have the LCD screen in position, the battery is in place and there is a tape. I realize that the balance is so critical with the unit.

When I first got the unit the main bearing would hardly turn. I put some start up engine spray in the bearing to break down the old lubricants and hopefully flush the grit that I felt inside and then I used a lubricant called Ballistol (great stuff ... like WD40 but better and not toxic). The bearing then spun nicely. The two small bearing seem okay as well.

I cannot believe that this could be so hard to balance. It just does not make any sense. I used to be a technician and I repaired a lot of precision optical devices but this takes the cake. Simple but stumping for me.

I appreciate any feedback and ideas as I have to make a decision to send it back very soon or not.

Thanks!
 
I forgot to ask, if you took your camera glidecam combination and had the camera pointing forward, then rotated the camera only to point to the right or left ... would it stay in the direction you rotated it and at the same time not pitch or lean any? Can you spin your camera in a 360 degree motion on the glidecam and not have the camera wobble? How many weights do you use on the base? Mine has three large and one small on each end and they are almost pushed out to the most outward edge. I have been to many setup sites and videos with nothing new learned. Thanks!
 
accentphotography said:
I forgot to ask, if you took your camera glidecam combination and had the camera pointing forward, then rotated the camera only to point to the right or left ... would it stay in the direction you rotated it and at the same time not pitch or lean any? Can you spin your camera in a 360 degree motion on the glidecam and not have the camera wobble? How many weights do you use on the base? Mine has three large and one small on each end and they are almost pushed out to the most outward edge. I have been to many setup sites and videos with nothing new learned. Thanks!
Click to expand...

I think I have 4 or 5 weights on each side (each 1lb.), balanced to the outside... but then, I'm using the 4000, plus I have a rail system and matte box on my camera.

Yes, once balanced I can rotate the camera and it will not wobble, nor will it try to rotate to a different position.

So I'm stumped. I can balance mine from scratch within about 15 minutes, and have no problems. Gonna have to think on this one a bit more...
 
I spoke with the techs at Glidecam and it seems I will need to send it in. They sent me a tech bulletin on how to calibrate the glidecam with shims in the yoke are but I think the bearing is misaligned with the main shaft. Time to send it in. By the way the checkup and repair is supposed to be in the $60.00 range. Who knows ... Maybe it will come back as a HD model .. hahaha
 
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