7d and glidecam 4000 pro balancing

Lucas 7D

Lucas 7D

Active member
So Im just another guy with a balancing issue. My glidecam wont balance and I just did 2 hours of practice with it.
When others speak of attaching a quick release plate to the glidecam for quick camera removal, in which hole do you attach it to? I'm using the 7d with the 17-50 tamron.
I'm usnig 2 washers on each side. My camera slightly tilts backwards and to the corner. please give me some pointers so that i can finally take some of the shots others are doing which I envy so much.
Thanks
 
I have a glidecam 2000 pro and am using it with a 7D. I have yet to master the balancing act myself. From you description it sounds like you need to move the plate that slides sideways a bit to the left if its tilting right. then move plate thats attached to cam forward.

Also search youtube, but from my research, in order to get those super smooth shots it takes LOTS of practice. good luck.
 
I got my Glidecam 4000 today.
The biggest issue that I noticed, is that the 7D is too light for it, it's designed to be used with a heavier camera. I'm only using a single counterweight on the center tube of the bottom, and have put 4 of the counterweights in the top "midplate" section. This has allowed me to do the vertical balance so that it takes 2-3 seconds for the base of the sled to float down and become vertical.

The top adjustments are very touchy. The closer you get to perfect balance, the more dramatic effect a very small amount of weight has, like a lens cap, or even a small washer.

I've got a small c-stand that I am using to place the handle on and then make my adjustments, that way I have instant feedback and can see how the Glidecam is hanging, so to speak. It took about 2 hours to get it assembled and do a test, then adjust and do another test.

For the money, it's a really cool tool.

Cheers!
 
Using heavy duty velcro, I attached a small 1.5 lbs stainless steel plate under the mounting plate. That was the only way I could get enough weight on the top to allow for QUICK balancing.

IMHO - the 4000 is too big for a 7D. I just sold mine and am deciding on the merlin or the HD2000. Both also have screw adjusters for making small, incremental adjustments... which would seem like a huge time saver when out in the field.
 
Dathan Hight said:
Using heavy duty velcro, I attached a small 1.5 lbs stainless steel plate under the mounting plate. That was the only way I could get enough weight on the top to allow for QUICK balancing.

IMHO - the 4000 is too big for a 7D. I just sold mine and am deciding on the merlin or the HD2000. Both also have screw adjusters for making small, incremental adjustments... which would seem like a huge time saver when out in the field.
Click to expand...

Screw adjustors would be a great addition to the 4000, nudging it back and forth takes far too long. I may have to add some threaded blocks to mine to allow for fine adjusting. Or sell it and go the HD2000 route.
 
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