7D + Glidecam HD2000 - Am I cutting it too close?

J

Jean Dantes

Well-known member
Hey guys, I have a Glidecam HD2000 on order. According to the Glidecam website, the max-load for a Glidecam HD2000 is 2.6KGS.

Now, I will be attaching a 7D (with battery), Sigma 30mm F1.4, and a SmallHD DP1 LCD with battery (which sits on top of the 7D where the hot-shoe-mount is) and a Manfrotto 482LCD Micro Ball Head (to attach the LCD to the 7D's hot-shoe-mount). The weight of all these products combined is approx. 2.470KGS

...now that's only 100grams under the Glidecam HD2000's max-load...

Do you guys think I'm cutting it too close, or will I be cool?

Thanks in advance to any replies :)
 
I very much doubt you will get the small HD up top

you might take all the wight off the bottom and get it there

just a guess BTW

S
 
a monitor and battery are too heavy for the 7d and 24-70 on the bottom.
you should go 4000 for sure. either put rails and mattebox and FF on top, or mount the screen on top instead of bottom. I had to add weight, AND rails, ff, mattebox to balance the 8" liliput and battery
 
yep, need the 4000. just did this test myself. and guess what? Don't EVER put the monitor on top of the camera. What happens here is that all of the vibrations makes its way to the top and the energy is released through the arm that holds the monitor which results in the entire rig shaking and creating footage with jiggles and wiggles. Keep the monitor under the gimbal.
 
What are the differences between the 2000 and 4000? The length of the post? The top stage?
 
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Papa, are you saying that with the 4000, I could put the monitor on top of the 7D?

And (having never used a Glidecam), what is the "gimbal"?

Thanks for the replies!
 
Mate you have a long way to go to get your head round a stabilizer

it needs to be light

it needs to be rigid

it needs to be close to the gimbal

and it needs serious dedicated practice to shoot footage on

unless you are going to buy a $5000 remote FF having a screen will not be much use to you

get the small one and forget the screen

then buy a steadicam pilot if flying is your thing

S
 
Hey Morgan,

Yeah, I've never used a Stedicam in my life, and only recently began researching them.

I know that pulling focus will be virtually impossible with a 7D + Glidecam setup, but I was just going to use it in very well lit environments and shoot with deep focus.

I guess I could shoot without the screen, then plug the screen in after the shot has been done to review playback and see if we need another take...

Thank you for the reply :)
 
totally impossible not virtually impossible

far more sensible to bin the screen

your research should lead you to 'steadishots.org' and also google the merlin and pilot tutorials

S
 
disagree with not having a screen
you try running along side and bending your neck to look at a 3" screen. its stupid
i bought the 8" liliput monitor, one for my shoulder rig, one for the steadicam, best investment so far IMO. screens make filming night and day. makes everything easier
 
you can NOT put it on the top and have a perfect image
you can place it BEHIND the camera on the top stage (where your camera mounts) but do not mount it on top. This may be my next mount attempt, not sure yet. i like it at the bottom instead of front weights
 
Ahh I see.

Sorry to bother you further, Yokotas, but could you show me a picture of your Glidecam + LCD setup?? Would be much appreciated!!
 
the 4000 is BIIIIG

I have the 1000 pro, and my school as 2 4000's and man those things are easily almost twice as tall and just huge. Try to find a picture of someone holding one, i never realized how big they were till i saw one in person.
 
Yeah, I heard the 4000 is too hard to work with as it is really heavy...

Might have to just get the 2000 and check each shot on the LCD once the shot is complete...
 
I use the Flycam 3000 knockoff model with my 5D. My method is simply set it and forget it. If I want wide, than I set the lens wide and go. If I want a longer focal length, than I set my length and focus and do the shot. I never use it for longer than a few second shot. To me, it's an effect shot, like a jib. I just use the LCD screen on the camera and no other attachments.

Now if I wanted to use it for a long shoot, than I'd look at an LCD monitor, wireless follow focus, and much better sled, arm and vest.

IMO, either go bare or go all out. You really can't go halfway.
 
I agree, it's just that I thought I could get away with attaching an LCD to the top of a 7D and then put them both on the HD2000.

I never wanted to have a follow focus on there. I would either just shoot deep focus, or make sure my actor and I keep the same distance between us for the whole shot...
 
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