AC160 AC160/AC130 Can Be Used with a Glidecam HD-4000?

cherchieh

cherchieh

Member
Hi all, this is my first post over here. I'm a wedding videographer and I used to switch around my 5dm2 in between a monopod and a Glidecam HD 4000 with a rapid release, depending on the situations. Now I'm trying to get it done properly, snub the 5dm2 and learn how to use a proper video gear for my job. Having played with an AC160 in a local store, I fell in love with how it feels in my hands, albeit being so much heavier, and IMO harder to use...But I just love how the image came out and how much more natural the colours are.

I'm tempted, but still yet undecided on the switch from the 5dm2 to the AC160, or an AC130. For many reasons:-
1) i'm so very used to shooting with HDSLR
2) my video lights and mic are all for HDSLR, meaning a major switch of gears and accessories are needed
3) the closest I had to a proper video gear is the little Canon HF S10. But I'm keen to learn, and seriously i get so much information here.
4) it's a new learning curve and I'm not that young anymore, haha. :D or do you guys think once I get my hands on it, it wouldn't be that hard?

Fianally coming to the main question for this thread, do you guys think I can actually mount the AC160 onto the Glidecam HD 4000 like I did with the 5dm2? Because there are a lot of clients who liked how we "fly" into scenes and I wouldn't want to take that away from my videos. OR, is there any other steabiliser that is able to do a decent job for AC160?

By the way, do you guys think a video light is still needed for low lights?
 
cherchieh said:
4) it's a new learning curve and I'm not that young anymore, haha. :D or do you guys think once I get my hands on it, it wouldn't be that hard?
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It's easier to shoot video on a proper video camera than it is on a DSLR so although you might not get it at first, I doubt it would take you long.

do you guys think I can actually mount the AC160 onto the Glidecam HD 4000 like I did with the 5dm2?
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Yes, it will mount and work fine.

By the way, do you guys think a video light is still needed for low lights?
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Absolutely. The 130/160 are not as good in low light as a DSLR. IMO, low light performance and shallow DoF are the only areas a DSLR is preferable to a small chip video camera.
 
Awesome, thanks Mike! I am really worried that the AC160 might be a little too big for the Glidecam. This might sound stupid, but I understand it's the weight that makes the stabilising works, but the size of the AC160 somehow made me think it might unbalance the whole thing.

DOF is never really a big problem, I think. Even when I'm shooting with an DSLR, it's only not more than 10% of my whole video that needed a very bokeh effect. I've seen example of AC160 doing quite impressive bokeh...having zoom in from far.

Haha, this is so exciting...I think I'm going to pull the trigger on the AC...now, 130 or 160...haha... :D

Thanks...Hopefully I can make up my mind soon, and then come back with some footage of the new cam very soon.
 
Of course you will have to re-balance the Glidecam, but as far as weight is concerned, it will work.

You may need to get a cybernetic implant in your arm though -- it'll be heavy.
 
cherchieh said:
Any idea where can I do that? haha... :D

and yes, I expected it to be heavy...but at the moment I don't know other ways to steabilise the cam.
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Well, I use a Steadicam Pilot, which is much more elegant, albeit somewhat more complex, but better than a straight up HD4000. Just add another $3,000 to your shooting budget and you're good to go! :)

I do get a ton of comments and business inquiries from people who see us shooting Steadicam work at events, so maybe it pays for itself? Regardless, it's the only way I'll fly any rig nowadays, cams are just too dang heavy to go handheld on a stabilizer.
 
Yeah I gotta say- that will be a crazy heavy rig on a Glidecam. I'd go Steadicam too...
 
Thanks guys, I just looked around the Internet, and found out that...this is slightly over my budget...slightly...haha. :D But from what it sounds like, it is very much worth looking into it. I'll check with my local stores soon. Thanks again.
 
Phil1076 said:
Glidecam also has a vest you can get..it's around $2100 or so new...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/517872-REG/Glidecam_X_10_X_10_Dual_Support_Arm.html
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I had previously used a Glidecam X-10 system with an HD4000 and I've got to say, the Steadicam Pilot was a breath of fresh air. The Glidecam vest itself is a bit nicer build quality, but everything else really swings in favor of the Steadicam Pilot upon comparison.

The Pilot system has a very finely tunable set of controls for just about everything, and is a good bit lighter over all (carbon fiber vs. aluminum on the Glidecam). Pilot includes a reference monitor which runs a bit extra to add onto a similar Glidecam system.

I don't mean to start a Glidecam vs. Steadicam debate, but as a user of both systems, I think the Pilot systems are a very good value and are much easier to use.
 
thanks guys! scapsinger, i've looked at the link you've posted and it is very sweet deal with everything it includes...but sadly the seller only ships to USA...

Phil, thanks for the info...looks likely i'll be going for this...can't wait to try in my local store...hehe
 
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