Advanced Glidecam Balancing Tutorial

[Psynema]

Just wanted to share a Glidecam tutorial I did - it's not the run of the mill basic one, so this is assuming you already have one and know the 2-3 second drop time, adjust the sled so it's stands upright etc. Let me know how clear/unclear anything is for future reference.

Thanks

 

[dsp_418]

Finally! Thank you for this.
I finally understand what the bottom weights do other than adding weights
That was really helpful, thanks.

 

[Tetewsky]

The bottom plates are to get dynamic balance. The pans will wobble if the cg on top is not slightly behind the post.

 

[hantanbl]

i need to try the bottom plate tonight when i am home

 

[CharlesPapert]

The bottom plates are to get dynamic balance. The pans will wobble if the cg on top is not slightly behind the post.

That's only accurate if there is a middle mass extended on one side, typically a monitor that is raised above the base of the sled. With a standard setup like this that is an inverted T, where the front weights on the sled are the same as the back weights, the CG will run right up the post and the CG of the camera will be centered over the post.

The primary reason for the bottom plate/weights are to expand the inertia of the system and relocate the CG so that it is accessible to the operator.