Cheapest glidecam for the 7D?

Lucas 7D

Lucas 7D

Active member
Hey guys

I want to buy a Glidecam but dont know which to pair up with my 7D. I'm only going to mount the 7D with lens on it and nothing else. Some people are recommending the HD models but I dont know what the difference is between the HD and the regural 2000 for example. So can i Just buy their $250 model for my 7D or is there something I should know?
 
I know this is beating a dead horse but those aren't exactly comparable to the Glidecam. Glidecam gives you the advantage of having a gimbal to further smooth out and isolate body movement from the camera, as well as having a more sophisticated weight system for getting the balance dialed in better.

It seems that the HD2000 is the most popular model of Glidecam around here, I think that's likely due to it being able to support a lightweight 7D and extras (follow focus/sound recording gear) or a larger camera like the HVX200 etc.
 
I'm wondering if maybe you could get away with an HD1000; it's so much smaller and cheaper. They say that it is inteded for cameras "up to 3lb". That's pushing it for the 7D, which weights 1.9lbs with battery and could easily have 1lb of glass. What happens if you go a hair over the weight limit? Does the whole thing just tip and become useless, or can you add some more washers on there and just be content with a faster drop time?
 
what about the GLidecam 2000 Pro? I see its $265 on some sites. Is that one good for an DSLR?
 
patssle, was that video you posted filmed with the Glidecam HD2000 or Pro 2000?

Also, how long did it take you to master the Glidecam?
 
It's the regular Pro 2000. Didn't see any point in getting the new version.

I still haven't mastered it, that video was done only after a couple hours of practicing...basically I've been learning on the fly. It definitely takes time to learn.
 
I think - and Im not sure - but the difference between the HD and the non HD models may be in terms of the top stage adjustment

the BB has the best stage adjustment two little wheels

the merlin has rollers under the stage

the GC I am not so sure

If you cant adjust the topstage then you cant trim the camera for different lenses etc

A stabiliser with no easy adjustment of the top stage is a PITA Im sure

S
 
I'm wondering if maybe you could get away with an HD1000; it's so much smaller and cheaper. They say that it is inteded for cameras "up to 3lb". That's pushing it for the 7D, which weights 1.9lbs with battery and could easily have 1lb of glass. What happens if you go a hair over the weight limit? Does the whole thing just tip and become useless, or can you add some more washers on there and just be content with a faster drop time?
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I'm curious about this too, the HD1000 seems like it would be the smallest and lightest solution if it works, but the question still exists, can it handle say 3.2lbs or is 3lbs the absolute limit?
 
I don't know much about the Glidecams, but isn't this just physics? Oh crap, I don't know much about that either.

But I would imagine the biggest difference between the Glidecam models is the length of the vertical support. the greater the distance between the camera and the weights the bigger the camera you can use. To use a heavier camera on the smaller Glidecam 1000, I'm guessing it has the shortest vertical support, couldn't you just add more weight to the bottom.

Of coarse in order to get it to balance correctly the Glidecam 1000 with the shorter vertical support might end up weighing much more than the Glidecam 2000 with a longer vertical support.

But can't you just add a little more weight to the Glidecam 1000 to use it with the 7D?
 
I emailed Glidecam with my inquiry about using the HD1000 and they recommended the HD2000 for DSLR use (which I expected) and they didn't give me a hard answer on the 3lb weight limit other than mentioning the limit.
 
chris f said:
I emailed Glidecam with my inquiry about using the HD1000 and they recommended the HD2000 for DSLR use (which I expected) and they didn't give me a hard answer on the 3lb weight limit other than mentioning the limit.
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I used the glidecam 4000 for the liquor ad that you saw of mine and I definitely noticed a stability difference when i extended it to be longer. I'm no expert on this subject but it seems that you should go for the biggest glidecam in your budget.
 
Man, I know this isn't a glidecam, but I learned something valuable shooting in NC: A tripod with a riser in the center is incredible for steadycam like action.

I had a 180mm on my 7D and walked around with this Gitzo tripod, holding it by the riser in the center and I nearly fainted at how steady the test footage was. I deleted it, but I've been itching to try this again so I'll do another soon.

It ain't a glidecam, of course, but be damned if it isn't CHEAP and effective.
 
Kholi said:
Man, I know this isn't a glidecam, but I learned something valuable shooting in NC: A tripod with a riser in the center is incredible for steadycam like action.

I had a 180mm on my 7D and walked around with this Gitzo tripod, holding it by the riser in the center and I nearly fainted at how steady the test footage was. I deleted it, but I've been itching to try this again so I'll do another soon.

It ain't a glidecam, of course, but be damned if it isn't CHEAP and effective.
Click to expand...

I played around with this idea in this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvO1A2xD1H8 All the moving shots around the car were shot with a 50mm and simply flying the tripod like you would a steadytracker
 
I thought the glidcam 1000 pro was rated up to 6 lbs?

I just got one off ebay, havent balanced it with my d90 yet, but im thinking it should work, i placed it on there really quickly and it didnt feel like it would be unable to balance.

Afterall its just a matter of adding weights to the bottom or top.
 
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