FS7: FS7 & Glidecam HD4000

J

joshbirchfilms

Member
Hey Guys,

Lately I've noticed when using my Glidecam HD4000 I am getting a bit of jitter and shake, kind of similar to what it seen in this video with a guy stating the same issue?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFQwDRzvcEE&feature=youtu.be

Have no idea what is causing the issue.

I am running it with a Manfrotto Quick Release Plate and have it fully tightened

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what might be causing the problem?

Regards,

Josh
 
Are you saying that flying the Fs7 has been working fine then recently you have noticed jitters? Or have you always had jitters trying to fly the FS7?

I have a Glidecam Devin Graham and I haven't come across any specific jitter other than ones I cause.
 
I've been reading around a lot and seeing a lot of people mention that it's something to do with using a Quick Release Plate. I think I will take the Quick Release Plate off tomorrow and see what results it produces. It seems the Glidecam Devin Graham seems to hold the FS7 a bit better because of the shape of the top plate on it.

Never had the issue whilst flying a 5d mark III so trying to establish whether it's the heavy camera, or the quick release plate being an issue?
 
I use a Gitzo quick release (same form as Manfrotto, and interchangable) and do not have this jitter.

But i have operator introduced errors ;-) Not as good with this heavy rig as i would like to be. Even with the Arm Brace its still tiring.

Have you tried on/off with IS? This looks like the type of jitter that IS would help on?
 
I find the FS7 on the glidecam pretty damn heavy for anything short of sporty action and I use and arm brace for those. I ended up getting a CamePro Arm/Vest so I could really get the most out of it.
 
Martin.G said:
I use a Gitzo quick release (same form as Manfrotto, and interchangable) and do not have this jitter.

But i have operator introduced errors ;-) Not as good with this heavy rig as i would like to be. Even with the Arm Brace its still tiring.

Have you tried on/off with IS? This looks like the type of jitter that IS would help on?
Click to expand...

I have IS on I believe. Maybe it is operator induced errors - I'm gonna run a bunch more tests tomorrow and see. What's frustrating is I can't notice it too much whilst shooting, but really unpleasing in the edit.
 
So turns out one microphone spacer wasn't enough and that was causing the wobble. I added some card in there to make it super tight and compact - made for some much smoother footage. Thought I'd share incase anyone else finds themselves in same situation!
 
I had that jitter when using my FS7 with a sigma 18-35mm 1.8 I also had the top handle, mic attached, and side arm attached. Came in at 17.7lbs. Swapped the lens to the 18-105mm F4 Sony lens and the jitters were gone. Went to a Bower 16mm 2.0 and the jitters only show up when I ran with the glidecam. Never experienced it with my FS700 and sigma 18-35mm attached to it. Then again it was much lighter in comparison. Glad you figured out a solution to your problem. Mine was reducing the weight.
 
17.7 lbs is way over the max weight of the Glidecam HD4000 no wonder you were having issues.

I run my FS7 body only and VF near the centre back with longer rail (kind of where Fs700 vf was). With BPU30 bat & Rokinon 14mm its 7.5lbs. Most I usually go is to add the shape lw baseplate and a monitor which gets it near the max of the devin graham gldiecam which is 12lbs.
 
17.7lbs was the entire weight with the glidecam. The cam, top/side handle bpu60 batt with the sigma came in a 10lbs which is the limit. The glidecam had to come in at 7.7lbs to be able to balance it. Either way it was pretty heavy going handheld with the glidecam.
 
oh gotcha. Yes its too heavy for me to do smoothly without forearm support. Even then for any smooth longer takes an arm and vest will save your shots.
 
Get the Smooth Shooter vest. It's help tons. For the price of Devin Graham and Smooth Shooter, it's still less than The Ronin.
 
So I never actually got round to fully sorting this problem.

My usual set up is Sony FS7, Metabones Speedbooster Ultra, Canon 17-40, Top handle, LCD screen and a Rode NTG2. This comes in below the recommended weight for the Glidecam HD-4000. I am still getting this Jitter problem, please see the below:

https://vimeo.com/176438796/78d76d4a79

Is anyone else struggling with this? The 17-40 does not have image stabilisation so it can't be that? I didn't realise Metabones adapters required updates so I am in the process of updating those, would it be something to do with that.

Any help would be hugely appreciated.
 
Do you have a manfrotto style qr plate attaching your fs7? I had the same issue and called glidecam they suggested mounting the cam directly to the top plate of the glidecam.
 
Yeah I do. I will give it a try without that and see if that is what is causing the issue. It feels so solid though and there is no movement...
 
My guess would be the screws on the top mounting plate of the glidecam are loose. Not your manfrotto QR (although that could also cause an issue if not tight).. but the actual top plate. 4 corner screws.

Maybe?
 
Just got back from holiday today and ran some more tests and unfortunately still facing the same issue.
I had just updated my Metabones software prior to going away and thought this might be the cause of the issue, but sadly its not. I just can't seem to work out what is causing it.

My exact set up is as follows
Sony FS7, BP60 Battery, Top Handle, LCD screen, Rode NTG2 Microphone and Canon 17-40. When I weight this all it comes in below the weight limit for the HD4000.
This is situated on a Manfrotto 501 Quick Release Plate.
There is absolutely no give in the Manfrotto Plate its solid, all the screws and everything on the Glidecam are really tight, the glidecam itself is properly balanced too.
The only place where there is a bit of give is the Microphone in it's shock mount, but can see this being the sole cause of the problem.
Am beginning to also question myself as well, because when holding it my hand is shaking ever so slightly.
Any further thoughts from anyone? Would the Devin Graham Signature Series be the next viable option?
 
I've had similar problems with my fs700 on glidecams. Most of the time it turned out to be my manfrotto plate. If you take it off and bolt your camera straight on to the cheese plate real tight it should eliminate the problem. However that really makes swapping tripod, shoulder rigs to the glidecam a real pain.
 
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