Glidecam 2000 pro baseplate?

[Donald Ong]

Hi

So I'm considering picking up a glidecam 2000 pro for my 5d3. Yes, I know the HD will be better, but where I live it's almost double the price and I don't think I'll be using it enough to justify that. (mostly because I have a music video project signed and i need a glidecam for a few glides. No hurry, though. I have about half a month before the shoot and have plenty of time to properly balance and learn it.)

So anyway, my question is, Do i need a baseplate/QR for the 2000 pro? I know the main reason most people use a baseplate is for convenience and to quickly swap to a tripod. But is there any other reason besides that? Are there any significant differences between the 2000 pro and the XR 2000?
Also, I'm thinking the 5d3 + 24-105 would be too much for the HD1000, right?

Thanks.

 

[wallrc]

If you're taking it on and off even once during your shoot I just can't imagine unscrewing the thing, it's such a pain. Also if you're manually screwing it in, chances are good there will be a little bit of movement each time you do so meaning you'll have to rebalance, which is annoying and difficult on a shoot. I have an HD4000 and while my setup is not exactly stock (monitor and batteries on lower stage) it took me a good week to get it balanced, at home in a controlled environment - I had to add weights to the top for a 7D, take them off for a 5D with a mic mounted, etc. Also don't even think about using a zoom and using it at anything but one focal length - you'd have to start over on balance again if you even zoom 10mm, though if you're just doing it by yourself, you should just set it at 24mm, stop down to f8 or so (or more) and leave it.

 

[Donald Ong]

you should just set it at 24mm, stop down to f8 or so (or more) and leave it.

Yep, that's what I intend to do. Will focusing affect the balance?

If you're taking it on and off even once during your shoot I just can't imagine unscrewing the thing, it's such a pain. Also if you're manually screwing it in, chances are good there will be a little bit of movement each time you do so meaning you'll have to rebalance, which is annoying and difficult on a shoot.

Yeah, I see the problem. Would something like this work: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/861102-REG/Libec_AP_5_AP_5_All_in_One_Camera_Platform.html
I assume it would, but just making sure. The store has this rather than the standard manfrotto one..

 

[wallrc]

That will work perfectly. The one issue is that you have to get the plate back in the same place every time to assure you're balanced. I use 2 of these (one on steadicam, one on tripod) http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5563-REG/Manfrotto_394_394_Low_Profile_Quick.html
I'm actually selling them soon because I am going to arcaswiss (I got a VF plate that was arca), if you're interested in buying them. I like these because there is no adjustment back and forth, I set up the QR on the Steadicam once and then I know the plate is always going to be in the same place - if I need to make balance adjustments, I make them on the Steadicam, as opposed to sliding the plate back and forth like thet standard plate you've linked. It's entirely a matter of preference - some people want to be able to put the plate forward or backward, I found that for fast changes my plate works for me and I know I'm always where I was.

 

[Donald Ong]

That will work perfectly. The one issue is that you have to get the plate back in the same place every time to assure you're balanced. I use 2 of these (one on steadicam, one on tripod) http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5563-REG/Manfrotto_394_394_Low_Profile_Quick.html
I'm actually selling them soon because I am going to arcaswiss (I got a VF plate that was arca), if you're interested in buying them. I like these because there is no adjustment back and forth, I set up the QR on the Steadicam once and then I know the plate is always going to be in the same place - if I need to make balance adjustments, I make them on the Steadicam, as opposed to sliding the plate back and forth like thet standard plate you've linked. It's entirely a matter of preference - some people want to be able to put the plate forward or backward, I found that for fast changes my plate works for me and I know I'm always where I was.

Ok thanks for the help