Glidecam 2000

G

Griffinstudios

Active member
Alright,

I can't for the life of me balance my DVX properly. I've got it "almost there" but then the rocking starts and it just all goes to hell.

Any tips/tricks to balance? Does Glidecam have any general setups for camera models? Amount of base weight? Length?

Help. Please.
 
Re: Glidecam 2000

from my experience with the 2000 (not much) its just not big enough, from what ive seen and heard from others on this site, for dvx use the 2000 isnt quite adequite(sp?). You need the 4000.

Anyone else have better results with the 2000?
 
Re: Glidecam 2000

I was going to get 2000 for my DVX but the sales rep said it's not enough for it - I guess it's the combination of its size (length) and the weights.

So I got 4000 and have no problem balancing it. Shooting - that's another story, though. Can't wait to try out the vest that's coming out soon.
 
Re: Glidecam 2000

holy ****..

I want one...

after watching the videos on the glidecam sight... i am sold!

:o :o 8)
 
Re: Glidecam 2000

[quote author=pookie link=board=news;num=1109688639;start=0#4 date=03/01/05 at 21:55:07]Another turn's to the "dark side". ;)[/quote]

Do you mean that in a good way or a bad way?
 
Re: Glidecam 2000

[quote author=Loki link=board=news;num=1109688639;start=0#3 date=03/01/05 at 21:48:56]after watching the videos on the glidecam sight... i am sold!
[/quote]Loki, do you want to buy mine? It's in mint condition, bought last summer, but I almost never use it. Now that I've built a dolly, I am pretty sure I'll prefer that over the glidecam.

You are in Toronto, I think, so you could have it this weekend.

PM me if interested. Price would be fair.
 
Re: Glidecam 2000

so tempting... but I don't have any money to spend on something like that... I am relegated to drooling over possibly owning one..

if you still have it a while from now and I have money then we could be in business..but alas... for now I must decline..

much to my shergrin...  :-/
 
Re: Glidecam 2000

I would reccomend a 400; that being said? I have the 2000 and have mastered the balance flawlessly. It can be done; with patience. It can be done. But damn if my arm doesnt hurt.
 
Re: Glidecam 2000

What a bunch of little girls....

Back in my day, we had to learn to balance our stabilizers in the dark, walking the 6 miles to school though 3 feet of freezing snow at 5 in the morning, just to try and get a smooth shot of the little Bobby getting the strap in the principles office. There were no second takes.

Damn we were a tough bunch.

LOL ;)
 
Re: Glidecam 2000

Jerry XCheck,

I'm interested in your GlideCam 4000, I tried to PM you but it's not working.
 
Re: Glidecam 2000

I bought both the 2000 and the 4000 because of this. Tried 'em both. There is a huge difference. Stay with the 4000. Took a little while to balance the very first time but now takes about 5 minutes or so. I also leave the entire thing set up all the time, minus the camera. I've marked the base of the camera and the platform with a white grease pencil line which makes remounting it in exactly the right place a snap.

One important tip: the camera should be in it's exact final shooting condition BEFORE you balance - everything: tape loaded and cued to correct place, battery on, viewfinder adjusted to it's final position, LCD in it's final position. Any change, however minor, to any of these will require rebalancing the glidecam.

As for performance, I was stunned by how well it works, though agree the weight permits only 5 minutes or so of continuous use before taking a break. The Forearm Brace reallly helps alot. I haven't heard of a special vest coming out but that would be cool.

Steve
 
Re: Glidecam 2000

Steve, exactly my observations. Once you get the hang of it, it's cool. But now I have a dolly (I know, I know - need to post some shots of it - w.i.p.), and the few moving shots I used to do with Glidecam will be sooo much easier with a dolly.

However, there is a new product (Smoothshooter, http://www.glidecam.com/smooth_shooter.html) that supposedly allows either the 2000 or 4000 to put on an arm. I am dying to try that out! Price is kind of steep, though... I wonder if a crane would be better spent money.

EDIT:
I think the website should have a disclaimer: Glidecam, Camera, and Blonde not included. ;D
 
Re: Glidecam 2000

I just got the 2000 and I've used it with the dvx and the anamorphic lens. I don't have any problems balancing it - but dang, my arm hurts! I will probably have to invest in the body pod. Technically the 2000 supports cameras up to 6 lbs. My fairly unscientific weighing of my camera setup was right under 6 lbs
 
Re: Glidecam 2000

[quote author=pookie link=board=news;num=1109688639;start=0#10 date=03/02/05 at 21:14:49]What a bunch of little girls....

Back in my day, we had to learn to balance our stabilizers in the dark, walking the 6 miles to school though 3 feet of freezing snow at 5 in the morning, just to try and get a smooth shot of the little Bobby getting the strap in the principles office. There were no second takes.

Damn we were a tough bunch.

LOL ;)[/quote]

what is this, back in the 1920's? ;D
 
Re: Glidecam 2000

bvalente, do NOT buy the body pod for use as a stabilizing "vest". It is not. It is only usefull for taking a break from holding the camera or for slightly stabilized moves that do not have that smooth floating look. I WOULD recommend the Forearm Brace, which does not interfere with the floating effect and allows you to hold the whole thing for a lot longer than the Glidecam alone.

Steve
 
Re: Glidecam 2000

The Smooth Shooter is a sensible product; it is unfeasible for most people to carry a >5lb setup on a handheld rig for more than a few minutes. A currently available low-cost arm and vest solution for the Glidecams can be seen at indicam.com.
 
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