deckardScott1980
Well-known member
just got a glidecam 4000 for my dvx...need some help stabilzing it and get in steady to shoot. can anyone help out how to adjust it.
glidecam 4000 and dvx HELP!!
- Thread starter deckardScott1980
- Start date
craigbowman
Veteran
Did you get the smooth shooter vest with it or are you going to try and use it with just holding it and killing off your arm?
As for adjusting it, didn't you get the dvd which demonstrates the whole setup procedure? If not its available from glidecam.
As for adjusting it, didn't you get the dvd which demonstrates the whole setup procedure? If not its available from glidecam.
deckardScott1980
Well-known member
for now i just have the glide cam. gonna get the vest. no i didnt get the dvd. i mean i have it sort of. but ive seen a deomonstration vid. and it stay completely straight. mine keeps sort of swaying back and forth.
craigbowman
Veteran
The weights at the bottom should be out to the edges. The balance should be set to if you move the rig in and out its stays straight and from side to side stays straight. If everything is set up right and you grab the bottom of the rig, hold it at 90 degrees to the vertical and let go, it will take about two to three seconds for the camera to swing through the arc. If the unit is swinging to fast, shorten up the post , remove some bottom weight, or a combination of the two.
Everything counts when your doing a setup. So have a tape inside, the LCD panel open and the lens cap off. If you use a hoodie on the LCD panel then have it attached when you are setting up the unit. When you hold the unit still it should be totally vertical.
I would highly recommend a univeral quick connect baseplate. Once you've done a proper setup you can very quickly set up the following times in a matter of a couple of minutes.
Everything counts when your doing a setup. So have a tape inside, the LCD panel open and the lens cap off. If you use a hoodie on the LCD panel then have it attached when you are setting up the unit. When you hold the unit still it should be totally vertical.
I would highly recommend a univeral quick connect baseplate. Once you've done a proper setup you can very quickly set up the following times in a matter of a couple of minutes.
darmanb
Well-known member
A link to setup manual (2000 and 4000 pro):
http://www.glidecam.com/pdf/man/glidecam_2000_4000_pro_manual.pdf
http://www.glidecam.com/pdf/man/glidecam_2000_4000_pro_manual.pdf
Some tips:
To balance the camera, its not only about the weights on the baseplate: you can tweak the distribution of weight by sliding the top plate a bit further or back. The Glidecam 4000 is not the ideal Glidecam for a Bare DVX (no matebox, no 35mm adapter) its a bit too lightweight. I used the DVX with a 2000, then upgraded to the 4000 for my HVX.
Another tip, and this was how I used my glidecam in the beginning, when I needed results and wasn't getting them. The tip is to actualy turn the base to form an inverted T with the pole and camera, or in a more visual explanation, the camera was "I" and the baseplate with the weights "_", and not everything aligned as it says on the DVD. This made me be able to get much more acceptable Steadicam footage in the beginning, since my handling incorrections were more "tilty" than the abrupt left and right leaning that you get when you get the calibration badly done in "the right way".
Suffice to say, I have the system for 3 years now and have it aligned correctly and work with it without hassles. This "workaround"is just if you need better results "Now"- it will, however, not be perfect. A badly calibrated Glidecam will always show on the final image.
To balance the camera, its not only about the weights on the baseplate: you can tweak the distribution of weight by sliding the top plate a bit further or back. The Glidecam 4000 is not the ideal Glidecam for a Bare DVX (no matebox, no 35mm adapter) its a bit too lightweight. I used the DVX with a 2000, then upgraded to the 4000 for my HVX.
Another tip, and this was how I used my glidecam in the beginning, when I needed results and wasn't getting them. The tip is to actualy turn the base to form an inverted T with the pole and camera, or in a more visual explanation, the camera was "I" and the baseplate with the weights "_", and not everything aligned as it says on the DVD. This made me be able to get much more acceptable Steadicam footage in the beginning, since my handling incorrections were more "tilty" than the abrupt left and right leaning that you get when you get the calibration badly done in "the right way".
Suffice to say, I have the system for 3 years now and have it aligned correctly and work with it without hassles. This "workaround"is just if you need better results "Now"- it will, however, not be perfect. A badly calibrated Glidecam will always show on the final image.
darmanb
Well-known member
As with everything else, practice makes perfect.
Balance following user manual step by step and take your time.
Every time I wanted to balance quickly - it was impossible and irritating.
Plan shots in advance and balance correctly.
I saw some footage shot only w dvx100 + glide2000 and I thought it was some expensive dolly or crane!
Of course without extra add-ons it's stress on arms and back, but considering it's price - i say it's more that worth it!
Balance following user manual step by step and take your time.
Every time I wanted to balance quickly - it was impossible and irritating.
Plan shots in advance and balance correctly.
I saw some footage shot only w dvx100 + glide2000 and I thought it was some expensive dolly or crane!
Of course without extra add-ons it's stress on arms and back, but considering it's price - i say it's more that worth it!
i just got a DVX100B + glidecam4000pro (no smooth shooter / vest) after first try outs, i got extremely disappointed. I would have never expected the whole setup gc4000+dvx100b+battery to be that heavy.. and yes, it just kills your arm doh... its annoying, unless you work out your arms enough to get used to it.. As it, the whole setup is barely usable, i can hold it for max 4-6 min before taking a break in a sweat and i dont talk about the distribution of weight and balance setup nightmare... that gc4000 might be 'ok' for some lightweight camcorders, but definetly not for the dvx100b unless u get the vest thing... i dont understand why decent stabilizing systems (ie those from real Steadicam) are so insanely priced (+$10k) etc we are in 2008, there is something not right....
i was trying for 2h to setup the annoying balance thing, and i realize how cheaply the whole concept of this glide cam 4000 "pro" is made.. its some cheap macgyverism.. those plates could have been made of solid plastic to be lighter.. the WHOLE thing should be priced $99 maximum, i really start to hate it here