Glidecam or dolly setup?

S

sirecharlz

Member
I have enough cash on hand to buy a Glidecam set-up or a dolly setup. I'm a 1st time user of both so if you had to pick which would by first and why? Eventually I hope to buy the other later but what about now?

Thanks
 
Glidecam - much more difficult to pick up without previous experience - depending on what model you buy and what camera you use.
Dolly - easier to intuitively pick up without much practice, but limited in versatility

In my opinion, a dolly and a stabilizer aren't really used for the same kind of shot. Well, they can be if thats all you have, but I'd use a dolly whenever you have a flat, smooth, straight (unless you have curved track) shot planned.
If you're moving about, going up stairs, around corners, circling the subject - things where laying track isn't feasible - then a glidecam-type stabilizer makes more sense.

It all depends on what you're comfortable with and what the shot calls for.

good luck!
Mike
 
I'd go dolly. You can get much slower, smoother and more controlled shots with the dolly. (Stairs and corners excluded.)
 
they really arent interchangeable. both used for different things.

glidecam = WAY harder to learn. requires PRACTICE. and TIME to properly balance on set. not widely rentable.
dolly = pretty intuitive and easier to use. very rentable.

i say the glidecam is the smarter "purchase"
 
The glidecam is pretty damn hard to balance unless you have a lot of time!....some people make it look really easy though....and I'm sure they've had a LOT of practice.
 
Dolly and steadicam are two completely different tools. You DO NOT use a steadicam for a dolly shot and you CANNOT use a dolly for a steadicam shot. A steadicam is a much more versitle tool but as stated in the previous thread it takes years of practice to master it.

You also have to think about your investment and return from it. Glidecam might be cheap but it cannot match the performance, versatility and build of a steadicam. On the other hand steadicam costs 3-4 more times then any other brand. You also CANNOT be a steadicam operator without taking lessons which involves more of an investment.

Dollies are hard to set up, hard to move and are not flexible from shot to shot. But on a slow move (CSI Miami trademark) you cannot match that look. Eliminating bumps vibrations and hard stops from cheaper models are difficult to deal with.

Good luck with your choice,
 
I've had the Glidecam X-10 for a few months now. It's took a little time getting used to the lightness. But after flying the Steadicam Master series for five years and an SK and VidPro for five more, I can tell you that you can achieve the same shots with Glidecam as on the top dollar systems. Operator aside, it's all in the spring arm/arms.

Don't let carbon fibre or green screens or whatever fool you.
Steadicam was always and still is extremely overpriced.

And yeah, dollies and stabilizers can be interchangeable on some shots but definitely not on others.
 
Can't comment on the other models, but I'm not sure I'd call the Steadicam Pilot "overpriced". At $3800 (B&H) it costs more than its competitors, but not that much considering what it includes, and it's a pretty darn elegant piece of kit. Quite arguably well worth it, IMO.

As to the original question, it's pretty hard to answer as you've seen from the replies thus far. The uses do overlap a little, but each has its individual strengths. And Steadicam really is a whole discipline, a little like learning to fly a plane. You *will* stink at it for a good while, but thankfully you won't kill yourself learning (although your back is likely to hurt until you get pretty good at it).

I think the answer is going to be one you'll have to find for yourself. I decided to get both.
 
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