T2i How to make the Glidecam 4000 work with Canon T2i

Hey,
Just got the gide cam 4000 pro and the T2i.
(for now) I'm using the 50mm-.... canon "kit lens".
I am having a terrible time balancing it.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Someone said you should put wait at the top, but where? If the cameras in the middle, Wouldn't it throw the rig off?
 
Glidecam's or Steadicam's operate in the same way, "slightly" bottom heavy...slightly.
A T2i or 7D, 5D or any other DSLR don't need any weight added to the top, or anywhere else to balance, ever. You can easily fly with a mic on top, but it's not there to add weight.
Start with 2 weights on both mounts, then hold it sideways, if it's still top heavy, lengthen the pole and see if that gets it balancing, if not add another weight, then try it sideways, lengthen the pole etc.
The DSLR's aren't too light, regardless of the lens, it's just a matter of the proper setup. Generally wide angle lenses are easiest to use, but with practice a short telephoto will work for special shots. I see everyone seems to have the Glidecam 4000, but a DSLR is perfectly suited to a 2000. With a 4000 you're just hauling extra weight for no real benefit unless you have a heavy video cam you want to use on it as well... otherwise you're just going to tire yourself faster handheld, but it will still do the job just fine.
 
I Currently have 3 weights on each bottom side. The head is phased almost all the way to the right and almost all the way back. This is the most balanced I have managed to get it. However there is still an extremely noticeable sway back and forth and a little less noticeable left to right. Also the thing keeps spinning!

I've been working on this for three days with know luck.
Any suggestion will help.
If I don't get this right in a few hours, B&H might have another used product.
 
I Currently have 3 weights on each bottom side. The head is phased almost all the way to the right and almost all the way back. This is the most balanced I have managed to get it. However there is still an extremely noticeable sway back and forth and a little less noticeable left to right. Also the thing keeps spinning!

I've been working on this for three days with know luck.
Any suggestion will help.
If I don't get this right in a few hours, B&H might have another used product.

Too bottom heavy.

Lighten the weights on the sled, the right drop time is 1 to 2 seconds, anything faster means it's too bottom heavy. The spinning means you need to adjust the top mount slightly in the opposite direction of the spin. Slightly.
 
Maybe try this? I am not an expert but I have 6 weights on each side with my Canon T2i Kit Lens *18-55mm* with the Camera in the middle of the top plate hole. When I pick it up it seems to be about 90 percent balanced straight up & down. It works good enough for me on my GlideCam 4000 Pro.



Now i'm getting to different responses...

I'll try both and see which works the best...
 
You can listen to all these "put weight on top" posts, and screw around getting frustrated if you want to waste your time and still can't setup your rig right.

The weight they want to add to the top is to counteract the excess weight they keep putting on the sled. It's an endless loop that way.


You want "Slightly bottom heavy"
 
I haven't tried either yet.
But out of curiosity how many weights do you leave on the bottom.
I tried one on both side and still got a sway/ rock (back and forth and side to side)...
I don't get the contraption.
ug
 
Also I'm not sure if this a problem or not, glide cam moves interlay on it's own in what ever direction it wants. Is this a problem? If it needs to be guided with my other hand, whats keeping the shakes from getting in the footage. And how am I to focus at the same time...

This may be a stupid question, I'm aware....
 
You don't need more top weight added, it only means adding more bottom weight to balance making the rig even heavier for no purpose or benefit.

regardless- you should have a quick release on any stabilizer, or you'll have to go through all this crap every time you remove/attach the camera
 
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