Question for Glidecam owners

EWS

EWS

Active member
Just purchased a Glidecam HD 1000 for my GH1. I have been able to get a pretty good balance with several lenses, but I have only one major issue. If I get the unit flying in a normal position say with my right hand on the rear center to rear right of the camera I am unable to rotate very far before it goes out of balance. In other words if I were to hard pan the camera to the other side of the axis it is completely off. I was just wondering if this is normal? I cant seem to get my head around why if it is balanced in one position that is it doesn't maintain this in a 360 degree rotation. My only thought on this is that the bearing and gimble may not be perfectly at 90 degrees to the center post or just the play in the bearing is causing this.
One other note that may be helpful to someone is that I took a 6/32 screw in the sled pointing up to the plastic tensioning knob that adjusts the length of the bottom pole to aid in more precise adjustments. You can cut it to length and slightly round the end of the screw off and it will fit into the space in the clamp to help keep the sled aligned.
 
Bearing is not propertly positioned or all exis do not intersect in one point.
Or you have some play in one of the bearings.
 
My thoughts exactly. There definitely is a little play in the bearings but since this is my first experience with Glide-cam, I am not sure how much is normal.
It just seems to me that once it is balanced at any point it should maintain it 360 degrees. And it is not like it is just a little bit off, If I rotate the camera 180 degrees it tilts a few inches.
Bad unit maybe?
 
This email just in from Glidecam regarding bearing alignment.
Based on your description, it sounds as though the Glidecam HD-1000 central bearing is out of alignment and in need of calibration.

Adjustment;

The cover of the Glidecam HD-1000 central bearing can be loosened via a size 10 torx head screw, then four small set screws (size 1/16” allen wrench) found on an intersecting line, 90 degree to one another on the sides of the central bearing, can be adjusted to calibrate the side to side and front to back alignment, centering the bearing for greater gimbal performance.

See the following link for more information on Torx tools; http://www.torxtools.com


*A bubble level is recommended for a precise balance reference during calibration. It is also advisable that during calibration the vertical balance is at 2.5 to 3 second drop time.


The bubble should be level at 0, 90, 180, and 270 degrees;

Step 1:
Horizontally balance the Glidecam HD-1000 at 0 degrees.

Step 2:
Turn camera 180 degrees; if out of alignment adjust the downward side of the yoke via the small set screws by turning the screw clockwise, "pushing" the central bearing in the opposite direction. Start by only making 1-2 rotations of the adjustment set screws, as this is a very sensitive adjustment, (.032” per rotation) then move to step 3.
During this process you must also loosen the counter set screw back-stop, opposite screw from the ‘active adjustment set screw’, one on the ‘downward’ side of the yoke.

Step 3:
Then rotate Glidecam HD-1000 back to 0 degrees and horizontally balance using the camera.

Step 4:
Then rotate back to 180 degrees, if still out of alignment repeat steps 2-4.

Step 5:
Repeat steps 2-4 for 90 and 270 degrees. (this may take several attempts)

Step 6:
Once balanced on the 0-90, and 180-270, lock torx head screws on cover.

Hopefully I can get this worked out tomorrow. This appears it could be the problem, just not what I expected out of the box.
 
Hi my name is Marko,

I have the same problem with glidecam HD1000,and i received the same letter as you from Glidecam suppor-

did you fix it by yourself

if you have done successfully,please tell me procedure,because I try, but without success....


Thanks a lot in advance
 
Hi Marko,
Yes I did get it worked out, and the only suggestion I can offer is to follow the instructions very carefully. This is a very slow and painstaking procedure and you need to make sure you have the top screws loose enough but not too loose for the 4 adjustments screws to work. Also keep in mind these are very precise adjustments and with each partial turn you have to adjust the opposite screw in the opposite direction.
Get a bubble level to use and make sure you have the rig mounted so that it is not moving when you rotate the camera. I used this one http://www.swansontoolco.com/lla001.cfm
One other thought is if I ever have to go through this procedure again I will replace the top screws with stainless steel hex head screws as it would be much easier to tighten and loosen.
Last but not least when all is said and done you should be able to rotate the camera 360 degrees with no tilting. It took me a couple of hours to get it right.
Don't forget using this rig is something that you will have to invest some time into and I seriously doubt if anyone has had overnight success in mastering.
I know I haven't. Patience is the key.
Hope this helps...good luck!
 
thanks EWS for reply

thanks EWS for reply

thanks EWS for reply

for now i just succssed to balance just a litlle ,but now when i walk and record my camea with

glidecam rotate on left and litlle tilt....

i am confused,because,when i screwing nothing going on.....

as you say ``Patience is the key``.

thanks again
 
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