Returning the Glidecam Pro 4000

brandondull

brandondull

Well-known member
This is one of my worst investments into my HVX200a. I need movement in my shots. This is not giving me those results but a headache & sore arms. I have been trying to get this thing setup for the last 3 days just to do one test shot. I read the directions & watched videos - I'm not stupid but this thing is the worst thing a filmer could buy. I might as well buy wheels for my tripod. Any ideas? This glidecam 4000 makes me wan to sell my hvx200a because it's not working out when B&H has it as a 4.5 out of 5 star rating - what a lie! I'm such a complainer but I need my $363.00 back!
 
Brandon, the Glidecam is a great piece of equipment. I can set mine up and balance my
HVX200 in about 20 minutes. In my post in your previous thread about this I mentioned
how some people, me included, did not have the best results until getting the hang of how
critical it is to balance to the center of gravity. This is not difficult; it simply requires the right approach. I know that you wrote that you've been doing this for three days. I can say that I
kept at my dogged approach of balancing angrily but not correctly until I realized that I
had to get my initial approach right and now the equipment goes together fast and the
results are good.

Yes, you may get sore arms a bit. The forearm brace is a big help. The HVX200 is a hefty camera when you're using it this way but like I said in my previous post, I can get shots that look like they were shot on a dolly with track. I've worked on some national tv shows with this setup. If you can figure it out you'll be really happy with it.
 
I just don't understand it. I know balancing should be common sense but I have mine balanced. It sways still. I have 14 weights on it evenly. The left/right Is centered. The camera plate is on the 3rd hole up from the middle. When I hold it still it seems to be find but when I walk it sways....
 
If it is balanced correctly when you hold it it should settle quickly after maybe a
little movement from how it was picked, and then should stay still as you move.

How are you holding it? Often people get shake in their shot because they pinch the
vertical column with their guiding hand, thus putting themselves back into the equation
with all of the handheld camera vibration that they got the Glidecam in order to to avoid.
I hold my guiding hand am inch away from the column, maybe with a couple fingertips just touching to steer as I move and turn but if you hold on to it, even lightly, you're going to cancel
out the Glidecam's effect.
 
The left/right Is centered
Click to expand...

"centered" may not be what you need. i would guess that an hvx200 would be right heavy due to the tape mechanism. you may need to move your camera to the left on the plate.

also, are you balancing the rig with your lcd closed then using it with it open? that will sully your balance as well...
 
you keep saying "its balanced..."

if it were balanced, it wouldnt be swaying.

there is obviously some fundamental logic or at least syntax thats escaping you. i have a hard time accepting the gear is to blame. when its abundantly clear that you havent taken the time to REALLY learn about stabilizers from either a physics or physical standpoint.
 
does the glidecam have a way to mount it on a stand while balancing? having it stationary and having two hands free make this process WAY easier...
 
You might try the SteadyTracker - (also available at B&H). Easy to setup, less stress on your wrists (you can walk around all day with it), good results with practice (there's a special walk). I used it with my Canon XHA1.

I also own the glidecam - which I prefer with my 7D... Balancing the glidecam is a blackmagic. But once you figure it out - you can balance a fresh setup in a couple minutes.

Recommendation: Find something to "hold" the glidecam for you while balancing it (like a light stand). That way you can see how each little adjustment of the weights or camera position affect the balance of the rig in real time... instead of pick up, put down, adjust, pickup, put down, adjust. It's just adjust... adjust... adjust... bingo!
 
Using a stand to balance your rig is the best method. I have V16 system and could never balance it properly any other way. If you only have less than one day to figure out how to use it you might not be happy with your results. It's definitely a craft in an of it's own.
 
brandondull said:
I got it to work for the most part! Now just practice makes perfect!
Click to expand...

Very nice!

I was worried you'd actually return it - giving up on them is an awful idea, because GlideCams really are good at what they do, they just take some getting used to.

Now that you've got it, just work out the small kinks and shoot away! Good luck mang, glad to see you got it.

Milos
 
Thanks blondie for all your help! I will post some sample work this week. I think I added you on vimeo as well. Your skiing is dope!
 
no vest. just the glidecam 4000 pro it self. it works great on my HVX200a but for my Canon T2i its to light & I want to know how to get it work for the Canon T2i.
 
The Glidecam 4000 is great, and not too hard to balance once you understand it. If you're using an HVX on it with no vest, then of course your arm's gonna get tired.
 
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