Glidecam 2000
So I wanted to be able to run around with my camera and avoid the typical shake you get. After looking at my budget and what was out there I went with the Glidecam 2000. These are my experiences.
After getting the Glidecam 2000 I broke it open to find the contents nicely backed in peanut foam and paper. After a quick flip through the manual I ripped everything open and started to build based on the directions. The directions were OK but sometimes the pictures a page refered to were on the previous page which I found annoying.
The setup took about 20 minutes since I had the correct tools at hand. Balancing took about 15 minutes since I had a great starting point from Nick Weeks of the DVinfo forums.
The first demo was with a quick read over the instuctions and throwing it together with having read some pointers on DVinfo. The main thing out of balance was that it was bottom heavy, so starting and stopping caused the bottom to rock.
On the 2nd demo the camera was much more balanced. I was able to start and stop with almost no swing. I can only blame my self for the shaking which will not go away until I practice more. Most of the shaking was from my guiding hand which I think I was gripping on with too tightly. Also when I was walking backwards I was not as comfortable and it caused me to not walk as smoothly as I can going forward. I can also use more practice with bending my knees as I walk. I have heard people in the marching band are good at this…
This is the Canon XH-A1 with the smooth shooter. It is a number of shots put together by Nick Weeks of Superium Productions showing off the glidecam and the smooth shooter. This video shows a good range of the products abilities.
The biggest tip I can offer right now is how important it is to keep everything exactly like you will have it when you are filming, both times I started balancing I forgot to put the LCD as I would need it and had to restart. Once I forgot to take off the lens cap before I started to balance. So, setup the camera and even film the first bit so all the settings are correct, then attach it to the glidecam and balance it.
For a good starting point please goto this thread and read through it.
I am new to stabilizers. I’ve read a few types on the Net. My friend also wanted to buy one Flycam5500. I was thinking of buying the Merlin. Could someone help me decide which one is better? Merlin is much more expensive than Flycam5500, but I need some real advices from you guys to make a better decision. I have a VX2100 cam. Which one stabilizes better. Thanks for any help
Thanks! I will be happy to host it!
A REAL Merlin is much better than the Glidecam… Steadicam makes it, the same people that make the $50,000 Steadicams that fly film cameras in Hollywood. The Merlin is much better as far as balancing goes (from what I’ve heard… never actually used one) but it costs much more than the Glidecam which works great, so I couldn’t justify it.
Petr, that eBay item is definately a no-go. Buy from somewhere like B&H.
Josh, I have some footage shot with the smooth shooter for you, but I’ve been too busy editing. I’ll try and get you something around the first of the year.
That is NOT a glidecam so I cannot recomend it. That is a knock off of the Glidecam. I would not recommend getting that.
Merlin is probably the best solution, but for me I can get glidecam for 300AU$ on Ebay but Merlin for 1300AU$, what is bloody difference. Im going to buy this one http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Steadycam-Flycam-Pro-Camcorder-Stabiliser-Body-Support_W0QQitemZ190021379220QQihZ009QQcategoryZ3319QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem
If i only could be sure it works…
that;s the strange thing – i’m logged in with my name, the system knows me [both top right corner and the error message – “Petr Novak, you do not have permission…”, my account is about two months old, i posted some messages already and now i’m not able to answer any post. I tried to create new account 3 days ago, but it is still awaiting authorization. so i have no chance to send any post :(
maybe – can you post there my answer for me if i send it to you?
Hey Petr. Have you logged in? It will tell you at the top right of each page if you are logged in. That is required when posting @ DVInfo.net. Also, I think they have to approve accounts before they can post and if your account is new it might take a day or two to get approved. Second, I did have another use of the glide cam that I think turned out well in my short film Instant Message. You can see its use about a minute into the film when Jenny gets up and walks to the fridge. The film is here: Instant Message As for any balancing issues, It does take some time and I have yet to really get where I think it is perfect but I get closer each time. Most people seem to get better balance with their Merlins but that is to be expected when the device is nearly double the cost.
and another thing: I’m trying to post an answer to http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=107583&page=2 but the system doesnt allow me to post anything. something is broken there :( Im registered as Petr Novak but i can see only text “Petr Novak, you do not have permission to access this page. bla bla bla…” I emailed to admin, but nothing happens :(
Hi Josh
Do you have any more experiences now with the glidecam? I’m thinking about to buy it, but seems to me many people have troubles with balancing and using…
That must have been some interesting shooting to need to add to the A1s all ready wide lens!
I am doing an entry for the DV Challenge and I had to add a wireless mic to my setup. I was amazed that it seemed to require an additional 2 counter weights when I first set it up. I couldn’t believe how much a Sennheiser G2 receiver and 2 disks would add to the whole package!
I found out the hard way this weekend. I had to make a quick change adding a wide angle adapter to the XHA1, a combo I’ve never flown before, and I balanced it is less than 2 min. Apparently, I over compensated the added weight, and it was hardly noticeable until I got home to review the footage. I don’t think its so bad I have to ditch it, but its definitely noticeable.
Thank you for the great constructive feed back. I will try and do some simple tests back and forth and see if it is more balanced. Every time I setup the glide cam I seem to better than the last time. :)
The sway is most likely coming from your weights… probably too heavy, something I learned just this weekend. When you go to balance, the drop time should be around 2-3 seconds, but that also depends on the camera. I’ve also read a few things about some Glidecams having a non-center gimbal causing the unit to go out of balance as the camera rotates (pans) on the gimbal. You need to install some shims on the handle by the gimbal to make it right, but you’ll need to search DVInfo for details, as I can’t remember right now.
One tip that came from Charles Papert of DVInfo is to balance the cam, then *smoothly* walk down a hallway (or any other place that has very apparent vertical lines) by only using one hand to hold your Glidecam. This will tell you if you have it balanced correctly. If it sways when you aren’t guiding it with your other hand, your balance is wrong.
On the contrary, if you have it balanced properly, and it sways when making adjustments with your other hand (i.e. pan, tilt) then its your influence. You should practice using the lightest touch possible, and when you think you have it light enough, make it even lighter.
Again, those are Charles Papert’s words, but they really helped me get a feel for the stabilizer. My shots are still not perfect… they still sway, and mine is caused by imbalance and operator error. You just have to keep practicing over, and over… and over…. and over……
They certainly are better at it than I am but I would hope so considering I have at most 10 minutes with it. As I get more practice with it I will post more videos. This should just serve to make some people realize that using any type of stabilization system is a skill.
I think in your videos there is way too much sway from side to side.. you should really watch the glidecam website to see how they do it
The first video is def. bottom heaving and it sways a lot. The second is better in terms of the swaying part, I was able to move the camera as they show in the demo away from me to the left and right and the camera stayed up right as it should. I however found that my guiding hand applied to much force and when it moved as I walked it would push the camera around. I almost had better luck simply walking carefully with just the one hand on it. Thanks for the feedback!
It seems it isn’t really balanced, when you stop moving it kind of sways. This is the problem i’m having with it as well.