How To "Perfectly" Balance A Glidecam [1000-4000] Stabilizer

[PAW6110]

Super! I'm glad the video helped.

[Solar7647]

I did this to my Flycam 3000 with my 600D after watching this and it works great! took just a few min to get it balanced perfect and lets me change lenses quick! I just pulled the levels from an old cheap mini level i had lying around, it took all of 5 min to do the mod! By far the best and most helpful tip online when it comes to balancing stabilizers.

[ColtynSeifert]

your music is soooo gay!

[PAW6110]

9 months ago I answered this problem. Here's my reply: "Yes, but you'll need a tiny allen wrench to fix it. 1) with the camera mounting plate on the quick release mount, turn the lever as far as it will tighten, 2) use the allen wrench to untighten the lever's screw so that you can turn it back a little so it is not hitting the plate, then 3) retighten the screw. That should do it!"

[Dilandau88]

I have the same quick release as you, but the tightening switch can't turn when it's centered on the mounting plate. How do you manage this?

[alanbesedin]

Great advice. THANKS!!!

[crbatte]

This music is so smooth, especially when the sax kicks in.

[PAW6110]

In order to shoot the setup of the glidecam & camera actually being balanced on my custom designed stand, I had to use two bricks to hold it down. I didn't want to show them on the video for aesthetics. If you doubt the camera is actually being balance by itself, look closely at the video and you'll see the tiny movement of the entire rig on the stand.

[bodytemple]

What happened to the bottom that's just showing that the camera top sled is balanced but it can still be bottom heavy

[PAW6110]

Thanks for the info. The technology for shooting video just keeps on rolling along, and were it's gonna stop...nobody knows!

[ChubbyWingsLive]

I've been able to get equally steady shots using my Cam Caddie Scorpion without the troubles it take to get the glidecam to work right. Cam Caddie only put me back $38 and it's been highly effective.

[PAW6110]

You are so right...it's a pain!!!

Sorry to say you have to do it every time before you shoot and sometimes if you whack it against something and you think it's out of balance. I'll take the time to check and see if it's still in balance. The modifications that I've suggested will help you do it much quicker though. I hope this helps. Enjoy!

[Mxsmanic]

Great video. It's sure tricky getting a Glidecam balanced. Does the Glidecam have to be tweaked each time you remove and remount the (same) camera, or will it stay balanced after you balance it and tighten all the thumbscrews, so that you can just mount the camera and go?

[VinceCheong]

Good video, but i have to correct you, that's not considered as "perfectly" balancing a glidecam... you have to balance it before performing a dynamic balance test.... lol

[PAW6110]

I have the 2000 'cause I'm cheap and DON'T make my living off shooting video. Yes, there is a difference in the two units (basically how much weight they can carry & the price tag). I have the arm brace, but if you're going to be doing major shooting, then the vest will be a good investment (if you have the bucks). Of course, you're going to have to mount up like you're going into Mortal Kombat. I hope this helps.

[REVSTOCK]

Hi can you please tell me... Should I get the GLIDECAM 4000 with the Vest or not?

Is it a big difference? Thanks so much.

[VinceCheong]

@REVSTOCK Depends what you're gliding with on the Glidecam 4000... If you're placing a 5dmk2, then it's no problem going about handheld.. but if you're using like huge 3mos/3cmos cameras, i'd recommend you to get the vest if you're gonna have a long shoot, cause at the very most you can hold the camera handheld + Gliding with it at the very most 1 minute before you feel the stress on your arm...

[PAW6110]

In the USA TV channels don't stop broadcasting late at night, so we use gay 80's music to keep you awake. You didn't lose any sleep over this post, did you?

[feathers632]

Gay 80's music. In UK late at night when some TV channels stop broadcasting, they play this kind of "music" :) I have a glidecam 1000HD with almost identical quick release mechanism added. Actually my quick release has built in spirit levels.

Must say once again how awful the music is.

[PhotographyByHugo]

I appreciate your time, Thank you, Im working on it! 

[PhotographyByHugo]

Is a good tutorial but I NEED TO START FROM SCRATH!!! Im having a biiig headaches!!! Thank you!!!

[PAW6110]

I can highly recommend the following link on YouTube: youtube.com/​watch?v=X0i7ViEwlyI

[PAW6110]

Yes, but you'll need a tiny allen wrench to fix it. 1) with the camera mounting plate on the quick release mount, turn the lever as far as it will tighten, 2) use the allen wrench to untighten the lever's screw so that you can turn it back a little so it is not hitting the plate, then 3) retighten the screw. That should do it!

[golivemiami]

My quick release plate locks when the lever goes straight down. Therefore it wouldn't work here. It looks like I have the same as you. Any tricks here?

[jonty3000]

@golivemiami pull the lock lever out (has a spring tension) and twist it, it can be adjusted that way.

[PAW6110]

Did you put the 4 pieces of cork that I showed on the bottom? I had shifting problems with the mounting bracket until I added them. I only need one screw for mounting now instead of two. I got the cork from my framing shop & they are self sticking.

[DanceShortFilms]

Again, this really is a great set of tips!

How are you mounting the 577 quick-release to the cheese plate? The 3/8" screw on the 577 is too wide for the Glidecam holes (I'm using an HD-2000), but without that I only have one hole line up to mount it....

[PAW6110]

I took the camera mounting screw from another camera setup that I had hanging around from my film days. I was a better/faster way of attaching the plate. A good wing nut will probably do the trick too. Sorry for getting this to you so late, but sometimes I don't check my account often.

[garrettgibbons]

@PAW6110 I appreciate the reply! My HD-2000 cheese plate has uniformly-sized holes that are all too small for the 3/8" screw that I need for a second attachment point along the middle axis. I'll figure something out (I might drill)

[jonty3000]

@DanceShortFilms drill out the cheese plate.

[PAW6110]

Glad I could help.

[garrettgibbons]

Very helpful tips! I muted the audio after about 10 seconds of that music.