Canon 7D on a Glidecam 4000 Pro

This is a quick test of an initial setup on the Glidecam 4000 Pro. Like many steadicam units finding the exact center of gravity is crucial. If you experience small rotations this usually means you are off by just a small amount. It may not seem like much but that small offset of weight causes little moments of inertia that cause the unit to spin when you start moving the camera through space. The rolling is caused by not finding the near perfect balance between the cameras weight and the counter balance on the bottom.

A good rule of thumb is that if you tilt the camera over on its side then let go allowing the stabilizers gimbal to let the camera and counter balance swing back to the upright position. This swing should take about 2 seconds.

Another way to know which you need to adjust the counter balance is to move the camera quickly to the side. If the camera lags the movement then the counter balance is too light. If the counter balance lags the movement then the counter balance is too heavy.




All in all it takes time to get the initial setup correct. Also keep in mind that you MUST have the camera configured exactly as you want it to be for the shot. This includes setting the focal length of the lens. Technically even the act of focusing the camera will move the lens elements which could make the rig unbalanced. Setup is an art form to be sure.

Oh, don't forget to take the lens cover off when balancing, I've done that one too many times.

Mark,

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Canon
• 7D
• steadicam
• glidecam
• 4000
• Pro
• smooth
• balance
• fly
• video
• HD
• 1080
• 24P
• setup
• tips
• 10-22mm
• wide
• angle

[007Fortis]

cool but really shitty quality.. made it look like a cell phone

[markinmaine2]

@007Fortis I can't remember what codec I was using back and then and at what bit rate both of which can make a huge difference. I do know that I use to use a pretty low bit rate to make the smaller.

[rubent100]

What lens sir?

[markinmaine2]

@rubent100 Hi Rubent, this was with the Canon 10-22mm ES lens. As with all steadycam work the wider the lens the better in terms of getting that real flying feeling.

[lazlochatter]

Just curious, why did you go with the 4000 Pro instead of the smaller models like the 1000 or 2000 Pro? Since you are using a DSLR, you didn't need the bigger version.

[doubledeeder]

THATS NUTS!! amazing dude!

[jancovideo]

Excellent job! What did you use to compress the video?

Bob

[killerkatfilms]

@rubent100 I have the 4000 pro and it's too much for the 7D. If you're not getting a larger camera stick with the 2000. Cheaper and lighter; your back and forearms will thank you. Trust me...

[acirak]

@rubent100 2000 for sure. 4000 is for heavier cameras.

[MrRaptur3]

@mhshah7 your bottom weights need to be just under whatever you have mounted...by just a fraction ... in my vid i only used one..