Need to figure out if I need the weights or no weights?
Before I can start my review on the Glidecam HD2000 I need to know if I balancing it the right way.
Any Glidecam users out there that can answer my question?
For those YouTube subscribers that may be wondering, this video is placed on my 2nd YouTube channel. My 2nd channel is where I put misc videos or videos might not appeal to all my subscribers on my primary channel.
Hey, I ave a slightly different glide cam (2000 HD) and I have weights on mine, but I’m using a 10-22 Canon lens, which is pretty heavy but with a 550d.
There’s a guy somewhere around who put weights on his base plate to make it balance even more and he didn’t have any weights and obviously had great balance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Az86cq2B8yg
For me it seems the more weight I put on, the easier it is to control so I’m going to see if the battery add on will add a bit more weight ,as far as I know the T2i is very close to the ‘this is too light’ for the glidecam which I didn’t realise when I bought it. Been practising with it this weekend and I have another question:
1. When you’re doing heavy action shots, running, walking fast, is it normal to have to make some tap adjustments to the balance? Does the force of wind resistance mean it is always going to tilt up or down somewhat? Or should the balance hold it in place regardless of wind movement?
Your initial setup seems about right. The drop time is just a guide. If you can throw the glidecam forward and stop it without it swinging then you’re all good.
I’ve gone for one pair of weights on the bottom, with a manfrotto quick release plate (the slightly larger size one than the 501 type plate) and two weights bolted/cable-tied to the top plate. This means that I don’t have to extend the bottom tube more than about 4 inches for my heavier lenses. The 550d/T2i is simply not heavy enough for the HD-2000 without adding top weights.
John J, I’ve always had to guide it slightly, even when the balance is fairly sorted.
I also saw another video that added weights to the top end to increase the weight of the camera, from this setup, it gave more options when balancing the end.
how about some test footage dave.
I am having the same problem with my T2i on a 3rd party handheld stabilliser. Very similar design to the Hague mini-stabilliser. On these you can move the camera body and lens forward on the mounting plate to balance it out. Can you do the same on your Glidecam HD2000?
Additionally I would love some help in how to balance correctly my hand held stabilliser. Ther is nothing much on the web on doing this.
It seems he have solved the light weight issue:
Thanks everyone for all the emails and comments I have received, I have a few ideas now on what I can try to make it work better for me.
Did you know you can spin the base 90 degrees?
This is valuable so you can hold it closer to your body without worrying so much about bumping the base.
It has no impact on how well it balances. It just makes it more usable.
Hi David,
Just remember when balancing, to keep your lens cap off and the switch button on ON. Even these small details will affect in the balancing.
FYI, as more weight you have in the bottom, more stable will be when you fly. So, you might consider using some counter weight on the top inf necessary.
For the T2 the best would be the HD 1000, unless you plan to use a have lens on it. Always the best option is the 24 or 35 fixed.
thx
I agree with the above comments about adding weight to the top. I am able to get steadier footage with my Glidecam 4000 when I add weight to the top (quick release plate, rode mic, heavy lens, even taping a few weights onto the stage) and then balance from there.
Hey Dave,
Maybe you could also show how to make a stand to hold the glidecam while balancing. I know for me i have a hard time just holding the thing while trying to make minor adjustments =)
Hi Guys,
I use a flycam 5000 that i purchased from ebay. I use a small cannon video Camera Vixia/Legria HFS10 with it. I am planning to buy a DSLR to expand my equipment for better low light and depth of field shots. Initially I had too much weight on the bottom. I took it off and added 4 of the big weights to the top plate. That gave me a somewhat balanced rig. After watching Daves video I realized that I had it way too bottom heavy. It was swaying from side to side with each horizontal movement. It becomes much steadier with less weight low. Thanks for the tip with the 2+ seconds. Can’t wait to shoot the next video.
My friend Mr. Peter Kapas has a 3 part series on the Glidecam. He has all 3 models in the video but does the setup on the HD4000 and T2i. The setup is basically the same for all three. The 3rd part is sample footage shot using the stabilizer.
Part 1:
You dont have to have the bottom wing’s extended all the way out
keep the close to the middle.
also you should not have the pole all what extend out to keep it simple
and just fly
here link to
Hey Dave,
I also have a Glidecam HD 2000 and a Canon 7D.
I want to buy a Tokina 11-16 mm 2.8 can you post a video with de Tokina lens on the Glidecam??
I really like to see how its works together
the lens is also light weight so i thing its a good set
I Hope you can make a video
Greetings Paul Heijkens The Netherlands