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Author
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Topic: Glidecam 2000 Pro and Questions
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dss
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posted 02-22-2001 10:59 PM
Hi, I'm really interested in the Glidecam 2000 Pro. I have a Sony Digital8 TRV310 (around 3-4 lbs.). I know many of you guys will saw to build one, but I've read that it still won't be as good as the real thing. I've also read most of the steadicam/glidecam posts here in the archives. I've got some money to spend and I can always sell it on eBay to get most of the money back. I want to know if this will work with my situations. I do a lot of movie work, such as running, boom & crane shots, up & downstairs, quick closeups, 360s, in-car filming (recording from outside trunk) and also events such as weddings and bar/batmitzfas (sp?). Would you guys recommend this for those situations? What are the main performance differences between the Glidecam 2000 Pro & the Steadicam JR. Which is better than the other at what? I've never delt w/ stabilizers before and not familiar with setting up these weights. Is it as hard as people say to do? How much time on average does it take to do it? For those with a Glidecam 2000 Pro, do you find the LCD on your camera adequate for shots? Also, those w/ Sony cameras, do you still keep SteadyShot ON? I heard that it degrades picture quality. Last, does anyone have any cool shots they have done with a Glidecam or Steadicam? Thanks for your help guys! ------------------
-DSS- Director, Producer,
Editor, and Actor of
Counter-Strike: The Movie [This message has been edited by dss (edited 02-22-2001).] |
deaf to reason
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posted 02-23-2001 12:39 AM
I own the glidecam 2000 pro as well as a sony digital8 camera. The glidecam works great for me. If you have not done so already check out glidecams website and order their demo video (free). It has a lot of great shots that they did, anything from running up stairs to walking. It sounds like it would work great for what you want to use it for. Balancing the weights is not really that big of a deal. The instructions tell you how to go about doing it. It comes with a lot of weights, and you will not need all of them. It gives you some suggestions as to how many you need for a certain size camera, from there just play with it. Balancing it is really simple. You just set it on a level surface adjust everything and lift it up slowly, if it tilts one way or the other set it back down and re-adjust until it stays level when you lift it. It may take a little time to get it perfect but it's not hard to do at all. As for what is better, glidecam or steadicam... I hear more people talk about steadicams. I have'nt really worked much with a steadicam, so I can't really say which I like better. I can tell you that I am happy with my glidecam, not sure what made me choose the glidecam over the steadicam, but it works great for me. I think I covered most of your questions... If I missed something or if you have any others just ask. |
dss
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posted 02-23-2001 02:00 AM
Thanks for your response. I ordered the demo tape about a day ago, I can't wait to see it. The cheapest I can get the Glidecam 2000 Pro is around $280, that good?I have more questions  Since I've never even seen a Glidecam in real life, I'm not sure how you operate them. Do you use both hands to hold it? I plan (if I can) to visit a local store this weekend that carries the Glidecam and see if I can try it out. Last, how tall is the Glidecam 2000 Pro?
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-DSS- Director, Producer,
Editor, and Actor of
Counter-Strike: The Movie [This message has been edited by dss (edited 02-23-2001).] |
Scooby
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posted 02-23-2001 01:07 PM
What is the best if you dont look at the price... The JR or the Glidecam? ------------------
fxscooby
DreamFX |
deaf to reason
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posted 02-23-2001 05:47 PM
The glidecam is adjustable... A rough guess on the height is anywhere from a little more than a foot and a half tall at the lowerd height, and maybe a little over two feet at the extended height. Yes, you use both hands to hold it. One hand will be holding the handle and actually supporting the weight of the camera and glidecam, your other hand holds onto the shaft to keep it aiming forward and to keep it from swaying back and forth. It's been a while since I bought my glidecam but I think I paid around the price you mentioned. I think you'll be happy with the glidecam, but it is wise to try it out before you buy it. If that is possible. Good luck! |
dss
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posted 02-23-2001 06:56 PM
Thanks!------------------
-DSS- Director, Producer,
Editor, and Actor of
Counter-Strike: The Movie |
JimDierking
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posted 02-24-2001 03:36 AM
I just got a Flying Pod Stablizer a week ago... has anyone heard these? |
deaf to reason
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posted 02-24-2001 01:55 PM
No problem dss. Let us know what you decide on going with.Nope, have'nt heard of the flying pod... How does it work? |
dss
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posted 02-24-2001 06:05 PM
I'm most probably going to get the Glidecam 2000 Pro. I am awaiting the demo video which should arrive this upcoming week. I also still need to try to visit a local store that carries them.------------------
-DSS- Director, Producer,
Editor, and Actor of
Counter-Strike: The Movie |
Felix
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posted 02-24-2001 06:43 PM
I had no idea what it even was 'till I visited the site. It looks pretty awkward. Is it supposed to be like a body tripod or something? Wouldn't it pick up the bouncing motion of a walking person?------------------
I once had 509 posts...but now I don't. |
deaf to reason
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posted 02-24-2001 07:27 PM
Felix, are you talking about the glidecam or the flying pod? The glidecam makes for a nice smooth "floating" type feel. It takes some getting use to it, but once you have it down, you can get a very nice smooth shot. I'm not sure about the other one as I have never seen it before... |
starbug2001
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posted 02-24-2001 10:06 PM
Hey, I will be needing a glidecam or steadicam? i dunno which, for a driving sequence in my film using an ArriflexBL 16mm.
I was wondering how much they usually cost per day? And What would you guys recommened? |
Felix
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posted 02-24-2001 11:05 PM
I don't know what I'm talking about, although I assume it's the glidecam as it was at glidecam.com that I saw it. It's a vest connected to a 'floating' tripod isn't it? When you walk wearing this vest I'd assume the camera would make the same 'bobbing' action that the human body naturally makes when it is walking.------------------
I once had 509 posts...but now I don't. |
dss
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posted 02-25-2001 01:03 AM
Yea the body mounted ones cost an arm and leg. I'm talking about the lower priced Glidecam 2000 Pro. Check it out at:
http://www.glidecam.com/2000pro.html
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-DSS- Director, Producer,
Editor, and Actor of
Counter-Strike: The Movie |
JimDierking
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posted 02-25-2001 07:58 PM
Well, my Flying pod works great. It also gives the floating feel like the Glidecam. It's made by a few guys in Florida I think, their website is www.flyingpod.com The only junk thing is that in some parts it's kinda flimsy; you may have to reinforce a few screws... but it works just as good as a glidecam and it's only $160. Oh yeah, it doesn't have any bouncing motion when you use it, even when running full speed. And I'm not getting paid for writing all this  |
deaf to reason
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posted 02-26-2001 01:45 AM
No, there is no bobbing movement when you walk... The vest is optional for the heavier models. The purpose of the stabalizer is to get rid of the bobbing movement and creat a smooth shot. I know it doesn't look like it'd do a whole lot by the picture, but it does wonders... |
dss
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posted 02-26-2001 02:15 PM
I just got and watched the Glidecam demo video today. It was pretty cool and informative. It was actually a lil' funny because this guy is following this girl running for a while. I hope to get to goto that store near me that carries Glidecams, so I can test one.------------------
-DSS- Director, Producer,
Editor, and Actor of
Counter-Strike: The Movie |
Tek2019
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posted 02-26-2001 09:09 PM
I have a couple fairly cool shots I've done. Drop me an email and I'll sendd them to you. |
dss
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posted 03-02-2001 01:17 AM
I bought a Glidecam 2000 Pro today and am totally clueless to the balance process. The manual is hard to understand as their are no pictures. Do you have any good tips? I have a 4-5lb. Sony Digital8 TRV310 camera. ------------------
-DSS- Director, Producer,
Editor, and Actor of
Counter-Strike: The Movie |
JimDierking
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posted 03-02-2001 04:39 PM
Yeah, my flying pod came with a bad manuel too... it took me nearly 3 hours to get it perfectly balanced.Basically what I did was I put the camera on the platform with all of it's accessories (mic, battery, fisheye, etc), and then I put all of the wieghts on the bottom platform. I just removed wieghts until the camera didn't swing like a pendulum whenever I stopped moving. I also moved the camera side to side on the sled to stop the gimble from spinning alot. I hope I helped, but I don't think I did... the flying pod is nearly the same as a glidecam. |
dss
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posted 03-03-2001 12:15 AM
Are the weights supposed to even on both sides. On either side of the bottom plate there are weights, should there always be an equal amount of weights on each side?------------------
-DSS- Director, Producer,
Editor, and Actor of
Counter-Strike: The Movie |
BIG JIM SLATE
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posted 03-03-2001 02:42 AM
Okay, I'll admit up front that I have NO experience with Glidecams, or similar tech. I have a question. Can you use something like a Glidecam 2000/4000 WITHOUT the vest attachment thingie (for lack of a better term)? If so (and this might be a dumb question), then how? I don't think I've seen a single picture of someone operating a Glidecam without having some kind of upper body harness supporting it.  Maybe its just me... |
dss
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posted 03-03-2001 07:27 PM
The Glidecam 2000 Pro does not require or even use a arm/vest. Look at the picture in the URL posted in the post at the top.------------------
-DSS- Director, Producer,
Editor, and Actor of
Counter-Strike: The Movie |
BIG JIM SLATE
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posted 03-03-2001 07:56 PM
I did. What the hell, you just grab it by that handle? Like I said, the only pictures that I've seen of people USING and HOLDING them are when they're wearing the vest suits. Dumb question? Probably, but I'm still asking.[This message has been edited by BIG JIM SLATE (edited 03-03-2001).] |
dss
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posted 03-03-2001 11:55 PM
BJS - I still don't understand what is bothering you. The prosumer versions of the Glidecam don't require you or even use the vest/arm. That is what I have, you hold it w/ your hands. The more expensive models have a vest/arm to help w/ the heavy weight. Questions?------------------
-DSS- Director, Producer,
Editor, and Actor of
Counter-Strike: The Movie [This message has been edited by dss (edited 03-03-2001).] |
BIG JIM SLATE
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posted 03-04-2001 12:00 AM
Well, its not really BOTHERING me, I'm just curious since I've never even used one before. Nevermind. |
jackass
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posted 03-04-2001 12:10 PM
That flying pod looks pretty interesting. Can someone give a litte more info on it. Now they have two on their website, the flying 2 and the flyingpod 5, whats the difference?-Jamaal [This message has been edited by jackass (edited 03-04-2001).] |
deaf to reason
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posted 03-04-2001 01:50 PM
dss... I have the weights even on both sides of my glidecam. Once you get them on and set in a good spot you can make minor adjustments by moving the plate that the camera sits on forward or backwards.as to the question about the other models of glidecam... I think they use a vest because the cameras as well as the glidecam itself are heavier than the glidecam 2000. The vest gives extra support so you don't have to carry around all that weight with just your arms. There is a vest that will work with the 2000 model also. |
JimDierking
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posted 03-04-2001 02:46 PM
The difference that I can see between the 2 and the 5, is that the 2 has no gimbal (the seperated hand grip on the 5). It also looks lighter and more for the casual videomaker. The 5 has a gimbal that can spin in every direction, like the glidecam 2000. The flying pod 5 gets shots just as smooth as any ohter stabalizer, but I think the glidecam can take more wear and tear than a flying pod. |
Felix
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posted 03-05-2001 05:35 AM
I personally think the entire system is very weird. It LOOKS (not saying it doesn't work) like it would make the entire steady feeling HARDER to acheive rather than EASIER.------------------
I once had 509 posts...but now I don't. |
JimDierking
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posted 03-05-2001 05:56 AM
Why do you think it's weird Felix?Well, they work great I know that. I looked around the archives and saw a post where someone had demos of glidecam shots he did... one look at those and I made up my mind to get a stablizer. Okay here it is:
www.likeastory.com/noncgi/Forum13/HTML/000129.html It's FunkyMonkey's post that has them. The thread also has a bit from our common enemy, lonmonster, along with an arguement. Interesting read. [This message has been edited by JimDierking (edited 03-05-2001).] |
Felix
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posted 03-05-2001 06:07 AM
I don't know why I think they're weird, I'm not saying they're bad because I've never used them and so can't say that- but just by looking at them them look so awkward, like they're the kind of thing that would make you LOSE balnce and trip over rather than stabalise your camera...Hey in that post there was an original Lonmonster comment!! I think that may have been the only one I've ever seen...(I only knew his alter egos) I was only posting in the Community Center and Script Crypt back then...What a laugh and a half, and he was trying to make trouble too. Those shots WERE pretty good. I'm not saying they're a bad investment or won't work, it's just the logistics of the shape of the thing contadicts what it says it can do if you haven't used it before, looks can be decieving and all that. ------------------
I once had 509 posts...but now I don't. |
dss
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posted 03-05-2001 05:54 PM
I realized that I had a lot of weight on the Glidecam. When I calmly adjusted the plates, I got it pretty balanced in under a minute. I plan to take some footage and put it online later tonight. Since I'm a track team runner, heh, I'm going to run fast w/ this sucker!------------------
-DSS- Director, Producer,
Editor, and Actor of
Counter-Strike: The Movie |
