Glidetrack - perfect for weddings!

[Richard Wakefield]

I am so pleased with my new toy, the Glidetrack, that i thought I'd let you good people see the results, literally thrown together from the morning of a wedding last saturday:

http://www.vimeo.com/1189963

ok, so it's a clip that makes no sense :) but it was just to show off how effective and cinematic dolly-tracking can be, and unlike my glidecam, i get PERFECT results every single shot! oh, and it takes all of a minute to set up...it'll now be used a lot for future weddings!

one happy customer here then!

http://www.glidetrack.com

cheers

Richard
http://www.fxfilms.co.uk/blog

[John Estcourt]

hi richard,
looks interesting but
a) it doesnt look that long, web site doesnt seem to mention its length
b) it doesnt look stable on tripod with camera at one end,perhaps you can confirm as I dont see how this would support a canon xh-a1
just my observations, can you confirm either of the above, cheers john

[Noa Put]

Originally Posted by John Estcourt

it doesnt look stable on tripod with camera at one end

That was my first thought as well when I saw the tripod/glidetrack combo, I do see a very good use for it in controlled situations like the shots they did of the Porsche or when making a short movie.

[Alastair Brown]

Originally Posted by Noa Put

controlled situations

I think you summed it up perfectly Noa. By it's nature, you are going to be "hands on" during gliding. You obviously have to engage common sense, and realise that you are putting something on top of your tripod that can DRAMATICALLY alter its centre of gravity.

As such, I would always recommend you remove the camera from the tripod head when not in use. I use quick release mounts so it takes almost zero time. I'd do this as a matter of course even with a normal tripod. Hands up everybody thats had a drunk guest stumble into a tripod?

So, by it's nature, you are holding it as you gluide, one hand on the carriage and the other on the end stop/foot.

Anyway, here's a shot of one of the early prototypes on a tripod at full travel. Travel is 1m.

[Mike Oveson]

Brilliant!! I love this thing. What a great idea. Too bad I don't have the cash for one of these. This would really add some dramatic smooth shots to my arsenal. Right now I'm using a Glidecam for similar shots, but I really like the smoothness of a fixed dolly-type shot. Very cool product and I've enjoyed the footage taken with. Richard, I liked the clip where you motion tracked the date to the tabletop during the bride prep. Great idea and well executed.

[Hubert Duijzer]

Mine just came in. Thanks Alastair. 2 day's shipping from the UK to the Netherlands is really quick.
The only thing done so far done with it is unboxing. Looks and feels very sturdy. I don't think it will bow under the weight of an A1+WA+mic.

[Randy Johnson]

Looks cool, I wish there were a way it could colapse on the fly. I do alot of running and gunning (weddings) and I dont think I would have the tim eto take it off and on my tripod.

[Alastair Brown]

Easy! Just fit the track with a tripod quick release. You have a couple of options, you can either fit it between the tripod and the head as shown, or, you could fit it with a quick release bracket and put it on top of the head, then screw your camera direct to the carriage.

Quick Update. Look to have found an option for supplying you guys in the USA that will keep the postage costs down.

[Danny O'Neill]

This thing looks so awesome, maybe next near, after we get a decent tripod. I still think the kittens shot is the best. Brides would love that

[Mike Oveson]

Originally Posted by Alastair Brown

Quick Update. Look to have found an option for supplying you guys in the USA that will keep the postage costs down.

Now THAT is exciting news. :) I am VERY interested in getting one of these, and of course keeping the costs down is a good thing. Gotta bring in some more cash before I consider this seriously, but I intend to be in touch on buying one of these within the next 3 months.

[Blake Cavett]

Amen to that!

Keep us informed when we (US) can have the option to buy!

[Giroud Francois]

lot of US company are selling this for tool machining at very competitive price.
exmple :http://www.automation4less.com/store...R35%2Dxxxx

you can even choose the length of rail, number of roller on the moving part (4 should be enough). cost is about 200$ for 100cm length.
you just need to add a quickrelease plate on the moving part (for the cam) and manage to fix the rail on the tripod.

Personally i use some ball bearing rail for rack , it is ok while the length is shorter (about 45cm ), but it was free.

[Renton Maclachlan]

I really like the look of this glidetrack gizmo. Looks like a very smart idea. Want to sell them in NZ? Need an agent? :-)

[Michael Liebergot]

Originally Posted by Alastair Brown

Easy! Just fit the track with a tripod quick release. You have a couple of options, you can either fit it between the tripod and the head as shown, or, you could fit it with a quick release bracket and put it on top of the head, then screw your camera direct to the carriage.

Quick Update. Look to have found an option for supplying you guys in the USA that will keep the postage costs down.

Alastair, would it be feasible to mount a QR plate on the bottom side of the Glidetrack.
Then use a tripod with a 501HDV head already attached.
Then you could simply slide the Glidetrack onto the tripod and lock it down, and attach and remove quickly and easily as needed.

I know that it might seem strange to use 2 tripod heads (one on tripod, locked so it doesn't pan or tilt) one on Glidetrack (Most likely a small 701HDV head).

This way I could still use my tripods for whatever purpose I need.

[Hubert Duijzer]

Michael,
in this thread http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/dolly-tra...ght-video.html is a picture of the glidetrack on top of my 503 head. I'm still searching for a cheap head on top of the glidetrack, but you'll get the idea.