EX3 and Glidecam 4000 : too heavy ? at DVinfo.net

Ken Beals · July 22nd, 2012, 12:36 PM

Has anyone flown the EX3 on a Glidecam 4000 platform ?

On paper the Glidecam 4000 supports up to 10 lbs.

The EX3 with lens is around 7.6 lbs

add on:
1) wireless receiver
2) on camera light
3) SxS cards

pushing the envelope ?

Don Bloom · July 22nd, 2012, 09:11 PM

Ken,
Take the 7.6 pounds, add the receiver and light and I'll bet you're pushing close to 10 pounds.
Take a 10 pound dumbell weight and carry it around in your hand for as long as you can. Let me know how your arm and wrist feel after about say 3 or 4 minutes. You might want to consider a full vest unit whether it's Varizoom or Tiffen.
Some years ago I tried a 2000 with a PD150 and light (no receiver) and after about 4 minutes I thought my arm was going to fall off.
Just sayin'.

Garrett Low · July 23rd, 2012, 11:21 AM

Ken,

I'm assuming you'd be flying your EX3 with an arm and vest on the rig. I tried to use a Glidcam 4000 with my bare EX3 and even though it's below the 10 lb limit I could never get it to balance correctly. Static balancing was could be achieved with a slow enough fall time but I could never get the dynamic balance. I've flown my bare rig on a Steadicam Pilot and it just will do under the right conditions. The Pilot is also rated for 10 lbs but it could probably go just a tad above that and balance if needed. The problem is in operation it isn't ideal and any wind causes some problems. Running or quick movements are out also.

For an EX3 I would recommend a Flyer or Scout at the least.

Ken Beals · July 23rd, 2012, 07:08 PM

Thanks for the responses guys...it's what was suspecting.

And it is the Smooth Shooter vest/arm with the GC4000.

LOL ... I remember before got the forearm brace then the vest there is no way to sustain holding even the lightest cameras.

Felt like my arm got stretched longer every time i did.

thanks again

July 22nd, 2012, 12:36 PM	#1
Ken Beals Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tempe, Az Posts: 172	EX3 and Glidecam 4000 : too heavy ? Has anyone flown the EX3 on a Glidecam 4000 platform ? On paper the Glidecam 4000 supports up to 10 lbs. The EX3 with lens is around 7.6 lbs add on: 1) wireless receiver 2) on camera light 3) SxS cards pushing the envelope ? __________________ Mediocrity is a disease...

July 22nd, 2012, 09:11 PM	#2
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	Re: EX3 and Glidecam 4000 : too heavy ? Ken, Take the 7.6 pounds, add the receiver and light and I'll bet you're pushing close to 10 pounds. Take a 10 pound dumbell weight and carry it around in your hand for as long as you can. Let me know how your arm and wrist feel after about say 3 or 4 minutes. You might want to consider a full vest unit whether it's Varizoom or Tiffen. Some years ago I tried a 2000 with a PD150 and light (no receiver) and after about 4 minutes I thought my arm was going to fall off. Just sayin'. __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

July 23rd, 2012, 11:21 AM	#3
Garrett Low Trustee Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Novato, CA Posts: 1,774	Re: EX3 and Glidecam 4000 : too heavy ? Ken, I'm assuming you'd be flying your EX3 with an arm and vest on the rig. I tried to use a Glidcam 4000 with my bare EX3 and even though it's below the 10 lb limit I could never get it to balance correctly. Static balancing was could be achieved with a slow enough fall time but I could never get the dynamic balance. I've flown my bare rig on a Steadicam Pilot and it just will do under the right conditions. The Pilot is also rated for 10 lbs but it could probably go just a tad above that and balance if needed. The problem is in operation it isn't ideal and any wind causes some problems. Running or quick movements are out also. For an EX3 I would recommend a Flyer or Scout at the least. __________________ Garrett Low www.GLowMediaProductions.com

July 23rd, 2012, 07:08 PM	#4
Ken Beals Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tempe, Az Posts: 172	Re: EX3 and Glidecam 4000 : too heavy ? Thanks for the responses guys...it's what was suspecting. And it is the Smooth Shooter vest/arm with the GC4000. LOL ... I remember before got the forearm brace then the vest there is no way to sustain holding even the lightest cameras. Felt like my arm got stretched longer every time i did. thanks again __________________ Mediocrity is a disease...