Glidecam 2k or 4k? at DVinfo.net

Rafi Fine · July 5th, 2004, 07:26 AM

Hello everyone,

I am very close to purchasing either the Glidecam 2000 or 4000 but was a little concerned about which to get. The decision will come down to which camera I will support whatever camera I get in the future.

As you all know, the Glidecam 2000 supports cameras only up to 6 lbs. while the 4000 supports from 4-10 lbs. It seems the 4k will work with pretty much any pro level consumer camera.

When it comes to the 2k does anyone know if it is ok to use a camera that is over 6 lbs.? Ofcourse you would need to purchase extra weights to balance it properly, but is this not recommended?

Thank you very much for any and all you may have to say on the subject.

-Rafi Fine

Boyd Ostroff · July 5th, 2004, 12:38 PM

If you're really considering using either of these with a heavy camera I'd strongly urge you to TRY it first. I have a 2000 and it works well with my PDX-10, which is less than 2 pounds. I can't imagine what it would be like to use it with a 4 pound camera, let alone one that weighs over 6 pounds. The problem has nothing to do with the glidecam itself, it's just that your arm and wrist very quickly become exhausted holding the rig, even with a little camera.

In addition to the weight of the camera itself you have the glidecam and counterbalance weights. Do an experiment if you can't try the real thing. Get something that weighs ~10 lbs, stick your arm out with forearm pointing up at a 45 degree angle. Now see how long you can carry it around like this. I don't know your physical condition, so maybe this won't be a problem. But many, if not most, of us would have a hard time doing this for a very long at a time.

Read back through this forum to see what others have written about the 2000 and 4000 so you have a realistic expectation of what you'll be able to do with a handheld stabilizer.

July 5th, 2004, 07:26 AM	#1
Rafi Fine Tourist Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1	Glidecam 2k or 4k? Hello everyone, I am very close to purchasing either the Glidecam 2000 or 4000 but was a little concerned about which to get. The decision will come down to which camera I will support whatever camera I get in the future. As you all know, the Glidecam 2000 supports cameras only up to 6 lbs. while the 4000 supports from 4-10 lbs. It seems the 4k will work with pretty much any pro level consumer camera. When it comes to the 2k does anyone know if it is ok to use a camera that is over 6 lbs.? Ofcourse you would need to purchase extra weights to balance it properly, but is this not recommended? Thank you very much for any and all you may have to say on the subject. -Rafi Fine

July 5th, 2004, 12:38 PM	#2
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	If you're really considering using either of these with a heavy camera I'd strongly urge you to TRY it first. I have a 2000 and it works well with my PDX-10, which is less than 2 pounds. I can't imagine what it would be like to use it with a 4 pound camera, let alone one that weighs over 6 pounds. The problem has nothing to do with the glidecam itself, it's just that your arm and wrist very quickly become exhausted holding the rig, even with a little camera. In addition to the weight of the camera itself you have the glidecam and counterbalance weights. Do an experiment if you can't try the real thing. Get something that weighs ~10 lbs, stick your arm out with forearm pointing up at a 45 degree angle. Now see how long you can carry it around like this. I don't know your physical condition, so maybe this won't be a problem. But many, if not most, of us would have a hard time doing this for a very long at a time. Read back through this forum to see what others have written about the 2000 and 4000 so you have a realistic expectation of what you'll be able to do with a handheld stabilizer.