glidecam smooth shooter bounce at DVinfo.net

Jason Bowers · February 13th, 2007, 05:57 PM

Hi guys,
I am using a glidecam 4000 and smooth shooter for a very short time. I have the glidecam balanced with a vx2100 but when using it with the smooth shooter I find that the camera bounces up and down when moving. Am I doing something wrong. It is almost like it is too springy. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Terry Thompson · February 13th, 2007, 11:45 PM

Jason,

Do you have the arm tuned so that it sits low when you aren't holding it up? We have found with our system that it works best that way because when your human arm lifts the sled to shooting height it helps to dampen the pogoing effect somewhat (up and down movement).

Also, try to put as much weight on the sled as you can while being still being able to properly balance it. I don't know if your system allows this without adding weight to the camera stage.

One more thing...try to walk as smoothly as possible. Research the "Steadicam walk" on the web. Our training video has a short clip on this and can be found at...
http://www.indicam.com/index.php?opt...d=28&Itemid=57
(click on "Walk the Walk").

Every little bit helps.

Terry
Indicam

Jason Bowers · February 14th, 2007, 07:46 AM

Hi Terry
Thanks for the reply, I have the glidecam with five plates on the top and then the quick release and then the camera and it weighs about 15lbs. The springs are set so the arm is in the middle like the manual states but it has way too much bounce. When I fly the glidecam manually without the SS it is balanced but way too heavy to go an extended time. I'll give your idea a try. Thanks

February 13th, 2007, 05:57 PM	#1
Jason Bowers Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Thunder Bay, ON. Canada Posts: 374	glidecam smooth shooter bounce Hi guys, I am using a glidecam 4000 and smooth shooter for a very short time. I have the glidecam balanced with a vx2100 but when using it with the smooth shooter I find that the camera bounces up and down when moving. Am I doing something wrong. It is almost like it is too springy. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

February 13th, 2007, 11:45 PM	#2
Terry Thompson Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Auburn, CA Posts: 578	Jason, Do you have the arm tuned so that it sits low when you aren't holding it up? We have found with our system that it works best that way because when your human arm lifts the sled to shooting height it helps to dampen the pogoing effect somewhat (up and down movement). Also, try to put as much weight on the sled as you can while being still being able to properly balance it. I don't know if your system allows this without adding weight to the camera stage. One more thing...try to walk as smoothly as possible. Research the "Steadicam walk" on the web. Our training video has a short clip on this and can be found at... http://www.indicam.com/index.php?opt...d=28&Itemid=57 (click on "Walk the Walk"). Every little bit helps. Terry Indicam __________________ He's only mostly sDEADy. sort of from "The Princess Bride" www.indicam.com

February 14th, 2007, 07:46 AM	#3
Jason Bowers Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Thunder Bay, ON. Canada Posts: 374	Hi Terry Thanks for the reply, I have the glidecam with five plates on the top and then the quick release and then the camera and it weighs about 15lbs. The springs are set so the arm is in the middle like the manual states but it has way too much bounce. When I fly the glidecam manually without the SS it is balanced but way too heavy to go an extended time. I'll give your idea a try. Thanks