A1 and Works with glidecam 2000? at DVinfo.net

Jose Ortiz · February 19th, 2007, 03:54 PM

Hello

I’m a newbie in the business with an A1 camera. I just received last Friday the glide cam pro 2000 for my A1 and after 3 days trying to balance that guy, I quit. I called the people of glidecam and they said that my A1 should work with the 2000 based on the specs. But is not truth the only way that I can balance an A1 in a glidecam 2000 is w/out battery and none accessories. Now B&H is changing their mind and telling me that I should get the 4000 instead. They should be telling me that from the beginning since I told them that I was planning to have a weight of almost 5.3 lb. as some of you know 6 ld is the max in 2000.

I’m wondering if some of you guys are using the 2000 or 4000 with A1 and some details regarding the process to get it balanced.

Thanks

Nick Weeks · February 19th, 2007, 04:08 PM

Jose, I have the Glidecam 2000 and it works great with the A1. I'm not near the camera now, but I have the bottom post extended about 6" below the post, and I can't remember how many weight plates I have on it.

I'm using the A1 with the BP945 battery, tape, LCD out with hood and no other accessories and it works fine.

I will reply back later with some more info once I get it in my hands

L. Kirk Kauder · February 19th, 2007, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Weeks

Jose, I have the Glidecam 2000 and it works great with the A1. I'm not near the camera now, but I have the bottom post extended about 6" below the post, and I can't remember how many weight plates I have on it.

I'm using the A1 with the BP945 battery, tape, LCD out with hood and no other accessories and it works fine.

I will reply back later with some more info once I get it in my hands

Nick... that would be great! Just received my new Glidecam 2000 Pro today and I've got my A1 sitting on it.
I took off everything I could to lighten up the A1 (lens hood, external mic clamp). I've only spent about 30 minutes balancing everything and I'm close (but no cigar yet :-))
I'd be really interested to hear how many counter weight disks you're using (I have four placed almost to the ends on either side with the central post all the way extended)
I've seen the tips and some of the other posts, but never anything specific to the XHA1.

NOTE: I'll let y'all know how it goes. I have to say that (even after just an hour or so) I'm totally convinced once I have everything tweaked out... it's going to make for some phenomenal footage!

Nick Weeks · February 19th, 2007, 06:29 PM

OK, I've attached 2 pictures. What I'm referring to as the front is the bottom of the glidecam that has the monitor hole in it, also where the camera lens would be faced.

The measurements are approximate, but they give you a good idea where to start. I'm still playing around with it, but this setup gives excellent results. It has a drop time of about 1.5 sec.

There are 4 weight plates on each side. It could probably use a little more weight, bit I've achieved great results with 4 + 4 weights

Nick Weeks · February 19th, 2007, 06:31 PM

Oh yea, and the next accessory I will buy would be the vest to support the Glidecam 2000 (I think its called the Smooth Shooter). This camera fatigues me fast!

L. Kirk Kauder · February 19th, 2007, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Weeks

Oh yea, and the next accessory I will buy would be the vest to support the Glidecam 2000 (I think its called the Smooth Shooter). This camera fatigues me fast!

The pics are much appreciated! (can we see your camera on the top of the rig?)
I'm finding I'm closer to full balance with five cw's... I tried your exact setup... but need to see how you've balanced the camera and what you have on it. Possibility, my man?

So you'd go for the vest before the arm brace? :-) If my wish list wasn't limited, the Smooth Shooter would sure be on mine!

Nick Weeks · February 19th, 2007, 09:56 PM

Camera is balanced with the 950G battery that came with it, no tape, lcd open, clear glass and polarizer filter on it. It's pretty quick and easy to balance. I set it up in less than 2 minutes. I've also tried with 5 weights (10 total) and its a little different, but it just feels unbalanced to me with 10 instead of 8. I also added a picture of the bottom plate so you can get an idea where I mounted it.

I plan on using the CH-910 dual charger with 2 BP-945s eventually, still trying to get a feel for the glidecam itself first. I'm hoping that will save a little weight, although minimal, it should make at least a little bit of difference.

That arm brace is going to be worthless, although I've never tried it. I need to be able to wear this for 4-5 hours at a time with no fatigue, and the vest is really the only thing that will distribute the weight of the camera enough to reduce fatigue. That arm brace might help, but the vest just seems like it would be so much better.

I'd love to buy the Steadicam flyer or Varizoon aviator with the dual-springs, but the smooth shooter is such a great deal for now. Maybe I'll upgrade someday, but this is my first stabilizer, so I need to make some money with it first :)

L. Kirk Kauder · February 20th, 2007, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Weeks

Camera is balanced with the 950G battery that came with it, no tape, lcd open, clear glass and polarizer filter on it. It's pretty quick and easy to balance. I set it up in less than 2 minutes. I've also tried with 5 weights (10 total) and its a little different, but it just feels unbalanced to me with 10 instead of 8. I also added a picture of the bottom plate so you can get an idea where I mounted it.

I plan on using the CH-910 dual charger with 2 BP-945s eventually, still trying to get a feel for the glidecam itself first. I'm hoping that will save a little weight, although minimal, it should make at least a little bit of difference.

That arm brace is going to be worthless, although I've never tried it. I need to be able to wear this for 4-5 hours at a time with no fatigue, and the vest is really the only thing that will distribute the weight of the camera enough to reduce fatigue. That arm brace might help, but the vest just seems like it would be so much better.

I'd love to buy the Steadicam flyer or Varizoon aviator with the dual-springs, but the smooth shooter is such a great deal for now. Maybe I'll upgrade someday, but this is my first stabilizer, so I need to make some money with it first :)

Sweet! Thanks for the pics, Nick!

Nick Weeks · February 20th, 2007, 03:09 PM

Anytime.....

Jose Ortiz · February 20th, 2007, 07:13 PM

Thanks a lot Nick !!

It works!! but i.m exchanging my 2000 for the 4000 anyway cause I'm ordering a monitor an d for sure now is going be over 6 pounds.

I'll let you how is going with 4000 next week.

Jose Ortiz · February 25th, 2007, 06:59 AM

I just got the 4000 now and totally easier to balance comparing with the 2000.
the smooth shooter also works great.

thank you nick for the first input with the 2000 model.

Steve Montoto · March 29th, 2007, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jose Ortiz

I just got the 4000 now and totally easier to balance comparing with the 2000.
the smooth shooter also works great.

thank you nick for the first input with the 2000 model.

Any possible way to get you to email me a few pics of your setup Jose? I just bought the Glidecam 4000 also for my A1.

Take care,

Steve

Matthew Amirkhani · June 9th, 2008, 05:02 PM

Hi Jose & Steve,

I have just picked up a Glidecam 4000 and having difficult time balancing it. please email me the pics of your setups so I can see what I have done wrong.

Thanks in advance
Matthew

Jason Robinson · July 16th, 2008, 11:14 PM

I actually took my GL2, Beachtec, WD-58 and MultiRigPro and put them on my bathroom scale to get the weight so I would know about how much weight I would need to fly. I also measured me holding it and then just me in case the scale has non-linear weight problems. The total rig weighed in at around 8 pounds AND I still have the light & second battery. So I bet the whole unit will push 9-10. I might not fly with the MultiRig on there, but for my shooting needs, I need lightning fast transitions.

Dawn Minenna · August 26th, 2011, 10:06 AM

Does anyone have any updated photos with the Xha1. I believe I have it balanced, but to be quite honest, I'm not sure if it's supposed to be "still" when standing there after stopping. If I don't gently touch the post, it would just gently swing around, eventually coming back to center. Thanks everyone

February 19th, 2007, 03:54 PM	#1
Jose Ortiz Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tampa Florida Posts: 347	A1 and Works with glidecam 2000? Hello I’m a newbie in the business with an A1 camera. I just received last Friday the glide cam pro 2000 for my A1 and after 3 days trying to balance that guy, I quit. I called the people of glidecam and they said that my A1 should work with the 2000 based on the specs. But is not truth the only way that I can balance an A1 in a glidecam 2000 is w/out battery and none accessories. Now B&H is changing their mind and telling me that I should get the 4000 instead. They should be telling me that from the beginning since I told them that I was planning to have a weight of almost 5.3 lb. as some of you know 6 ld is the max in 2000. I’m wondering if some of you guys are using the 2000 or 4000 with A1 and some details regarding the process to get it balanced. Thanks

February 19th, 2007, 06:29 PM	#4
Nick Weeks Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL USA Posts: 722	OK, I've attached 2 pictures. What I'm referring to as the front is the bottom of the glidecam that has the monitor hole in it, also where the camera lens would be faced. The measurements are approximate, but they give you a good idea where to start. I'm still playing around with it, but this setup gives excellent results. It has a drop time of about 1.5 sec. There are 4 weight plates on each side. It could probably use a little more weight, bit I've achieved great results with 4 + 4 weights Attached Thumbnails

February 19th, 2007, 09:56 PM	#7
Nick Weeks Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL USA Posts: 722	Camera is balanced with the 950G battery that came with it, no tape, lcd open, clear glass and polarizer filter on it. It's pretty quick and easy to balance. I set it up in less than 2 minutes. I've also tried with 5 weights (10 total) and its a little different, but it just feels unbalanced to me with 10 instead of 8. I also added a picture of the bottom plate so you can get an idea where I mounted it. I plan on using the CH-910 dual charger with 2 BP-945s eventually, still trying to get a feel for the glidecam itself first. I'm hoping that will save a little weight, although minimal, it should make at least a little bit of difference. That arm brace is going to be worthless, although I've never tried it. I need to be able to wear this for 4-5 hours at a time with no fatigue, and the vest is really the only thing that will distribute the weight of the camera enough to reduce fatigue. That arm brace might help, but the vest just seems like it would be so much better. I'd love to buy the Steadicam flyer or Varizoon aviator with the dual-springs, but the smooth shooter is such a great deal for now. Maybe I'll upgrade someday, but this is my first stabilizer, so I need to make some money with it first :) Attached Thumbnails

June 9th, 2008, 05:02 PM	#13
Matthew Amirkhani Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 279	Hi Jose & Steve, I have just picked up a Glidecam 4000 and having difficult time balancing it. please email me the pics of your setups so I can see what I have done wrong. Thanks in advance Matthew __________________ Canon XHA1, Brevis 35mm, Manfrotto 028,501,Vegas Pro 10e

August 26th, 2011, 10:06 AM	#15
Dawn Minenna New Boot Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 11	Re: A1 and Works with glidecam 2000? Does anyone have any updated photos with the Xha1. I believe I have it balanced, but to be quite honest, I'm not sure if it's supposed to be "still" when standing there after stopping. If I don't gently touch the post, it would just gently swing around, eventually coming back to center. Thanks everyone

February 19th, 2007, 04:08 PM	#2
Nick Weeks Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL USA Posts: 722	Jose, I have the Glidecam 2000 and it works great with the A1. I'm not near the camera now, but I have the bottom post extended about 6" below the post, and I can't remember how many weight plates I have on it. I'm using the A1 with the BP945 battery, tape, LCD out with hood and no other accessories and it works fine. I will reply back later with some more info once I get it in my hands

February 19th, 2007, 06:31 PM	#5
Nick Weeks Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL USA Posts: 722	Oh yea, and the next accessory I will buy would be the vest to support the Glidecam 2000 (I think its called the Smooth Shooter). This camera fatigues me fast!

February 20th, 2007, 03:09 PM	#9
Nick Weeks Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL USA Posts: 722	Anytime.....

February 20th, 2007, 07:13 PM	#10
Jose Ortiz Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tampa Florida Posts: 347	Thanks a lot Nick !! It works!! but i.m exchanging my 2000 for the 4000 anyway cause I'm ordering a monitor an d for sure now is going be over 6 pounds. I'll let you how is going with 4000 next week.

February 25th, 2007, 06:59 AM	#11
Jose Ortiz Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tampa Florida Posts: 347	I just got the 4000 now and totally easier to balance comparing with the 2000. the smooth shooter also works great. thank you nick for the first input with the 2000 model.

July 16th, 2008, 11:14 PM	#14
Jason Robinson Trustee Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 1,997	I actually took my GL2, Beachtec, WD-58 and MultiRigPro and put them on my bathroom scale to get the weight so I would know about how much weight I would need to fly. I also measured me holding it and then just me in case the scale has non-linear weight problems. The total rig weighed in at around 8 pounds AND I still have the light & second battery. So I bet the whole unit will push 9-10. I might not fly with the MultiRig on there, but for my shooting needs, I need lightning fast transitions.