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Cage vs Glidecam

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j.benziger
Posts: 688 - Karma: 8,024
Looking for a cheaper solution.
Would a cage do the trick?
Feb 23 2012 1:16AM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,093
Simple answer, no. A glide cam is unmatched.
Feb 23 2012 1:18AM
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blatt
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 3,097
pro's of a glidecam:
smooth and professional looking shots

con's:
Takes practice
expensive when compared to a fig rig


pro's of a fig rig:
easy to use - doesn't take any talent to use/hold
easy to make youself or cheap to purchase one


con's
dem shakey shots



I personally love my glidecam; but for some it's not the most rational option. If you wanna take the time to learn how to use a steadicam then invest in one; it will be well worth it
Feb 23 2012 2:12AM
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j.benziger
Posts: 688 - Karma: 8,024
the main reason why i asked is because glidecams are a little bit pricey compared to cages but +K for legit answers!
Feb 24 2012 1:54AM
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BA.berger
Posts: 300 - Karma: 300
Do you know that you can get a demo version from glidecam much cheaper than other places? I got the glidecam hd2000 for 350$ http://glidecam.com/pricing.php send an email to them and hear if they have anything available ;)
Feb 24 2012 4:06AM
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juicedrummer11
Posts: 1960 - Karma: 1,331
just got my glidecam yesterday, got it very very close to perfect balance and ran around my apartment with it. already love it. a few more tweaks and it will be good to go for some bigger projects.
Feb 24 2012 11:09AM
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erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,328
is it a pro? how hard was it to balance?
Feb 24 2012 11:10AM
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juicedrummer11
Posts: 1960 - Karma: 1,331
its the hd 2000. balancing it on the vertical axis isn't that bad. same with the left and right balance. i got that pretty easily after some quick camera placement changes and a few tweaks of the fine tune knobs. the drop time one was tricky at first. i had to take off a counter weight and extend it a little. now its just a matter of fine tuning some more. i would say it took around 45 min to an hour from unboxing it to balancing it roughly
Feb 24 2012 11:18AM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Cage v Glidecam = apples to oranges.

The only thing a cage does is give you something to hold onto. It doesn't stabilize the footage. At most, it makes it easier to hold steady because it's generally easier to hold, but whether you can get the same effect by holding your breath or putting your elbow in your stomach.
Feb 24 2012 8:33PM
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remster
Posts: 898 - Karma: 261
Yeah this is a pretty standard time for getting a rough idea how to balance it
Feb 25 2012 9:47PM
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juicedrummer11
Posts: 1960 - Karma: 1,331
thats what i figured. i played around with some more fine tuning and got it dialed in pretty good to shoot a couple of shots with it. now just need some practice to make it look perfect. but its so awesome, good investment
Feb 26 2012 3:25AM
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j.benziger
Posts: 688 - Karma: 8,024
what would be the better decision then

t2i and a cage

OR

t3 and glidecam

???

Feb 26 2012 6:15PM
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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,661
t2i and a steadycam they're like 100 bucks.

then save and buy the glidecam
Feb 26 2012 7:43PM
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dakesteeze
Posts: 214 - Karma: 137
Do not get a t3, they are very limited in terms of video. If you're are looking for a budget glidecam, take a look at the flycam nano. In terms of performance, there is very little difference between the flycam and the lower-end glide cam models.
Feb 26 2012 8:05PM
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
once you have the flycam balanced, it will be great, but getting it balanced "perfectly" will take much longer than with a glidecam hd series
Feb 26 2012 8:09PM
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j.benziger
Posts: 688 - Karma: 8,024
Is it worth the extra time because i would much rather pay less money
Feb 26 2012 8:21PM
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j_hamborg
Posts: 560 - Karma: 745
t2i with the flycam is a super sick set up!!

Feb 26 2012 8:22PM
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
you are fine with a flycam as long as you are only using 1 lens. It will be very complicated to try and use different lenses/focal lengths etc. and I would say it is fine to go with the flycam, because once you get it set up you are good to go. Also, I would suggest getting a quick release plate, calumet.com has one that is compatible with the manfrotto plates (for the 501/701hdv, i forget the code) for about half the price of manfrotto ones, and they are still good quality
Feb 27 2012 12:00AM
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Wadsworth
Posts: 962 - Karma: 1,131
I have a glidecam. Its the weights at the bottom that smooth out the shot. It keeps everything balanced. Also the handle moves with the shot. It moves around so when you are skiing fast and its easier to be shaky that handle stays steady because if you shake, the shake goes with the shot which makes it look like nothing happened. Its kind of hard to explain. But get a GLIDECAM!
Feb 27 2012 12:30AM
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j.benziger
Posts: 688 - Karma: 8,024
how much are the flycam nano's

Feb 27 2012 6:19PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
"Cheap" solutions actually cost more.

Get a Glidecam.
Feb 27 2012 8:04PM
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j.benziger
Posts: 688 - Karma: 8,024
stupid question but are there different companies that sell glidecams or is it just one?
Feb 27 2012 10:00PM
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erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,328
"glidecam" is a name brand but there are many other companies that make very similar products.
Feb 27 2012 10:06PM
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j.benziger
Posts: 688 - Karma: 8,024
Would a glidecam 1000 be good enough for a t2i or should i consider a 2000?
(Thanks for all the help!)

Feb 27 2012 10:22PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Glidecam is the name of the company that makes the best ones for under $2k. The Flycam and other analogues are mediocre at best and once the honeymoon stage is over you'll be facepalming yourself for wasting your money on it when you could've waited a little bit longer and bought something much better, as is true with any piece of camera gear.

Glidecam's have a weight range, which is specified on the page. If the weight of your rig falls within that range, you're golden. Simple.
Feb 27 2012 10:45PM
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