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Alright Glidecam advice.

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Blurst
Posts: 13577 - Karma: 10,169
So right now I have the option of buying a demo version of a Glidecam Pro2000 for $179.99 from Glidecam. I can either do this or try and wait to purchase the glidecam HD2000 from the guy on here for $400.

What do I do? Is the HD worth the extra $200? Also I am really hoping to get it by friday so time is a variable.

Please help me out.
Feb 27 2012 10:58AM
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miroz
Posts: 10333 - Karma: 3,945
What are you putting on it?

I have the 2000 Pro...and I've been toying with the idea of upgrading to an HD model. Haven't decided on anything yet and haven't done any research, but I'm thinking about it...
Feb 27 2012 11:00AM
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erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,328
where did you find this deal for the demo version?
Feb 27 2012 11:03AM
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Blurst
Posts: 13577 - Karma: 10,169
I will be putting a T2i.

How have you found balancing the Pro so far? Not terribly excruciating? Because frankly as a poor university student saving $200 for a little bit of a headache is not the worst thing in the world.
Feb 27 2012 11:05AM
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blatt
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 3,097
The hd2000 is awesome. It is mounds easier to have it perfectly balance and it takes no time to switch up focal length or even lenses
Feb 27 2012 11:05AM
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Blurst
Posts: 13577 - Karma: 10,169
I wont be switching focal lengths or lenses, will that make a big difference?
Feb 27 2012 11:08AM
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erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,328
really? how did they make this possible? i use different lenses and cameras all together a lot so the hd might be worth the $200.
Feb 27 2012 11:11AM
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[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
I have the pro. I Havent ha many problems with it. Sometimes fine adjustifg can be a bitch, but not to bad. I dont see the point of te HD in my opinion.
Feb 27 2012 11:39AM
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miroz
Posts: 10333 - Karma: 3,945
I'm confused...do you mean that you are leaning towards not getting the HD, or leaning towards it? The statement seems a little bipolar.

Balancing it...depends. If you're picky and want it perfect it's a pain in the ass. If "close enough" is fine (and by close enough, I mean not perfect as defined in the manual, but acceptable to the extent that your shots are steady) then its fine. When I use it with the T2i at work, I actually have trouble balancing it because the T2i is so light. The whole apparatus tends to be bottom heavy. I'm okay with having a lot of weight on it because I used it with my DVX first, so I like putting our follow focus rig on it too. I'm sure balancing it with just the T2i is doable, I just haven't had the time to do it in a way that I'm comfortable with.

I think the most valuable information will come from someone who has owned both.
Feb 27 2012 11:40AM
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Blurst
Posts: 13577 - Karma: 10,169
I am leaning towards going with the Pro and saving the money.

Thanks for the advice. To be honest for what I am going to be doing, "close enough" is going to be good enough for me for the time being.
Feb 27 2012 11:45AM
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miroz
Posts: 10333 - Karma: 3,945
Read reviews and check out specs on B&H and other sites like that. You may find specifics that are particular to you.

If you were on the EC (and/or in the US) I'd say come try mine and see what you think lol
Feb 27 2012 11:51AM
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blatt
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 3,097
It also makes it easier to get a perfect precise balance. Look up on Vimeo glidecam tutorial (should be some girl holding a glidecam in the thumbnail). It gives a good comparison of the pro and hd models
Feb 27 2012 12:00PM
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wynnyk
Posts: 1638 - Karma: 555
hahah nobody's answering you
Feb 27 2012 12:01PM
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blatt
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 3,097
They have a fine adjustment screw which allows for much more precise balancing. Watch the video as stated in my previous post for a better idea of what I mean
Feb 27 2012 12:04PM
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1337
Posts: 31054 - Karma: 29,232
just invest in a quick release plate (they are 30 bucks from calumet photo) and the pro will be fine. I have 0 problems getting an almost perfect balance in seconds. And I go from disassembled glidecam to an assembled one too, its fine.
Feb 27 2012 1:28PM
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hawaiiansteeze
Posts: 3255 - Karma: 3,226
get the pro and a quick release plate. youll save mad money and have a convenient set up.
Feb 27 2012 1:41PM
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MLeone
Posts: 725 - Karma: 72
where'd you find this deal?
Feb 27 2012 2:54PM
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BA.berger
Posts: 300 - Karma: 300
I got a Hd2000 for 350$ just say that you can put their logo in you're films and then you have some kind of a demo discount deal!!
Feb 27 2012 3:47PM
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MLeone
Posts: 725 - Karma: 72
you just told them that and they gave you the discount? How did you tell them?

Feb 27 2012 4:04PM
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BA.berger
Posts: 300 - Karma: 300
just tell something about what you are doing and what you can offer them (Logos in videos and all of that stuff) They don't have demo versions all the time... I had to wait for 4 weeks before I could get mine... But they always have something I believe... the demo versions works just as good as new ones.. Win win win!
Feb 27 2012 4:10PM
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Blurst
Posts: 13577 - Karma: 10,169
is this the quick release that you were talking about?
Feb 27 2012 4:14PM
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BA.berger
Posts: 300 - Karma: 300
I think its something like this one... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Manfrotto-357-Pro-Quick-Release-Adapter-/230751876213?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b9e23475#ht_702wt_1413

You will spend a lot of time by using this one instead of the glidecam plate, changing batteries, lenses.,.,.,.
Feb 27 2012 4:18PM
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MLeone
Posts: 725 - Karma: 72
how did you contact them? email?
Feb 27 2012 4:20PM
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Blurst
Posts: 13577 - Karma: 10,169
I will spend more time or save it?
Feb 27 2012 4:23PM
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BA.berger
Posts: 300 - Karma: 300
http://www.glidecam.com/contact.php Try the sales or marketing email and you will get answer from Tom Howie aka The glidecam Bo$$ :)
Feb 27 2012 4:24PM
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BA.berger
Posts: 300 - Karma: 300
save, sorry :L Norwegian....hahaha
Feb 27 2012 4:25PM
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