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Glidecaming troubles with a dslr + rodemic

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RockNRollNghtClb
Posts: 2013 - Karma: 2,509
Lately Ive been trying really hard to balance my glide cam 2000pro with a t2i/tamron 17-50/rodevideo mic.

At first i tried to go for a true balance with proper drop time etc. and it was just seeming extremely difficult

now i have tried to put quite a bit of weight on the bottom and not worry about the drop time and such

because i feel that will work much better for skiing/other stuff i film. and I'm still running into the same

problem. Maybe its because of the rodemic just kind of bobbing to the right side above the camera i can't

seem to have the glide cam balanced perfectly. Meaning when I set the bottom on the table and slowly lift

it up theres always a slight bobble/ sway of the glide cam.

Is there a way to get rid of the slight bobble?

or is that just unavoidable with a rodemic on my camera?

thx for the help

oh and just out of curiosity do most of you guys just have the bottom of your glide cam really heavily weighted so the drop time is extremely fast (like Paul Braunstein for ex.) or do you balance it so the bottom is the same weight as the top, correct drop time (E heath for example) while filming skiing?



Jul 23 2012 9:37PM
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eheath
Posts: 61645 - Karma: 123,452
to be honest, my glidecam is rarely perfectly balanced when i film skiing
Jul 23 2012 9:41PM
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eheath
Posts: 61645 - Karma: 123,452
because of wind and the fact skiing isnt very rough to start, you can apply more grip with your gliding hand. i use proper drop time fyi
Jul 23 2012 9:42PM
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MAC.D
Posts: 5654 - Karma: 345


I'm not exactly sure what you mean by bobble, but if you adjust the head of the glidecam correctly it should stay level when you pick it up.

The easiest way to adjust the balance is to clamp the glidecam handle to a c-stand or some other stable elevated object so that the glidecam can hang freely. Then adjust the head left/right and forward/back to center the weight of the camera/lens/mic. Once you've done this correctly, the glidecam will remain upright while hanging from/holding onto the handle.

As for the drop-time I'd recommend using all the weights provided with the glidecam 2000. Then adjust the length of the center pole to achieve the recommended drop-time. If you hold the glidecam correctly (holding the handle in one hand with your other hand lightly guiding the center pole) you should be all set.
Jul 23 2012 9:51PM
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PBraunstein
Posts: 1448 - Karma: 3,804
tell him the real secret evan...


balance that bitch upside down
Jul 23 2012 9:57PM
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BolderPro
Posts: 767 - Karma: 426
Threads. I was also having this problem but then figured out that you can keep it pretty steady balanced or a lil off but would like to get better still
Jul 23 2012 11:12PM
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juicedrummer11
Posts: 1960 - Karma: 1,331
for skiing i use a correct drop time and then extend the bar a bit more so the drop time is a bit quicker to account for the wind. i use a rode videomic pro on mine too. works well, then just bring the center post back up to normal when i use it for other stuff. works perfect me
Jul 23 2012 11:16PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Don't ignore the drop time. Physically speaking, the Glidecam must be perfectly balanced on all three axii in order for it to work as intended. Of course, there is the element of wind resistance, which can be compensated for using the fine adjustment screws or your hand. I prefer the former.
Jul 25 2012 2:20AM
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blatt
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 3,097
the problem with videomics and glidecams is that the mic acts like a "sail" in that the wind just pushes it around since the mic is so tall. There is no real solution except for filming in less windy areas or doing slower movements while steadicamming.
Jul 25 2012 3:19PM
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family_vacation
Posts: 6200 - Karma: 7,840
Exactly the problem.

I'm willing to sacrifice some stability for improved audio though.
Jul 25 2012 4:32PM
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eheath
Posts: 61645 - Karma: 123,452
you think my 5inch mic with windscreen thats mounted 4in above my camera doesnt push it around? just suck it up, people are so light with their glide hand, with skiing you have flexiblity to grip more
Jul 25 2012 5:17PM
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blatt
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 3,097
I never said it didn't, but yeah gripping harder definitely helps. I'm just more comfortable with not having to grip harder and am okay with the loss of audio quality. And if I really need good audio quality I just sample from tripod shots
Jul 25 2012 5:44PM
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family_vacation
Posts: 6200 - Karma: 7,840
damn dude you're really badass with a glidecam
Jul 25 2012 6:49PM
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CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,943
so hrdcre
Jul 25 2012 7:45PM
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eheath
Posts: 61645 - Karma: 123,452
the hardest of the core.
Jul 25 2012 8:50PM
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