Red Epic : Glidecam 4000 ? at DVinfo.net

Ken Beals · July 10th, 2012, 03:38 PM

Have been flying light cameras on a Glidecam Smooth Shooter rig for about 4 - 5 years ... kind of my training wheels before transition to actual Steadicam pkge.

Been presented with an opportunity to shoot a few scenes of a movie short. The camera format will be the Red Epic.

My m.o. is to get hands on familiar with new equipment before actual shooting.

Realize the Red One would crush my Glidecam platform but would it be able to handle the Red Epic ???

If not, is it possible to rent a Steadicam in Arizona ? and where ?

appreciate any info.

KC

flowingcamera@gmail.com

480.678.1175

Terry Thompson · July 10th, 2012, 11:40 PM

How heavy is the Red Epic as configured to fly on a stabilizer?

Nate Haustein · July 11th, 2012, 10:53 AM

Tried the Smooth Shooter with an Epic a few weeks ago, and the consensus was that it was just a touch too heavy to work properly. The camera and a lens comes in under the weight limit, but with accessories (that your film will likely have) it just gets too heavy for the Glidecam. In other words, there's a chance it will fly, but you might not be able to be as flexible as you would with a more heavy duty stabilizer.

Ken Beals · July 11th, 2012, 07:51 PM

Thanks Nate, that's what i suspected.

Am looking into renting a Steadicam Zephyr which is capable of handling 24 lbs.

Charles Papert · July 12th, 2012, 02:20 AM

Good choice. The performance of the arm in particular is much more desirable with the Zephyr--plus overall sled design is more inert, more easily balanced etc. Are you using a wireless focus control?

Ken Beals · July 13th, 2012, 12:17 AM

Hey Charles !

Thanks for adding to this thread. According to DP it looks like they will be including the wireless focus control.

Have flown one of the DSLR cameras notorious for shallow DOF and initially someone tried to pull focus manually...no,no,no...not working.

I ended up pulling my own focus while following the talent across 3 rooms...talk about guerilla style, it worked but was craziness.

Found a shop in Burbank, Ca. that rents the Zephyr for $250/day. Place called Embassies of Cinema ...have you worked with them before ?

July 10th, 2012, 03:38 PM	#1
Ken Beals Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tempe, Az Posts: 170	Red Epic : Glidecam 4000 ? Have been flying light cameras on a Glidecam Smooth Shooter rig for about 4 - 5 years ... kind of my training wheels before transition to actual Steadicam pkge. Been presented with an opportunity to shoot a few scenes of a movie short. The camera format will be the Red Epic. My m.o. is to get hands on familiar with new equipment before actual shooting. Realize the Red One would crush my Glidecam platform but would it be able to handle the Red Epic ??? If not, is it possible to rent a Steadicam in Arizona ? and where ? appreciate any info. KC flowingcamera@gmail.com 480.678.1175 __________________ Mediocrity is a disease...

July 10th, 2012, 11:40 PM	#2
Terry Thompson Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Auburn, CA Posts: 578	Re: Red Epic : Glidecam 4000 ? How heavy is the Red Epic as configured to fly on a stabilizer? __________________ He's only mostly sDEADy. sort of from "The Princess Bride" www.indicam.com

July 11th, 2012, 10:53 AM	#3
Nate Haustein Trustee Join Date: May 2007 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 1,313	Re: Red Epic : Glidecam 4000 ? Tried the Smooth Shooter with an Epic a few weeks ago, and the consensus was that it was just a touch too heavy to work properly. The camera and a lens comes in under the weight limit, but with accessories (that your film will likely have) it just gets too heavy for the Glidecam. In other words, there's a chance it will fly, but you might not be able to be as flexible as you would with a more heavy duty stabilizer. __________________ Nate Haustein PXW-FX9 / FCPX www.flightcreativemedia.com

July 11th, 2012, 07:51 PM	#4
Ken Beals Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tempe, Az Posts: 170	Re: Red Epic : Glidecam 4000 ? Thanks Nate, that's what i suspected. Am looking into renting a Steadicam Zephyr which is capable of handling 24 lbs. __________________ Mediocrity is a disease...

July 12th, 2012, 02:20 AM	#5
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Re: Red Epic : Glidecam 4000 ? Good choice. The performance of the arm in particular is much more desirable with the Zephyr--plus overall sled design is more inert, more easily balanced etc. Are you using a wireless focus control? __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

July 13th, 2012, 12:17 AM	#6
Ken Beals Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tempe, Az Posts: 170	Re: Red Epic : Glidecam 4000 ? Hey Charles ! Thanks for adding to this thread. According to DP it looks like they will be including the wireless focus control. Have flown one of the DSLR cameras notorious for shallow DOF and initially someone tried to pull focus manually...no,no,no...not working. I ended up pulling my own focus while following the talent across 3 rooms...talk about guerilla style, it worked but was craziness. Found a shop in Burbank, Ca. that rents the Zephyr for $250/day. Place called Embassies of Cinema ...have you worked with them before ? __________________ Mediocrity is a disease...