Glidecam & Ex1
 

Hi there,

Recently went to the Broadcast show at Earls Court. Whilst there I visited the Glidecam stand and saw this....

Glidecam X-10.

Looked awsome!
Anyone had any experience using a steadycam with the Ex1? Just wondered how it coped motion wise with steadycam movement.

Many thanks

EX1 with the Pilot
 

Haven't used the Glidecam, but I use a Steadicam Pilot with the EX1 and I love it. It's a great combo.

I plan on buying one for an EX3 but not for a while.

Steadicam vs. Glidecam for EX1/3
 

I'd like to invest a little bit of money into a wearable rig, but to me, a "little bit" limits me a a few thousand (okay, about $4K). I am not interested in the $25K price point solution, as I'm far too poor. So, I've been doing a little research to campare the Steadicam to the Glidecam systems in as much as an "apples to apples" comparision as I can.

To begin with, the Steadicam Pilot (Pilot-AB) includes the Sled, Vest, Arm, Back Pack Transport, and an AB battery mount and comes to $4100. It also says that the backpack is $380, and the LCD is 5.8". As the Glidecam doesn't come with a backpack, I'm going to subtract the $380 from the cost, just for comparison purposes. So, the total adjusted package with the 5.8" LCD and AB battery mount comes to $3720.

The Glidecam X-10 requires the 4000 Pro in addition. So it comes to $2900. It does NOT include a monitor, and a 5.8-6.0 monitor is not offered. So, since the 4" sounds too small to be useable for HD, I'll select the 7" with the bracket - which runs $720. No AB battery mount is offered here, so I'll have to bear that in mind. The adjusted price of this configuration, which is short the AB mount and has a littler larger screen, is $3620.


Wow, didn't know that were going to be so neck and neck! Being that the two packages are nearly the same price (assuming you'd purchase a storage bag for the Glidecam), How do they compare in quality?

What are there strengths/weaknesses?

What do you prefer about yours (those of you that have one)?

What do you prefer about the competition's?

Thanks,

I own a Steadicam Pilot, and I've also used a rented Glidecam V-20 with a 16mm film camera on a student film.

Buy the Steadicam Pilot.

The Glidecam stuff is workable, but not nearly as good. There are many reasons why, but you won't really appreciate these differences until you actually start using the rig. You're not just paying for the Steadicam brand. The rigs really are much better. Steadicam does have some real competition at the higher end (PRO, MK-V, ActionCam), but they are all at least $15K. For the EX1/EX3, the Steadicam Pilot is the best, hands down.

The next question is: What version of the Pilot. The most popular options are the Pilot-AA and Pilot-VLB. I wold only get the AB version if you have already invested in AB batteries and chargers (not cheap). For the EX1/EX3 the Pilot VLB package will allow you to power the camera from the Pilot's battery. If you always use the Sony batteries (BP-U30 or BP-U60) on the camera, then a Pilot-AA will be fine and save you some money.

I believe all Pilot versions still include the backpack, but call to be sure. Also, you'll need a stand to balance the rig, some extra weights, and a few other things to complete the package. More info here:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/stabilize...started-q.html

There's also more info on battery issues here:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/stabilize...ttery-mod.html

Oh, and by the way, it takes months of practice to get good looking results with a Steadicam. You'll also probably need to take a 2-day workshop for $500. Think of it like learning to ski. There's a lot of balance involved, and it takes a while to get good, but learning is still fun.

Hope this helps

I owned the Glidecam 4000 Pro and used it handheld without the vest and arm.

The Glidecam 4000 Pro is VERY difficult to adjust and keep in trim. It has 8 thrumb-screws for adjustment - 4 for fore/aft movement, and 4 for left/right movement. Simply tightening one of the screws more than another can throw the sled out of balance. You cannot adjust the position of the gimbal on the center post to adjust the drop time, so all adjustments must be made by adding and removing weights, which is less than optimum. The handle which attaches to the gimbal can and will hit the gimbal when booming the rig due to the design of the handle and gimble assembly. This will knock the rig and destroy your shot.

People use the Glidecam 4000 Pro (and vest/arm combo) and get good results, but ultimately, the design has its flaws. The 8 adjustment screws and the amount of time it took to balance the rig were (excuse the pun) the tipping point for me.

I sold the sub-$400 Glidecam 4000 Pro sled and purchased a >$4,000 Steadicam Pilot VLB system, and don't regret the switch one bit.

Julian

lol!..............

Ted, why not go for the Pilot VLB as it comes with 2 batterys and a charger.

If you go for the AB you need to buy the batts and charger as no where I have seen offers them included in a bundle.

Steadicam PILOT-VLB Pilot Lightweight Camera Stabilizer With Power, Steadicam

$4,594 for the full rig to get you going.

I use an x-10 all the time
 

Darren, I've had one since it came out...I actually upgraded from the smooth shooter to the x-10 arm. It works very well and I use it with the Sony.8 wa adapter. The entire rig is quite heavy though and of course using it in the wind can be tough as with any stabilizer.

I have an EX1 and a Glidecam 4000 pro KIT is ok

How reliable is gomediamonkey as a vendor? It's a great price for a pilot setup.

got our Glidecam from there, no complaints at all. Web Of Trust also has nothing bad to say

gomediamonkey.com | WOT Security Scorecard | WOT Web of Trust

The Pilot-VLB is available from BH for $4260. I've always had good luck ordering from BH.
Steadicam | Pilot-VLB Camera Stabilization System | PILOT-VLB
(Click on "Email me a better price")

If you're always going to use the camera's batteries to power the camera, then the Pilot-AA version is also a great option. A fully charged set of 10 rechargable AAs will last for 4 hours powering just the Pilot's monitor. I bought 2 spare AA battery holders on ebay, and enough rechargable AAs to make 3 packs, enough to last for 12 hours on location. A complete Pilot-AA system costs $3940. That includes 32 AA rechargables, two 8-slot AA fast (1-hour)chargers, and 2 spare AA battery holders. More info here:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/stabilize...ttery-mod.html

Cheers guys!

Looks like I may invest at some point!

I say there is a bit of a ding dong going on on the thread regarding motion and the EX3!

EX3 need at least Steadicam Flyer or Sachtler Artemis DV pro.
Artemis - Sachtler GmbH

Since when? The EX3 is within the rated weight of the of both the Pilot and the X-10.

The Flyer LE is more than twice the price, while the Flyer SE is four times the cost! The Flyer LE could support a camera that weighs as much as two EX3's. Why do you say the EX3 needs this 'at least'?

light...wireless...dof...

The EX3 with the stock battery and two SxS cards is @ 8lb. The add your v-lock battery, between 1.2 and 2lb, and your at or close to the 10lb max weight. That said, it can probably handle a few pounds more, but 10 is the guaranteed minimum.
"If" in the future you want to add accessories to the EX3, you won't have much spare capacity. Mattebox, rails, video transmitter, audio receiver, lenses, 35mm adapter, follow focus, etc. You might squeeze them on if you score a buffed arm, or maybe not.

I've flown the EX3 on the Pilot with accessories, and I have an accurate digital scale. Here's what I found:
1) You'll want to remove the EVF LCD hood. This makes the EX3 lighter and easier to balance side-to-side.
2) With the EVF LCD hood removed, the EX3 with the stock BP-U30 battery weighs just over 7 pounds.
3) The IDX E-7S V-Lock battery weighs .75 pounds.
4) You can remove the BP-U30 battery and power the EX3 from the IDX battery. This worked fine for me.
5) Without the BP-U30 battery and LCD EVF hood, the EX3 weighs around 6.75 pounds.
6) At 6.75 pounds, there is plenty of available weight for reasonable accessories (wireless audio receiver, shotgun, on-camera lighting, wireless video transmitter, etc.).

More info on Pilot/EX3 here:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/stabilize...-possible.html

Bottom line: As long as you're not using a lens adapter, the EX3 will work with the Pilot just fine.

If you want to fly the XH-A1, HVX-200, EX1, or EX3 with a lens adapter, you'll need to spend $7K for a Pilot LE, $5K for a good wireless follow focus system, and you'll need a very experienced assistant cameraman to pull focus.
More info on steadicam w/ lens adapter here:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/stabilize...f-adapter.html

I've never actually weighed my EX3 or the E-7S, I just quoted the manual figures, so I'll take your word for it :)

Have you tried to max out your arm yet? I'm curious how far over the 10lbs you can go.

Mine will go around 11 pounds and hold level. Sometimes I like to raise my arm above level to get the lens to float a little higher by itself, so around 10 pounds works best for me.

Same here Dave, my Merlin arm, which I sold went way over that, probably around 15 pounds.

My Flyer-LE manages to squeak in 26lbs plus sled. I was quite happy with that, the extra 6 or 7lbs will be very handy.

Wow, that's way beyond spec. Does that include the battery?

Bare sled with no batteries. I just hung weights with bungees till the forearm dipped. Still plenty in the upper arm, I think I could squeeze a bit more just by putting a wedge on the spring. I've heard the gimbal is good for regular use up to 30lbs, but I'd guess that includes the sled.

This was what I was expecting, Dave. One AB battery to power both cam and lcd, wireless mic receiver(s) and, on occassion, a wide angle adapter or wider lens. Not planning on using any DofF adapters.

However, if I wanted to use a 35mm adapter, I'd get a system with a relay lens, removing the EX3 lens which weighs 2.8 lbs all by itself! In this scenario, it may still work.

I'll probably fly the cam with DM-accessories basic plate as well for stability - but I think that's only around 4 or 5 oz. I'll have to weigh it when it arrives.

Most AB batteries are much bigger than the IDX E-7S VL batteries, so that will eat into the weight. Do you already have the AB batts? If not, I would suggst the Pilot-VLB package.

It's not so much the lens and adapter, but the weight of the rails and wireless FF that puts you over the 10 pounds. If you want to fly a 35mm adapter, you'll need to spend $7K for a Flyer and another $5K for a wireless FF system. You can use a 35mm adapter on sticks and no 35mm adapter on steadicam. People have found it's OK to intercut the two, as long as the shots are planned well and have good lighting.

You may also want to buy a tripod adapter. This allows you to move between sticks and steadicam really easy. Here's the one I use:
Amazon.com: Manfrotto 577 Rapid Connect Adapter w/Sliding Mounting Plate (3433PL): Electronics

Anyone care to post some images or footage flying an EX3 successfully on a pilot?

Thanks,

I fly a V-lock Pilot with a Z1 with a quick release plate as well, video light + battery, transmitter and of course the much needed weights at the bottom to increase stability. This configuration adds up to the max weight. If I were to upgrade my camera to the ex3 I would need a flyer. Ten pounds adds up pretty quickly.

You can power the EX3 and the video light off the Pilot's VL battery. Without the battery and EVF LCD cover, the EX3 weighs around 6.75 pounds.

The 2 quick release plates weigh in at 290 grams, and you still need those weights at the bottom for increased stability. In my case my light needs to be powered by the large F970 battery. As a one off I could put up without the convenience of a qr plate, but not every week. Unfortunately I have very limited time to set up most times. Of course every body's situation is different, but just sharing my experience.

Hi Darren. I had the opportunity to mess with the x10 3 weeks ago n I must say it does perform. However when compared to a Pilot, its still quite a little behind. The Pilot arms are better (minimal bounce), lighter (x10 has quite a heavy vest) and the sled is much more refined compared to the HD 4000. A lot of little things have been taken into the design of the Pilot so i'll say that it wins hands down except for the price.

Glidecam HD-4000 and x10 Test on Vimeo

Wouldn't a new light cost a lot less than a new steadicam?

By the way, I agree about the tripod adapter / QR plate. Very necessary for most people.

C'mon Dave it's a perfect excuse for buying a new rig. -)

I'm still trying to decide on which to go with for my pilot.. to go with an EX1 would probably give me more leeway.. though I'd really like to see some photos and footage of a user successfully flying with the EX3.. it's nice to read about some users experiences.. but seeing is believing.. I would imagine it's much harder to get dynamic balance correctly with the EX3 due to it's fixed monitor position.. am I wrong?

Also sorry to hijack this post with another message but can anyone recommend a good quick release plate? I could really be doing with one..

I bought this one and I like it :

Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging | 577 Quick Release Adapter | 577

Images below.

Thanks Randy for the reply..

Also Dave thank you so much for posting them images.. it helps me to visually get a better understanding the whole rig + accessories.. what was the total combined weight? that would pretty much be all I would need to fly with regarding accessories.. and your powering the camera from the rig right? also what shotgun are you using there? and did you achieve dynamic balance ok?

Sorry if i'm repeating questions.. I just want to be sure I make the right choice with camera..

Thanks
Cathal

With these accessories, it's right at the limit. I had to crank the blue thumbscrews all the way up to get the Pilot arm level.
Yes, using a custom cable with 2.1mm and Sony EIAJ DC right angle connectors. Note that the yellow Sony EIAJ DC plug really needs to be right angle so it doesn't hit your left cheek. I chopped that connector off the end of this cable.
Vortex Media: VIDEO & PHOTO Tools and Training
Note that the composite video out BNC connector is also right angle for the same reason.
Rode NTG-1 shotgun, Rode SM-3 shock mount, Rode Dead Cat windscreen, Custom cable with Neutrik NC3MRX-B & NC3FRX-B connectors.
Yes, dynamic balance was good. The tripod mount had to go one hole back, so it hangs off the back a little (see pictures). I also had to do this with the Sony EX1 and Z1U cameras to get dynamic balance.

I really need to buy me a scale to figure out how much my rig weighs.. because since i've had it i've never not had my arm fully cranked up.. anything less than that and it just sags.

Really need to also make a power cable for my EX1, with the camera, big battery and a big lectrosonic receiver (http://www.lectrosonics.com/wireless/400/ucr401.htm) it definitely feels like its at its maximum weight. My arm starts to sag after that..

But then you go and post pics of an EX3 rig which im sure must way more than what im flying.. no battery there though, i can definitely see how thats going to help.