Glidecam V8
Complete Glidecam V-8 Camera Stabilization System
Glidecam Industries Inc. offers a wide variety of camera stabilizers (camera stabilization systems) for use with motion picture cameras, video cameras, and video camcorders. These hand-held and body-mounted camera stabilizers create super smooth shots, and allow the operator to walk, run, go up and down stairs, shoot from moving vehicles, and travel over uneven terrain without any camera instability or shake. Glidecam camera stabilization products make ideal camera accessories and can easily replace or be used in conjunction with dollies and tracks, booms, camera cranes, and tripods, or monopods. Both professional filmmakers and amateur movie makers alike can enjoy the fluidity and grace that Glidecam camera stabilizers provide.
With the GLIDECAM V-8, Glidecam Industries, Inc. offers the most affordable and versatile line of professional camera stabilizers in the world. With its unique and exclusive Orbital Hinge technology and, new and compact Dyna-Elastic Arm, the Glidecam V-8 revolutionizes the world of camera stabilization by finally bringing and advancing the technology of body motioned camera stabilization to cameras weighing up to 10 pounds. Simply combine one of the new lightweight Digital Camcorders with a Glidecam V-8 and you’ll have one of the best video acquisition tools available. Since it will support cameras up to 10lbs, which is perfect for the Panasonic DVX-100, HVX200, Canon XL-2, Sony PD150 or any other prosumer sized video camera. The Glidecam V-8 also works great with the Canon XL-2, Sony PD150 and VX2000, Panasonic DVX100a and AG456, and the JVC GY-DV300U.
The Glidecam V-8 Professional Camera Stabilization System allows you to walk, run, go up and down stairs, shoot from moving vehicles and travel over uneven terrain with out and camera instability or shake. The glidecam V-8 is designed primarily for use with lightweight video camcorders and 8mm motion picture cameras.
The Glidecam V-8 is perfect for shooting the type of super smooth tracking shots that take your audience’s and client’s breath away. The V-8 instantly adds high production value to every scene. With the V-8 camera stabilizer you will be able to produce the type of ultra smooth handling shots that until now were only achievable with very heavy inertially stable cameras. When it comes to the art of stabilizing cameras that are very lightweight, it quickly becomes apparent that the main virtue of a body-mounted system is that it allows you to shoot for long periods of time with very little fatigue. Whether you’re shooting commercials, industrials, weddings, documentaries, news, music video’s or feature length motion pictures, the Glidecam V-8 will finally bring the fluidity and grace of professional, body mounted, camera stabilizers to your productions.
(Note: This is stock footage from Glidecam)
THE GLIDECAM SUPPORT VEST
The Glidecam Support Vest is lightweight and comfortable and can be easily adjusted to fit a wide range of operators. High endurance closed cell, FVA foam padding and integral T6 aluminum alloy create a Vest which can hold and evenly distribute the weight of the Glidecam V-8 system across the operator’s shoulders, back, and hips. For safety, quick release, high impact buckles allow the Vest to be removed quickly.
(Note: This is stock footage from Glidecam)
THE DYNA-ELASTIC SUPPORT ARM
The adjustable Exoskeletal Dyna-Elastic Support Arm is designed to counteract the weigh of the combined camera and Camera Mounting Assembly (the Sled) by employing a high carbon alloy spring. The Support Arm can be boomed up and down, as well as pivoted in and out, and side to side. It is the combined booming and pivoting action of the Support Arm which isolates the motions of the operator from the camera in a way that creates ultra smooth shots. The spring force is field adjustable to allow for varying camera weights.
(Note: This is stock footage from Glidecam)
THE GLIDECAM ORBIT HINGE
The innovative Glidecam Orbit Hinge was designed to increase the isolation between the operator’s hip and the Dyna- Elastic Arm. The Orbit Hinge accomplishes this isolation with the ability to rotate 360 degrees. This rotation allows the back end of the Rigid Arm to continuously move in an unobstructed orbital path around the Glidecam Vest Mounting Plate.
THE CAMERA MOUNTING ASSEMBLY
The rugged and adjustable Camera Mounting Assembly (the Sled) is designed with a lower Telescoping Central Support Post (the Extension Post) that allows adjustment of the systems vertical balance. The Central Support Post can be adjusted from 18″ to 23″. The Camera Mounting Platform (or the x-y motion table) moves back and forth and side to side to allow adjustment of the system’s horizontal balance. The Camera Plate has both 1/4″ and 3/8″ mounting slots (holes) to accommodate a variety of camera bases. For remote viewing, a LCD Monitor can be easily attached to a front 1/4″ mounting hole on the Base Platform. Fine Weight Disks (included) can be used on the Base Platform as counterbalance to allow adjustment of the systems vertical balance. A variety of mounting holes are supplied on the Base Platform so you can easily customize the Base to fit your needs. A free floating precision Three Axis Gimbal, incorporating integrally Shielded Bearings, creates the super smooth and pivotal connections between the front end of the Dyna-Elastic Arm and the Camera Mounting Assembly. The Three Axis Gimbal provides the operator with finger tip control over fluid tilting, panning and rolling.
BALANCING THE ASSEMBLY [ TOP ]
This balancing act can prove a daunting prospect for the first time user, particularly when the camera flips upside down and out of control. The first step in this balancing act is finding the equilibrium of you camera, and the easiest way to find this is by placing a your finger underneath the handle so that the camera is horizontal. You should then place the camera on top of the glidecam so that this point is over the top of the glidecam bar. But before attempting any kind of balance, ensure the camcorder is set exactly how you intend to shoot: the viewscreen in position, the lens cap removed, a tape in the camera and finally a battery and any other accessories in place! Adding any of the above after balancing will inevitably result in re-balancing.
Once you’ve positioned the camera on the mount, you’ll need to fine tune the balance using the weights on the sled. You may well be suprised at how only incremental adjustments to the camera position on the glidecam equate to dramatic changes.And you can use the law of physics to your advantage here by positing the pole at a low position so that there’s a short distance between the sled and the camera. You’ll now see that any adjustments to the position of the camera on the glidecam are extreme, which will give you a good eye for where the camera should be balanced.
Once you’ve achieved reasonable weight distribution, it’s time to move onto the drop test to ensure the length of the pole is correct. Ensuring that all four thumbnails are position screwed tightly, tip the glidecam backwards so the lens of you camera is pointing the floor. Now release the bottom of the glidecam and count the time taken for the glidecam to travel through 180 degrees so that the lens is now pointing upwards. This should take approximately two seconds: if it falls too quickly, shorten the pole; if it falls too slowly, lengthen the pole.
Finally fine tune the weight using the supplied rings. You’ll notice here that moving the weights and not the thumb screw is another way of adding an extra level of fine tuning. I’m using two 4 weights placed at the extremes of the glidecam sled to achieve optimum equilibrium. Ultimately you’ll know the glidecam is balanced when you can “punch” the glidecam forward or spin it around without the camcorder moving from horizontal.
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