Tripod Video Head or Glidecam

Michael

Michael

I Love YTtalk
Hey guys I have a choice, I can get either the Glidecam 2000 or the Benro S8. I don't currently have a video tripod head and make do with my photography one but means I can't do smooth pans etc. The upgrade would be really good regardless of which I choose. I get the feeling any shot I could do with the Benro I could get with the Glidecam so I'm leaning towards it instead. What would you get I am stumped here and won't have enough for the other for a while :D I don't do hours of shooting so holding the Glidecam shouldn't be too much of an issue for me. Any thoughts? Thanks guys.
 
I think you're better off with the glidecam, you can get smooth shots running with that but not with a smooth head, where also you can create smooth pans using DIY methods so I think you're getting more with the glidecam :) Also to mention there are cheaper videoheads out there that can give you just as good pans, but the build quality isn't as good.
 
If I had to go through the process of balancing a glidecam every time I wanted to do a pan shot, I'd kill someone. Fluid heads and glidecams both have their uses, but they weren't really meant to overlap with one another that much. Replacing one with another is going to waste a lot of time and increase your use of curse words.

What kind of shooting would you do and what is better suited to the job? I only use a camera stabilizer as a last resort. A tripod with a fluid head is a basic setup. I usually proceed to a slider or dana dolly, then a jib and if I can't get the shot I want using those things, I'll break out a steadicam with a vest.
 
Wreckless Eating said:
If I had to go through the process of balancing a glidecam every time I wanted to do a pan shot, I'd kill someone. Fluid heads and glidecams both have their uses, but they weren't really meant to overlap with one another that much. Replacing one with another is going to waste a lot of time and increase your use of curse words.

What kind of shooting would you do and what is better suited to the job? I only use a camera stabilizer as a last resort. A tripod with a fluid head is a basic setup. I usually proceed to a slider or dana dolly, then a jib and if I can't get the shot I want using those things, I'll break out a steadicam with a vest.
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I am under the impression that once its balanced with the equipment on I wont need to rebalance it each time, I am okay with that as my setup doesnt change all that much, mainly the same lens and Rode Videomic on top. It could be you change the load weight perhaps if you change lenses etc I wont have to worry too much about that myself with this. You could be on about how you might need to fiddle with the knobs on the plate, I am unsure.

I want to be able to do steadicam like shots while running or creeping (I am sure theres a better word for that haha) and be able to record and walk as well as do basic pans left-right, up and down and some shots similar to slider results. I think this is why I am really leaning towards going for the Glide Gear, I referred to it as the Glide Cam 2000 earlier but its actually the Glide Gear DNA 5050 I keep getting them mixed up. I am very tempted to do walking outdoor DSLR vlog style videos using one too.

Ideally I would buy both, I know I wont be able to afford both for a while after this perhaps 3-4 months, I do plan on getting both eventually. Its just choosing which to get first, I cannot decide and I am rarely so indecisive :P

One other thing that I can see irking me already is not having a quick release on the Glide Gear. I am considering selling my current photography pistol grip head and 40mm pancake lens to put towards whichever I dont get so I end up with both and no need to make a decision here :D
 
You almost always have to rebalance it unless you have a really precise laser grid that will tell you exactly where to mount the camera onto the plate. Keep in mind that many of these systems are very touchy when it comes to balance. One you have everything set, any change will throw everything off and you'll have to rebalance. So if you change your focus or zoom-even by a little bit, you'll have to rebalance. If you change batteries and they are different brands, you'll probably have to rebalance. Sometimes turning a knob will throw off the balance.

I always budget 90 minutes for balancing when I use the steadicam. If you think you can throw on a camera and be ready to go in 5 minutes, you're in for a nasty surprise.
 
Wreckless Eating said:
You almost always have to rebalance it unless you have a really precise laser grid that will tell you exactly where to mount the camera onto the plate. Keep in mind that many of these systems are very touchy when it comes to balance. One you have everything set, any change will throw everything off and you'll have to rebalance. So if you change your focus or zoom-even by a little bit, you'll have to rebalance. If you change batteries and they are different brands, you'll probably have to rebalance. Sometimes turning a knob will throw off the balance.

I always budget 90 minutes for balancing when I use the steadicam. If you think you can throw on a camera and be ready to go in 5 minutes, you're in for a nasty surprise.
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The changing focus and it knocking it out of balance is really concerning, I have heard that balancing with your lens cap off and memory card in the camera and using the same brand of battery/type etc will help it remain balanced. I wont be using zoom lenses when using it but I certainly will be focusing :D

The faffing on each time does sound like a recipe for a lot of swearing and frustration. I dont expect to be able to just grab it and shoot right away, that would be ideal that but some setup time would be fine, 90 minutes for balancing though sounds like a pain in the backside.

What do you tend to use when shooting WE episodes on a daily basis? I have always assumed you are the camera guy and manager so forgive me if you arent lol
 
Never ever focus while using a steadicam/glidecam. It will throw the balance off. Just set a focus point with enough depth of field so you get what you need in focus and make sure to maintain the same distance from your subject at all times. If you watch BTS videos with steadicam work, you'll see that they always keep that same distance between them and their subject.

If you do throw balance off via something minor like focusing, it won't take the full time to get it going again, but you still need a stand and some time to balance it properly. Keep in mind how sensitive these systems can be. One former member on here bought a glidecam and was surprised on how the balance was thrown off when he turned the knob from auto to manual-the little depression on the know on top of the camera was enough to throw everything off.

We have camcorders with built in stabilizers for everyday use. The entire lens and sensor are locked into a block and move independently of the camcorder body so it essentially looks like we are using a steadicam when we handhold the camera. For anything more complicated than those camcorders, we usually use a tripod or jib. I try to avoid the steadicam because I'm the one in the vest and it's murder on the lower back.

This is a good example of what our camcorders can do. Note how the camera is shaking while the lens stays perfectly still.

 
Thanks guys. I think I will still get the Glide Gear DNA 5050 first since I am really leaning towards getting it first and go for the Benro S8 within a few months and if I am lucky selling my unused gear a whole lot earlier. I can see what you mean about focusing, I will likely focus to infinite most of the time and keep it like that when using it. I love how that camera works, I wish I had one just like that, it saves the hassle of a steadicam type setup, tired arms and its probably lighter than most DSLRs too. I cant imagine liking wearing a vest outdoors for hours in a place like CA, far too hot for that :D

I know for a fact I will end up wanting to use both for different shots and types of videos, I will be sharing these with my girlfriend too and she needs a steadicam type system to get the shots she wants which are impossible with the tripod, well with my tripod head any way haha I really wish I didnt buy the pistol grip one now but at the time I wasnt buying for video shooting :D

Something else thats caught my eye are the shoulder rigs, I had a feeling you might have used them for WE episodes :D Do you know how they compare to using a steadicam for stablisation etc?[DOUBLEPOST=1406319063][/DOUBLEPOST]Well it come down to the final decision and I went with the head in the end :D
 
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Tripod is the only accessory which always offer stable results. I am having carbon fiber tripod. i purchased carbon fiber because of lightweight. Carbon fiber tripod is best for traveling purpose and for still photography. Mostly I use this Proaim tripod for bird photography. Its bowl head is 75 mm and It came with fluid head which is free with tripod and spreader was also free.
Aluminum tripod is more stronger than carbon fiber tripod but if we compare the price, aluminum tripods are cheap.
Recently i purchasedCamtree Pilot shoulder rig and it is very solid and very comfortable.
 
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