MANUAL Set-up and Operations Guide Glidecam Industries, Inc. 23 Joseph Street, Kingston, MA 02364 Customer Service Line 1-781-585-7900 Manufactured in the U.S.A. COPYRIGHT 2018 GLIDECAM INDUSTRIES, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION # 1. PAGE # Introduction 3 2. Glidecam HD-PRO Parts and Components 4 3. Assembling your Glidecam HD-PRO 8 4. Attaching your camera to your Glidecam HD-PRO 15 5. Balancing your Glidecam HD-PRO 18 6. Handling your Glidecam HD-PRO 23 7. Operating your Glidecam HD-PRO 24 8. Improper Techniques 26 9. Shooting Tips 27 10. Other Camera Attachment Methods 28 11. Professional Usage 28 12. Maintenance 28 13. Warning 29 14. Warranty 29 15.
#1 INTRODUCTION Glidecam Industries introduces the Glidecam HD-PRO. With twenty five years in the making, the Glidecam HD-PRO represents the most affordable, full featured, hand-held camera stabilizer Glidecam has ever offered. Machined out of experience, and forged with the operator in mind, the Glidecam HDPRO once again delivers the state-of-the-art sophistication and design that Glidecam is famous for.
#2 GLIDECAM HD-PRO PARTS AND COMPONENTS When you unpack your Glidecam HD-PRO you will see that some Assembly is required. The contents of the Glidecam HD-PRO box includes the following: (See Figure 1) Figure 1 MANUAL CENTER POST QUICK RELEASE PLATE CAMERA MOUNTING PLATFORM EXPANDABLE BASE PLATFORM TELESCOPING POST HARDWARE BAG COUNTER WEIGHTS TOOLS NEEDED: You will need a Standard and Phillips Head Screwdrivers. (Not included.) You will also need a 3/16th allen wrench (Not included.
This is the QUICK RELEASE PLATE for the Glidecam HD-PRO that you will attach to your camera. (See Figure 4) (See SECTION 4 Attaching your Camera on PAGE 16 for Camera and QUICK RELEASE PLATE Mounting) Figure 4 This is the CAMERA-MOUNTING PLATFORM with front-to-back and side-to-side movement adjustment knobs. (See Figure 5) Figure 5 This is the EXPANDABLE BASE PLATFORM.
This is the TELESCOPING POST. (See Figure 7) NOTE: The TELESCOPING POST comes inserted into the CENTRAL POST. Figure 7 Shown in bag are the COUNTER WEIGHT PLATES to be attached to the EXPANDABLE BASE PLATFORM. (See Figure 8) Figure 8 Shown in the bag is the HARDWARE set for the Glidecam HD-PRO.
Camera Mounting Screws Black Bolts for Counter Plates Rubber Washers 12 Counter Weight Plates 7
#3 ASSEMBLING YOUR GLIDECAM HD-PRO First place the EXPANDABLE BASE PLATFORM firmly on a leveled surface. (See Figure 11) Figure 11 Next remove the TELESCOPING POST from the CENTRAL POST and locate the THREADED INSERT which can be found in the bottom of the TELESCOPING POST.
Connect the TELESCOPING POST to the EXPANDABLE BASE PLATFORM by tightly screwing the TELESCOPING POST firmly on to the EXPANDABLE BASE PLATFORM. (See Figure 13) Figure 13 At this point the first step of your Glidecam HDPRO assembly should be complete with the TELESCOPING POST securely fastened to the EXPANDABLE BASE PLATFORM.
Now find the four BLACK BOLTS needed and gently slip the RUBBER WASHERS on to the bolts. (See Figure 15) NOTE: Repeat this step for all four BLACK BOLTS. Figure 15 Now insert all four of the BLACK BOLTS with RUBBER WASHERS into the four slots located on either end of the EXPANDABLE BASE PLATFORM. (See Figure 16) Figure 16 At this point the second step of your Glidecam HDPRO assembly should be complete, with all four BLACK BOLT and RUBBER WASHER combination protruding threw the EXPANDABLE BASE PLATFORM.
Next, take the COUNTER WEIGHT PLATES and slide them down on to the BLACK BOLTS until they are resting on EXPANDABLE BASE PLATFORM. (See Figure 18) NOTE: The holes in the weights match the placement of the bolts. Figure 18 Secure the COUNTER WEIGHT PLATES by using the BLACK THUMB NUTS to prevent weight movement. (See Figure 19) Figure 19 Now, both COUNTER WEIGHT PLATE stacks should now be secured to the EXPANDABLE BASE PLATFORM with the BLACK THUMB NUTS.
Now, insert the TELESCOPING POST with the EXPANDABLE BASE PLATFORM up in to the CENTRAL POST. (See Figure 21) Figure 21 Figure 22 The TELESCOPING CLAMP ADJUSTMENT KNOB should be aligned with the center of the EXPANDABLE BASE PLATFORM. To align the TELESCOPING CLAMP ADJUSTMENT KNOB simply rotate the entire CENTRAL POST into the correct position, and tighten the ADJUSTMENT KNOB. Also leave about one inch of the TELESCOPING POST showing below the TELESCOPING CLAMP.
At this point your Glidecam HD-PRO should have the CENTRAL POST and TELESCOPING POST aligned correctly on the EXPANDABLE BASE PLATFORM assembly. (See Figure 24) Figure 24 NOTE: The amount of COUNTER WEIGHTS will vary depending on your Camera weight. Don’t worry about this to much, for later you will set the number of COUNTER WEIGHTS to the correct amount required for you specific Camera. Next, locate the THREADED INSERT which can be found in the top of the CENTRAL POST.
There are two ways to create this correct alignment. The first and easiest is to loosen the ADJUSTMENT KNOB on the TELESCOPING CLAMP and rotate the parts until correctly aligned. Then simply tighten the ADJUSTMENT KNOB. (See Figure 27) NOTE: Remember to leave at least one inch of the TELESCOPING POST showing below the TELESCOPING CLAMP.
#4 ATTACH YOUR CAMERA TO THE GLIDECAM HD-PRO Now it is time to attach your Camera to the Glidecam HD-PRO’s QUICK RELEASE PLATE. (See Figure 29) To remove the quick release plate from the head assembly turn the knob on the right to loosen the plate and then press the silver button on the opposite side to release the plate. Figure 29 First find the THREADED INSERT on the bottom of your camera.
Make sure the QUICK RELEASE PLATE is in alignment square with the bottom of your Camera and make sure the THREADED INSERT on the base of your Camera is aligned with one of the MOUNTING HOLES in the QUICK RELEASE PLATES. (See Figure 32) Figure 32 With your Camera base side up in your lap and with the QUICK RELEASE PLATE in place, use a flat head screwdriver to secure the QUICK RELEASE PLATE to your Camera using the CAMERA MOUNTING SCREW. (See Figure 33) WARNING: Do not over tighten this screw.
If you have a video camcorder or film camera that is larger than the one used in this manual, then you might wish to first find the true front to back center of gravity of your camera by rolling the base of your camera on a pen until it is balanced upon the pen. There are guide scale markings on the DOVETAIL QUICK RELEASE PLATE so you can remember for later. (See Figure 35) Figure 35 Now securely place and center your Camera and the attached QUICK RELEASE PLATE on top of the CAMERA MOUNTING PLATFORM.
#5 BALANCING YOUR GLIDECAM HD-PRO ** Figures 38-44 show a fully balanced Glidecam HD-PRO for illustrative purposes only. This may not be reflective of your individual Glidecam setup. Before you begin the balancing process check the following and make sure they have been done: Figure 37 1. Camera is securely attached to the QUICK RELEASE PLATE. 2. The Lens Cap has been removed. 3. Camera Battery and Recording Media are installed. 4. Flip out LCD into it’s operating position. (See Figure 37) 5.
When testing for correct horizontal balance you need to make sure that you pick up your HD-PRO from a flat surface (a table for example) and that you let the HD-PRO hang freely as you hold it. (See Figure 38) If the HD-PRO is balanced correctly on it’s horizontal axis, then it will be level with the CENTRAL POST in a virtually perfect vertical position. (See Figure 38) Most likely your HD-PRO will not be balanced (Figure 39) and so you will have to adjust it until it does.
If the Glidecam HD-PRO leans to the left from the operator’s point of view (See Figure 40) then move it to the right by turning the side to side ADJUSTMENT KNOB clockwise. The side to side horizontal axis is shown correctly adjusted. (See Figure 41) After adjusting the side to side balance as mentioned above you might have to go back and readjust the front to back balance to obtain a truly fine balance of the whole system.
NOTE: Later after you adjust the vertical balance of the Glidecam HD-PRO you will have to go back and readjust the horizontal balance again in order to obtain a true fine balance of the whole system. BALANCING THE VERTICAL AXIS Figure 42 Now that your Glidecam HD-PRO is horizontally balanced, it’s vertical axis can now be tested and properly balanced.
Figure 44 This photo shows the Glidecam HD-PRO swinging past the illustrated vertical line. The HD-PRO will pendulum or swing past this line during the “SLED ARC TEST”, and the HD-PRO will swing back and forth over a dozen times if left to swing, but it is only the time the HD-PRO’s first swing in an arc from horizontal to vertical that you need to analyze.
#6 HANDLING YOUR GLIDECAM HD-PRO Before you operate and shoot with your Glidecam HDPRO, you will need to know how to handle the equipment. When handling your HD-PRO you will use one hand to hold on to the handle and the other hand to gently guide the camera in the direction you wish to shoot. We call the hand that holds the handle, the “HOLDING HAND” and the hand that aims the Camera for tilting and panning. The “GUIDING HAND”.
#7 OPERATING YOUR GLIDECAM HD-PRO The Glidecam HD-PRO is designed to work correctly only when operated with two hands. (See figure 46 and 48) If you try to operate the unit with just your “HOLDING HAND”, the Camera will most likely drift away from it’s original position.
NOTE: Figures 51 through 53 show the Glidecam HD-PRO being used in different ways. Figure 51 Operating your Glidecam HD-PRO for extended periods of time can easily tire your “HOLDING HAND”. If fatigue sets in while shooting you can try operating the Glidecam HD-PRO with you other hand. You can also rest for a while by placing the unit upright on a level surface, docking the sled if using the optional bracket or by laying it down on the ground.
#8 IMPROPER TECHNIQUES When shooting with the Glidecam HD-PRO, do not grab the CENTRAL POST. (See Figure 54) This defeats the purpose and isolation that the THREE AXIS GIMBAL provides. Instead, handle your Glidecam HD-PRO. (See Figures 46 and 48) Figure 54 Do not allow the Handle of the Glidecam HD-PRO to come in contact with the CAMERA MOUNTING PLATFORM.
#9 SHOOTING TIPS Use of a Wide Angle Lens Converter Figure 56 If you have a common consumer Camcorder you will probably discover that the widest focal length setting on it’s lens is not very wide. You might find that this wide setting is not adequate enough to give you the look produced by professional Hollywood dollies, cranes, and stabilizers. To achieve this kind of look you might have to place a WIDE ANGLE LENS CONVERTER (not included) on the front of your existing camcorder lens.
#10 OTHER CAMERA ATTACHMENT METHODS Creating a Gasket: If when attaching your camera to the QUICK RELEASE PLATE you find that the bottom of your camera isn’t flat enough to allow a good solid attachment, try making and adding a paper/cloth or rubber gasket to the QUICK RELEASE PLATE. (Try using a piece of a rubber dish washing glove.
#13 WARNING You should make sure that you’re very careful when using your Glidecam HD-PRO at night or in low light conditions. Do not make the mistake of focusing so much on what you are shooting that you trip and fall over something, or wander into something dangerous like a swimming pool or automobile traffic. Be extra careful when shooting on stairs, uneven terrain, etc. These cautions pertain to daytime shooting as well. Make sure that all children using this product have adult supervision.
GLIDECAM INDUSTRIES, INC. For more information about GLIDECAM products and training please visit GLIDECAM on the web. www.Glidecam.com or Follow us on Facebook.com/Glidecam Twitter.com/Glidecam Instagram.com/Glidecam GLIDECAM INDUSTRIES, INC. 23 Joseph Street Kingston, MA 02364 Phone: 1-781-585-7900 Phone: 1-800-600-2011 Fax: 1-781-585-7903 Website: www.Glidecam.
