GLIDECAM XR-SERIES XR-1000 / XR-2000 / XR-4000 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 2015 GLIDECAM INDUSTRIES,Inc.
#1 INTRODUCTION TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION # PAGE # 1. Introduction 3 2. Glidecam XR-Series Parts And Components 4 3. Assembling Your Glidecam XR-Series 8 4. Attaching Your Camera To Your Glidecam XR-Series 15 5. Balancing Your Glidecam XR-Series 18 6. Handling Your Glidecam XR-Series 23 7. Operating Your Glidecam XR-Series 24 8. Shooting Tips 26 9. Improper Techniques 27 10. Other Camera Attachment Methods 28 11. Professional Usage 28 12. Maintenance 28 13.
#2 GLIDECAM XR-SERIES PARTS AND COMPONENTS This is the HEAD PLATE. This is the plate that you’ll be mounting your camera on. NOTE: The HEAD PLATE for the Glidecam XR-4000 is different than the one shown to the left. The XR-4000 HEAD PLATE has 3/8” and 1/4” mounting holes. When you unpack your Glidecam XR-SERIES you will see that it is not completely assembled. Contents of the Glidecam XR-SERIES shipping box include; Figure 1 NOTE: The TELESCOPING POST comes inserted into the CENTRAL POST when shipped.
This is the BASE PLATFORM. This is the HARDWARE set. (shown in bag) NOTE: The Glidecam XR-1000 has a smaller BASE PLATFORM and the XR-4000 has a larger BASE PLATFORM. NOTE: The Glidecam XR-1000 and XR-4000 has slightly different HARDWARE. The XR-4000 has 2 3/8” CAMERA MOUNTING SCREWS & WASHERS. Figure 7 Figure 10 2 Rubber Washers Black Thumb Nuts Bolts for Counter Weight Disks 12 Counter Weight Disks This is the TELESCOPING POST. NOTE: The Glidecam XR-1000 and XR-4000 have slightly different sizes.
#3 ASSEMBLING YOUR GLIDECAM XR-SERIES First, Get the BASE TELESCOPING POST. PLATFORM At this point your Glidecam XR-SERIES should look like Figure 15 which is with the TELESCOPING POST attached to the BASE PLATFORM. and the See Figures 7 and 12 for BASE PLATFORM & Figures 8 and 13 for TELESCOPING POST. Figure 15 Figure 12 Now find a pair of bolts (example: ¼” x 20 x 1.5”) and attach RUBBER WASHERS as shown in the photo to the left.
At this point your Glidecam XR-SERIES should look like this photo. Secure COUNTER WEIGHT DISKS with the BLACK THUMB NUTS as shown in this photo and repeat this procedure for the COUNTER WEIGHT DISKS on the other side of the BASE PLATFORM. NOTE: This is the Monitor Mounting Hole Figure 18 Figure 21 Stack LARGE COUNTER WEIGHT DISKS and center them over the bolts on the BASE PLATFORM as shown in Figure 19.
The TELESCOPING CLAMP may have to be re aligned on the CENTRAL POST as the factory settings may not be lined up. To realign the TELESCOPING CLAMP use a hex key to loosen the clamp, realign and then tighten. Figure 24 This is a photo of the insert in the top of the CENTRAL POST. Figure 27 Securely tighten the “Adjustment Knob” on the TELESCOPING CLAMP by rotating the Knob clockwise as shown in Figure 25. Rotate and screw the BOTTOM PLATE into the insert in the top of the CENTRAL POST.
Now place the MID PLATE on top of the BOTTOM PLATE. #4 ATTACHING YOUR CAMERA TO THE GLIDECAM XR-SERIES ***PLEASE NOTE*** These photographs show the Glidecam 2000 PRO for illustrative purposes. Now it’s time to attach your camera to the Glidecam XR-SERIES. Roll camera on pen to find the center of gravity, if needed. Figure 30 Figure 33 Insert the BLACK THUMB SCREWS through the slots in the BOTTOM PLATE and into the threaded inserts in the bottom of the MID PLATE.
The HEAD PLATE should be in alignment and square with the bottom of the your camera. The HEAD PLATE should be secured and square with the camera. Rubber or tape can be used as a gasket if needed. Also, the Manfrotto 394, 3273, or 577 quick release plates can be used. The Manfrotto 3273 and 577 are good for longer cameras.
#5 BALANCING YOUR GLIDECAM XR-SERIES Before you begin the balancing process check for the following: Figure 42 1) Camera is securely attached to HEAD PLATE. 2) Lens cap has been removed. 3) Camera battery is connected. 4) Flip out LCD is in it’s operating position. (if applicable) 5) Telescoping clamp has been tightened. 6) All 8 BLACK THUMB SCREWS in place and secure. The best way of adjusting the horizontal balance is to move the center of gravity of the camera.
If the XR-SERIES leans to the right, then you will have to loosen up the BLACK THUMB SCREWS on the bottom of the BOTTOM PLATE and gently slide the MID PLATE over to the left a bit. If the XR-SERIES leans to the left, then move the MID PLATE to the right. Always secure and firmly tighten the BLACK THUMB SCREWS after any adjustment. 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 fine balance of the whole system.
To test the balance of the vertical axis, perform what is called the SLED ARC TEST. To perform the “Sled Art Test” simply hold the XR-SERIES by it’s handle and grab hold of the back end of the XR-SERIES BASE PLATFORM and pull the base up and back until the XR-SERIES CENTRAL POST is horizontal (see Figure 47). Now carefully let go of the BASE PLATFORM and count how many seconds it takes for the XR-SERIES to then first swing to vertical (see Figures 48 and 49).
#7 OPERATING YOUR GLIDECAM XR-SERIES The Glidecam XR-SERIES is designed to work correctly only when operated with two hands. (see Figures 51 and 52) One being the holding hand and the other being the guiding hand. If you try to operate the unit with just your holding hand, the camera might drift away from its originally balanced set-up position. Also, without the guiding hand in place, you will be unable to control the direction of the camera.
#8 SHOOTING TIPS #9 IMPROPER TECHNIQUES USE OF A WIDE ANGLE LENS CONVERTER If you have a common consumer camcorder you will probably discover that the widest setting on the lens is not very wide. You might find that this wide setting is not adequate enough to give you the look like those produced by professional Hollywood dollies, cranes and stabilizers. To achieve this kind of look you will have to place a wide angle lens converter on the front of your existing camcorder lens.
#10 OTHER CAMERA ATTACHMENT METHODS Quick release and installation: To either remove or put your camera onto the CAMERA MOUNTING PLATE without removing the MOUNTING PLATE from the top of the unit, loosen the four BLACK THUMB SCREWS on the CAMERA MOUNTING PLATE and then slide the PLATE either forwards or backwards, so as to gain access to the underside of the CAMERA MOUNTING PLATE.
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_ industries_inc 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.
