Used Glidecam iGlide Handheld Stabilizer for 14oz Cameras, Black

2013-12-10T19:00:00

Before we start I would like to say I have a youtube video featuring footage with this, and I am VERY pleased with the footage. Just search my name "Matt Cornelius" and you will find my channel and video called "Glidecam iGlide - Test Drive Impressions - Flying With Panasonic Lumix LX7" *EDIT* I also have a new video out now "How to Balance The iGlide Glidecam + Flying Tips For Any Glidecam" So look for that one as well.(BTW I have flying tips in this review as well) I have spent hours upon hours reading articles and watching tutorial videos and watching people use glidecams and I have took what I learned and will pass it to you in this review/tutorial. This product is well worth the money for the results being delivered. It suprised me how good it was the first time I used it. Keep in mind what this was designed for. Beginner to Professional use for smaller cameras. KEEP YOUR DEMANDS REASONABLE. This isn't a professional Glidecam 2000 designed for a Canon 5D to be sitting on top. BUT, with practice you can achieve professional results I believe with the iGlide. Lightweight aircraft aluminum makes this easy to store and carry with you anywhere. With this being for lightweight cameras I it can be harder to control sometimes when compared to a professional unit but with practice it can be achievable. SETUP: Yes, VERY Tedious but once you get it dialed in it is awesome. First of all, follow the instructions. Don't give up, have patience and you will get it. Watch tutorials and get an understanding of how the balancing works. This don't come with fine tune adjustment knobs. You have to take your time and barely move the sliders and weights on bottom a micrometer at a time to achieve balance. Don't let this scare you, you will get it. GUIDING HAND: Since this unit is lightweight it is hard to guide, but with patience you will get it down. I find guiding is best with a 2 finger pinch grip right under the gymbal. A light touch is enough to send this off balance so aquire the skill. You don't learn guitar the first hour you pick it up do you? Practice Practice. TECHNIQUE: As I said in the video I believe it Is 45% technique. Keep your arm at a 45 degree angle while shooting. BEND your knees and walk like you are sneaking up behind someone. Bending your knees isolates muscle movement and keeps it to a minimum so it will not shake your hand. *THIS IS IMPORTANT... A LOT OF PEOPLE GET SHAKY VIDEO BECAUSE OF THIS AND BLAME IT ON THE iGLIDE* PRACTICE THE RIGHT WAY: Get in your living room, walk back and forth with proper body mechanics for as long as you can. Run also. Go outside, practice walking around a tree keeping note of how your technique is doing. Watch your video and look for areas to improve. GETTING THE "BUTTERY SMOOTH FLYING EFFECT" : Focus the center of your camera on an object and keep it in the center of the camera, and walk towards your subject always keeping the object in middle of your screen, this gets rid of unnecessary sway of your arms and body and helps give the illusion that your camera is flying in a straight line. (I am not saying this is how you need to use it )but I found it can help if your trying to find that "smoothy butterness" USING SIDESTEPPING: Often times we can get sway with our glidecam if we try to walk around an object keeping it at the center of focus. I observed Devin Graham doing this a ton in his behind-the-scenes videos. As you begin to circle an object side step into it. This eliminates you trying to spin using the guide hand as much and creates a smooth pan. (Like the tire swing in my video) FINAL THOUGHTS: Once you get used to balancing this It is all up to you. Devin Graham even said in an interview "People always ask me why my video isn't as smooth as yours?" I been using this for 9 years he replied... Look at this as learning to play guitar, you will get the hang of it after practicing . Keep your demands reasonable and practice practice practice! Always look at ways to improve! Like I said, I believe 45% is technique! I believe some of the negative reviews you have seen is due to improper body mechanics while using this. You just don't pick this thing up and expect it to look like a professional shot wedding video with a glidecam 2000. PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE, you will get it down!

Weegsta

2013-08-30T21:00:00

I use this with a Lumix camera and it balances nicely and easily. It has a low profile and I can easily transport it. My camera weighs 15 ounces and this system is made for cameras up to 14 ounces. However at the bottom you can undue the screws and add another metal ring at the bottom on each side and it allows you to balance a 15 ounce camera nicely. I hesitated in buying this, but at this price point and given i want to travel overseas with the equipment without a big DSLR, this is a great solution!

Steve H.