Quick release recommendations

navydoc wrote on 9/25/2009, 6:12 AM
I'm considering purchasing the Glidecam 2000 pro for my Sony HVR-A1U. I do some video work in the field of construction projects I inspect.

Which quick release mechanism would you recommend for this combo? I'd like something to easily switch from the Glidecam to monopod/handheld.

Here's a quick vid I did as an example. I'd like to smooth out pans and be able to walk around while taping rather than using the zoom whenever possible for example.

http://www.vimeo.com/6288483

Thanks for your suggestions.

Doc

Comments

CClub wrote on 9/25/2009, 2:36 PM
Doc,
It's funny you should ask that... :) It looked a bit cheesy, but I used a very solid light stand (basically a C-stand) once to hold my Glidecam during a concert taping (3 cameras total). I really like the moving action shots that the Glidecam can provide, but I also wanted steady shots. So I set up the C-stand on the stage left camera location, and kept switching off/on the stand. I also have the Glidecam "Body-Pod" (Scotsman's version of their body-mounted stabilizing system), so I would shoot the mobile shots using that, then when I returned to the stand, I just lifted the Glidecam from the Body-Pod attachment and slide it right onto the C-stand. The gyroscope system then allowed for the camera to have a fairly level shot (actually, if I remember, it was slightly off, but I just adjusted the pan/crop slightly in Vegas and I was set). I only did that once or twice, as the last few years the concerts I've shot have been much mellower performers and I didn't need the action shots, but it worked fine for me.

Edit: I will say that the cameras get VERY heavy holding that Glidecam primarily with your wrist no matter how light your camera is (I shot with V1U's), so you'll definitely need some sort of stand or one of their stabilizing holders. Also, even with some great "gliding" shots, it's very difficult to have continuous shots that don't have excessive movement in between very nice shots. It's a great unit if you have several other cameras running at the same time that you can multicam into, but I would never use it with a solo camera.
farss wrote on 9/25/2009, 11:17 PM
Best / only release plate I can recommend is the Manfrotto 357PL.

For your needs you'll need to buy two.

Bob.
navydoc wrote on 9/26/2009, 3:33 AM
Cclub,

Thanks for the suggestion. I don't mind "cheesy". 8^) Even when my camera is not being "glided", I still want the ability to move around and set up quickly thus my use of a monopod.

farss,

That sounds like just the ticket and I understand the need for two quick release units.

I may even look into jury rigging a post to the top of my monopod that the handle of the glidecam slips onto. That way, when I stop "gliding", I can slip the monopod into the handle, extend the monopod and take the weight off my wrist wherever I happen to stop walking.

Doc