Glide Cam or Good Tripod?

FatWhore

FatWhore

Active member
Ive seen many edits that are stabilized only with a glide cam, even when the filmed is just standing there and moving the camera (like you would with a tripod) and it looks good.

Such as in the 4bi9 edit, mostly from 2:30 and beyond: https://www.newschoolers.com/nstv#258-408541
 
Nah man, go with the tripod.

A good tripod setup will last for years, and the variety of shots is crazy. A glidecam is really only good for one thing.
 
Yeah exactly.

I'm sure you know that with cameras you get what you pay for. In this case, wouldn't you rather have all the essentials that you spent good money on, as oppose to cheap equipment that you can't trust?

Spend the money you have on worthwhile things like a high quality tripod, good glass, and trusted cards. Then when you've covered the basics, look back and see what else there is to buy. Just don't be a gear whore and buy tons of things at once without knowing how to use them. Buy something, learn it to the best of your ability, then keep moving on.
 
How serious do you take making edits?

If you're serious, tripods are a must. If you aren't, then who cares?
 
Glidecams are a gimmick. That's probably the last thing you should buy, or a crane.

Tripod/glass come first. Always.
 
Pretty sure there is a thread with this same exact title....use the searchbar. Its been discussed many time before
 
yeah get this if you want your tripod to last less than 3 years. I'd highly recommend a low end sachtler model if you have the cash. A good tripod should get one of the first things you should get
 
I have the 701 HDV fluid head and th 190 xb legs. I'm by no means a pro film maker, but i would say to go with the tripod. i actually use my tripod as a glide cam for doing follow cam shots and it works fairly well. i just spread out two of the legs to help stabalize
 
/regurgitated infromation

most people starting out cant afford to spend 1000 bucks a on tripod and i dont think they should a 701/501 setup is great until you really need something like an fsb4.
 
Sachtler ACE will far surpass anything from Manfrotto for $500. Around $300, theres the Libec ls22, which is also much better than the 701/501/503 heads.
 
If you're filming with a dslr or a fairly light camera you might want to wait a few weeks. Vinten is supposed to be releasing a new head designed for dslr's. Keep in mind it will probably be over $500
 
I was talking about something like the ace which is really only $500 like landis said. and that's only if he has the cash. The low end manfrottos are decent at best for their two and a half year period when they even work.
 
Yeah the Ace looks super awesome! Not to expensive either. Ill probably end up getting a 701 head, or a Libec is22. Thanks guys!
 
For what it's worth, I've been able to shoot lines at 200mm on the LS22 without any problems. On the 701, I can't even make 50mm look smooth. Manfrotto heads have a habit of performing like crap if you aren't shooting in warm weather.
 
Your H22 head must be better than mine......it's nothing to brag about in my opinion. I'm sure it's better than a bogen though.
 
Not at all. There were many obvious flaws, it's just that given the choice between that and a 701/501/503, I'd go with the Libec. But now that Sachtler has the "dirt-cheap" ACE, you'd have to be stupid to buy a Manfrotto.
 
For real. There's some noticeable flaws on the ace (my biggest gripe is no left-hand option for the pan-handle, I'm left-handed), but compared to my old 701 head, the sachtler is incredibly better for tele shooting.
 
I mean I'm kinda confused on what you wan't me to explain. Most 501,701s last for about 2 1/2 to 3 years before they start to break. That's from my personal experience and I believe it was the same for Will Start and some others that I cant think of off the top of my head
 
Left handed? Your complaint is invalid. The sinister-handed videographers are supposed suffer.

Also, are you using a lens collar for telephoto stuff? I'm convinced that a person hasn't experienced truly smooth telephoto until they've shot with a lens collar on a Sachtler fluid head.
 
Which Sachtler setup do you have Landis?

I'm getting sick of my LS22 system and I've been looking at the FSB4.

My only concern is that the max weight load is supposedly 8.8lbs. My rig weighs about 8-9 fully loaded so I'm guessing it won't be able to handle that (nor can my LS22 also rated for 8.8lbs).

I can obviously shoot without the whole rig and just cut it down to rails + follow focus, but ideally I wouldn't want to have to take apart my rig every time I shoot on a tripod.

The cineDSLR system is also an option I suppose, It has a higher payload. I heard it's not much better than an FSB4 though.....

I'm not in any rush... the LS22 will be okay for now, but eventually I'll need a tripod for the long haul.
 
I use the Cine DSLR head.

I don't know about other heads, but with the Sachtler heads you can go above the payload range by about 1 kilo. The specified range is just that- a range. It doesn't have to fall within it exactly.

I almost got the FSB4, but went with the CineDSLR because it has the largest range of them all, and by forking out the extra cash for a head with a larger range, I'm future proofing my investment further. It can support one of those stupidly large rigs with rails/FF/monitor/battery/matte box, or even a GH2 with a pancake lens. No bounceback either way. It's essentially an FSB head on steroids.

The LS22 is mediocre at best. Like I said, I'd gladly take that over any Manfrotto head under $1k, but if you're spending anywhere near the ballpark of $1k, FSB4/CineDSLR is the only way to go in my opinion. The ACE is nice for the price, but it also has a lot of plastic parts and cut corners. It isn't the tried and true FSB design either, so for me that's a dealbreaker.

 
I have yet to use a 70-200 on it yet haha, the 70-200 does have a lens collar though. I've been using 50 and 85mm primes for tele stuff, but now I'm kinda excited to crank out shots @ 200mm...
 


I don't know. The shot at 00:43 was shot at 200 on a canon 70-200 2.8 with no collar and the tripod shown below.

ravelli_avtp_tripod_125_lerna_28652925.jpg


I think people are caught up in the notion that they need the best equipment from the start to produce quality work. I say don't worry about spending the extra money for a slightly better tripod, get the one you can afford now and just go shoot. The only way you're really going to get better at filmmaking is doing it. Learning from your mistakes. Sure, you might need to re shoot a shot once or twice because the pan/tilt wasn't perfect, but in the long run it's more valuable to have the experience of working on the craft than having a better piece of equipment.
 
I completely agree. However that shot isn't exactly the best example when it comes to tripod performance. I noticed some micro-wobbles at full screen, which will only amplify on a TV. Besides, any tripod can do a quick start/stop pan. However if you're the type who shoots tripod 90% of the time and wants flawless Kubrik style movements, a nice tripod is mandatory.

Spending $1,000 on a tripod early on is just as pointless as buying a Glidecam early on. What's important at that stage is getting a feel for videography so that you already know what you want/need without having to consult the internet. In other words, if you have to ask, maybe you aren't ready.
 
I know this is going to sound tacky, but a rubber band on your tripod handle makes a world of difference. If your trying vertical pans on a 701 head and 055xb legs, its almost impossible to do it with your hand. I made it look some what good with the rubber band trick.
 
Manfrotto 501HDV head has been perfect for me so far this year.

Small and lightweight.

Works the same in cold or warm weather.

Wonderfully fluid

A bit slow on the pan

One thing that annoys me is the location of the lock screw that locks the camera plate in position.

It's fine when I have a larger lens on the camera because the body doesn't get in the way once balanced. But with a 50mm on there its hard to loosen even without gloves on.

minor problem when considering all the other pros of this head.

 
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