User Manual

10
2) MOUNTING YOUR VIDEO OR MOVIE CAMERA
NOTE: If your camera comes with, or if you have, a quick release BALANCE PLATE for your camera,
then attach the BALANCE PLATE to the GOLD SLED’s CAMERA PLATE first, and then simply attach
your camera to the BALANCE PLATE.
To mount your video camera, camcorder or movie camera to the CAMERA MOUNTING PLATE start by
finding your cameras approximate center of gravity. To do this you will need a round pen, pencil or 1/4"
dowel etc. and some white camera tape. Assuming your using a pencil, place the pencil on top of a flat
work table. Next, place your camera base onto the pencil so that the pencil length runs perpendicular to
the camera length. Now, with your hands supporting your camera, slide the camera base forward or
backwards over the pencil until the camera can be balanced on the pencil. When you find the approximate
point of balance of your camera use a bit of camera tape to mark this spot on the left side of your camera.
Now place the pencil on the work table so it is parallel with the camera length, and then slide the camera
side to side on the pencil until you find the approximate point of balance and then mark this spot on the
back of your camera. These two tape marks now give you a fairly close indication as to the center of
gravity of your camera.
Now that you have located the approximate center of gravity of your camera, mount your camera to the
CAMERA MOUNTING PLATE by first placing your CAMERA upside down on your lap. Then align
the center of the CAMERA MOUNTING PLATE with the point on your camera base where the two
white camera tape marks would intersect if you where to draw imaginary lines through them. Next move
the CAMERA PLATE so one of its center 1/4" or 3/8" SLOTS is aligned with the center of gravity of
your CAMERA. Now take note of the slot in the CAMERA PLATE that is nearest to the MOUNTING
HOLE on the base of your CAMERA, for this will be the slot you will use to bolt the CAMERA and
PLATES together.
Later during the balancing procedure, you might have to move the mounting hole on your camera to a
different SLOT on the CAMERA MOUNTING PLATE to obtain better balance. This is one of the
reasons there is more than one SLOT in the CAMERA MOUNTING PLATE. The other reason for
different SLOTS is to allow all sorts of different cameras to fit on top of the Glidecam GOLD SLED.
Now you will have to pick out one of the CAMERA MOUNTING BOLTS provided so you can bolt your
camera to the CAMERA MOUNTING PLATE.
Next insert the correct CAMERA MOUNTING BOLT(s) into the SLOT(s) you have chosen on the
CAMERA MOUNTING PLATE, and then screw the CAMERA MOUNTING BOLT into the base of
your camera until the camera and CAMERA MOUNTING PLATE are bolted firmly together. ( NOTE: do
not overtighten, for in doing so you could pop out the metal threaded insert that is in the mounting hole of
your camcorder.)
Next place your assembled Glidecam GOLD SLED on a flat level surface in an upright position. Now
carefully slide the combined CAMERA MOUNTING PLATE and CAMERA into the MID PLATE of the
Gold Head.