User Manual

11
NOTE: If your camcorder comes with, or if you have a quick release BALANCE PLATE for your
camcorder, then attach the BALANCE PLATE to the GOLD SLED’s CAMERA PLATE first, and then
simply attach your camera to the BALANCE PLATE.
Given you have followed the previous instructions correctly, you should now have your camera securely
attached to the top of the Glidecam GOLD SLED.
3) BALANCING YOUR GLIDECAM GOLD SLED
BALANCING THE HORIZONTAL AXIS
NOTE: You will need a common Film Industry "C" STAND (also known as a Century Stand, or
Grip Stand), or a Film Industry LIGHT STAND so that during the BALANCING procedures and
operation of the Glidecam GOLD SLED you will have something to attach and park your GOLD
SLED SLED onto. The "C" STAND or LIGHT STAND needs to terminate with a standard 5/8"
diameter STUD on its uppermost riser. The STAND must also be of Film Industry quality in the
sense that it must be rugged and made of steel etc. Do not attempt to use a light weight aluminum
light stand, like the ones that are often sold at local amateur photography stores.
(A "C" STAND is not included with your GOLD SLED PACKAGE.)
Now that your Glidecam GOLD SLED is assembled properly, and your CAMERA is securely attached to
the top of the SLED, you can now test the SLED's HORIZONTAL BALANCE. The objective in
obtaining correct HORIZONTAL BALANCE for the SLED is to allow the CAMERA to remain level
during operation, given you are not applying either a PAN, TILT or ROLL type of hand pressure to the
SLED. In other words, if the SLED is horizontally BALANCED correctly, then the CAMERA will
remain level, and the CENTER POST will remain VERTICAL unless you intentionally position the SLED
otherwise, and if the SLED is horizontally BALANCED correctly it will always return to a level and
vertical position after you release any PAN, TILT or ROLL hand pressure on the SLED.
The best way of adjusting the SLED’s HORIZONTAL BALANCE is to move the CENTER of
GRAVITY of the CAMERA. This can be accomplished by either repositioning the CAMERA on the
CAMERA PLATE, or by adjusting the position of the CAMERA MOUNTING PLATFORM with the
CAMERA on it. Another way to adjust the SLED's HORIZONTAL BALANCE is to move the front to
back, or side to side position of the MONITOR, or BATTERY on the SLED's BASE PLATFORM.
The Glidecam GOLD SLED can be BALANCED by one person, but if you have an assistant, then
by all means have them assist you in this operation.
Before you can check and then correctly adjust the HORIZONTAL BALANCE of the SLED you will
need to first attach the DYNAMIC BALANCE AND DOCKING BRACKET to the top 5/8" diameter
stud on your "C" STAND or LIGHT STAND.
On the DYNAMIC BALANCE AND DOCKING BRACKET the 5/8" diameter stud side of the
BRACKET is used in the DYNAMIC BALANCE procedures (the horizontal and vertical balance
procedures), and the "horse shoe" shaped receptacle side of the BRACKET is used for DOCKING or
parking your GOLD SLED when it is not in use.