User Manual

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more dynamic movement, because the center axis of the PAN is no longer coming from the center of the
CAMERA or SLED, but is instead coming from the center of your body.
NOTE: It is best to always wear protective KNEE PADS when operating your Glidecam. Use the
type of KNEE PADS that are used in the roller blade, in-line skating sports world, for they are very
rugged. Wearing KNEE PADS will help to protect your knees in the advent that you fall forward,
and falling on your knees with the combined weight of your body and your Glidecam system could
very seriously damage your knees, so please behave like a professional and wear knee pads.
NOTE: Never run very fast with the GOLD SLED, for if you were to fall down while running you
could seriously injure yourself, as well as damage your equipment.
THE USE OF A WIDE ANGLE LENS CONVERTER
If you have a common consumer camcorder or an old movie camera you will probably discover that the
widest setting on the zoom lens is not very wide, or that the prime lens that comes with your camera is not
very wide. You might find that this wide setting, or regular lens is not adequate enough to give you the
type of camera movement look like those produced by professional Hollywood dollies, cranes and
stabilizers. To achieve this kind of look you will have to either place a wide angle prime lens on your
camera or place a wide angle lens converter on the front of your existing camcorder or camera lens.
There are several types and brands available, ranging from approximately a .7x to a .35x factor. The use
of a wide angle lens or converter helps improve and enhance the look of moving footage so much that we
highly recommend you use one on your camera when shooting.
QUICK RELEASE AND BALANCE PLATES
Available from camera equipment suppliers are different types of QUICK RELEASE or BALANCE
PLATES for your camera. You can attach one of these to the top of the CAMERA MOUNTING PLATE
and then attach your camera to the BALANCE or QUICK RELEASE PLATE. It should be noted that
adding weight to the top of the SLED, or increasing the height of the camera from the CAMERA
MOUNTING PLATE will require you to use either more COUNTERWEIGHTS on the BASE
PLATFORM making the whole system heavier, or will require you to raise the GIMBAL TUBE on the
CENTRAL POST to achieve correct VERTICAL BALANCE.
7) WARNINGS
Please make sure that you are very careful when picking up and putting down the Glidecam GOLD SLED
SLED. The GOLD SLED SLED can end up having considerable weight when in use and could cause
injury to your back if you are not cautious when using it. Be sure to bend your legs, instead of your back
when lifting the SLED up, or when placing the SLED down. If you have lower back problems, or have
had prior back injuries then you should not use the GOLD SLED. Again, if you use the GOLD
SLED please make sure you do so carefully. You might want to consider using a store bought back brace
or back support pad around your back and waist, to give your back some extra support.
You should also make sure that you are very careful when using the GOLD SLED at night or in low light
conditions. Do not make the mistake of focusing so much on what you are shooting that you trip over
something, or wander into something dangerous like a body of water or automobile traffic. If you do end
up using the GOLD SLED around water, then be very, very careful that you do not fall into the water.