How to Balance a Glidecam Using a Canon XL2 Camera
- 1). Attach all accessories to the camera that you will be using in the field, including lenses, batteries, microphones and wireless transmitters. If you add these later, you will have to rebalance your camera.
- 2). Use five disc weights on each side of the bottom plate of the Glidecam. These should be fastened with a washer and a nut. Make sure the weights are pushed to the outer edges of the plate so the two sets of weights are distributed as far as possible away from each other and the main shaft of the Glidecam.
- 3). Attach the black mounting plate to the bottom of your XL2 camera using the screws that come with the Glidecam. Attach the camera to the middle line of the three lines of holes going lengthwise down the surface of the plate.
- 4). Attach the camera-cum-mounting plate to the main shaft of the Glidecam.
- 5). Hold the Glidecam by the handle, and lift it off the ground. This is when you will make your fine adjustments.
- 6). Use the adjustment screws to loosen the mounting plate and adjust it according to your need. If the camera is listing left, move the mounting plate to the right to balance it. The same idea goes for other directions: Move the mounting plate in the opposite direction of where the camera is listing. Once you finish this step, you are ready to shoot video.
