Glidecam Smooth Shooter User manual

Quick Setup Guide
GLIDECAM INDUSTRIES, INC.
130-4 Camelot Drive
Plymouth, MA 0 360
Customer Service Line: 1-508-830-1414
Manufactured in the U.S.A.
COPYRIGHT 2005 GLIDECAM INDUSTRIES, INC., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Glidecam is registered at the PATENT and TRADEMARK office.
VERSION 1

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION 5
2. QUICK SETUP 7
3. ADJUSTING THE LOAD SETTINGS OF YOUR SUPPORT ARM 17
4. REMOVING THE SPRINGS FROM YOUR SUPPORT ARM 21
5. INSTALLING THE SPRINGS INTO YOUR SUPPORT ARM 25
6. ARNINGS 29
7. MAINTENANCE 31
8. ARRANTY 33

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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of a GLIDECAM SMOOTH SHOOTER.
In order to use the GLIDECAM SMOOTH SHOOTER system, it is best to have a
basic understanding of how the system works in advance. So please make sure
you read this section before trying to setup and operate the GLIDECAM
SMOOTH SHOOTER.
The GLIDECAM SMOOTH SHOOTER Camera Stabilization System is designed
to allow you to walk, run, go up and down stairs, shoot from moving vehicles
and travel over uneven terrain without any camera instability or shake, when
used with the GLIDECAM 2000 PRO or GLIDECAM 4000 PRO (not included).
The GLIDECAM 2000 PRO and GLIDECAM 4000 PRO are generally used as
hand-held camera stabilizers; however, they can also be used with the
GLIDECAM SMOOTH SHOOTER, and when they are, they are referred to as a
SLED. The SLED carries your camera and is attached to the end of the
SPRING-LOADED SUPPORT ARM, which, in turn, is attached to the
GLIDECAM SUPPORT VEST.
hen using the GLIDECAM 2000 PRO or GLIDECAM 4000 PRO in hand-held
mode, your arm is carrying the weight of the SLED. However, when the 2000
PRO or 4000 PRO are used with the SMOOTH SHOOTER, it is the SMOOTH
SHOOTER’S SPRING-LOADED SUPPORT ARM that carries the weight of the
SLED. Because of this, you will now be able to shoot for extended periods of
time, whereas before, the stress associated with handholding the SLED reduced
your shooting time.
hile the GLIDECAM SMOOTH SHOOTER is in essence a very simple device,
its simplicity doesn’t lend ease in answering that often asked question, “how
does it work?” To answer this question completely would require delving into
Newtonian Physics and Classical Mechanics. e would have to explain - center
of gravity displacement, inertia, reduced friction and angular motion reduction
etc. However, a quick answer reveals the GLIDECAM SMOOTH SHOOTER
works by “isolating” your body’s motion from your camera, while your camera
is balanced in an isolated and relatively motionless state.
The GLIDECAM SMOOTH SHOOTER requires practice and understanding to
achieve professional looking results. e highly recommend that the user read
this manual thoroughly before setting up and operating the GLIDECAM
SMOOTH SHOOTER. Doing so will save you time, and will minimize the risk
of damage to your camera or the GLIDECAM SMOOTH SHOOTER. It is
important to perform and follow the Setup and Operation’s procedures in the
proper sequence, so as to avoid both frustration and a possible accident.
If you need technical assistance, you can page our Technical Support Line at 1-
508-830-1414 , between the hours of 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Eastern Standard
Time, Monday through Friday. e’re sure that once you have your GLIDECAM
SMOOTH SHOOTER up and running, you will find years of enjoyment with it.

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CHAPTER TWO
QUICK SETUP
Since you will be using your GLIDECAM SMOOTH SHOOTER with either a
GLIDECAM 2000 PRO or a GLIDECAM 4000 PRO (hereafter referred to as the
SLED), you should make sure that your SLED is already setup and properly
balanced. Please see the GLIDECAM 2000 PRO or 4000 PRO Manual for
details regarding proper SLED setup and balancing procedures.
Figure 1 Figure 2
Included is a GLIDECAM SMOOTH SHOOTER DOCKING BRACKET, which
allows you to park your SLED while it is not in use. Securely attach and tighten
the DOCKING BRACKET onto the 5/8” RECEIVING PIN of an INDUSTRY-
STANDARD C-STAND (Not Included) as in figures 1 and 2.
It is always best to park your SLED on the provided DOCKING BRACKET, as
in figure 3. However, if you do not currently have a C-STAND, it is acceptable
to park your SLED on a TABLE TOP and therefore not use the DOCKING
BRACKET.

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Figure 3
hen you park your SLED onto the DOCKING BRACKET, make sure that the
SLED’S HANDLE is facing directly outwards as in figure 3. By parking your
SLED this way on the DOCKING BRACKET, it will be easily accessible to you
when it comes time to put the SLED onto the end of the SUPPORT ARM.

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Figure 4
The GLIDECAM SMOOTH SHOOTER’S SUPPORT ARM (figure 4) comes
preconfigured with two EXTENSION SPRINGS, which are already installed.
These SPRINGS are also preset to their weakest LOAD SETTING. Later, in the
CONFIGURATION SECTION, we will discuss how to make adjustments to the
arm in detail. For now, leave the SPRINGS in the SUPPORT ARM at their
factory setting.
Now, install the BLACK ARM POST into the ARM POST CLAMP at the end of
the SUPPORT ARM, as in figures 5 and 6.
Figure 5 Figure 6

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Figure 7
Tighten the ARM POST into the ARM POST CLAMP, making sure to align the
NOTCHES in the ARM POST so that they face the TIGHTENING SCRE as
shown in figure 7. Do not OVERTIGHTEN this PLASTIC TIGHTENING
SCRE , for this could damage the THREADS. The reason that the
TIGHTENING SCRE is made of plastic is so that it will not scratch the ARM
POST.

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Figure 8 Figure 9
Put the GLIDECAM SUPPORT VEST on next. Adjust the STRAPS on the VEST
until the VEST fits you comfortably; however, make sure that the VEST is not
on too loosely, for it needs to bear the combined weight of the SUPPORT ARM
and SLED. Also, you should take note that if you are planning on walking up
and down stairs or walking over uneven terrain, that you should make sure that
the very bottom of the vest is not positioned so low on your torso that it inhibits
your legs from moving up and down fully.
Figure 10

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Connect the SMOOTH SHOOTER SUPPORT ARM to the GLIDECAM
SUPPORT VEST. First, note the location of the two RECEIVING HOLES in the
ARM CONNECTOR BAR shown in figure 10. Next, carefully align and guide
the two STEEL PINS located on the back end of the RIGID ARM down into the
two RECEIVING HOLES as in figure 11. Make sure that the arm is fully
inserted into the RECEIVING HOLES as in figure 12.
Figure 11 Figure 12
Figure 13
If everything has been done properly so far, you should now have the SUPPORT
ARM attached to the VEST, as in figure 13.

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Figure 14 Figure 15
You can now attach the SUPPORT ARM to the SLED by carefully aligning and
guiding the ARM POST all the way into the bottom of the SLED HANDLE as in
figures 14 and 15. After you have done this, hold onto the SLED HANDLE
firmly so that as you carefully lift the SLED straight up and out of the
DOCKING BRACKET, you can make sure that the weight of the SLED is in the
control of your ARM and not the SPRING-LOADED SUPPORT ARM. Now
gradually let the SUPPORT ARM take over the job of holding the weight of the
SLED. If your SLED is too heavy for the SUPPORT ARM at its current LOAD
SETTING, the weight of the SLED will angle the SUPPORT ARM downwards.
If your SLED is too light for the SUPPORT ARM at its current LOAD
SETTING, the SLED will angle the SUPPORT ARM upwards.
If your SLED is the correct weight for the SUPPORT ARM at its current LOAD
SETTING, the ARM will remain level as in figure 16.

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Figure 16
If your SLED is too heavy for the SUPPORT ARM, in the ARM’S current
factory setting, you will need to increase the SPRING TENSION of the ARM by
following the procedures outlined in the ADJUSTING THE LOAD SETTINGS
OF YOUR SUPPORT ARM section of this manual.
If your SLED is too light for the SUPPORT ARM, in the ARM’S current factory
setting, you will need to decrease the LOAD CAPACITY of the ARM by
removing one of the SPRINGS as outlined in the REMOVING THE SPRINGS
FROM YOUR SUPPORT ARM section of this manual.

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Figure 17
The GLIDECAM SMOOTH SHOOTER is designed to work best when the
system is operated with the SLED positioned directly in front of you, as in
figures 17 and 18. This position allows you a clear view of either the LCD
MONITOR on your camcorder or the LCD MONITOR on the BASE PLATFORM
of your SLED.
Figure 18
Also, you should note that when using the GLIDECAM 2000 PRO or
GLIDECAM 4000 PRO in HAND-HELD mode, you were instructed to firmly
hold onto the HANDLE. This was due to the fact that you had to support the
entire weight of the system in your hand. However, now that the SMOOTH
SHOOTER SUPPORT ARM is holding the weight of the system, holding the
HANDLE gently, as in figure 18, yields superior results.

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CHAPTER THREE
ADJUSTING THE LOAD SETTINGS
OF YOUR SUPPORT ARM
In order to change the LOAD SETTING of the SUPPORT ARM, you will need to
either change the SPRING TENSION within the ARM, or add or remove a
SPRING from the ARM. Both of these changes can be made using the supplied
ALLEN RENCHES (not shown).
hen you receive your GLIDECAM SMOOTH SHOOTER, it comes
preconfigured with both SPRINGS already installed and set to their weakest
SPRING TENSION setting.
In order to adjust the SPRING TENSION in the SUPPORT ARM, you must first
make sure that the SLED is not on the end of the ARM and that the ARM is not
attached to the VEST. You must also make sure that the ARM is not under load
and that it is angled upwards.
Figure 19
To increase or decrease the SPRING TENSION within the ARM, you will need
to either lengthen or shorten the SPRING with an ALLEN RENCH as shown in
figures 19 and 20.

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Figure 20
Figure 21

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hen you change the length of the SPRINGS, you will be able to see their
positions change in the GUIDE SCALE INDO S located on the top and
bottom of the SUPPORT ARM (figure 21).
The MARKINGS next to the GUIDE SCALE INDO S indicate the different
LOAD SETTINGS. You can set the SPRINGS from 0 to 6 and anywhere in
between, with 0 being the weakest, and 6 being the strongest.
If your SLED is too heavy for the SUPPORT ARM, you will need to increase the
SPRING TENSION of the ARM. If your SLED is too light for the SUPPORT
ARM, you will need to decrease the SPRING TENSION of the ARM.
Additionally, you may need to either add or remove a SPRING from the
SUPPORT ARM to either increase or decrease the ARM’S load-carrying
capacity. Your goal in making these adjustments is to support the weight of the
SLED while the ARM remains level, as shown in figure 16.
hen you use the SUPPORT ARM with only one SPRING in it, it can hold a
maximum load of 9 pounds at its strongest setting. hen you use the SUPPORT
ARM with two SPRINGS in it, it can hold a maximum load of 18 pounds at its
strongest setting. It should be pointed out that the maximum loads above refer
to the weight of your CAMERA and SLED combined, and not just the weight of
your CAMERA alone.
NOTE: The SMOOTH SHOOTER SUPPORT ARM is optimized to take
advantage of the principle that the more inert a camera system is, the more
stable it is. In other words, the heavier your camera or combined camera and
SLED are, the more stable your resulting footage will be. So therefore you
should always try to use the SMOOTH SHOOTER SUPPORT ARM at its
maximum LOAD CAPACITY for a given SPRING combination. In practice, this
optimization will occur when a 9-pound SLED is used with only one SPRING
installed in the arm, or when an 18-pound SLED is used with two SPRINGS
installed in the arm.
e have provided ST L W IGHT PLAT S (not shown) with the SMOOTH
SHOOTER so that you may use them to increase the total weight of your SLED.
This is so that the combined weight of your CAMERA and SLED can equal
approximately 9 pounds when used with one SPRING in the ARM, or 18 pounds
when used with two SPRINGS in the ARM.
In addition to the STEEL EIGHT PLATES, we have also provided two
different types of ARM POSTS; one black, lightweight ARM POST, and one
heavy, stainless steel ARM POST. These are shown in figure 22.
The heavy, stainless steel ARM POST weighs approximately 1.25 pounds and
can be used to quickly increase the total load at the end of the ARM. Increasing
the load at the end of the SUPPORT ARM is, in effect, equivalent to increasing
the weight of the SLED.

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Figure 22