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.