2006Operating forum
Balancing a Panasonic Varicam HD on a Glidecam V-20 stabilizer
20 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Gimbal position on the post affects how much counterweight is needed at the bottom of the sled, with the gimbal positioned too low requiring excessive weight.
- Placing battery and monitor at the base of the sled under the battery plate helps achieve proper balance without exceeding arm weight limits.
- Using a customized Anton Bauer plate at the base for both power supply and counterweight improves the setup.
- Operator conditioning and posture significantly affect perceived weight and fatigue during operation.
- A Glidecam V-20 with a Varicam-class camera is not inherently a heavy rig and should allow operation for extended periods when properly balanced.
Depends on
- The original poster's specific setup details and camera configuration are unclear.
- No direct comparison provided between different Glidecam models for this camera class.
- Suggestions about conditioning and posture are general advice rather than specific to this setup.
- The thread references a V-16 model in comparison but the original question concerns V-20.