Azabu on the roll with Glidecam SYSTEM

Azabu Leasing Corporation, one of Japan’s major broadcasting equipment rental companies, introduced Glidecam products at the same time as when Komamura released the products for the Japanese domestic market in 2005.

At present, the company uses three sets of Glidecam 4000 Pro and Smooth Shooter combinations and a set of the Low Mode Kit. Hideo Motoki, deputy general manager (technical department) of the company’s Broadcast Equipment Business Unit talks about the decisions involved in procuring Glidecam.

Q: Why is Azabu using Glidecam equipment?

Hideo Motoki: We had been looking for equipment suitable for small cameras. We were using steady cams, but wanted to find equipment suitable for smaller cameras and compact high-definition cameras. We happened to be aware of Glidecam products and thought they were most suitable for these cameras.

Q: What applications are Glidecam products used for?

HM: Glidecam products are used mainly when shooting on-air television programmes and producing video presentation materials for planned programmes. They are also used to capture images for road information to guide the public. Low-mode kits are often used when capturing video programmes from the eye line of animals or for producing scenic travel programmes.

Q: Does Azabu loan vests with Glidecam equipment?

HM: Yes, we always loan equipment in sets with vests. While handheld shooting is possible, results produced by equipment used with vests are far different. Marginal blur becomes highly visible and frustrating when viewed on large screens. Blur due to camera-shake can be corrected to some extent in the course of editing, but images are much clearer if blurring is prevented at the time of shooting.

Q: What is the feedback from customers using Glidecam products?

HM: The reaction is very good. Customers usually say, “The equipment is easy to use and handle”. Steady cam operators find it easy to use Glidecam products. They are especially suitable for small cameras introduced recently.

Q: How often is Glidecam equipment lent out?

HM: Our standard set is lent out 10 days a month on the average.

Q: How about equipment maintenance?

HM: We use the highest care to prevent rust of metallic parts due to sweat-stain and springs. Faulty springs may cause squeaky sounds, so we use the utmost care in doing maintenance.

Q: Have you received complaints from customers or heard about on-site accidents?

HM: Fortunately, we have not received a single complaint since we started renting out Glidecam equipment. Our Glidecam equipment has never blown out. We have not heard cases of camera drop or pinching a finger.

Q: Do customers find it difficult to keep a balance?

HM: Our staff always explain the method to keep a balance to customers who use our Glidecam equipment for the first time.

A course of explanation is sufficient in most cases, since our customers are familiar with camera equipment.

Q: What is your impression of Glidecam’s new DH series of products?

HM: Inconveniences found in conventional Glidecam equipment have been improved. Being able to make minute adjustments to the camera plate portion is an added attraction. Also, weight portions are improved, making balance adjustments easier. We’ll introduce the HD4000 system immediately.

Q: What are the advantages of handling Glidecam equipment?

HM: Glidecam equipment is suitable for rental service. As the equipment is not essential to customers at all times, they rent only when necessary.

Glidecam equipment is essential for capturing blur-free images of moving subjects. Glidecam’s compactness is ideal for smaller cameras introduced recently and rental fees are not high.