by Matija Petrovic
photos: Petar Krajacic Vilovic
We’ve been testing Glidecam Ultra-Shot for the last few weeks.

Shoulder rig mode
Designed by Lee Snijders and manufactured by Glidecam Industries inc. The Glidecam Ultra-Shot is an extremely durable and multi-functional “Hybrid” camera accessory that allows you to quickly convert between monopod mode and shoulder mode and even a ground level shooting mode.
In Hi-Hat mode, it converts into a small tripod, which allows you to shoot at ground level, and positions at any angle with its tilting back-and-forth head. The tilting head connects to the Ultra-Shot via a 3/8″-16 screw and has two 1/4″-20 screws, therefore making it compatible with all industry-standard camcorders and DSLRs. Switch to Shoulder mode, and you can hold onto the two motocross grips with the one leg with the EVA foam pad resting on your shoulder. Quick mode transitions allow the Ultra-Shot to work well in fast-paced environments like television, news, documentary work, and many run-and-gun situations.

Stabilizer mode

Monopod mode

Maximum Height 63.6″ (161.5 cm)
Folded Length 23″ (58 cm)
Load Capacity 20 lb (9.07 kg)
Leg Sections Five
Leg Lock Type Flip
Male Thread Size Two 1/4″-20, 3/8″-16 for head attachment
Weight 6 lb (2.72 kg)
What’s in the box
– Camera plate
– Handlebars
– Telescoping monopod which includes (video head with quick release plate, telescoping post, base weight)

We must first say that our experience with all in one tools can’t be called a good one. Until now, none of those tools have proven to be good, and honestly none of those tools had worked the way they should. Glidecam Ultra-Shot is a tool which gives you the functions of monopod, shoulder rig and stabilizer all in one. As it was already said, we’d been really sceptical at the beginning until we’ve started to test Glidecam Ultra-Shot. At first we were positively shocked by the build quality and with the weight at the bottom, which also serves as the counterweight for shoulder rig, so there is no skidding on the ground. Two handlebars in monopod mode are also a great option. One can be used as the body support in order to gain even better stabilization while the other can be hand held. We were also positively surprised by the shoulder rig mode because it is simply brilliant. There is no shaking and we are able to get the real film motion which can be compared with a lot more expensive rigs we’ve had a chance to work with.
In the video we didn’t want to show how does the monopod or shoulder rig works. We all know how both of these tools work. We wanted to show how simple it actually is to switch from one mode to the other and how fast it can be done.
Glidecam Ultra-Shot deserves every recommendation, especially to someone who is just entering film making world, as one can get useful tool which can be used in many different situations, for small amount of money. Once again, BRAVO Glidecam!
Buy Glidecam Ultra-Shot HERE