Anyone have the indieslide mini?
- Thread starter semajha
- Start date
I ordered one three weeks ago and it still hasn't arrived. I paid over $40 in shipping but was given no tracking number. My email and phone messages have gone unanswered. He charged my card and the order page says it was processed. IndiFocus is not a reputable company whatsoever.
Too bad that company is shady because that's a good price. 2 weeks ago I made the DIY Zazaslider. I order the parts and made a 26" for traveling. It costed a total of about $125 (inc. shipping and some parts from Home Depot) and it works really well. Igus is a good company to deal with, and they will cut it to whatever length you want.
It was really easy to make and I'm mechanically inept, so that's saying something.
It was really easy to make and I'm mechanically inept, so that's saying something.
Jordan I'm very sorry to hear that.. That alone has pretty much convinced me not to go with the indieslidemini... Since posting this thread, I've been doing some more research and found that the zazaslider is the other alternative.
Gene, could you tell me a lil more about the slider? Does it feel sturdy and is it smooth? $125 is a great price, and a DIY project sounds pretty fun.
Gene, could you tell me a lil more about the slider? Does it feel sturdy and is it smooth? $125 is a great price, and a DIY project sounds pretty fun.
It is my understanding that Tim at IndiFocus is not shady. Rather, he has not taken the necessary steps that will allow his company to communicate with its customers in a timely manner. In addition, orders sit unsent. This is one example of the frustration people are experiencing.
ChuckS
Veteran
I have this: http://indisystem.com/products/indislider_mini
For the money its really good. Very lightweight and easy to use on a tripod. It takes a little practice to get smooth shots, I'm not sure the pistol-ball grip is worth the additional money but I don't have any regrets purchasing it.
For the money its really good. Very lightweight and easy to use on a tripod. It takes a little practice to get smooth shots, I'm not sure the pistol-ball grip is worth the additional money but I don't have any regrets purchasing it.
Lenilenapi
Carbonite Member
I got one and it also sat for a while until Tim got to it. Then the base plate on mine has a 3/8-16 hole for a tripod screw and it was tapped at a slight angle - thus unuseable - 1/4-20's are fine though. I've been calling and emailing Tim for a replacement base plate for 1 week and half with no response also.
However I have dealt with Tim before and he always made good so I don't think he's shady. I wonder if he also works as a shooter and only gets to the business when he can or if maybe he travels with work or what . I'm not worried about it but it is annoying.
Re - quality of the mini. There is more slop in mine than there is the indieslider which I also have so getting used to it and balancing the camera right is probably very important. The cameras center of gravity on these things can't shift while you are shooting or else it rocks abruptly to one side. However it looks like it will work OK and for the price and weight it loooks pretty useful. Don't know of an alternative in that range.
I've had an indieslider fora about 6 months and hadn't used it much . Was mounting it on my Sachtler 18 and it tended to rock a bit on the tripod and tip a bit on the end of the slider. However I bought a little Manfrotto 1/2 bowl to mount it on directly to the tripod and it is an entirely new beast - Solid, steady and no weight distribution problems . last night I shot a band playing for 1 1/2 hours at a garden party with an EX-1 moving almost constantly and it was like butter. Way better than a static shot in that particular situation.
I have a little Velbon fluid head that is surprisingly decent and the right size for the mini with a Canon. I wouldn't use one without some kind of little fluid head.
Lenny Levy
However I have dealt with Tim before and he always made good so I don't think he's shady. I wonder if he also works as a shooter and only gets to the business when he can or if maybe he travels with work or what . I'm not worried about it but it is annoying.
Re - quality of the mini. There is more slop in mine than there is the indieslider which I also have so getting used to it and balancing the camera right is probably very important. The cameras center of gravity on these things can't shift while you are shooting or else it rocks abruptly to one side. However it looks like it will work OK and for the price and weight it loooks pretty useful. Don't know of an alternative in that range.
I've had an indieslider fora about 6 months and hadn't used it much . Was mounting it on my Sachtler 18 and it tended to rock a bit on the tripod and tip a bit on the end of the slider. However I bought a little Manfrotto 1/2 bowl to mount it on directly to the tripod and it is an entirely new beast - Solid, steady and no weight distribution problems . last night I shot a band playing for 1 1/2 hours at a garden party with an EX-1 moving almost constantly and it was like butter. Way better than a static shot in that particular situation.
I have a little Velbon fluid head that is surprisingly decent and the right size for the mini with a Canon. I wouldn't use one without some kind of little fluid head.
Lenny Levy
Last edited:
Here's the link. Lots of people have made it and I can personally attest that it works really good. Especially for the price.
http://www.zazaslider.com/instructions.html
The longer the track you want the more expensive it is, but it's still really cheap compared to the Kessler Dolly ($400).
http://www.zazaslider.com/instructions.html
The longer the track you want the more expensive it is, but it's still really cheap compared to the Kessler Dolly ($400).
Lenilenapi
Carbonite Member
The Zaza website is intriguing to me.
My indieslider looks like the same system but the track is screwed onto a heavy metal backing. I assume this is there to make it handle heavier cameras and to flex less. Thje weight is no problem around town but for air travel its a royal pain as baggage rates get worse and worse. It will fit in my tripod case stuffed alongside my sachtler 18, but that puts it into overweight class and costs $'s . i'm sure the Zaza would ship more easily.
Does anyone out there know if the Zaza ia any less stable than an Indieslider? Does the indie gain from its heavy bracing?
Also I got the Indieslider mini for travel ease and weight. I wonder if a 2' Zaza would be almost as light as the Indieslider mini, still fit in my travel suitcase, and yet have less "slop" than the mini?
Lenny Levy
My indieslider looks like the same system but the track is screwed onto a heavy metal backing. I assume this is there to make it handle heavier cameras and to flex less. Thje weight is no problem around town but for air travel its a royal pain as baggage rates get worse and worse. It will fit in my tripod case stuffed alongside my sachtler 18, but that puts it into overweight class and costs $'s . i'm sure the Zaza would ship more easily.
Does anyone out there know if the Zaza ia any less stable than an Indieslider? Does the indie gain from its heavy bracing?
Also I got the Indieslider mini for travel ease and weight. I wonder if a 2' Zaza would be almost as light as the Indieslider mini, still fit in my travel suitcase, and yet have less "slop" than the mini?
Lenny Levy
MikeWilkinson
Veteran
I have the $99 indislider mini thing. It's OK, you get what you pay for. The company isn't shady, it seems more like a one-man operation that is overwhelming for just one person to do that probably has another day job. Once again, you pay for what you get.
After realizing I wanted longer, smoother moves, I decided to drop the dough to get the Kessler Pocket Dolly and I love it.
After realizing I wanted longer, smoother moves, I decided to drop the dough to get the Kessler Pocket Dolly and I love it.
ZazaCast
Major Contributor
I don't know why he attaches it to a metal backing...maybe he uses the smaller 10-40mm rail? Maybe it's for attachment to a tripod? Either way, I know they work nice!
I recommend using the 16-60mm rail...which is NOT going to flex at 1000mm or under lengths. It will handle a 20-30 lb. load with no worries. I have built a few 700mm-750mm versions for users here so they can transport it easier and (in one case with my ZazaSlider Feet) use it as a shoulder mount. The rail & carriage weigh 6 lbs.
Head over to the DVXUser DIY thread here: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=145701
...or feel free to contact me directly through www.zazaslider.com . I'm glad to answer questions...
VillageBoi
Active member
I have the indieslide-rmini and like it a lot. It's cheap and you do get what you pay for and 'yes' it did take a while to arrive as the company being a one-man show.
I removed all the plastic bits and have a tripod plate and quick release on it so my camera can go from my shoulder rig straight to the slider.
Here is a short impromptu video I made for my sister, most of the shots were made with the slider -
http://vimeo.com/11183275
I removed all the plastic bits and have a tripod plate and quick release on it so my camera can go from my shoulder rig straight to the slider.
Here is a short impromptu video I made for my sister, most of the shots were made with the slider -
http://vimeo.com/11183275