DIY IndieSlider...

Hey thanks Zaza! I moderate over at Cinema5D and since they just opened a "DIY" section guess who was referenced in one of the first posts earlier today? Credit where credit is due. Thanks for this amazing thread.
 
@photonashville - The riser looks like a good fit. Question: Do you have to reem on the screw to keep it from unscrewing when you pan to the left? I know my slider never helicopters when I pan, but since this is closer to the action it might have a tendency to do that. How quickly can you swap out the head for the riser and head?
 
Quick info for the Davis and Sanford / substitute high hat product:

You can take their fluid head off and put another on as well.
There are two hex screws underneath the mounting plate which when tightened down prevent helicoptering.

The post has 4 holes for screws at the bottom of the column which I position like a diamond on the square carriage. There is room enough for the screws. They come off or on easily with a coin. One thing, you must be very precise with your drilling to keep them lined up. Don't do it free hand!
 
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Read about 60 pages here.

I'm very new to all this stuff.. Camera, filming etc.
Just got an HF200 and a Velbon Fluid Head Tripod.

I was looking at the glidetrack to play around with some shots but this looks great and much cheaper.

I sent a message to Igus to find out about shipping to Canada.
 
DNathan said:
@photonashville - The riser looks like a good fit. Question: Do you have to reem on the screw to keep it from unscrewing when you pan to the left? I know my slider never helicopters when I pan, but since this is closer to the action it might have a tendency to do that. How quickly can you swap out the head for the riser and head?
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I bought the Filmtools riser back in September when I built my Zaza slider. It ships with the screws slightly loose, and you do have to tighten the screws on the columns before you use it, but I have not had any problems so far with it loosening up.

As for switching out, it unscrews from the carriage just as fast as a tripod head, so it isn't too much of a hassle to detach.
 
Forgive me for not reading all 113 pages of the thread but:

1) What is the maximum weight this device can tolerate? I'd like to mount up my EX-1 with 35mm adapter rig, about 20lbs

2) Can it be modified to get jib-like movements?

I was looking at Cinevate's Pegasus system, which mounts onto two tripods or stands and can be configured to get some jib shots; however, it's expensive and I cannot find a single person on the popular forums who's used one. Kessler Crane is advertising a similar product but it doesn't look like it's available and will be $600.

http://www.kesslercrane.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=230&Itemid=82

Will the DIY slider accomplish the same moves? If so, I think I'll just roll my own!

Thanks
Bob
 
Bobonli said:
Forgive me for not reading all 113 pages of the thread but:

1) What is the maximum weight this device can tolerate? I'd like to mount up my EX-1 with 35mm adapter rig, about 20lbs
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The rail listed in the first post will EASILY support 20lbs. (it's actually rated at 500lbs.)
I have no problem with a DVX100b, RR M2, Nikon lens & FF.

2) Can it be modified to get jib-like movements?
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Yes. If you mount the rail on a fluid head and the camera on another fluid head (on the rail), using a hand as a counterweight, you can get jib-like movement.

I was looking at Cinevate's Pegasus system, which mounts onto two tripods or stands and can be configured to get some jib shots; however, it's expensive and I cannot find a single person on the popular forums who's used one. Kessler Crane is advertising a similar product but it doesn't look like it's available and will be $600.

http://www.kesslercrane.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=230&Itemid=82

Will the DIY slider accomplish the same moves? If so, I think I'll just roll my own!

Thanks
Bob
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Head over to Vimeo... to the ZazaSlider group... tons of video there.:beer:
 
ZazaCast said:
Yes. If you mount the rail on a fluid head and the camera on another fluid head (on the rail), using a hand as a counterweight, you can get jib-like movement.



Thanks. I was just watching the promo video on the Kessler site for ideas and they mention that mounting the rails to a fluid head via a QR plate (alone) isn't enough, that the QR plate doesn't offer enough support and the rails might pull the QR plate out of the tripod head. Obviously they want you to buy their bigger proprietary tripod head. Do you think it's a major concern?

Have you tried this, using it as a jib? Again, I apologize if it's been asked and answered elsewhere in the thread...I'm reading & reading but have only made it to page 67!

I was thinking of mounting the rails to my Sachtler DV8 (6.2 lbs) head and then a smaller fluid head to the carriage. Any thoughts on that?

Thanks
Bob
Click to expand...
 
Bobonli said:
ZazaCast said:
Yes. If you mount the rail on a fluid head and the camera on another fluid head (on the rail), using a hand as a counterweight, you can get jib-like movement.



Thanks. I was just watching the promo video on the Kessler site for ideas and they mention that mounting the rails to a fluid head via a QR plate (alone) isn't enough, that the QR plate doesn't offer enough support and the rails might pull the QR plate out of the tripod head. Obviously they want you to buy their bigger proprietary tripod head. Do you think it's a major concern?

Have you tried this, using it as a jib? Again, I apologize if it's been asked and answered elsewhere in the thread...I'm reading & reading but have only made it to page 67!

I was thinking of mounting the rails to my Sachtler DV8 (6.2 lbs) head and then a smaller fluid head to the carriage. Any thoughts on that?

Thanks
Bob
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I have not used it as a jib. I own a Kessler crane for those shots. This slider handles all sliding shots, dollys and zollys with ease. It also lets you quickly reposition the camera for regular over the shoulder shots.

If you really want jib shots...get a jib. I believe Kessler has their new pocket jib available now.

I built this to try for a film I was shooting over a year ago and haven't gone to a shoot without it since. Handy piece of gear.
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I just received my Zaza Slider XL from Igus (1200mm rail with the larger bearings and larger carriage). The length of the rail seems manageable.

The extra 2 inch length of the carriage allows me enough room to drill a hole (larger than 3/8") near one end of the carriage and tap another 3/8" hole on the rail (top down) - a few inches from the center of the rail - so I can use a 3/8" bolt to lock the carriage down to the rail when transporting it.

This one is very heavy duty - I don't know what it's rated but it will certainly hold a lot of weight.

A couple of questions.

I notice everyone has end stoppers on their rails - did you tap holes into the ends because this larger one does not have tapped ends.

Also, there is a nominal amount of noise - should I lubricate it in any way?

One last comment - the larger system does not have holes down the middle of the rail - it has two opposing holes all the way down (with none in the center) so you can do a full tap of the center and ends.
 
the rail ends don't come tapped from Igus...gotta do that yourself.

noise is minimal, virtually non existant on mine. when the carriage is on, loosen the bearings and give the carriage slight movement to let the bearings "settle" into place, then tighten them, but only snug. in fact, mine are only a tick past finger-tight. maybe don't "lubricate" by standard methods (wd40, grease, etc...). i clean/lubricate the rail with Pledge and a soft cloth. improves performance, but the bearings have a dry self lubricant already, so you don't wanna get them wet.

in a way you're better off when tapping your exact center hole....thicker part of metal? certainly more threads introduced.
 
I ordered the parts. I'm totally new to video and all of this but the shots are awesome and I want to be able to make shots like that.

I ordered the parts in Canada which are in stock and should arrive tomorrow.
 
canadian said:
I ordered the parts. I'm totally new to video and all of this but the shots are awesome and I want to be able to make shots like that.

I ordered the parts in Canada which are in stock and should arrive tomorrow.
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Good luck.... you're going to love it!:happy:
 
First off let me just say thanks for all the great info on here, i've been using my slider for a month now and it's just lovely.

Right now I am either attaching directly to a spare set of legs via 3/8" screw or going on my tripod head via quick release, and I have a bogen 503 head on the carriage. but i want to use my sachtler head and legs without losing bowl functionality.

So i am looking for a bowl adapter (a hi hat) that would mount to the carraige that would allow me to mount the bowl head and adjust. i assume from the pictures the bogen 325n doesn't allow the bowl to adjust it just locks it down - is this correct? I'd also similarly attach a ball to the bottom of the rails so i can throw those on my legs and adjust. Is anyone doing this and if so what are you using?

Thanks again !
 
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Just to clarify what I'm thinking of doing.

Thinking of using a 75mm Hi-Hat like this - http://www.adorama.com/images/large/AGHH100B.JPG
Attaching the three legs to a small steel or plywood base and attaching that base to the carriage.

Then attaching this half-ball http://www.adorama.com/images/Product/BG520BALLSH.jpg to the underside of the rail.

Then I could fairly quickly take the 75mm ball head off the sticks, attach the rail to the sticks using the half-ball, and attach the head to the carriage using the hi-hat. You could then do angled slides while keeping the camera level on top....and be able to use your "A" tripod legs and head.

Is anyone doing this? And if not does anyone see a reason why it wouldn't work?
I do wish i could find a hi-hat that didn't have such a span on the legs and could go directly to the carriage. Anyone?

Oh and lastly - are there any solutions here for a carriage brake that would work throughout the rail? I have a second screw that ties the carriage down at the end for transport, but nothing within the rail. I think the kessler brake would work as they are igus parts, but it's $40....so

thanks!
 
I just received my parts from Igus yesterday and plan on making my trip to home depot sometime today.

Here's my concern.... I plan on using the end stop solution that is posted in the first post. I'm pretty sure that you tap the end holes with the 3/8th tap. The same tap that i'm going to use on the center hole of my rail for the tripod. The thing is on my rail the 2 holes are of different size. The one in the center is much larger then the ones on the side. Did anyone have to drill the end holes out a bit before tapping?

I know it's kind of a dumb ? I just dont want to mess this up with money invested and all.

Steve
 
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