DIY IndieSlider...

I've been workiing directly with Igus on the Z-axis motion control. They've been helpful in upfitting the 40mm system to work on the 60mm. I'll update the thread as we progress. It'll be slow, but 3-axis is what we're going for. The x/y axis are pan and tilt respectively and are accomplished through the Varizoom MC100 head. Z-axis is a belt driven carriage with interrupts at either end of the track.

Also, for those talking about curved systems based on this track, we've basically given up on that as the standard off-the-shelf Drylin bearings' tolerances won't allow for even the slightest curve.

e
 
in order to give it a nice round curve, it would have to have some additional work done to it like for example add some kind of pole attached to the center of the tripod somehow that would pivot out another pipe or tube or something of that nature... something like this sketch I just drew up, and I'm not about to go that deep into this thing :)
But it can be done!


photo.jpg


Not bad for a quick iPhone picture !


 
Erik,

I guess we were posting at the same time. I just noticed your post.
Good stuff, looking forward to what happens.
thanks,
Luis
 
thread goin' all over the place ;)

thread goin' all over the place ;)

we've got indislider, DOF adapters getting built and now motion control.

Quick question btw - what exactly does that MC100 varizoom head do to justify it's $3400 price tag...it says max camera weight is 30 pounds.

This system (based on servo controlled pan/tilt designs but scaled up) (look at the 985 series)

http://www.servocity.com/html/pan___tilt_packages.html

costs a mere $800 but the pan servo handles up to 150lbs of weight - and the tilt 25lbs

If you're going to say that the varizoom is wireless well since the servocity stuff is servo based then any RC car gear will do - so for $50 you can get a wireless transmitter/receiver pack on top of that.

Nick
 
mrmoe said:
Anyone working on a DIY Kessler Krank Slider like this ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QCZd__du-0

If so, links for parts. Thanks ;)
Click to expand...

Actualy I do. But I want an

"Universal-Wonder-All-in-One-Crane-Dolly-Slider"

I wraped my Loss Fest entry yesterday, whereby I used the crane-dolly I made for the first time.
Unfortunaly the parts for the slider did not have arrived yet.

It´s two 50 inch rails that goes on top of the crane rails and 2 wagons plus a motor driven belt .
The automatic leveling/tilt section can be removed under 2 minutes so you can "drive" into car windows and thelike.

I made it super heavy duty, cause most cranes or jib arms I ever used, where to wobbly in my book if you throw a 30 pound camera at them. This one is super stiff and needs 120 pound of water filled sunshade stands to balance my camera.
The rails can be pulled out and extend to an other 50 inch for longer reach.
The sunshade stands are a bit bigger to transport as barbell weights, but they wight next to nothing when empty.

The Dolly can be outfitted with a bazooka ( I made that of a table leg and an old Vinten treepod) instead of the crane within under 5 minutes.

Next on the list is stearable wheels and rail wheels.





Here are some pictures of the construction so far. I keep you guys updated as things arrive.

Frank

1001226.jpg


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Zephyrnoid said:
Well because when it's not doing wrap-around CU's it does an admirable dolly when using WA lenses with a decent amount of foreshortening/fore-ground to background separation. You'd be amazed what a WA lens traveling for 1 meter can do . That's the heart and soul of this. Besides, for bigger 'sets' you just shoot the 1 meter slide and pick up the rig and move it along a preset path for the next shot etc. Sure saves you a bunch of railing and money - especially on low budget shoots and travel.
http://vimeo.com/2055255
Click to expand...

Its a personal preference but I don't like the wide angle FOV in most narrative situations.
They might be cool for action or skateboard shots or to tell the audience that
'something is not quite right' but in general they accentuate the eyes and ears of my subject
way too much.

I hear what you are saying, you can get a very cool effect with all of that extra background
moving, just its not for me.
 
so i ordered the igus slider and put it together thanks zaza for the post im happy with the quality of the item... so here is a few pics:

sony hvr-hd1000u hdv
with letus35 + 50mm f1.8
641_IMG_0012.jpg


641_IMG_0017.jpg



with letus35 + 70-200 f2.8
641_IMG_0023.jpg


with letus + 100 micro + indiFocusPro
641_IMG_0029.jpg


just for fun,,, any heavy camera setup needs support on both sides maybe rest on a table or use a monopod just wanna show that igus rail is pretty strong
641_IMG_0023.jpg
 
In reality, for a rail longer than 24", you benefit greatly from two tripods, mounted at the ends. This arrangement also allows for some amazing dolly/crane combo moves. Stay tuned for pics soon :Drogar-Love(DBG):
 
Zacatac said:
Just a question, Love this thread, followed it for a while

What are there parts originally supposed to be used for? lol, I can't find what they do anywhere!
Click to expand...

They are slider/guiders for industrial parts. You will see them in factorys, guiding moving parts, probably doing something stupid like sliding crackers into boxes or something.

They are usualy paired up with a pneumatic ram or linear actuator.
 
Has anyone tried the following? You would be able to take your head off your tripod, bowl and all, mount to the sled, then use another bowl mounted to the bottom of the track to mount on the tripod. So now, you have two points to level at, and a very solid mount to the tripod. I'm ordering the track tomorrow and will most likely order the following as well and give it a shot.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=404139&is=REG

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=404139&is=REG
 
DM_rider said:
Has anyone tried the following? You would be able to take your head off your tripod, bowl and all, mount to the sled, then use another bowl mounted to the bottom of the track to mount on the tripod. So now, you have two points to level at, and a very solid mount to the tripod. I'm ordering the track tomorrow and will most likely order the following as well and give it a shot.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=404139&is=REG

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=404139&is=REG
Click to expand...



I have that on mine, along with a 100mm ball under the rails, works perfect, when I need the slider, i take the head off my tripod, put the slider on the sticks then put the head on the slider
 
Jason Miller said:
I have that on mine, along with a 100mm ball under the rails, works perfect, when I need the slider, i take the head off my tripod, put the slider on the sticks then put the head on the slider
Click to expand...

perfect, I'll go with this setup then.

Here's what I will be leaving behind... this thing weighs 15 pounds! and that's without a camera. Can't wait to get the new slider.

DSC_9264.jpg
 
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I got these things from HD, I'm planning to slice them in 1/2 and put one on each side as stoppers. I'm going to insert 2 lugs that will stick out of the side holes in order to put some washers and nuts on them to hold the plastic in place.
 

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You could probably tap a thread in the end of the tubular rail and screw a bolt straight into it to act as an end stop...
 
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