DIY IndieSlider...

Quick update:
I got some more parts from igus for the prototype Zaza "WiderSlider" today...this might actually work!

...and I'm meeting with the Regional Sales Manager tomorrow about some other little tricks I have in mind.
 
SBell said:
Going to order one today. So can I just call and ask for a ZaZa slider and they'll know what I want? And do you pronounce it ZaZa or Zha Zha or ZayZay:D

Scott
Click to expand...

Yeah...I think you can just ask for the ZazaSlider or camera slider parts...and it's Zaza (like Joey Zaza in the third Godfather movie, got the nickname years ago).:thumbsup:
 
shooting a film with the ZaZa slider.

shooting a film with the ZaZa slider.

OK, I just shot my first film using the ZaZa slider for some of the scenes. Overall, it was a good experience. I did find the Sony EX1 + Rails + M2 adapter + follow-focus + matte box was too heavy to one side. It's about a 10 pound rig. I have it mounted to a very wide, heavy-duty quick release for a monster tripod, for slider stability. This worked really well, by the way. But the inability to balance the center of gravity, really caused the slider to bind enough to impede a smooth slide.

What helped me to get through the shoot, was to use two hands. One hand on the base of the slide platform, and the other hand on the tripod head lever, putting a little "counter-weight" on the lever, to counter the front-heavy camera rig. This wasn't easy at all, but not impossible. When you are in the heat of a shoot, you don't want to have to think so hard about the mechanics of the dolly action. You want to think about the composition of the shot, the speed of the dolly, and the smoothness of the starts, stops, and reverses.

So, I'm thinking that it might be possible to build a mounting plate that would attach to the top of the slide platform. Then, I could mount the camera rig directly to the mounting plate wherever it balanced the weight properly. Logically, it should smooth out the action.

Has anyone tried this?
 
WeekendFilmCrew said:
OK, I just shot my first film using the ZaZa slider for some of the scenes. Overall, it was a good experience. I did find the Sony EX1 + Rails + M2 adapter + follow-focus + matte box was too heavy to one side. It's about a 10 pound rig. I have it mounted to a very wide, heavy-duty quick release for a monster tripod, for slider stability. This worked really well, by the way. But the inability to balance the center of gravity, really caused the slider to bind enough to impede a smooth slide.

What helped me to get through the shoot, was to use two hands. One hand on the base of the slide platform, and the other hand on the tripod head lever, putting a little "counter-weight" on the lever, to counter the front-heavy camera rig. This wasn't easy at all, but not impossible. When you are in the heat of a shoot, you don't want to have to think so hard about the mechanics of the dolly action. You want to think about the composition of the shot, the speed of the dolly, and the smoothness of the starts, stops, and reverses.

So, I'm thinking that it might be possible to build a mounting plate that would attach to the top of the slide platform. Then, I could mount the camera rig directly to the mounting plate wherever it balanced the weight properly. Logically, it should smooth out the action.

Has anyone tried this?
Click to expand...

For heavier rigs like yours, I'm working on a new design called the "WiderSlider", so standby...

But you're right, it's very important no matter what size your rig that it's centered (the weight) on the carriage. As soon as the weight is too far forward or back, the bearings will bind and it won't slide smooth.
 
Igus makes a slightly larger rig at 80 along with a carriage for it. Is there any reason why not to order the larger size? ws-20-80 rail is the part number.

Need to order within the next 2 hours, would appreciate ANY swift reply. Thanks again ZaZa.
 
Humanoid Typhoon said:
Igus makes a slightly larger rig at 80 along with a carriage for it. Is there any reason why not to order the larger size? ws-20-80 rail is the part number.

Need to order within the next 2 hours, would appreciate ANY swift reply. Thanks again ZaZa.
Click to expand...

It's HUGH, 20mm bearings are overkill. That rail will take REALLY heavy loads, like thousands of pounds. It's up to you, but another user who ordered that said it was WAY too much....and you'll still have problems if you don't center your rig.

Do you have some kind of giant rig?
 
THE NEXT CHALLENGE

OK guys,

I just found a product that builds upon the ZaZa slider and takes it to the next level.
It adds a free spinning component to the slider, plus a hydraulic lift.
I have no doubt that we can find the parts to build a lightweight version.
It's called the Cineped. Here is the URL: http://www.cineped.com/index.php
I don't think they sell it. I believe it is a rental from Panavision.
 
WeekendFilmCrew said:
THE NEXT CHALLENGE

OK guys,

I just found a product that builds upon the ZaZa slider and takes it to the next level.
It adds a free spinning component to the slider, plus a hydraulic lift.
I have no doubt that we can find the parts to build a lightweight version.
It's called the Cineped. Here is the URL: http://www.cineped.com/index.php
I don't think they sell it. I believe it is a rental from Panavision.
Click to expand...

That is effing cool
 
WeekendFilmCrew said:
THE NEXT CHALLENGE

OK guys,

I just found a product that builds upon the ZaZa slider and takes it to the next level.
It adds a free spinning component to the slider, plus a hydraulic lift.
I have no doubt that we can find the parts to build a lightweight version.
It's called the Cineped. Here is the URL: http://www.cineped.com/index.php
I don't think they sell it. I believe it is a rental from Panavision.
Click to expand...

****ing hell. I'm in love.
 
Cool... I'm already working on the spinning version....and with the tripod I'm using, I can crank it up to about 5 feet, but the rest might be a little too much for my pee brain!

Nice find....oh the ideas....theyjust keep rollin'.
 
Just wanted to say thanks again to ZaZa for the info here. Just got done building two sliders, one is a compact/mini version and the other was that HUGE slider 4 footer. It's fine though as my friend actually prefers the weight and heft.
 
WeekendFilmCrew said:
THE NEXT CHALLENGE

OK guys,

I just found a product that builds upon the ZaZa slider and takes it to the next level.
It adds a free spinning component to the slider, plus a hydraulic lift.
I have no doubt that we can find the parts to build a lightweight version.
It's called the Cineped. Here is the URL: http://www.cineped.com/index.php
I don't think they sell it. I believe it is a rental from Panavision.
Click to expand...

Just an FYI... talked to the Cineped people today. It lists for $24,500.00!
I'm working on something that will be similar, but much cheaper to build.
 
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