DIY IndieSlider...

I have a 501 mounted on the 150mm plate. I am using the home depot end stop solution. I leave one side allen wrench tight and the other side hand tight. I take the carriage off for travel fold up the tripod and bungee the rail to the tripod. for setup I setup the tripod pop the rail on the tripods quick release, undo 2 screws put the carriage on, mount the camera and lock it down ( I have the igus brake assy). from there on out I'm good to go and dont have to worry about the camera sliding around in transport while walking and setting up from shot to shot. The 1500 is a twin tripod mount for longer more complex moves.

On the 800 or 1500 depending on the orintation of the QR plate at 90degrees 45 degrees or otherwise and the niceness of having 2 heads (and a filmtools riser set) one can do push/pull slides, side/side slides, pseudo jib slides, verticals, just about anything you can think up. In a word... Awesome!

Further, if you want slides a little smoother and more consistent and as long as you dont need to adjust the camera with the pan handle mid-slide, I have found that running a zip tie around the plate pretty tight and tying a peice of string on it allows you to pull the camera along from the end hand over hand for super smooth shots. I'm sure there is a better way but this was something I just though up and tried. In the future I might drill and tap holes in the sides of the carriage for 1/4 20 eye hooks or something. Food for thought!
 
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THANK YOU N634DC!!! That was most useful! So for the 800mm, is it necessary to use the riser when you're doing push/pull shots? Do you recollect how much you paid for the 800mm? How much more was the igus brake? Many thanks!
 
Other doubt:
as i bought the manfrotto 357 quick release sistem i'm noticing that te Quick release even if the screw is well screwed between the plate of the tripod and the QRPlate under the Slider, it doesn't seem to be too tight when i move a lil the rails of the slider. Shoul i buy a longer bolt just in case to have a steadier attack between the tripod fluid head and the slider?
thx
hope u understood what i'm talking about

thx
 
Steve Arenam said:
Other doubt:
as i bought the manfrotto 357 quick release sistem i'm noticing that te Quick release even if the screw is well screwed between the plate of the tripod and the QRPlate under the Slider, it doesn't seem to be too tight when i move a lil the rails of the slider. Shoul i buy a longer bolt just in case to have a steadier attack between the tripod fluid head and the slider?
thx
hope u understood what i'm talking about

thx
Click to expand...
Yes... make sure the QR plate is really secured to the bottom of the rail. The better the connection, the less 'play' there will be.

This is one reason I still just screw the rail directly on the tripod, it's solid as a rock that way.
 
marshall110 said:
THANK YOU N634DC!!! That was most useful! So for the 800mm, is it necessary to use the riser when you're doing push/pull shots? Do you recollect how much you paid for the 800mm? How much more was the igus brake? Many thanks!
Click to expand...


I think the 800mm was about $125, The brake assy wasent cheap, they were like $40 but I was willing to pay it because it was designed for use with the carriage and locks up really tight.

As for using the riser for the push/pull, I am not qualified to say. I havent had the slider all that long, I picked up that tip from the dude who shot the car show, the clip is in here somewhere in the last 15 pages or so. I can tell you though that what he had said makes sense. Without the riser to give you a little vertical distance between the camera and the rail the camera would always have to be panned up a bit to exclude the rail. If you want it to be just about straight on with a push pull, it makes the most sense to have the filmtools riser set, especially considering that it's like what $75?

I gotta say that I love this slider though. For less than what I might have paid elsewhere for a brand name slider I have 2 fully outfitted ones with heads, quickrelease plates, risers, brake assy's and all. Hook, line and sinker.

On another note those zaza feet look mighty fine, I just dont have the cash for them. It looks like they cant be beat for low mode slide shots. As a prior machinist myself, it looks like he put quite a bit of time into the design.
 
Emailed Igus this morning to see what availability is. They had the 2 pieces in stock at the RI facility. I only live about 15 minutes from there. I paid on the phone and just went by and picked it up. Smooooooth transaction and about as quick as you can get :)
 
N635DC said:
Nice vid, I think I'll start doing some of this! Was this on the 1000mm? Did you use the entire rail or can this just as well be done on smaller ones (like my 800)?
Click to expand...

Yes... this is a 1000mm ZazaSlider Complete. :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)
I see no reason you couldn't do this on an 800mm slide, it's just a bit shorter.
 
N635DC said:
I think the 800mm was about $125, The brake assy wasent cheap, they were like $40 but I was willing to pay it because it was designed for use with the carriage and locks up really tight.
Click to expand...
Please keep in mind, if you're using the 16-60mm rail, you need a 150mm carriage to use the igus carriage brake. If you're using the 10-40mm rail the igus brake will work on a 100mm carriage.

I'd still take a look at the easy brake mod posted here: http://www.zazaslider.com/instructions.html
It's really easy, cheap...and does a great job.

As for using the riser for the push/pull, I am not qualified to say. I havent had the slider all that long, I picked up that tip from the dude who shot the car show, the clip is in here somewhere in the last 15 pages or so. I can tell you though that what he had said makes sense. Without the riser to give you a little vertical distance between the camera and the rail the camera would always have to be panned up a bit to exclude the rail. If you want it to be just about straight on with a push pull, it makes the most sense to have the filmtools riser set, especially considering that it's like what $75?
Click to expand...
Yes, you want to get the camera up a bit off the carriage for dolly shots, but you can use anything. I use part of a Kessler 100mm ball mount, others have used plumbing pipe, PVC...even a wood block.
FYI - the Filmtools 4" riser is only like $25.00

I gotta say that I love this slider though. For less than what I might have paid elsewhere for a brand name slider I have 2 fully outfitted ones with heads, quickrelease plates, risers, brake assy's and all. Hook, line and sinker.
Click to expand...
The thing is, you ARE using the same stuff 'name brand' manufacturers use. I keep telling eveyone, once you start using one, there's no going back!:happy:

On another note those zaza feet look mighty fine, I just dont have the cash for them. It looks like they cant be beat for low mode slide shots. As a prior machinist myself, it looks like he put quite a bit of time into the design.
Click to expand...
:Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)
 
So I finished reading this thread. Twice. My rail and carriage are in the mail, but I had questions specifically about mounting.

I have http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...2K_501HDV_351MVB2K_1_Stage_Tripod_System.html with a 75mm head attachment and a 501 head on top. From your repeated suggestions I should get this http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/404139-REG/Manfrotto_325N_325N_Video_Head_Adapter.html However a reviewer on the site says "Just a heads up, if you want this to work with a 75mm head you have to buy the 100mm to 75mm adapter ring. I hope they change the title of this to read only 100mm because I bought it thinking it would work with my 75mm to find out I have to order another piece of gear." Does this prevent me from placing my 501 directly on the 325N? If so which adapter will I need?

Also, while we're on the subject, are there any cheaper ways to mount the 501 to the carriage other than 325N and Kessler? Down the road I'll use the quick plate/multiple head attachment, but for now money is a concern. I saw the metal electrical box solution, but I'm not sure how that would go over in formal situations (brides don't tend to like the classy Cardboard Gaffer Accessory Box either). Thanks!
 
Dfewer said:
So I finished reading this thread. Twice. My rail and carriage are in the mail, but I had questions specifically about mounting.

I have http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...2K_501HDV_351MVB2K_1_Stage_Tripod_System.html with a 75mm head attachment and a 501 head on top. From your repeated suggestions I should get this http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/404139-REG/Manfrotto_325N_325N_Video_Head_Adapter.html However a reviewer on the site says "Just a heads up, if you want this to work with a 75mm head you have to buy the 100mm to 75mm adapter ring. I hope they change the title of this to read only 100mm because I bought it thinking it would work with my 75mm to find out I have to order another piece of gear." Does this prevent me from placing my 501 directly on the 325N? If so which adapter will I need?

Also, while we're on the subject, are there any cheaper ways to mount the 501 to the carriage other than 325N and Kessler? Down the road I'll use the quick plate/multiple head attachment, but for now money is a concern. I saw the metal electrical box solution, but I'm not sure how that would go over in formal situations (brides don't tend to like the classy Cardboard Gaffer Accessory Box either). Thanks!
Click to expand...

Take the 75mm half-ball off the 501 head....then just attach the head to the carriage with a 3/8"-16 bolt through the bottom of the carriage.
 
N635DC said:
I think the 800mm was about $125, The brake assy wasent cheap, they were like $40 but I was willing to pay it because it was designed for use with the carriage and locks up really tight.

As for using the riser for the push/pull, I am not qualified to say. I havent had the slider all that long, I picked up that tip from the dude who shot the car show, the clip is in here somewhere in the last 15 pages or so. I can tell you though that what he had said makes sense. Without the riser to give you a little vertical distance between the camera and the rail the camera would always have to be panned up a bit to exclude the rail. If you want it to be just about straight on with a push pull, it makes the most sense to have the filmtools riser set, especially considering that it's like what $75?

I gotta say that I love this slider though. For less than what I might have paid elsewhere for a brand name slider I have 2 fully outfitted ones with heads, quickrelease plates, risers, brake assy's and all. Hook, line and sinker.

On another note those zaza feet look mighty fine, I just dont have the cash for them. It looks like they cant be beat for low mode slide shots. As a prior machinist myself, it looks like he put quite a bit of time into the design.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the extensive writeup. I really appreciate it. The zaza feet look fantastic and I think I'm going to wait on those a little while and see how my field work goes with just the slider on a quickrelease plate with an additional 701hdv head with the home depot end stoppers. I would love to get low to the ground shots out the gate but popping off the end stops to put on the feet in the field might be too much of a hassle for me at this point. Who knows though, in a couple of weeks, it'll probably be worth the hassle.
 
marshall110 said:
Thanks for the extensive writeup. I really appreciate it. The zaza feet look fantastic and I think I'm going to wait on those a little while and see how my field work goes with just the slider on a quickrelease plate with an additional 701hdv head with the home depot end stoppers. I would love to get low to the ground shots out the gate but popping off the end stops to put on the feet in the field might be too much of a hassle for me at this point. Who knows though, in a couple of weeks, it'll probably be worth the hassle.
Click to expand...

Why take them off at all?
ZStripod_sm.jpg

:happy:
 
ZazaCast said:
Why take them off at all?
ZStripod_sm.jpg

:happy:
Click to expand...


For portability and ease of use I'm going to use the Home depot stopper solution as I'm going to be hiking with this guy, otherwise I'd have a few extra steps in there when breaking down to take the feet off, and then the same steps to put them back on just to use as stoppers for the next shot. When using the feet for the occasional low to the ground shot, I would have to pop off the Home Depot stoppers to mount the zaza feet, correct?
 
marshall110 said:
For portability and ease of use I'm going to use the Home depot stopper solution as I'm going to be hiking with this guy, otherwise I'd have a few extra steps in there when breaking down to take the feet off, and then the same steps to put them back on just to use as stoppers for the next shot. When using the feet for the occasional low to the ground shot, I would have to pop off the Home Depot stoppers to mount the zaza feet, correct?
Click to expand...

If you're hiking with this, I'd do the Home Depot end stops and the brake mod, then you can just lock the carriage and strap it on your pack for the hike.
Then, I'd drill a few holes in the end of the rail (the center) and bring along a few "eye screws" (like what I used to attache the wood block feet...see first post). Then, if you need to do a low shot, just find a couple pieces of wood in the forest and screw the rail onto it, use sticks or rock under the logs to level it... get the shot, unscrew and you're on your way. Light & easy.

Using this method, you could attach the rail to the side of a tree in a vertical position and get crane-like vertical shots too. Be creative, there are a ton of options, that's why I love this slider!:Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)
 
Can you add the break solution to the end of the first post :) I want to implement that soon but haven't searched through all the thread to find the parts details and what tap I'll need and stuff.
 
grimepoch said:
Can you add the break solution to the end of the first post :) I want to implement that soon but haven't searched through all the thread to find the parts details and what tap I'll need and stuff.
Click to expand...

The link has been there for months... end of the first post.
(I used a 6mm delrin screw for the 10mm rail, you can use whatever size you'd like, as long as it fits)

And like I've been saying, I have condensed all the instruction and information
and put it here: http://www.zazaslider.com/instructions.html

..and you can download a pdf of the instructions here: http://www.zazaslider.com/support.html

I'm trying to make things easy for you guys...:2vrolijk_08:
 
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