Getting the right slider for the job

S

SDub

Well-known member
I tend to film a lot of really tiny things (28mm models) and I've been wanting to add some motion to my shots to increase the production value of my videos. I've decided to really invest in a good slider and want to make sure that I've found the right one for my needs. I've decided on the ProMediaGear PMG-DUO: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1070638-REG/promediagear_vs24_pmg_duo_24_video_slider.html

The reasons I like this slider is that it has mounting holes on either end of it, which means there won't be any dipping of the slider as I move from left to right (provided I mount with those holes), it has a curved track which is super nice because I can do a curved sliding shot w/o needing to rack focus along the motion (really hard to maintain focus w/a macro lens on a tiny object), and a normal track for when I want to slide towards and away from an object.

Am I missing something? Is there a better option for what I need to do out there? A lot of other sliders seem similar, it's just these two combined things which push this one out ahead. Some kind of automation would be awesome (setting a focus point and having it arc around that) but I don't think the precision I need exists and if it does, it probably is too expensive for my hobbyist needs.

Also, side question: do you guys have two tripod heads, 1 for your tripod and 1 for your slider, or do you just alternate between the two when you need to with some kind of quick release system?
 
Does it have a motion control portion? I have a feeling you will eventually need to be able to program the speed. Especially at a macro level. At the very least a hand operated crank would smooth things out.
 
Greg_E said:
Does it have a motion control portion? I have a feeling you will eventually need to be able to program the speed. Especially at a macro level. At the very least a hand operated crank would smooth things out.
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I doesn't look like it does. The more I look at the edelkrone system the more I am liking it for the action module and the target module. The only problem is that the track isn't curved, so as you pan from left to right the distance between the camera and the object itself changes, messing with the focus. You may be able to get away with this by doing a very slow/short slide and shooting near wide open, but I'm not sure, I've never done that with a macro lens!
 
You may be able to add a simple crank to the curved one, I'd need to think about it a bit but I bet it could be added later. A motor with a rubber drive wheel on the back side of the camera platform might be easier. Take an RC hobby servo and servo tester, convert the servo to continuous drive and mount everything up. ServoCity.com might even have the electronics all built for you.
 
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With macro subjects, the focus will shift pretty wildly with a slight deviation in distance, so even with a motion control head, he will still need something that will roll the focus as the distance changes. I think for these subjects a curved (semi-circle specifically) slider is the right choice.
 
It also seems to have a motion control system: http://www.adorama.com/PMGVSMDC1.ht...0rvEyjyiHSdLY4Lmp-mDtan9mMHx1eQm3UaApcK8P8HAQ

The only thing that's really worrying me at this point is it doesn't really seem like anyone owns this slider/no one knows about it. Very few reviews by anyone other than the company are on yt and no videos using the gear from anything in the recent past. Of the few reviews on B&H and the ProMediaGear site itself, they're all pretty positive, there's just so darn few of them.
 
I don't own the progearmedia slider but I've seen one and played with it. It's top quality gear and very well made and I've met the folks behind the company and they seem like stand up folks.

For your work you may want to look at http://www.rollocam.com/. I backed them on kickstarter and bought the full kit. It's far from perfect but for some of your work you might find it will give you the best results at the best price right now. It's a bit more delicate and prosumer oriented but it's now the only slider I have and it travels really well. If I was looking for a more traditional slider minus motion control I think the ProMedia line is a good choice.
 
Can't tell you how many slider shots I've done that needed a follow focus. I use a 12" whip and hard stops. Helps if one person can do the move (or if it's motorized) and someone else does the focus pull. It can be done by one person, but you might need a few takes! But it can look very pretty if done well. Really practice and sort of "becoming one with the focal range" kind of zen makes a big difference. (Sounds silly, but pulling focus is one of those things where feeling more than thinking can really help).

The whip keeps the camera free from shake, and on a slider it lets the camera move more freely than if you had a hand on the FF. And yep, I've pulled focus on macro shots with extension tubes.
 
chrisbernard said:
I don't own the progearmedia slider but I've seen one and played with it. It's top quality gear and very well made and I've met the folks behind the company and they seem like stand up folks.

For your work you may want to look at http://www.rollocam.com/. I backed them on kickstarter and bought the full kit. It's far from perfect but for some of your work you might find it will give you the best results at the best price right now. It's a bit more delicate and prosumer oriented but it's now the only slider I have and it travels really well. If I was looking for a more traditional slider minus motion control I think the ProMedia line is a good choice.
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That puts me at ease! Also, that little carriage looks awesome, and so affordable! Thanks for the recommendation!

Michael Carter said:
Can't tell you how many slider shots I've done that needed a follow focus. I use a 12" whip and hard stops. Helps if one person can do the move (or if it's motorized) and someone else does the focus pull. It can be done by one person, but you might need a few takes! But it can look very pretty if done well. Really practice and sort of "becoming one with the focal range" kind of zen makes a big difference. (Sounds silly, but pulling focus is one of those things where feeling more than thinking can really help).

The whip keeps the camera free from shake, and on a slider it lets the camera move more freely than if you had a hand on the FF. And yep, I've pulled focus on macro shots with extension tubes.
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Is this what you mean by a whip? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/826692-REG/Cavision_RFW18_RFW_18_Follow_Focus_Whip.html

Seems like some neat tech I had never heard of. So, you're making the claim that it may be beneficial to get a normal slider and practice my focus pulling and that that would yield better results? Is there a particular slider you think would be good for a self proclaimed "extreme hobbyist"?
 
The direct from China whips will be less expensive and probably work just as well. If you don't have a follow focus I would suggest the Fotga DP500 IIs. The DP3000 are less expensive, but not sure how well it will work being made out of plastic. Some reviews said it was decent, some not so good.
 
Greg_E said:
The direct from China whips will be less expensive and probably work just as well. If you don't have a follow focus I would suggest the Fotga DP500 IIs. The DP3000 are less expensive, but not sure how well it will work being made out of plastic. Some reviews said it was decent, some not so good.
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I don't have a cage or even a baseplate for that matter, so this will give me a good reason to invest in those (when I can). In a very very old thread on dvxuser, I found someone recommending this amazing tilta knock-off: http://www.ebay.com/itm/DSLR-15mm-R...223?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4174b739f7 . Not sure if I'll be able to find someone who's still selling it, looks like that particular ebay store is no longer selling it, but I digress :) Thanks for all the helpful feedback!
 
Many of us like this follow focus, if you shop around you can get it with all three gears (small, medium, large), a whip, a crank, and quick release rod mount. The quick release is worth the money to me, I added it after buying the follow focus.

http://www.amazon.com/FOTGA-DP500II-dampen-follow-focus/dp/B009GFZSHK

Normally under $200 with all the accessories, and normally cheaper on ebay. Might go under the Neewer name as well as Fotga. For the money, it's a good piece of gear. The Fotga rods seems decent to me as well, and some of the baseplates are OK. The DP3000 matte box is also a pretty decent piece for the money.
 
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