GH1 Has anyone used the cheapest Igus Slider?

C

ChipThome

Well-known member
Greetings everyone,

I have read lots of the slider threads and looked at many of the more suggested sliders out there. I can see the benefits of ball bearing over linear plastic bushings and of course having legs etc for setting up.

Where I am at right now is investigating "the concept" of using a slider for what I do. I can see the neat things sliders make possible. Now whether any of that is going to add any value to what I do, I haven't the foggiest clue yet. The only way I think I am ever going to know is to get "something" and try it out. The lowest priced Igus slider is inexpensive and long enough to warrant spending that for this experiment.

I would be using a GH1 and at most a 14-140 lens on it. I have a Manfrotto 3130 head that I could mount to secure the camera. I would center drill a single mounting point for a tripod and allow the ends to be hanging free.

What I am wondering is if anyone has used one and what their experiences have been with possibly experiencing "twist" from the narrow track or "sagging" when the carriage is toward the end of it's travel ???

Looking forward to any input so I can move this forward or bag it all together.

Thanks !!!!!
 
I have 1 mtr version I recently built, I posted two videos on youtube


and


I used these parts:
WS-10-40 1000 (Track)
WW-10-40-10 (carriage)

GH2 with 14-140mm lens
Manfrotto 701 HDV head

Hope that helps, if you have any specific questions let me know.

Martin
 
Martin,

Did you re-enforce the rail at all and it is mounted from the center or on legs ???

Do you notice any "twist" in the rail form the lens and weight being forward ??? What about when it gets to the end of the travel, is there any sagging of the rail ???

What I want is something that will at least travel "on the same plane" throughout the length of the slider. Drooping at one end or the other, or twisting front to back I wouldn't find acceptable.
 
ChipThome said:
Martin,

Did you re-enforce the rail at all and it is mounted from the center or on legs ???

Do you notice any "twist" in the rail form the lens and weight being forward ??? What about when it gets to the end of the travel, is there any sagging of the rail ???

What I want is something that will at least travel "on the same plane" throughout the length of the slider. Drooping at one end or the other, or twisting front to back I wouldn't find acceptable.
Click to expand...

It was centred, the rail is quite substantial with NO evidence that it would flex or twist (with a GH2). There are holes pre drilled at different places, if you wanted you could thread the ends as well and support it with a monopod. The only thing I would change with mine is to make it slightly shorter, to make it more transportable, 750mm or so would be adequate. I never use the full metre, it would take too long or be too fast for a smooth slide.

Some people do buy the next size up, but I think it would be too heavy and overkill for the GH2 to be honest.

There is an advantage with these over roller bearings in that they don't make as much noise, which if you are using a camera mounted mic may be an issue. With practice they seem smooth enough, I guess you can judge that yourself from the video samples.

Overall I am really pleased and have no regrets.

Hope that helps.

Martin
 
mshakeshaft said:
It was centred, the rail is quite substantial with NO evidence that it would flex or twist (with a GH2).
Some people do buy the next size up, but I think it would be too heavy and overkill for the GH2 to be honest.

With practice they seem smooth enough, I guess you can judge that yourself from the video samples.

Overall I am really pleased and have no regrets.

Hope that helps.

Martin
Click to expand...

Yes Martin that does help, a lot actually !!! I had watched your vimeo clips and saw the motion travel to be quite decent which is why I pursued my other questions. I have seen a ton of various brands all using the Igus rail and carriages. So I assumed they can't be as bad as some make out. They might not be the best, but for my needs I don't need that either. First what I need is to find out if a slider is going to add value to what I do. The next thing to find out, maybe like you, how long of a travel I will find works best. Last thing to figure out, how often will it realistically be used and is a far better one going to them be worth the investment.

But thank you, both you of you, going to order this cheapie and give it a whirl !!!!
 
Chip... I know the thread is long, but I've used every version that igus has to offer. You'll be fine with the 10-40 rail using a GH1. The rail doesn't 'bend', 'warp' or 'sag'...any movement is going to come from the tripod you use. Make sure it's a good one and use sandbags if you plan on sliding to the very end. You will want to get a QR plate though so you can balance the center of a GH1 w/ 14-140 lens over the carriage for smooth sliding (it's all in the DIY thread).

After testing all versions of the rail, I recommend the 16-60 because it will grow with your rig... I've had cameras from 3 lbs. to over 50 lbs. on it with no problems at all. I have to also say that you get a smoother slide from the 16mm rail vs 10mm. If you take the time, go through the thread, every possible combination has been covered in the last 3 years.

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?145701-DIY-IndieSlider...
 
C-O-L, I really am "late to this party", aren't I ??? :-)

Zaza, thanks for your input on the two rails, appreciate hearing your experiences. When I looked at the two rails, structurally, I could see the difference. Then considering the engineering aspects, can see the pluses of the 16 over the 10. What I need right now is something to "just get in the game". I needed to find out if $80 + shipping would do that and from the input here it looks like it will.
 
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