ProjectThangsombat
Member
Bumpin it again, really interested in purchasing this!
indiSLIDERpro review??
- Thread starter pxp
- Start date
Oynk
Well-known member
I have found out a little bit more. This is an example of a great piece that used the slider a lot. The owner says he is happy with it. There is even a photo of his setup in the thread.
On the other hand, Philip Bloom is not a fan.
I guess it is a toss up for now. I am leaning towards it just based on the footage in the first link. That is about what I was hoping for out of it.
I do wish someone would post a real review.
On the other hand, Philip Bloom is not a fan.
I guess it is a toss up for now. I am leaning towards it just based on the footage in the first link. That is about what I was hoping for out of it.
I do wish someone would post a real review.
CharlesPapert
Director of Photography
The primary use of a slider like this in the conventional industry is as an "over-saver" (in fact that's a brand name of one of the versions). Mounted on sticks or dolly with the moveable axis perpendicular to the lens, it allows the operator to make quick lateral adjustments when shooting over-the-shoulder shots to maintain the relationship of the actors when one or the other shifts. A really alert dolly grip can do the same thing (generally in these situations we park the wheels in the same orientation, ready to make those subtle adjustments as needed) but it's a lot of mass to move quickly, and of course if your dolly doesn't have crab mode, not that convenient to work this way.
If you were shooting with two cameras next to each other on sticks, this would be a good tool to be able to get the cameras as close as possible which is normally pretty tough.
Certainly also useful for tabletop, flying the camera through tight spaces etc. and all of the uses that people have found here. I thought I would just detail the way we usually use these on the bigger shows.
If you were shooting with two cameras next to each other on sticks, this would be a good tool to be able to get the cameras as close as possible which is normally pretty tough.
Certainly also useful for tabletop, flying the camera through tight spaces etc. and all of the uses that people have found here. I thought I would just detail the way we usually use these on the bigger shows.
shortnstout
Well-known member
Hi can you explian what you have the camera mounted on? Meaning, what is between the camera and the glideshot so you have the room to tilt the camera? I want to get one of these but was trying to figure out how to give the camera this room.
thanks.
Brandon Rice
Distributed Producer
Hey all, I just got the IndieSlider and it's pretty cool. However, I haven't figured out how to mount the camera on it yet, lol.
Oynk
Well-known member
Look forward to your initial impressions. I am on the verge of getting this. I just have no idea how well it actually performs.
Kwan
Well-known member
I need to build One of this.... with Varizoom motor (MC100). I might need to contact you via phone so we can to this project together.
Let me know....
Oynk
Well-known member
Any luck?
dcarstens
Well-known member
I used the 36" model on a feature shoot last month. The sliding mechanisms are four metal blocks that are screwed into by a baseplate, which a Manfrotto bowl receiver head will attach. In order to slide, the baseplate must be loosened to reduced friction on behalf of the blocks, or else it will be locked into position.
However, when the allen screws are loosened up to slide, the baseplate then has some 'give' to potentially wobble. This is the one issue that may make it difficult for some users. It is easier to get a smooth movement with lighter camera that is well balanced than a front-heavy rig with a lens-adapter. In this case, it may be advisable to have a "dolly grip" move the slider baseplate with both hands to avoid wobble. Of course, this also makes for a crowded situation around the unit with an operator and AC.
Another consideration with a heavier camera rig is the offset balance that will be experienced when the slider is on either extreme side. We were using Cartoni Focus sticks, which are obviously super lightweight, so we ended up tapping a hole on the bottom of one side of the slider unit as to attach a monopod weighted down with a sandbag to both support the weight on one side while counter-balancing the other.
However, when the allen screws are loosened up to slide, the baseplate then has some 'give' to potentially wobble. This is the one issue that may make it difficult for some users. It is easier to get a smooth movement with lighter camera that is well balanced than a front-heavy rig with a lens-adapter. In this case, it may be advisable to have a "dolly grip" move the slider baseplate with both hands to avoid wobble. Of course, this also makes for a crowded situation around the unit with an operator and AC.
Another consideration with a heavier camera rig is the offset balance that will be experienced when the slider is on either extreme side. We were using Cartoni Focus sticks, which are obviously super lightweight, so we ended up tapping a hole on the bottom of one side of the slider unit as to attach a monopod weighted down with a sandbag to both support the weight on one side while counter-balancing the other.
Oynk
Well-known member
Thanks for the feedback. The offset balance was a huge question for me. It was just hard to imagine the whole rig not tipping over with the camera out at one end.
The other huge question was the smoothness of the movement. Philip Bloom had said he wasn't a fan of the indieSlider because it didn't move very smoothly.
Thanks.
The other huge question was the smoothness of the movement. Philip Bloom had said he wasn't a fan of the indieSlider because it didn't move very smoothly.
Thanks.
filmat11
Well-known member
There is no question that a sturdy tripod is needed for this rig, and I put alot of weight on mine with just the opposite effects dcarstens volunteered.
Smooth as silk...
I bet I had close to 30 lbs on it after you consider camera,lens,battery,7inch monitor, matte box,rails ect..SDX900
Smooth as silk...
I bet I had close to 30 lbs on it after you consider camera,lens,battery,7inch monitor, matte box,rails ect..SDX900
Oynk
Well-known member
Did you ever figure it out? Any insight for people thinking of buying this?
Charlie Anderson
Not so clever
I just recently bought the indieSLIDERpro and here are my thoughts on it so far:
I've used it for 3 shoots since I got it last week so I've been able to put it through some rigourous testing. I've shot a commercial and 2 music videos with it so far.
OUT OF THE BOX...err gun case
How in the hell do you put this thing together? No instructions were included = BAD. I'm lucky I have a bit of inginuity to be able to figure stuff out just by playing with it. Not only that but there were 2 extra gold knob pieces that i had no friggin clue how or where they went (still don't after a week of using it). My bogen adapter had no way of mounting to the plate, the screws included were 3/8" and the screw in the bogen was 1/4 20 (I come to find out later after a phone call with Tim that I needed to go to Lowes for a quick fix when he was going to send me a bushing for it. Come to find out that bogen included a silver adapter in the bogen that fit into the 3/8 rivets to make it a 1/4 20 rivet. It is removeable so I was still able to use the included hardware for it but still it was a pain in the ass and took 3 hours to figure it out). I was expecting some sort of nice case for this as I paid $635 for it, but what I got was a gun case from Walmart or something...which I don't even bother to use now as the case cracked in half after putting it away for the 2nd time. There's a half-asses braking mechinism that requires using a screw to help apply pressure to the rails to slow down the slider...which isn't even feasable when you're using a 25lb rig, i never use the brake.
FUNCTIONALITY
If you're wondering whether or not the footage is smooth, you have nothing to worry about, it's great, so long as you put constant pressure on the baseplate when pushing/pulling the slider. There are no moving parts on this slider, no ball bearings, nothing spinning to help move it. The slider...well slides on a track via 5 connecting pieces that use a type of foam insert to apply friction to the rails to help create a smooth experience.
I've used this on my 503 bogen tripod and also off the tripod on a tabletop. If you use this on a tripod you NEED to have sandbags on the legs. No question about it. The rig gets too heavy when you put t on either end of the slider and will tip over if you're not careful (especially if you're using an adapter). I typically use 4 sandbags, one on each leg and then one on the spacer connecting my tripod legs for added support. Also make sure you tighten the connection underneath the tripod to the bogen ball otherwise it WILL slide all over the place when you move the slider back and forth/side to side. Also bring a level with you when you set this thing up, you'll need it to make sure you're legit for a smooth slide...actually you may want to bring 2.
When you use it on a tabletop you really do need to use a sandbag to hold it in place otherwise it will move all over the place and will mess up your shot. So you lose a few inches with that due to the need to use a sandbag to help hold it in place.
OVERALL
Overall I think this product is decent, is it worth the $635 I paid for it? no. Maybe $400, but then again a lot of that price is a markup for the bogen accessories. I'll post some footage once I finish with it and I have some pics of the slider in action.
Hope this is informative!
I've used it for 3 shoots since I got it last week so I've been able to put it through some rigourous testing. I've shot a commercial and 2 music videos with it so far.
OUT OF THE BOX...err gun case
How in the hell do you put this thing together? No instructions were included = BAD. I'm lucky I have a bit of inginuity to be able to figure stuff out just by playing with it. Not only that but there were 2 extra gold knob pieces that i had no friggin clue how or where they went (still don't after a week of using it). My bogen adapter had no way of mounting to the plate, the screws included were 3/8" and the screw in the bogen was 1/4 20 (I come to find out later after a phone call with Tim that I needed to go to Lowes for a quick fix when he was going to send me a bushing for it. Come to find out that bogen included a silver adapter in the bogen that fit into the 3/8 rivets to make it a 1/4 20 rivet. It is removeable so I was still able to use the included hardware for it but still it was a pain in the ass and took 3 hours to figure it out). I was expecting some sort of nice case for this as I paid $635 for it, but what I got was a gun case from Walmart or something...which I don't even bother to use now as the case cracked in half after putting it away for the 2nd time. There's a half-asses braking mechinism that requires using a screw to help apply pressure to the rails to slow down the slider...which isn't even feasable when you're using a 25lb rig, i never use the brake.
FUNCTIONALITY
If you're wondering whether or not the footage is smooth, you have nothing to worry about, it's great, so long as you put constant pressure on the baseplate when pushing/pulling the slider. There are no moving parts on this slider, no ball bearings, nothing spinning to help move it. The slider...well slides on a track via 5 connecting pieces that use a type of foam insert to apply friction to the rails to help create a smooth experience.
I've used this on my 503 bogen tripod and also off the tripod on a tabletop. If you use this on a tripod you NEED to have sandbags on the legs. No question about it. The rig gets too heavy when you put t on either end of the slider and will tip over if you're not careful (especially if you're using an adapter). I typically use 4 sandbags, one on each leg and then one on the spacer connecting my tripod legs for added support. Also make sure you tighten the connection underneath the tripod to the bogen ball otherwise it WILL slide all over the place when you move the slider back and forth/side to side. Also bring a level with you when you set this thing up, you'll need it to make sure you're legit for a smooth slide...actually you may want to bring 2.
When you use it on a tabletop you really do need to use a sandbag to hold it in place otherwise it will move all over the place and will mess up your shot. So you lose a few inches with that due to the need to use a sandbag to help hold it in place.
OVERALL
Overall I think this product is decent, is it worth the $635 I paid for it? no. Maybe $400, but then again a lot of that price is a markup for the bogen accessories. I'll post some footage once I finish with it and I have some pics of the slider in action.
Hope this is informative!
dcarstens
Well-known member
Charlie A, those two extra gold knobs are threaded receivers of different sizes that you can replace in the Manfrotto bowl receiver, as different brands are slightly different from each other. I had to replace the threaded bolt for the Manfrotto bowl to fit my Cartoni head.
Beat Takeshi
Two-Hip Shakur
I have heard good and bad reviews so far.
I still love the Glideshotpro. Got 2 $7 rails which were a little long and needed a support in the middle on this shoot. Could have cut off a foot or two at home depot.
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=123915
I still love the Glideshotpro. Got 2 $7 rails which were a little long and needed a support in the middle on this shoot. Could have cut off a foot or two at home depot.
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=123915
Charlie Anderson
Not so clever
nifty. I love the slider now that I use it all the time, it's great for subtle movement for sure 
uglybassplayer
New member
I found this 55" ball bearing based linear guideway system used for cnc routers:
http://www.vxb.com/page/bearings/PRO...ystems/Kit7429
Looks like it might be possible to use to build an over-saver similiar to the indiSLIDERpro or the DIY one that Beat Takeshi built in post #10.
http://www.vxb.com/page/bearings/PRO...ystems/Kit7429
Looks like it might be possible to use to build an over-saver similiar to the indiSLIDERpro or the DIY one that Beat Takeshi built in post #10.
WonJohnSoup
Active member
I have it. I think it's a total game changer if you're capable enough to use it. Seems like a lot of people just don't know how to properly utilize it to its potential/within its limits.