FS7: Slider recommendation

G

GrumpyOrang

Member
Hi all,

I own a Syrup Magic Carpet slider that I originally use with DSLRs. I've since upgraded to an FS7 with Vlocks and while it still works, it does get a little wobbly as the weight is probably a little more than what it was designed to handle.

Any heavy duty sliders to recommend that takes that level of weight well?

Cheers
 
Wobbly? Really? That SYRP track is just about as wide as the Shark and Rhino - if not identically so - with the added benefit of being a solid piece as opposed to 2 separate rods that only connect at the ends.

I strongly suspect the wobble is not coming from your track but from your hi-hat or head that you're using and how you've got it mounted.

If it really is the weight of your rig (I've seen huge RED franken-rigs on the SYRP give it no problems) then you'll have to move up to the "metal pipe" options.
I'm talking about the slider systems that come with the trolley and end caps, but you supply your own fat metal pipes you get from a hardware supplier.
These are the next professional step up for serious sliders that need to haul things like Alexas and other rigs that big and heavy.
 
I have good experience with Dana.

A good friend is actually producing a series of solid (dana like) sliders with 75/100/150mm bowl and Mitchell mount mini Dollies. He is Austria based and it if you are interested in a solid slider which takes heavy payload could be worth waiting a few weeks for the release. I have pre-ordered one ;-)
 
My experience with sliders are that the ones with two rods do twist with a resulting wobble. Especially if you mount something like a Sachtler head to them and the camera ends up a bit higher most sliders wobble a bit but the two rod solution is more prone to do that. I prefer a solid track which never will wobble.

With a small and light weight camera most sliders work well but start to add some weight and built it upwards and it's not many that are really solid.
 
GrumpyOrang said:
Hi all,

I own a Syrup Magic Carpet slider that I originally use with DSLRs. I've since upgraded to an FS7 with Vlocks and while it still works, it does get a little wobbly as the weight is probably a little more than what it was designed to handle.

Any heavy duty sliders to recommend that takes that level of weight well?

Cheers
Click to expand...

Cinevate Atlas and MYT Works. But you aren't going to like the prices.
 
I sold my shark slider as I felt it was pushing it on FS7, and bought a rigwheel traveller dolly which is fantastic.

The shark slider's stand supports not being centred is a real problem for heavier rigs.
 
I have the Kessler Crane Cineslider (29 inch model) and it's very sturdy. Haven't put the FS7 on it yet but I think it will handle the camera in any configuration with no problem. It's a bit heavy but solid. Mark
 
Ben Scott said:
I sold my shark slider as I felt it was pushing it on FS7, and bought a rigwheel traveller dolly which is fantastic.

The shark slider's stand supports not being centred is a real problem for heavier rigs.
Click to expand...

Hey Ben,

What config are you using for the Rigwheels? I've been looking at this for a slider option but not sure about what I need.
Are you using a combo of tripod and light stands? Interested to know what's working for you.

Claire
 
Does it have to be dead silent for sound or are you shooting MOS?


I've used the Kessler Cineslider with a fully loaded F3 and OConnor 100 head without problems. It didn't flex when we slid and operated at the same time.
Very sturdy (80 lbs capacity), but still portable and quick to set up. The one I rented was reasonably quiet and could have been used for sound with slow (normal) speed movement. But it des become audible as you pick up speed.
 
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I had a Cinevate Atlas 30 and it wasn't that great with heavier load. The rods were easily put in motion as the end pieces can't hold the rods absolutly still. The same with most other rod-based sliders if they're longer.
 
As long as we're on the question of sliders I have a question I've not been able to retest and have not gotten a straight answer from anyone yet.
A couple of years ago I used a Dana dolly with an F3 trying to do a straight in move ( not a typical sideways slider shot) that was intended to go from outside a restaurant into the window to the dinners inside. Pretty simple shot and we had a very good crew and solid support under the Dana dolly with heavy duty Jr stands. It was angled about 30 degrees down so the camera wouldn't see the tracks. Seemed simple but none of us had used a Dana dolly on a straight in move before though I had done it with an Indie slider .

Anyway the point is the shot didn't work. The Dana dolly just had a ton of slop in it (the wheels themselves) and wobbled from side to side no matter how we tried to rig it include just dropping it from a rope. The rails were solid. The gaffer swore the Dana dolly was set up right and just never used it like that before and I've never found anyone else who has tried straight in move though that seems very strange to me.

Thoughts? Anybody do this successfully? Was the dolly just set up too loose?

Lenny
 
I have a 3' CineSlider, & 2' PocketDolly. For heavier setups one of my preferred Grips has a Modern Studio Equipment slider that's nice, & for longer runs the Dana Dolly's great.

Both my Kesslers' carriages have gone out alignment & need servicing. Not sure their the best choice for air travel, or perhaps their Pelican took an especially hard hit, though it shows no signs of damage. I'm hoping a lighter slider that disassembled might be less susceptible to whacks, & better suited for travel.
 
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Ben Scott said:
Shouldn't have been an issue if you can control the inertia.
Click to expand...

Obviously that's what I thought, but it was. The question remains - have you actually done that with a dana dolly? I've asked many people and oddly the answer is always well.. no.

I want to know before i try it again.
 
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