Slider+ XL now available from Edelkrone

Just got my XL. Here's my C300 on it. Using Kessler Kwik release plate on 503HDV legs. Put Kessler wide plate on Slider Plus and then 503 head on slider with a 2nd Kwik release plate for camera. Takes some getting used to and a little bit of breaking in, I think...but feels relatively smooth. I put a sandbag on my sticks just to keep them in place.


 
One thing I've noticed is that the slider doesn't remain level from end to end. If you level it in the middle, it goes off bubble on either side. Edelkrone support claims 120cm (or 47") distance between tripod legs which would be absolutely ridiculous. I have my 503 spread pretty wide and it's not even 30". 47" means you really need a wide berth to fit this thing which would defeat the purpose of such a handy little device. My level test was done with a camera on the slider and without a camera- so it wasn't able to remain level even without a camera. It remains to be seen how much this would show up in footage...
 
True life: on my normal slider + I learned the leveling issue had to do with the amount of pressure the slider was putting on my rubber feet on the tripod. When I put the spikes down it managed to stay level on both ends. May be different on the bigger on though
 
Jon- interesting. I've now tried it on both my Sachtler Video 18 and my Manfrotto 503HDV. The Sachtler is obviously a beefy enough tripod, but I do hear the head creaking a bit when I extend the XL to full extension- and that's with only a 5D and the HDV head on there. Again, Edelkrone asserts 47" of tripod length between legs, which would create a really low tripod with really long legs. I'm still looking for the demo video where they show a tripod that uses that type of spread. I'm going to try a regular ball head on top of the SliderPlus to lighten the load slightly. My thought is that you just can't go fully end to end on the slider because it puts too much pressure on the head and legs below...
 
It makes me feel kind of queasy hearing about the rusting ball bearings, since I just got mine today, and I live in Vietnam! Also, I looked all over to find the drag adjustment I saw in the literature and in videos, when I spotted this on Edelkrone's website:
"The Quick Drag Adjustment module will be posted separately after SliderPLUS shipment."!! I already waited over one month for delivery and had to pay over 30% for VAT and import fees, so it's anything but a bargain. Build quality is impressive though. I'm using it with a Manfrotto 190XPRO B, Weifeng WF-717AH Fluid Head and Panny TM900.

UPDATE: I just received a response from Edelkrone:
"The drag module is currently being manufactured and will be available at the end of next month. Our colleagues are doing their best to speed up the manufacturing process."

Concerning the operation of the unit, I also discerned a noticeable bump when the carriage moved over the center of the slider. With the help of a friend I learned that holding the handle of the fluid head firmly while sliding rather than merely pushing the camera side to side practically eliminated any "bump". The unevenness was more pronounced when moving the camera toward the subject than side to side. Furthermore, using my tripod/camera combination with the legs around 60-80 cm apart produced vey little movement of the bubble balance.

Although Edekrone markets the Slider Plus as portable, when mounted atop Manfrotto's lightest pro sticks, it can get quite heavy to carry around.

UPDATE II: Apparently Edelkrone has redesigned both the slider and the drag module. Here is what they wrote to me:

"The sliderPLUS+ sent to you has been redesigned for the motion control and target control module integration and the drag module is also being redesigned currently. It will be available to be shipped within maximum 2 months."
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top