Note: We are now shipping all sliders with longer carriages, I find these smoother running and they work better with my brake. I still have a few of the shorter carriages, contact me if you are interested in the shorter carriage.
olof@westsideav.com
603.383.9283
We buy the track and carriages in bulk, drill, tap and make ends for the track then ship to you with the tools needed to adjust and service the slider system.
I have been using this system myself for more than a year. And I have figured out what works and what does not. I think it is a great system for a very reasonable price. You can order the parts yourself from Igus. But it is a little tricky to customize for camera use. If you have the tools and materials, you can easily do it yourself if you are handy. But we put it all together for you. Just unwrap and start using the slider, on the floor for a dog/cats eye view, as a tabletop dolly, or mount on your sticks for a very portable dolly system.
Sliders can be set up on single tripod, tripod and monopod, or 2 tripods or any other way you can think of (like one end on a stair step and the other on a tripod).
I buy the track 3.5 meters long and I can cut track to any size you want as a special order. But I will initially offer 2', 3', 4' and 6' as these are easy to ship by UPS. Longer lengths cost more to ship. I may add more sizes soon. I use an EX3, an EX1R and a 5DmkII myself, often with a NanoFlash attached. Any "mid" sized video camera, DSLR or small camera will work well on these.
We also sell the 75mm and 100mm half ball adapters and the Manfrotto 701 heads as well as 5/8" light stand to 3/8" tread adapters, so you can use C-stands or other light stands to mount the track to. Contact me for current pricing on heads and other accessories.
olof@westsideav.com
603.383.9283
There are a few tricks to using these linear sliders from Igus.
First if the truck or carriage is not aligned properly, it can be knocked out of alignment in transport, though I find this to be rare.
Igus recommends an 11 lb down force on the carriage when tightening the 5mm allen bolts (on the 16 series track) to align the 4 slides. I like to finger tighten all four first while pushing down on the carriage with about 10 lb force (my guess) check that the slider is sliding very freely, then tightening a little harder still with the down force using the angle on the allen wrench for more power.
What I mean by finger tight is, hold the 5mm allen wrench (I supply all the tools you need with my system) like a straw not by the angled part. Twirl it between two fingers and your thumb. Remember to push down on the middle of the carriage while you do this. Remember the carriage should slide as smoothly when screws are tightened as with them loose.
If you just tighten them it can cause the torque of the allen screw to turn the sliders a little, this will cause extra friction.
If your slider seems really stiff, loosen all the allen screws, and try the slider with them loose. It will probably slide really freely. That is how it will slide when properly aligned. So now try tightening as I described above. If you get it right, it will slide as easily now as when all the screws were loose.
The other trick is to push on the slider at the base of the head just above the truck, don't pull it or push it with the handle on your head. You can still turn the head with your other hand as you are sliding. But the main push should be on the center line of the carriage. I sometimes do both with one arm, I use my elbow to turn the handle while my hand is on the center of the head moving the carriage.
I will have more tips here soon. And video showing real world shots with this system. It is not hard to set up and use, and once adjusted it will stay smooth for a long time. I have not adjusted my 6 footer in over a year. And it is still real smooth.
New tip, Using the sliders as a small jib.
Basically to use as a jib-simulator, you mount the track in a liquid head.
And you have another liquid head on the track.
You lock the carriage on the far end of the track (my version of the carriage has a lock).
The simplest move at this point is just to turn the head under the track.
Then you can tilt and turn the liquid head under the track, while compensating on the carriage head, it takes some practice.
Start with a simple tilt up, just keeping the camera level while moving the track up and down.
When you are comfortable with this you can start trying compound moves.
You can also just fasten the track with an uphill slant and then using a ball head on the carriage travel up or down hill while turning the head under the track.
Once you start playing with this concept many moves will be possible.
All my customers, or anyone interested in more info can call me for immediate help and advice. I usually answer the phone myself.
olof@westsideav.com
603.383.9283
; "Easy Slider")
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