"no moving parts" $140 lightweight slider - kickstarter page
hey gang. a few weeks ago i found myself in need of a rental slider. but all the rent houses were out. so i had to invent something...
it worked so well, i decided to refine it. the next version worked even better. so i decided i should make some for the production community.
it's now on kickstarter.com
check it out:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...-200-camera-sl
IMG_5503.jpg
Last edited by wgzn; 2012 July 12th at 19:20.
Nice Kickstarter video. $140... seriously? Dude, I appreciate your design and all... but you made this using Home Depot parts. Which were probably no more than $30 bucks worth. Why should I pay $140 when I can run down to HD and make it myself tonight? Maybe I missed something... feel free to fill me in.
Vice President, Team HVFF - http://hvfffollowfocus.webs.com/ HV Follow Focus
Proud owner CamDolly - Modular Camera Dolly and Slider System
if you have a good tablesaw, router table, drillpress and the TIME and ability to do it. GET BUSY!
as i say on the page - im not trying to get rich from this. just trying to make a better than average and AFFORDABLE tool available to those without the time or ability to do so... and make it worth my time to do it. its just under $50 in materials. then factor in my time to build and free shipping - its not like anyones getting robbed...
i found a good way to achieve results that usually cost hundreds if not several hundreds more. does it make you feel better about yourself to belittle my effort?
this is for the people who dont have access to those tools.
if its not for you - awesome. but please dont shit on my riff : |
Last edited by wgzn; 2012 July 12th at 20:51.
I know what you mean, trust me... as Vice President of HVFF I used to build & sell the HVFF so I've been there. I don't want to bash it, the footage is INCREDIBLY SMOOTH and amazing but I think you should think about the future. I've attempted to build and sell my own gear on the cheap and realized that in the end it's not worth it. There are many "pro" sliders out there for much cheaper than $140. For $99 I think I've seen a couple Opteka's in that range and sliders also on eBay. Thing is, how many are you going to be selling, and is it worth all the time and effort you put into it. If I were you I would just be selling the parts list and a VERY detailed instruction manual or even a how-to build video to go along with the package. For those overseas who do not have Home Depot then you can sell to them.
But it's completely up to you how you want to play this, just wanted to add my two cents.
Vice President, Team HVFF - http://hvfffollowfocus.webs.com/ HV Follow Focus
Proud owner CamDolly - Modular Camera Dolly and Slider System
thanks. i guess... : |the footage is INCREDIBLY SMOOTH and amazing but I think you should think about the future
how many of those have you actually used? ive used several of the $1000 range pocket dollies and cinesliders with and without a motor, and i find it hard to get clean, damped starts and stops from those as well as the range of janky wheeled options.There are many "pro" sliders out there for much cheaper than $140. For $99 I think I've seen a couple Opteka's in that range and sliders also on eBay
this thing was born out of necessity, it works well. and is $100 less than the nearest non-chinese rip-off.
if i can make $60 an hour producing a batch for a month or so. im happy...
if not - oh well. nobody died.
I guess I just have to try one and see for myself
Vice President, Team HVFF - http://hvfffollowfocus.webs.com/ HV Follow Focus
Proud owner CamDolly - Modular Camera Dolly and Slider System
but thanks for sucking the legitimacy out of my post right from the start! - YOU'RE AWESOME!
for those of you who may need "WAY better than chinese knock-off" slider performance, but dont have a pile of cash or a garage full of power tools - have a look:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...ra-sl?ref=live
Last edited by wgzn; 2012 July 12th at 21:54.
Your professional manner ameliorates any negativity.Originally Posted by wgzn
i'll reiterate. all of the source materials CAN be found at home depot. though i will be sourcing through a higher-end dealer that deals in more consistent materials.
and IF you have access to the various woodworking tools you could, make these yourself. and if so - use my page as a reference and go for it.
but my kickstarter effort, with a very reasonable funding goal is just an effort to put quality tools in the hands of folks who may not otherwise have access...
shoot me ; )
This is an obvious scam. A lot of cameras would tip this over.
the whole idea is that its a cheap and straightforward way to get solid slider moves. put the sled on the track, do the move, take the sled off and place it somewhere safe, just like youd do with a stabilizer or shoulder rig...
how is that a "scam"?
i appreciate that you may not agree with the concept, but i'd also appreciate if you didnt make unfounded accusations at my motivation.
i guess i came to the wrong room. i assumed that a bunch of folks with lower-priced, small cameras would appreciate a tool that provided them a new creative option at a really good price...
again, shoot me : (
So it's just a friction slider? What does this give me that something like the IndiSlider doesn't give me for cheaper? Also, the link to your kickstarter is in the OP, no need to replug it.
Dylan
i like indisystems stuff. in fact their indi-focus was my first ff!What does this give me that something like the IndiSlider doesn't give me for cheaper?
but the $99 indislider is 24" so my first answer to your question would be "another foot" ; )
and their 36" is $219 +shipping. mine via kickstarter is $140 shipped.
that doesn't look like "for cheaper" from where im standing...
so far, it seems you guys here are hell-bent on disqualifying my concept. and i embrace your right to do so. but i do wish you'd give me the respect of comparing apples to apples, as well as getting your facts right before making accusations.
there are things mine doesn't do. i make that clear on the kickstarter page - nobody is trying to make it out to be something its not.
BUT, having used a variety of slider-type products from $300 to +$1000, i can tell you from experience. you simply will not find a more solid and easy basic slider move for this price.
Last edited by wgzn; 2012 July 13th at 14:00.
just added a $20 "parts list and plans" as well as $100 "bones" reward levels to satisfy all the DIYers out there...
I like that thing. Looks pretty nice and solidly built. The price is more than ok.
Isn't the groove for the tracks not a bit overkill? It should be stabile enough if you just glue the tracks up and fix them with some finishing nails. Sure, the tracks are easier to mount during production, but you add extra work.
Router table? You use a plane and chisels like real woodworkers would do
"It is dark the other side. Very dark!" - "Oh, shut up and eat your toast!"
My apologies for saying it was a "scam"... what was meant is that a lot of technicals need to be posted and what about reviews? You live in Houston and you couldn't find a professional to use the system and post a review? And your samples are all in your backyard/house, and those samples aren't the types of clips that any professional would use.
What is the distance between the rails? Am I not right that a DSLR with a heavy lens would cause the center of gravity to shift outside the tracks and cause it to tip? A bearing system would have a counteracting force on that far leg of the track that would counter the upward force.
Not just a "heavy" dslr lens, but just about any lens outside of the "kit" lens is going to be more heavy than the camera body cause the weight to either press down on the 1 metal band or cause it to tip. Seems like the wooden support would be light enough to cause this to happen.
Or am I wrong?
what "technicals" are you referring to? i do plan to post a few more pics / vids of it in use.what was meant is that a lot of technicals need to be posted
but there aren't a lot of technicals to it. its designed for dslrs or mid-sized video cameras. and it clearly works for that. what more would you need to know?
maybe i didnt fully introduce myself but i AM a professional. been shooting for about 15 years. i know i have only 20ish posts here but have over 4000 over at dvxuser.You live in Houston and you couldn't find a professional to use the system and post a review?
i do have plans to take it around to some colleagues in the next few days
1. no. they aren't. and how exactly would you know this?And your samples are all in your backyard/house,
2. what difference does that make anyway as to whether the thing produces steady slides or not?
exactly why?and those samples aren't the types of clips that any professional would use.
a so-called "professional" wouldnt use a shot of a family at a table or a shot of the front of a house?
they sure as hell would. if they were telling a story of a family, setting up a transition to a scene change... i could list dozens of uses for either...
ahhh... now youre getting into some logical questions.What is the distance between the rails?
as of right now, its just under 3" and that was just an arbitrary distance that felt right when i dry-fit everything together. i am considering moving it out to 3.5-4"
you are right and wrong. YES certainly. a very fore or aft heavy rig will make things harder to use. BUT:Am I not right that a DSLR with a heavy lens would cause the center of gravity to shift outside the tracks and cause it to tip?
1. most slider shots use wider rather than longer lenses.
2. the way you "drive" the thing is you put some downward pressure on the sled as you move. ive done some reasonably steep angles without too much trouble.
TRUE! but a bearing system would cost more and what i keep trying to communicate with this thing is the WHOLE IDEA of it is to get good solid slider moves into the hands of those who are budget challenged.A bearing system would have a counteracting force on that far leg of the track that would counter the upward force.
and like ive said before, having used a variety of sliders. i find it hard to get tapered and solid starts and stops with wheel / bearing systems.
the way the sliding discs are arranged under the sled, even IF its heavier front or back or even if youre only on one rail - its still going to slide straight. and no. the wood has little to do with any of that. poplar is very strong for its weight and rigid as heck.just about any lens outside of the "kit" lens is going to be more heavy than the camera body cause the weight to either press down on the 1 metal band or cause it to tip. Seems like the wooden support would be light enough to cause this to happen.
You might want to consider reading the full post before you start responding to individual sentences. You left out almost ALL of the technical details.
I figured you were a pro, but those 2 videos on kickstarter are NOT pro. Show me something from a paying gig, and show me something other than deep focus. Not only are they not pro, but they are misleading because they are short and also they have a deep focus and so shakyness doesn't pick up. It's misleading. Wedding videographers use sliders all the time with the detail shots (rings, clothing, blah blah).maybe i didnt fully introduce myself but i AM a professional. been shooting for about 15 years. i know i have only 20ish posts here but have over 4000 over at dvxuser.
i do have plans to take it around to some colleagues in the next few days
Again, please read my post again.
Wider lenses are actually also heavy.you are right and wrong. YES certainly. a very fore or aft heavy rig will make things harder to use. BUT:
1. most slider shots use wider rather than longer lenses.
2. the way you "drive" the thing is you put some downward pressure on the sled as you move. ive done some reasonably steep angles without too much trouble.
I need more tests. End of story. Cry all you want, but I am the 99%. What I say is what most customers say. I'm just here to help you. Your success is up to you from here on out. I wish you luck.
Hi wgzn! I saw your design over DVXuser.com recently. Haven't checked that thread since a whole week there.
I don't want to be negative at all, but since it's not in the trade & exchange subforum, I think you're not aiming to make some money out of it (directly). Still, I don't think it would worth that price though. But as you're simply "linking" the kickstarter project page here, it should be ok.
One thing I'd suggest you would be to subscribe to The Frugal Filmmaker page on Facebook. Maybe there, someone would "invest" in that project with you.
Agreed.
Vice President, Team HVFF - http://hvfffollowfocus.webs.com/ HV Follow Focus
Proud owner CamDolly - Modular Camera Dolly and Slider System
thanks drapeama, i'll have a look at that.
admittedly, im just a shooter who came across something that made my day easier. not well versed in all the budget-production circles.
but dang-it, im about to be ; )
blondandfun, how exactly is deep focus "not pro"
good point!Isn't the groove for the tracks not a bit overkill? It should be stabile enough if you just glue the tracks up and fix them with some finishing nails.
but the rail supports are such small parts and are ripped on three sides, i figured theyd be less likely to move over time if they were naturally held in place by the channels...
ha! that was actually part of the motivation. as it turns out, 4 passes on the router table are easier than worrying about the rails moving while clamped ; )Sure, the tracks are easier to mount during production, but you add extra work.
but it shouldnt really matter either way as IF the project gets funded, ive designed an assembly-jig that ill build to keep everything in place.
Last edited by wgzn; 2012 July 14th at 10:57.
Yup. You could ask this guy about small f-stops.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000774/
Honestly dude, even if I liked the product and wanted to back the project, there's no way I would after reading some of your posts. Your attitude sucks. I could understand your lack of salesmanship if you were just assembling these and shipping them out, but your charging a 300% markup over the costs, which means that this is a product that you are selling. Getting defensive or offended when people ask questions about your product is a major turnoff.
Dylan
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