Here's an interesting video that Nitsan has shared to help smooth out your video slider movements. By using the Konova Slider with Crank Handle Kit (seen here), a weight is added in place of the Crank Arm. The momentum of the spinning weight prevents jerky movements or harsh stop/starts. As mentioned in the video, it's best to use a balanced weight. Another modification was to flip the belt pulley backwards so that it's operating on the smooth side. Great little tip, and it makes a bit of sense. Let me know if you guys try this out and leave some comments below.
Cinevate teams up with DitoGear to offer the Cinevate Moco - motion control for Cinevate Sliders. The motorized add-on attaches to many of Cinevate's popular sliders and claims to handle movements that other sliders require separate motors to do. Repeatability with macro precision is maintained in any position - horizontally, angled, vertically, or inverted. The Cinevate Moco can further be expanded to support multi axis control from a tablet, or add on the DitoGear OmniHead for 3 axis 360x360 rotations. You can find additional information about Cinevate's Moco following the link (here).
Cinevate Moco - Motion Control for Cinevate Sliders
Varavon is pumping new products out fairly quickly and another innovative item they have recently released is the new Slidecam Arc Video Camera Slider. As far as I know this is the first and currently the only 'curved' video camera slider on the market.
Though it looks like a solid made product that will work great to track around a central subject, you have to wonder if maybe it is too niche? I'd love to see video examples of the product in use.[Update] Just embedded the latest video showing the Slidecam Arc. It's already available on the market, but after reading this article i'm curious as to what everyone's feedback is on this new Varavon Slidecam Arc Slider?
Varavon Slidecam Arc Video Camera Slider - via eBay
Above is a Demo Reel from DynamicPerception.com, a company that offers motorized motion control sliders primarily used for Time-Lapse Photography. The latest product added to their line is the Stage One slider (found here). Unlike most sliders that have to be purchased as a set length, the Stage One slider can be broken down to 21" sections that will allow you to fit the equipment into standard Airline Carry-on sized luggage when traveling.
Dynamic Perception shipped over the Stage One Motorized Slider kit with an MX2 Controller, and without checking the online documentation, I was able to dive in, assemble, and figure out the basic functions. If you follow their extensive online support documentation and instructional videos, I feel anyone should be able to tackle this piece of equipment.
It is designed to be used with stands and offers a 5/8" light stand mount, 3/8" mount, or 1/4" tripod mounts. The Stage One does not come with legs or feet, so you'll need to keep it elevated slightly to operate. I'm hoping they will offer some type of adjustable legs, similar to what the Konova or Varavon sliders offer. It's very well crafted and designed to to readily accept optional accessories for more advanced use. The basic (non-motorized) kit comes with (4) 21" rails that can be assembled into a 42" slider (additional rails can be purchased to extend the slider further).
I have plans to take this kit out to CES Las Vegas in January, so hopefully I can have some interesting footage to share soon after the trip. Even if you're not ready to tackle Time-Lapse just yet, I suggest taking a look at some of the informational video tutorials covering How to shoot HDR Timelapse, setting up Shoot-move-Shoot (InterLeave), Time-lapse video post processing, Time Remapping, and more. There's also amazing Time-Lapse Video examples submitted by customers to help inspire your next time-lapse project over at DynamicPerception.com.
Ok, so i'm late to the party for posting this up, but I was busy during the holidays with the family. Anyways, in case you missed it, here's a demo from Edelkrone's unique SliderPlus+. It's a 1ft slider (to fit your travel bags), that travels 2ft. Doesn't sound like very much sliding movement, but as with any tool, you just have to be creative about what you're using it for. There are still questions about how smooth the slider really is when operated by hand, but with a motorized adapter on the way, this slider can be very consistent with movements.
Edelkrone has claimed to have 'Reinvented the Slider'. From what i'm seeing, I would agree. This time around it looks like they've conjured up a 2 ft slider that slides longer than 2 ft. Or is it a 1ft slider that slides 2 ft? As most dual rail sliders require two stands, the Slider Plus only requires one tripod.
Starting your video from one end of common sliders will often show your rails in view, but with Edelkrone's unique retracting design, the rails move with the camera. Starting at $499, you can find more information about Edelkrone's latest release at the Slider Plus product page (Click Here)
For those who know Varavon, probably best known for their video sliders and viewfinder products, they are currently running a 20% Holiday Saleuntil Dec. 31st. More about the offer and Varavon products can be found at the company website: https://Vifocam.com.
Varavon 20% Off Holiday Sale - ends Dec. 31st 2012
Someone had a question about whether a Canon 5D with 24-105mm F/4L lens would work with the Kamerar 23" Slider Dolly SD-1. So I decided to put up a video example of that Camera+Lens combo on the slider. Quality of the slider is well made and well priced for what it can provide to the budget filmmaker. When used as a dolly, the axles can be relocated for a tighter turning radius.
When used as a standard slider, the axles can be removed completely to get the full run of the slider length. A quick release plate can be added in the center of the slider for tripod mounting and still not obstruct the carrier from sliding side to side. If you're looking for a longer slider, Kamerar offers a 47" version of this slider + FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE. You can find more information about the new Kamerar slider products via the website (Click Here).
Check out this interesting new pulley / counterweight kit that mounts to Varavon Sliders. The counterweight allows you to position your slider in slanted angles so that you can lift the camera with ease or to keep your camera from crashing down. A plate mounts to the slider carrier, and the counterweight is hung through a wire and pulley system.
Your counterweights are just common water bottles, which means you don't have to travel with heavy weights. Just pick up a few when you arrive at your destination.
The kit is shown to work with a variety of Varavon sliders including the Slidecam Lite or the Slidecam S. Take a closer look and notice the basic screw mount, which I'm guessing could even work with any Cinevate, Konova, or other aftermarket slider as well. The Varavon Slider Counterweight Kit starts under $50 bucks via eBay (click here).
Konova Sliders, Upgrade Legs, and Crank System
