Getting a Slider

[Jason Osterday]

For rentals and larger cameras, it seems the 8ball, thatcat, and Griptech are the way to go. Has anyone used these in the field, extensively?

 

[JohnJ]

Hey Guys,
I have question, I have been kicking around a Slider built just for the Red Camera User. I have seen all the sliders for the video cameras and they are a little lite IMO.
I have the track set, it will be bearings not bushings so no binding very lite to move from any place on the mount. I am not a camera operator just a fabricator.
So if I could ask you guys for some imput I will try to get you a slider that works for your needs. The slider I have works good with the Red camea but it is designed for the larger cameras. My questions are.
Length:
Mounting:
Holes around the sides and end caps for legs:
Coating Anadizing:
How much weight does it need to hold:
Price:

Thanks For The Input
John

 

[Evin Grant]

Length: 4'
Mounting: Mitchell
Holes around the sides and end caps for legs:ideally yes.
Coating Anodizing: Black or deep red
How much weight does it need to hold: Ideally 65 Lbs, probably be able to get away with 50.
Price: $3000 would be great, but probably too optimistic.

 

[JohnJ]

What about mounting on the bottom, would you need a pan mount that would go on a dolly or just threaded holes to mount to a tripod. What would be the most common.
Thanks

 

[Evin Grant]

You could offer two versions...
One with just threaded holes for those using 100/150mm ball tripods and another with a simpler, rotating (screw tightening) mitchell base.

This is a beautiful bottom piece...

But if it adds a lot of cost you may be ale to get away with a reciever that just takes a Cardellini Head lock...

I have one of these on my 2575 and I love it. All you would need is a plate that had a central 3/8" threaded hole and a small divot for the registration pin.
They run about $350 so anyone who needed mitchell could just get one of these on their own.

 

[Jarred Land]

I only started using sliders about 6 years ago, but since then i've been hooked.

Ive been fortunate to test out alot of them out there, and I agree with Evin.. the 8ball is one of the best out there. That and the original Slider. The Indiedolly pro can take some great shots if you have alot of practice and a lot of luck, but it can't really compete with the big boys.

The first overkeeper ( thats what we called them in Canada ) I used was from Clairmont.. not sure who made it ( perhaps Clairmont themselves ) , but it worked exceptionally well..

ah.. back in the day when life was so much simpler:

 

[jonnycom]

Thanks for all the input. I was planning on getting the Original Slider but after considerable research I went with the Griptech. After checking it out at cinegear I ordered one and got it 3 days later from Australia. I believe I have the first one in the US.

Tonight was the first night of a 4 week shoot and the camera crew has stated it's the best slider they have used. Below is a pic from a few minutes ago.

 

[Pawel Achtel]

A motorised slider (joystick operated or programmable). Over 100lbs capacity. Works vertically too :ciappa:

 

[Evin Grant]

Thanks for all the input. I was planning on getting the Original Slider but after considerable research I went with the Griptech. After checking it out at cinegear I ordered one and got it 3 days later from Australia. I believe I have the first one in the US.

Tonight was the first night of a 4 week shoot and the camera crew has stated it's the best slider they have used. Below is a pic from a few minutes ago.

I saw that at Cinegear too, very nice but out of my price range. I'm getting the 8Ball to test this week I'll keep you guys posted.

 

[Michael Lindsay]

http://www.ronfordbaker.co.uk/slider.html

I've hired these a bit and they seem good.

I'm also considering buying one as they are reasonably priced as well.

Don't know if you can easily get them in the US

Michael L

 

[Ernesto Lomeli]

Jonny,
That Griptech slider, is by far the best machined piece of film gear i saw at Cinegear this year, plus that hard anodized finish on it is just plain sexy.

I think it definitely raises the bar.

 

[Jason Osterday]

Jonny keep us updated on the griptech. I've been leaning that way ever since I saw it at cinegear and spoke with the maker.

The fact that I can remove the ends and use any length of side rails to create various overall lengths is a major benefit. That cuts the cost way down in the long run for anyone that is considering buying a 3' or 4' and also something like a 7' because you actually only buy one unit from Griptech and choose other rail lengths to pop on when you need to adjust it.

I also like how many mounting options it has. And the build quality is outstanding. The ronford has a nice small footprint, but it lacks the open ended platform of the griptech. I'd like to see pricing info for the ronford gear though.

I was also curious about Griptech's customer service with them being based in australia.

 

[Evin Grant]

http://www.ronfordbaker.co.uk/slider.html

I've hired these a bit and they seem good.

I'm also considering buying one as they are reasonably priced as well.

Don't know if you can easily get them in the US

Michael L

What is reasonably priced?

 

[Michael Lindsay]

Evin

I don't know exactly but I think about £3k for the the 3foot one...

Michael L

 

[Jarred Land]

http://www.ronfordbaker.co.uk/slider.html


Don't know if you can easily get them in the US

Michael L

Ive bought a ton of Ronford Baker stuff directly from them (through UK).. they also have a Distributor Isaia & Co in LA.

 

[Tom Lowe]

I really cannot believe that people would set up a "track" on a single tripod. Everytime I see picture of single-tripod sliders, it makes me nervous.

I like Pawel's dual tripod set up much better. That is how my custom dolly works:

This piece from Ronford looks very nice:

I think the ultimate solution for legs would simply be four telescoping legs. Tripods are a bit of a pain, but if the legs pictured on that Ronford slider could telescope out maybe 4 feet (independently) that would be a fantastic solution.

Are there any prices on the Ronford-Baker site?

 

[christopher witzke]

or just use a sturdy cart or folding table

 

[Tom Lowe]

I think some basic "saw horse" legs would be nice, assuming they could attach solidly to the rail and each leg could telescope independently for fast leveling on rough terrain.

 

[JohnJ]

What about a 4' leg that attached the same way as the Ronford that whould give you a saw horse and the leveling all in one and it would be easy to carry. That would be easy.

 

[Bob Franco]

Another option

Another option

Here's the Bobsled I'm developing. Made the first one about 12 years ago and used a BetaCam on it. Uses aluminum pipe two to twenty feet in length; whatever you want. Available soon.