Sliders: ball mount or tripod head?

[Mark K.]

Hi guys,

I just picked up a Cinevate Atlas 10 35" Slider, and I'm trying to decide on what I should go with to mount the camera to the slider.

A large part of the reason for opting for a 35" slider was for speed and versatility - I wanted something small enough that I could centre-mount it to a tripod for setup speed. The idea being that for bigger tracking/sliding movements I'd probably want to hire a dolly anyway.

What I'm wondering though, is whether for small 35" slider moves the pan/tilt versatility of a tripod head really needed? Or would a sturdy ball head (like the Manfrotto 057: www.manfrotto.com/057-magnesium-ball-head-with-q5-quick-release) for more straightforward movements, make more sense? (being smaller, lighter and simpler)

If anyone has any thoughts or opinions on this particular conundrum I'd love to hear them. Any recommendations/experience with different ball mounts/tripod heads would also be appreciated.

Cheers,

Mark

 

[Bob Gundu]

The Manfrotto 502HD is the minimum stable head for your F3. It's actually pushing it but I would take a video head over the ball. It's a flat base too. Good bargain for a slider.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/827210-REG/Manfrotto_MVH502AH_75Mm_Flat_Head.html

 

[Mark K.]

Thanks Bob, my standard camera rig probably weighs in somewhere around 15-20lbs most of the time, do you think the 502 could handle that? Being able to pull the camera off the tripod, slap on the slider, then plonk the camera back on the tripod quickly - without having to strip it down to a lower weight, is pretty important for my needs.

 

[Bob Gundu]

20 pounds on the atlas 10 is dicey. The vertical weight is OK, but if slightly off balance, that slider plate is a bit wobbly. The 502HD is strong enough. It's just difficult to get smooth moves while tracking. I'm only suggesting the 504HD because the slider is a little on the lightweight side. Also, a center wighted slider like the atlas needs to be braced with some stands or other tripods IMHO.

Thanks Bob, my standard camera rig probably weighs in somewhere around 15-20lbs most of the time, do you think the 502 could handle that? Being able to pull the camera off the tripod, slap on the slider, then plonk the camera back on the tripod quickly - without having to strip it down to a lower weight, is pretty important for my needs.

 

[Mark K.]

20 pounds on the atlas 10 is dicey. The vertical weight is OK, but if slightly off balance, that slider plate is a bit wobbly. The 502HD is strong enough. It's just difficult to get smooth moves while tracking. I'm only suggesting the 504HD because the slider is a little on the lightweight side. Also, a center wighted slider like the atlas needs to be braced with some stands or other tripods IMHO.

Dicey at 20lbs, wow I hope not. A large part of the reason for opting for the Atlas 10 was because the website listed it's maximum load capacity at 40lbs (so I figured it'd be plenty comfortable with 20lbs on it).

If it's difficult to get smooth pans/tilts whilst tracking, I might go for the ball head instead, I'm a bit fed up with trying to make compromised gear work well.