XHA1, Letus Extreme & IndiSlider at DVinfo.net

Steven Dempsey · January 15th, 2008, 05:21 PM

There was a snow storm here overnight so I decided to get off my butt and try out my Indislider (http://www.indifocus.com/products_in...erpro.htm)...I love this thing. I have the 36" version...

Enjoy

http://www.pinelakefilms.com/snowmotion.html

Mark Williams · January 15th, 2008, 06:20 PM

Steven,

Really looks good. To get the smooth action does it take a lot of practice or can you get consistant slides? I read somewhere that the indislider is a "bear" to rig up to your cam/tripod. What is your opinion?

Steven Dempsey · January 15th, 2008, 06:23 PM

I'm just going to cut and paste my response to the same kind of question on another forum:

I have the same setup as you and am wondering what it is like with the camera out at one end of the rig? Do you worry about it tipping?

I wouldn't recommend using it without sandbags on each of the tripod legs.

How is the transition between regular tripod and indislider setup?

Not sure what you mean here but if you are asking me how long it takes to switch from tripod to IndiSlider, I'd say about 20 minutes. The tripod is fully functional with the IndiSlider still on. You can lock the head in place in the center so that all the functionality is still there. I'm still new to this so still experimenting. Not sure if the head can turn right and left when it's completely set up properly. I'll have to ask Tim at IndiFocus.

Is the weight an obstacle when working out in the field?

It's cumbersome to be sure but the results are really nice. It's like any piece of equipment...there's only so much you can carry at once and after that you need more people. You could get away with carrying this short distances but it depends on the terrain and strength of the person.

Mark Williams · January 15th, 2008, 06:38 PM

Thanks Steven. Very helpful.

Steven Dempsey · January 15th, 2008, 07:59 PM

btw, it takes practice to move the camera consistently and at a speed that's appropriate for the shot. The IndiSlider is glass smooth.

Rafael Lopes · January 16th, 2008, 12:43 AM

Steven, Man. That footage looks super pro. The indie slider (plus your talent, of course) gives it a real touch of class. How did you manage to get such a nice slow motion with the A1?

I just visited the indie slider website. What a wonderful invention! Affordable too. I do understand what this person who contacted you was talking about though. Does it ever feel like the camera/tripod might fall over when the camera and all it's weight are at the end of the slide?

Steven Dempsey · January 16th, 2008, 08:58 AM

Thank you Rafael,

Like I said earlier, I wouldn't be doing anything serious with this without having sandbags for extra security on each tripod leg. In that case, it would be unlikely to tip.

Stathis Athanasiou · January 16th, 2008, 01:07 PM

Very nice! I have the Indirails and Indifocus for my Canon and I was thinking of getting the Indislider as well, but had not seen it in action. I am as good as convinced now.
(you should ask for a percentage from Tim for bringing him customers)
(ha, ha)

Steven Dempsey · January 16th, 2008, 01:26 PM

Just say I sent you :)

Morgan Crossley · January 16th, 2008, 03:52 PM

looks superb.

question though, what settings/programs do you use to export for such a nice image? the image quality looks so good.

thanks

Steven Dempsey · January 16th, 2008, 03:57 PM

It's a kind of laborious process.

I export a flattened Cineform AVI from the Premiere Pro CS3 timeline. I then bring it into Vegas 7 and export it as a WMV at 1440 x 1080, 25mbps. After that, import it into Sorenson Squeeze and export as a Quicktime file (you can get the exact specs by looking at the movie info inside the Quicktime file itself)

The reason why I don't just import the Cineform file directly into Sorenson is that it crashes if I do that. Vegas does a much better job at creating a high quality WMV because with Premiere, you are limited to 10mbps

Steven Dempsey · January 16th, 2008, 09:11 PM

I just uploaded a new extended version of this piece with over a minute of new footage. Same link as in the first post: http://www.pinelakefilms.com/snowmotion.html

Loren Simons · January 16th, 2008, 09:38 PM

Steven, you have the EXACT look i am looking for, would u say its mostly from the power of the Letus? Did you do color correcting or anything too the blacks? I mean besides ur obvious skill, what's the secret! I NEED that look for a movie I'm writing, its purely amazing. Thanks =D

Steven Dempsey · January 16th, 2008, 10:45 PM

Loren,

I'm shooting using my VIVIDRGB preset and then I just color correct (for consistent white balance only) and crush the black ever so slightly using a levels adjustment.

I think that's it.

Benjamin Eckstein · January 17th, 2008, 07:07 AM

Very cool. What tripod are you using with this. From the photo on the website it looks like it would be challenging to mount my sachtler DV8 head on their.

Also, tell your son to put shorts on after it snows!

B

January 15th, 2008, 05:21 PM	#1
Steven Dempsey Disjecta Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 937	XHA1, Letus Extreme & IndiSlider There was a snow storm here overnight so I decided to get off my butt and try out my Indislider (http://www.indifocus.com/products_in...erpro.htm)...I love this thing. I have the 36" version... Enjoy http://www.pinelakefilms.com/snowmotion.html __________________ Try my Digital Therapy: http://www.pinelakefilms.com/digital_therapy.html Films on ExposureRoom: http://exposureroom.com/members/disjecta.aspx/videos/

January 15th, 2008, 06:20 PM	#2
Mark Williams Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Deep South, U.S. Posts: 1,526	Steven, Really looks good. To get the smooth action does it take a lot of practice or can you get consistant slides? I read somewhere that the indislider is a "bear" to rig up to your cam/tripod. What is your opinion? __________________ Mark videos: http://vimeo.com/channels/3523 Stock: http://www.pond5.com/artist/mark29

January 15th, 2008, 06:23 PM	#3
Steven Dempsey Disjecta Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 937	I'm just going to cut and paste my response to the same kind of question on another forum: I have the same setup as you and am wondering what it is like with the camera out at one end of the rig? Do you worry about it tipping? I wouldn't recommend using it without sandbags on each of the tripod legs. How is the transition between regular tripod and indislider setup? Not sure what you mean here but if you are asking me how long it takes to switch from tripod to IndiSlider, I'd say about 20 minutes. The tripod is fully functional with the IndiSlider still on. You can lock the head in place in the center so that all the functionality is still there. I'm still new to this so still experimenting. Not sure if the head can turn right and left when it's completely set up properly. I'll have to ask Tim at IndiFocus. Is the weight an obstacle when working out in the field? It's cumbersome to be sure but the results are really nice. It's like any piece of equipment...there's only so much you can carry at once and after that you need more people. You could get away with carrying this short distances but it depends on the terrain and strength of the person. __________________ Try my Digital Therapy: http://www.pinelakefilms.com/digital_therapy.html Films on ExposureRoom: http://exposureroom.com/members/disjecta.aspx/videos/

January 15th, 2008, 06:38 PM	#4
Mark Williams Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Deep South, U.S. Posts: 1,526	Thanks Steven. Very helpful. __________________ Mark videos: http://vimeo.com/channels/3523 Stock: http://www.pond5.com/artist/mark29

January 15th, 2008, 07:59 PM	#5
Steven Dempsey Disjecta Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 937	btw, it takes practice to move the camera consistently and at a speed that's appropriate for the shot. The IndiSlider is glass smooth. __________________ Try my Digital Therapy: http://www.pinelakefilms.com/digital_therapy.html Films on ExposureRoom: http://exposureroom.com/members/disjecta.aspx/videos/

January 16th, 2008, 12:43 AM	#6
Rafael Lopes Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rio de Janeiro Posts: 1,239	Steven, Man. That footage looks super pro. The indie slider (plus your talent, of course) gives it a real touch of class. How did you manage to get such a nice slow motion with the A1? I just visited the indie slider website. What a wonderful invention! Affordable too. I do understand what this person who contacted you was talking about though. Does it ever feel like the camera/tripod might fall over when the camera and all it's weight are at the end of the slide?

January 16th, 2008, 08:58 AM	#7
Steven Dempsey Disjecta Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 937	Thank you Rafael, Like I said earlier, I wouldn't be doing anything serious with this without having sandbags for extra security on each tripod leg. In that case, it would be unlikely to tip. __________________ Try my Digital Therapy: http://www.pinelakefilms.com/digital_therapy.html Films on ExposureRoom: http://exposureroom.com/members/disjecta.aspx/videos/

January 16th, 2008, 01:07 PM	#8
Stathis Athanasiou Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Athens, Hellas Posts: 73	Very nice! I have the Indirails and Indifocus for my Canon and I was thinking of getting the Indislider as well, but had not seen it in action. I am as good as convinced now. (you should ask for a percentage from Tim for bringing him customers) (ha, ha)

January 16th, 2008, 01:26 PM	#9
Steven Dempsey Disjecta Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 937	Just say I sent you :) __________________ Try my Digital Therapy: http://www.pinelakefilms.com/digital_therapy.html Films on ExposureRoom: http://exposureroom.com/members/disjecta.aspx/videos/

January 16th, 2008, 03:52 PM	#10
Morgan Crossley Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 113	looks superb. question though, what settings/programs do you use to export for such a nice image? the image quality looks so good. thanks

January 16th, 2008, 03:57 PM	#11
Steven Dempsey Disjecta Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 937	It's a kind of laborious process. I export a flattened Cineform AVI from the Premiere Pro CS3 timeline. I then bring it into Vegas 7 and export it as a WMV at 1440 x 1080, 25mbps. After that, import it into Sorenson Squeeze and export as a Quicktime file (you can get the exact specs by looking at the movie info inside the Quicktime file itself) The reason why I don't just import the Cineform file directly into Sorenson is that it crashes if I do that. Vegas does a much better job at creating a high quality WMV because with Premiere, you are limited to 10mbps __________________ Try my Digital Therapy: http://www.pinelakefilms.com/digital_therapy.html Films on ExposureRoom: http://exposureroom.com/members/disjecta.aspx/videos/

January 16th, 2008, 09:11 PM	#12
Steven Dempsey Disjecta Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 937	I just uploaded a new extended version of this piece with over a minute of new footage. Same link as in the first post: http://www.pinelakefilms.com/snowmotion.html __________________ Try my Digital Therapy: http://www.pinelakefilms.com/digital_therapy.html Films on ExposureRoom: http://exposureroom.com/members/disjecta.aspx/videos/

January 16th, 2008, 09:38 PM	#13
Loren Simons Major Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 288	Steven, you have the EXACT look i am looking for, would u say its mostly from the power of the Letus? Did you do color correcting or anything too the blacks? I mean besides ur obvious skill, what's the secret! I NEED that look for a movie I'm writing, its purely amazing. Thanks =D __________________ Loren Simons

January 16th, 2008, 10:45 PM	#14
Steven Dempsey Disjecta Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 937	Loren, I'm shooting using my VIVIDRGB preset and then I just color correct (for consistent white balance only) and crush the black ever so slightly using a levels adjustment. I think that's it. __________________ Try my Digital Therapy: http://www.pinelakefilms.com/digital_therapy.html Films on ExposureRoom: http://exposureroom.com/members/disjecta.aspx/videos/

January 17th, 2008, 07:07 AM	#15
Benjamin Eckstein Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 380 Images: 1	Very cool. What tripod are you using with this. From the photo on the website it looks like it would be challenging to mount my sachtler DV8 head on their. Also, tell your son to put shorts on after it snows! B