indisliderpro at DVinfo.net

James Sidney · July 4th, 2008, 09:21 AM

Can anyone give me their impressions of the indisliderpro?

Also, am I the only one frustrated with companies who build video equipment who have NO videos of their products online? Where are the tutorials, demonstrations, product walk-throughs? Why do we have to guess what their products do and how they work? Argh!!

Rant over.

James

Nik Skjoth · July 4th, 2008, 04:45 PM

I cant say that I have any experience with the system, but my best guess would be that it has no real value. It will most probably tip over when you slide over to the ends. You would be much better of with a dolly rail.

Dan Keaton · July 4th, 2008, 04:56 PM

Steven Dempsey uses the IndiSlider.

Do a search for "Snow Motion" to see his clips.

It is appropriate for you to ensure that the tripod cannot tip over. A sandbag or two will help. Alternatively, you can tie down your tripod.

This is actually a very interesting device.

Charles Papert · July 4th, 2008, 05:17 PM

This concept is a standard item in the film industry; we use sliders for a variety of things but mostly as an "over-saver" when shooting over the shoulder shots, as it allows the operator to quickly adjust when the closest actor shifts his footing, to maintain the proper relationship of the two actors in frame. Most of the time the dolly grip makes this adjustment but it generally takes them longer to react as they have much more mass to move. I've used them to make small dolly-type moves in vehicles or other limited spaces.

The trick indeed is to support the ends but we are working with far greater masses than a camcorder, so assuming that a solid set of sticks are under the slider you should be able to slide it to either side without tipping--sandbags on the legs would be prudent however. The other effect that may occur if there is bending is that you will lose horizon as you slide to the edges. Again, you can shore up the ends with a stand or apple boxes, etc. as needed.

I have never seen this specific product but again--the concept is time-tested.

Rohan Dadswell · July 6th, 2008, 11:44 PM

I have one of these units that I use with a Silicon Imaging SI-2K mini head.
It is useful for quick repos in tight locations or as a basic short table top dolly.
I have had problems when trying to pan & tilt as well as slide - that kind of movement puts pressure on the rails and makes the movement jerky. The more expensive units that use bearings to glide along the rail don't suffer from this issue.

The base is very solid so there is no bending or drooping. Yes, if you attach it to a tripod, make sure your legs are weighted so they wont tip over.

Overall it is not as good as I had hoped - the no panning while sliding really limits its use but it is a LOT cheaper than a real one.

Charles Papert · July 7th, 2008, 03:53 AM

No bearings in this version, really? That would be kind of a deal-breaker, I would think.

Sean Seah · July 7th, 2008, 04:26 AM

I'll tried it. Its pretty cool actually. Has it's advantages over a real dolly for run n gun situations. U can find some samples on Vimeo. There r no bearings but it works pretty nice. There is resistance but it goes just right to have a smooth shot. Check out the "Support yr camera" section under dollys. Alistar made a similar dolly slider with online videos

July 4th, 2008, 09:21 AM	#1
James Sidney Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 44	indisliderpro Can anyone give me their impressions of the indisliderpro? Also, am I the only one frustrated with companies who build video equipment who have NO videos of their products online? Where are the tutorials, demonstrations, product walk-throughs? Why do we have to guess what their products do and how they work? Argh!! Rant over. James

July 4th, 2008, 04:56 PM	#3
Dan Keaton Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 5,421	Steven Dempsey uses the IndiSlider. Do a search for "Snow Motion" to see his clips. It is appropriate for you to ensure that the tripod cannot tip over. A sandbag or two will help. Alternatively, you can tie down your tripod. This is actually a very interesting device. __________________ Dan Keaton Augusta Georgia

July 4th, 2008, 05:17 PM	#4
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	This concept is a standard item in the film industry; we use sliders for a variety of things but mostly as an "over-saver" when shooting over the shoulder shots, as it allows the operator to quickly adjust when the closest actor shifts his footing, to maintain the proper relationship of the two actors in frame. Most of the time the dolly grip makes this adjustment but it generally takes them longer to react as they have much more mass to move. I've used them to make small dolly-type moves in vehicles or other limited spaces. The trick indeed is to support the ends but we are working with far greater masses than a camcorder, so assuming that a solid set of sticks are under the slider you should be able to slide it to either side without tipping--sandbags on the legs would be prudent however. The other effect that may occur if there is bending is that you will lose horizon as you slide to the edges. Again, you can shore up the ends with a stand or apple boxes, etc. as needed. I have never seen this specific product but again--the concept is time-tested. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

July 7th, 2008, 03:53 AM	#6
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	No bearings in this version, really? That would be kind of a deal-breaker, I would think. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

July 4th, 2008, 04:45 PM	#2
Nik Skjoth Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cph Denmark Posts: 136	I cant say that I have any experience with the system, but my best guess would be that it has no real value. It will most probably tip over when you slide over to the ends. You would be much better of with a dolly rail.

July 6th, 2008, 11:44 PM	#5
Rohan Dadswell Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canberra Australia Posts: 228	I have one of these units that I use with a Silicon Imaging SI-2K mini head. It is useful for quick repos in tight locations or as a basic short table top dolly. I have had problems when trying to pan & tilt as well as slide - that kind of movement puts pressure on the rails and makes the movement jerky. The more expensive units that use bearings to glide along the rail don't suffer from this issue. The base is very solid so there is no bending or drooping. Yes, if you attach it to a tripod, make sure your legs are weighted so they wont tip over. Overall it is not as good as I had hoped - the no panning while sliding really limits its use but it is a LOT cheaper than a real one.

July 7th, 2008, 04:26 AM	#7
Sean Seah Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,498	I'll tried it. Its pretty cool actually. Has it's advantages over a real dolly for run n gun situations. U can find some samples on Vimeo. There r no bearings but it works pretty nice. There is resistance but it goes just right to have a smooth shot. Check out the "Support yr camera" section under dollys. Alistar made a similar dolly slider with online videos