Anyone have a homemade slider?

Discussion in 'Videography & Photography' started by Rick James, May 3, 2017.

  1. Rick James

    Rick James Grizzled Veteran

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    Anyone have or build their own homemade slider for b-roll footage? I'd be curious to see your build, and how exactly you use it.

    Lots of stuff online, and I love the idea of a gimball or something like this for smooth camera movement on b-roll stuff, but I just don't want to spend the $$$ on something like this. I'm wondering if I can get the same effect using a homemade slider or something similar to get some good quality camera movement on some of my b-roll shots.

    Thoughts?
     
    Rick James, May 3, 2017
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  3. DEC

    DEC Weekend Warrior

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    I made one several years ago. It can roll across any flat surface, or I have an aluminum C-channel that I can attach to my tripod that when I flip the slider over it will ride on the C-channel. I fabricated it out of aluminum tubing, aluminum plate, skateboard wheels, and some misc parts and pieces. It is infinitely adjustable and can roll on almost anything. I set it up on a piece of guard rail one time and got it to roll at an angle down the guard rail even. I haven't used it in a long time though. It was a fun project.

    [​IMG]
     
    DEC, May 3, 2017
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    bloodcrick and Skywalker like this.
  4. bloodcrick

    bloodcrick Moderator/BHOD Prostaff

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    something I have been wanting to build
     
    bloodcrick, May 3, 2017
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  5. tynimiller

    tynimiller Legendary Woodsman

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    This is hilarious...last night I was just thinking how to possibly accomplish some smooth sliding camera shots...sure editing software can take some shake out but it almost always effects the quality of the footage.

    I knew one guy (not kidding) that built a "track" about 20 yards long along a food plot once and would run a remote control car with the cam attached back and forth....crazy....but footage was pretty cool and smooth than I thought it would be.

    As for Gimbals I've even thought of adding one...never used one or know if a difference maker?
     
    tynimiller, May 3, 2017
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  6. Fitz

    Fitz Legendary Woodsman

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    I looked hard at making a DIY slider a few years back. Researched a ton, but in the end I found I was going to spend $80-100 to make one that worked the way I wanted it to. In the end I decided to pony up the extra $50 and get a Glide gear slider.

    https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...ar_dev_470_47_professional_camera_slider.html

    It worked great for me while I had it. Sold it to Dustin when I got my Rhino slider last Spring. :tu:
     
    Fitz, May 3, 2017
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  7. MGH_PA

    MGH_PA Moderator

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    I would agree with Fitz. I went with a Konova K2 when starting out. Pretty affordable and offers the option of adding remote control down the road if wanted. I ended up trading it for a Rhino Motion system as well since they paid me $500 for it :)
     
    MGH_PA, May 4, 2017
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