Reasonably Priced Sliders This is our version of the Igus Track Camera sliders. Link to EX1 Stronger Plates • NanoFlash brackets and Shoulder Braces Link to our new WEB store We buy the track and carriages in bulk, drill, tap and make ends for the track then ship to you with the tools needed to adjust and service the slider system. I have been using this system myself for more than a year. And I have figured out what works and what does not. I think it is a great system for a very reasonable price. You can order the parts yourself from Igus. But it is a little tricky to customize for camera use. If you have the tools and materials, you can easily do it yourself if you are handy. But we put it all together for you. Just unwrap and start using the slider, on the floor for a dog/cats eye view, as a tabletop dolly, or mount on your sticks for a very portable dolly system. Sliders can be set up on single tripod, tripod and monopod, or 2 tripods or any other way you can think of (like one end on a stair step and the other on a tripod). I buy the track 3.5 meters long and I can cut track to any size you want as a special order. But I will initially offer 2', 3', 4' and 6' as these are easy to ship by UPS. Longer lengths cost more to ship. I may add more sizes soon. I use an EX3, an EX1R and a 5DmkII myself, often with a NanoFlash attached. Any "mid" sized video camera, DSLR or small camera will work well on these. I do build a few systems for heavier cameras and longer tracks, I will make them available here soon. Click here to order or contact me 36" Track, with rubber feet and drilled and tapped for 3/8" or 1/4" Tripod and head:
There are a few tricks to using these linear sliders from Igus. First if the truck or carriage is not aligned properly, it can be knocked out of alignment in transport, though I find this to be rare. Igus recommends an 11 lb down force on the carriage when tightening the 5mm allen bolts (on the 16 series track) to align the 4 slides. I like to finger tighten all four first while pushing down on the carriage with about 10 lb force (my guess) check that the slider is sliding very freely, then tightening a little harder still with the down force using the angle on the allen wrench for more power. What I mean by finger tight is, hold the 5mm allen wrench (I supply all the tools you need with my system) like a straw not by the angled part. Twirl it between two fingers and your thumb. Remember to push down on the middle of the carriage while you do this. Remember the carriage should slide as smoothly when screws are tightened as with them loose. If you just tighten them it can cause the torque of the allen screw to turn the sliders a little, this will cause extra friction. If your slider seems really stiff, loosen all the allen screws, and try the slider with them loose. It will probably slide really freely. That is how it will slide when properly aligned. So now try tightening as I described above. If you get it right, it will slide as easily now as when all the screws were loose. The other trick is to push on the slider at the base of the head just above the truck, don't pull it or push it with the handle on your head. You can still turn the head with your other hand as you are sliding. But the main push should be on the center line of the carriage. I sometimes do both with one arm, I use my elbow to turn the handle while my hand is on the center of the head moving the carriage. I will have more tips here soon. And video showing real world shots with this system. It is not hard to set up and use, and once adjusted it will stay smooth for a long time. I have not adjusted my 6 footer in over a year. And it is still real smooth. All my customers, or anyone interested in more info can call me for immediate help and advice. I usually answer the phone myself.
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 A 2 foot slider on a tripod with a 75mm bowl. |
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 A 4 foot slider on a Miller Solo tripod, with legs spread to the middle position and a sandbag for stability. |
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 A 4 foot slider on a Miller Solo tripod with a Slik monopod on one side. This works well, but hold onto the camera when over the monopod, don't leave it there, and sandbag the tripod. |
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 This is my largest slider system, with a hand crank wheel, very good and sturdy for studio work with a heavier camera. For making very precise slow moves or for stop-animation dolly moves. Shown here with a high hat I make. This is always a special order item. |
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 A 2 foot slider with an EX3 on a Manfrotto 701 head. This is a good head for reasonable cost with a flat bottom (not a bowl). |
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 A 6 foot slider with an EX3 on a Manfrotto 701 with 2 light weight Manfrotto 190 tripods. This is a portable light weight system. |
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 A 2 foot slider with a 5DmkII on a 391 Manfrotto head. This is a very light head good for smaller cameras. |
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 This shows the parts I like to use. A 75mm bowl tripod (100mm is good as well) and a bowl insert with a 3/8" stud, and a flat bottom liquid head. |
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 Here is the same setup as above without a bowl tripod. This eliminates the bowl insert but it is not as fast to level. |
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 A detail photo of my track-ends with rubber bumper feet. |
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 Another photo showing the bowl insert attached to the track. |
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 This is the standard carriage from Igus with a tapped 3/8" bolt the way I ship slider system. there is a wider carriage available as well, and I am also offering a track lock. I will post that photo soon. |
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| Here is a Video sample of a 3 foot move: More video Samples |
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