May be of value for DSLR Video enthusiasts. Basic inexpensive camera slider. My concoction, for better or worse.

DIY DSLR SLIDER on Vimeo (http://www.vimeo.com/4503216)

Ron

Now that's inexpensive ingenuity!

Unfortunately, my laptop skips frames. How smooth does it feel/look? Do you wish you had something with bearings, or is your solution as good as you would want?

Thanks!

a Great idea, but is having baby powder around a camera with interchangeable lenses really a good idea?

Now that's inexpensive ingenuity!

Unfortunately, my laptop skips frames. How smooth does it feel/look? Do you wish you had something with bearings, or is your solution as good as you would want?

Thanks!

Unfortunately most of the clips are time remapped in FCP, Vimeo didn't improve matters. Results from QT.mov are fairly acceptable, perhaps not pristine quality but OK for fun. I tried a 40 in. slider with (Kmart!!) skate board wheels. After rejigging wheels to a usable state, I found it difficult to control the constant speed, with a small camera mounted. The present setup is better for me, as it has a level of resistance, feels about right. You can hear the audio in the outdoor clips, like a whisper that changes tempo as you struggle to maintain an even speed. The correct approach would be a lead screw. motor powered.

Ron

a Great idea, but is having baby powder around a camera with interchangeable lenses really a good idea?

Steve,

The zoom lens is fitted at a safe distance, in ideal conditions. No problems in that direction.

Ron

The correct approach would be a lead screw. motor poweredBrilliant! I have a broken garage door opener. Maybe I can mod it into a slider. Too bad the motor is so bloody loud! Of course, not having to lift a 400 lb door means that I can use a tiny motor to do the job.

This morning, while in the shower, I realized another problem with the wood/powder approach. I live in the Pacific Northwest US. The rainy season is about eight months long. An outdoor wood/powder slider sounds like a gummy proposition up here!

Is it true that in order to rain in Australia, it would have to fall up? ;)

Brilliant! I have a broken garage door opener. Maybe I can mod it into a slider. Too bad the motor is so bloody loud! Of course, not having to lift a 400 lb door means that I can use a tiny motor to do the job.

This morning, while in the shower, I realized another problem with the wood/powder approach. I live in the Pacific Northwest US. The rainy season is about eight months long. An outdoor wood/powder slider sounds like a gummy proposition up here!

Is it true that in order to rain in Australia, it would have to fall up? ;)

I originate from New Zealand where rain falls sideways. Our pride and joy, the Kiwi Bird, can't even fly!! However we excel at splitting atoms, climbing mountains and casing sheep...

There are a range of commercial slider options available. Some push or pull...So the same limitations regardless. Another has a lead screw and nut...Hand cranked. All cost buckets of gold.

Ron

...All cost buckets of gold.Isn't that the truth! And follow focus units are even worse, considering that the whole operation takes just four gears - two of them with straight-cut teeth.

Too bad sheep don't lay golden eggs. :)