Using a pair of drawer sliders for tracking

[Patrick Cooper]

I was discussing cheap DIY options for tracking on another forum and someone came up with the idea of using a pair of draw sliders. I think this could have good potential. I would be using a Panasonic G7 M4/3 camera which weighs around 415 grams. That would likely be attached to a ball head connected to a short block of wood on top of one of the sliders. 

I do want to attach the whole rig to a tripod. Though I'm not sure if it's wise to use a single tripod under the middle or two tripods (one under each end.) Suppose I did use one tripod with a short block of wood underneath the middle of the draw sliders. I guess there could be a chance that as the weight of the camera is moved from right to left, there could be some slight dipping of each side. Almost like a sea-saw but not to the same degree. Perhaps it's better to use a long section of wood under the sliders with two tripods spaced far apart? I definitely want to use tripods because sometimes I would be set up in nature on uneven ground or over rocks. I would just need to adjust the height of one of the tripods to get the whole thing level. 

The act of me moving the sliders with the mounted camera could lead to some slight unwanted movement of the tripod / tripods. So I thought of an alternative way of doing the tracking. And that is to attach a line to the block of wood holding the camera and ball head and use a reel with a handle to slowly 'wind it in.' I think the winding action may also help me get a more consistent tracking speed. 

 

 

 

[Stephen Perera]

be inspired!

https://www.instagram.com/shittyrigs/?hl=en

[Patrick Cooper]

ok

[Patrick Cooper]

Ive changed my mind about using a pair of drawer sliders. There is someone who uses these for camera tracking and he made a good point about their use. They're made of three segments and when each of the segments comes into play (as they're extending) there will be extra resistance. That may make it challenging in getting a consistently smooth slide. Of course I could just simply use the footage in between two points of resistance but that sounds quite restrictive.

Now, I want to make a variation of this kind of dolly with angled wheels and two tubes.

 

 

Mine will be a lot more compact and I plan to have two small light stands under each end. I admit Ive never worked with PVC pipe before though I have the impression that it could be fragile and easily damaged. I'd like to use aluminium which should be more durable. Though I'm having trouble locating decent lengths of aluminium tubing. The longest I can find is 600mm which is not all that long. 

Edit: Ive just found one online store that sells 800mm aluminium tubes. I'll have to enquire as to whether they're mill finish or anodized. It's probably wise to go with anodized aluminium as it offers better protection against the elements. I would be using a camera slider a fair bit outdoors (including close to the sea.) 

Edited January 4 by Patrick Cooper

[Patrick Cooper]

There is a hardware store that sells much longer aluminium tubes (around 3 meters) but they have a mill finish. Very cheap though.