Camera Slider, 48" Motorized DSLR Camera Track Dolly Slider Stabilizer Rail with Time Lapse Tracking and 120-degree Panoramic Shooting, Perfect Photograph Movie Film Making

This is my first motorized slider. Loving it and looking forward to doing some interesting shots. It came with everything described on the website, and a carrying case. I’ve read some reviews saying the tracking doesn’t work. It does work, but you have to find the right distance and angle and run a few tests before actually shooting the footage.

SIMPLY OUTSTANDING RESULTS....!! Near SILENT motor, goes from ZERO speed to 60 m.p.h so perfect for ANY stylish movement shots. NOTHING gets in the way of the most outstanding quality tracking, dolly and/or JIB shots. Mount it horizontally on a tripod, adjust the 'center' rail (provides the perfect 'tracking target' lock) at both ends, mount your camera, adjust your wired-remote (provided) for the start and end points, hit 'record' and film your subject. You'll be AMAZED at how good and professional and advanced your results look. Add immeasurably MORE to your video work by producing more dynamic, more interesting and visually stimulating material. THREE motion settings (use the center rail and STUDY THE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING); 1. SIDE TO SIDE (parallel) tracking gives you equal L-to-R-to-L (endless) dolly shots across the field of vision. 2. PANORAMIC; set the camera head/ball-joint correctly (and set the center rail) and you'll get the 'tennis court' effect... a WIDE left-to-right Panorama - think, tennis court watching both players at both ends AND the spectators across the whole stadium 3. CENTER FOCUS (and here's the slider's REAL MAGIC).... center your subject (think talkin-head interviewee, or classical guitarist seated still on a chair) .... set the center rail extreme opposites at both ends; set the camera correctly; frame your shot; set the slider's travel distance (and speed); press 'record' and watch the resultant footage LEAP to life as the background subtly 'travels' around your subject as the camera travels 'around' the face, guitar, flower vase, whatever.... throw the lens into the right depth of field and push the background out of focus.... SPEILBERG....!! Do any/all of these AND have the slider run back and forward, side to side (or up and down for AMAZING JIB SHOTS) for AS LONG AS YOU WANT! Unit runs off included battery OR mains electricity (via included DC converter).. This thing does it ALL, and brilliantly. I have 4 of these now. JIB SHOTS...?? YES, as good as it gets, this STILL isn't the best bit. Put your slider vertical (on a tripod, attached firmly against a wall) and mount your camera at 90-degrees and watch as the slider effortlessly propels your viewpoint UP and DOWN at whatEVER speed you need, capturing filmic JIB SHOTS just like the pros.. Further; if you don't want to 'zoom' in/out your shots (using the camera's wide-telephoto rocker switch, or in post-production (costing you pixelation!)), just set this beautiful machine at right-angles (90-degrees) to your subject, aim the camera straight at him/her/it, hit record and watch your footage slide effortlessly toward/away from you to your heart's content. Cannot recommend this highly enough. NOTE: READ THE INSTRUCTIONS as to how to program the motor's movement. There is a SPECIFIC order to do it. Loads of (some good, some terrible) videos on YouTube, but the INSTRUCTIONS are EXACT. For MOVEMENT shots (detailed above); Make SURE your camera is secured to the ball-head AND screwed tightly (with the RED thumbscrew on the camera platform) at ONE far end of the slider or the other... THEN switch the wired remote controller ON. Only THEN loosen the camera platform with the RED thumbscrew. Select SETTINGS. Select START POINT. press Left or Right arrow to begin the slider's movement AWAY from the closest 'end' (of the slider). If you want maximum travel (and who doesn't?!), press the STOP/center button almost immediately. Press the CENTER button for 1/2 second. You'll see the 'numeric code' harmonize (there's two of them). Press the CENTER button AGAIN for a few seconds until the screen returns to the main settings menu page. THEN, using the down arrow, select END POINT, press the direction arrow TOWARDS the far/other end of the slider and watch/wait as the slider travels to the furthest point. TIP: don't go ALL the way to the end, leave about 2" for the platform to slow/settle/stop. THEN, press the CENTER button; the numeric code will harmonize. Press the CENTER button again for a few seconds (to register the position). THEN, using the down arrow, select NO/Reset. This solidifies the two 'end' points (of the slider's travel). THEN, choose your speed (using the UP/DOWN arrow controls.) I have found somewhere between 50-75% is the most effective for filmic effect. Slower or faster may be dragging/distracting but YOU are the director, so go ahead until you find the best speed for the scene. When you're ready to film, press RECORD on your camera then 'launch' the slider into action using the correct directional ARROW button (depending on where your camera platform is situated along the slider's length/rails. NOTE: If you mess up your programming; HOLD your camera with one hand (or LOCK the platform with the RED thumbscrew), switch OFF the wired remote programmer, and START AGAIN. You'll get quicker with practice but DO NOT TRY TO RE-PROGRAM the remote. It remembers it's previous settings so you MUST SWITCH OFF, and ON again, for a fresh start.

This is for the 48” carbon fiber slider. First, since zi had the question myself: Yes, a good flathead tripod can work alone, even on the 48” and even with relatively heavy gear (May need to sandbag the tripod). I wanted one that I’d have no fear holding $2,000+ worth of equipment, so maybe went overly sturdy - this isn’t for traveling - but if your main concern is a singke tripod, it’s doable. After that success I’m trying to hook it up at the ends with monopods anyway, but thats due to where I want it and limited space. I got this: https://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-475B-Geared-Tripod-without/dp/B000BKE8TS/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref=yo_pop_d_pd_title Certainly can’t go wrong with it. As far as the slider, there’s tons of reviews, no need to add too much. I agree with anybody saying it’s high quality, it moves smoothly, adjustments are intuitive, etc., and things like the focus tracking make for very professional looking shots, whether you’re doing unboxing vids (or anything where you want to show off an item - It’s great to set a slow pan around something, or just to add something to a vlog. The panaroma mode is certainly useful for panoramic b-roll, but for those on a budget you can also basically simulate having more cams then you do. Have two subjects? If you’re switching to something full screen, you can move, preset to a spot to cover a different person when you switch back to the cam. Similarly, one subject can use it a lot like A,B,C cameras with the tracking, allowing that news-style cut where they look at different cameras for different angles. I’d also imagine if you sell stuff, this is a great tool for showoff. I’m running with a camcorder, but I’m sure you could use a DSLR and create one of those interactive images where you can “move” the cam. There’s really not much you couldn’t do if you try.

Good price

It does what it says, kind of. It is a motorized slider, with some nice features. But the most annoying thing about this is the nearly impossible task of getting it to run an even, dead straight line. Jesus. This is all because of the built in panning system feature that has been added to it. There are two knobs at each end, which can be adjusted to give this neat panning effect. While this feature is great for time lapse shots, or other creative shots, it is absolutely near impossible to get it to run a straight clean line for a simple cinematic "pan forward/backward" shot. This knob/center system that creates this panning effect are the real killing point of this product. If it had a better built in "default straight" mode that locked it into place, it would be an easy 5/5 stars for the money. The handheld is great, carrying case, wires everything, great. Just this panning effect. Man, not good.