JuicedLink is definitely down with DIY and looking out for the budget minded. We were actually setup on one of the JuicedLink DIY brackets for NAB2011 on the main camera, but it's great to hear pricing is even lower with volume pricing now that they've become popular. First starting out with DSLR Cage like brackets to easily mount accessories, now Robert is looking into making cost effective roller bearing sliders.
Interesting how you could be surrounded by millions of dollars worth of professional equipment, yet one of the coolest things on the floor is an unpolished DIY slider. The prototype slider looked a little rough on the edges, but I was pretty impressed with how well the fit was on the rails. Using standard cheap roller bearings and angled mounts to lock in between the rails, the movement was very effective with just about zero lash. [Thanks Olivia]
The idea behind the new DIY Slider is to sell only what needs precision manufacturing which can be shipped in a fairly small package. You can pick up your own rails in any type or length desired (so long as it fits the minimum OD - outside diameter) which not only brings down cost of overall unit, but also shipping. This modular design will allow you to have a 4ft. slider today, and a 6ft. one tomorrow. Great idea so far. I'm interested in seeing what the final version would look like. More information always at the JL blog here: JuicedLink sliders (click here).
JuicedLink DIY Slider Kit
Emm
Post author@Tom - Vibrations can easily be picked up from tripods with wobbly legs. I would look for something pretty sturdy unless you're only using a light weight camera.
Tom
Hi, what kind of tripods are recommended for the juicedlink slider. I'm thinking of getting some 4-feet as well as 8-feet "tracks". I see they recommend some manfrotto quick release plate, but nothing mentioned about a suitable tripod. I am guessing I can't go with a smallish (low capacity tripod)?
Thanks!
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Olphus
Would be great if the tubes/rods had threads to connect say two 4ft tubes together. Sure there would be a small bump when the slider passes the small gap, but you would have an 8ft slider that fits in a 4ft tall bag!
LEX
dag, i thought having a pretty chick on board get the perks dudes don't get.
Emm
Post author@LEX - No she didn't. Darn..
Emm
Post author@Rabi - Actually it's not welded. It can be taken apart into four slim pieces for easier packing. It's also heavily anodized which I know personally is an expensive process. There's also several 'tapped' (threaded) holes in every side of the bracket. Yes you can build something cheaper if you don't need the plating or threaded taps. My DIY cage will work to mount accessories as well httpss://cheesycam.com/test-diy-dslr-cage-fig-rig-stabilizer/
LEX
did she really come home with the slider?
Rabi
JL's bracket looks really nice, but I think paying $120 for four pieces of metal welded together is sort of antithetical to DIY...
Emm
Post author@eiker_ir - I believe he said 5/8" OD rails. For some reason standard 15mm rods are very expensive, but then there are options for Carbon Rods which could make things not only lighter, but bearings should be quieter on that surface too.
eiker_ir
what's the thickness of the rails he was using with the slider? regular 15mm or thicker?
Emm
Post author@Steven O. - We knew we would be walking quite a bit. This JL was lighter than the Letus, gave enough mounting points, and was easy to grasp. The Letus is much more rubust and carries more weight, but for light setups the JL did fine.
Steven O.
Pretty cool... J-Link steppin their game up! And Olivia's slider was a bit of a fail but again, props to her for trying.
Emm, were you guys using any other types of brackets or were you just using the juicedlink? Also, why not just use one of the many cages you've got? Portability? Overall Preference with the J-link? Just curious.