So - the Glidetrack is all very lovely - but what if you can't afford the three hundred quid plus they want for the HD version (1mtr long)
I looked into what the product is and was surprised at its simplicity. Essentialy it's a track with linear bearings on. Admittedly they've refined it with fancy feet and a tripod mount etc - but I just wanted a basic slider that'd take my Z1E with no hassle.
So - onto eBay and for less than a hundred quid I got 2 x 20mm induction hardened rails 1.2 metres long, four mounting brackets and four linear bearing blocks. Turns out I way over estimated what I'd need as the kit is way heavier than I actually needed. 12mm rails would have been more than sufficient.
Anyhoo, I bolted the mounts down to some bits of aluminium I'd got lying around, added a flat plate to the linear bearing blocks, added an old Manfrotto mount I'd long forgotton about and hey presto - results below.
The glide is silky smooth. It's a tad heavy and would need two tripods to mount it on if I don't want to use it on the ground but It's a good start I think.
Attachment 1101Attachment 1102 Attachment 1103
Again I think It proves that with just a little bit of thought you can get those 'cinematic' shots you lust after without shelling out fantastical amounts of cash on sexy gear...
As this is written - you can source the rails that I bought
HERE. But I'd do a search and get maybe 12mm rails if you can.... unless you like humping heavy kit around. (The upside of mine is that is absolutely rigid - no twist at all).
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Originally Posted by Andy Lockwood
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