Sandmarc has announced a compact and lightweight cinema-style camera slider designed for use with the iPhone and action cameras.
The new Cinema Slider has a mixture of aluminum and carbon fiber, making it light yet strong. Combining the two alloys creates a sturdy slider that is lightweight and portable. It can also fit into most backpacks.
The slider weighs 6. 5-pounds and though the specifications make no mention of how long the slider is, photos make it look to be roughly two to two and half times that of an iPhone 13 Pro Max, which would translate to around 13 to 14 inches. Although it’s not an extremely long slide, this should allow for some camera movement in video taken quickly.
The slider can be raised above the ground with the four adjustable feet. Or, users may place the slider on any surface to achieve a lower angle. The slider is also compatible with all of Sandmarc’s mobile accessories via the spring-loaded smartphone attachment which also features mounting points — including a cold-shoe mount — that can hold a variety of additional filmmaking tools like a video light or an external microphone.
With a 1/4-20 mount on the base of the sliding mechanism, the Cinema Slider is able to be attached to a tripod head and then balanced either horizontally or vertically, providing for multi-plane movement up and down, panning, or even diagonally. The Cinema Slider is also compatible with most tripod designs, including compact and professional models, and of course Sandmarc’s own tripods.
Designed for use with the iPhone, Sandmarc fails to mention Android phones in its compatibility list, but since the slider can also be deployed with GoPro and other action cameras — plus most DSLR or mirrorless setups — it seems unlikely that Android phones simply wouldn’t work. Most of Sandmarc’s accessories for smartphones are specifically designed to work with Android.
The slider uses a basic manual sliding system that relies on wheels that tightly mount to the rails. Although this method is usually smooth, it can cause some shaking to the footage if there are any deep scratches or dings on the rails. The slider does not have a motor to control the motion. It is therefore completely manual. It does come with a bubble level, so it’s easier to ensure it stays level in the field.
The Sandmarc Cinema slider is currently available to order for $169 and the company says it intends to ship in July.
Image credits: All photos by Sandmarc.
