The slider served us remarkably well in both smooth and uneven terrain and was quick and easy to set up. Everything fit in one case which was around 50 lbs total, and easily towed around in a wheeled case. The whole rig could be set up by one person in about 10 minutes. We worked in foreign countries with language barriers and the assembly was easy to explain using a bit of sign language and common sense. Leveling and adjusting the height of the track was best with 2 people but was lightweight and nimble compared to using dolly track in that the track could be suspended above the ground and leveled by adjusting the tripods at either end. Track could also be used on or low to the ground by widening out the tripod legs so they dropped low to the ground. In the higher position, stability in the middle was solid on the 6' length and at the 9' length could be stabilized by adding another tripod or mono pod under the middle section. The risers could elevate the camera body far enough above the track so we could not see the track at the end of our move.
We filmed on the Canon 5d Mark II, so the weight of our camera was perfectly suited for this slider. We filmed on rocky uneven hillsides near a glacier, in the water with the tripods in the sand and submerged in water, keeping the track and camera just above water level, in a desert in the sand where we had to pack it in and heavy dolly and track would've been too cumbersome. We took 13 flights in 16 days all over the world, carrying the slider in one case with ease. For smaller size shoots and lightweight cameras the slider is an amazing new tool. It's a great product with a big future.
The slider served us remarkably well in both smooth and uneven terrain and was quick and easy to set up. Everything fit in one case which was around 50 lbs total, and easily towed around in a wheeled case. The whole rig could be set up by one person in about 10 minutes. We worked in foreign countries with language barriers and the assembly was easy to explain using a bit of sign language and common sense. Leveling and adjusting the height of the track was best with 2 people but was lightweight and nimble compared to using dolly track in that the track could be suspended above the ground and leveled by adjusting the tripods at either end. Track could also be used on or low to the ground by widening out the tripod legs so they dropped low to the ground. In the higher position, stability in the middle was solid on the 6' length and at the 9' length could be stabilized by adding another tripod or mono pod under the middle section. The risers could elevate the camera body far enough above the track so we could not see the track at the end of our move.
We filmed on the Canon 5d Mark II, so the weight of our camera was perfectly suited for this slider. We filmed on rocky uneven hillsides near a glacier, in the water with the tripods in the sand and submerged in water, keeping the track and camera just above water level, in a desert in the sand where we had to pack it in and heavy dolly and track would've been too cumbersome. We took 13 flights in 16 days all over the world, carrying the slider in one case with ease. For smaller size shoots and lightweight cameras the slider is an amazing new tool. It's a great product with a big future.
Michele Abbott
Exec Producer
Road Trip Films
Scroll down to view a "making-of" video showing the Porta-Jib Tracker in action.
Scroll down to view the finished spot.
These photos and videos show the prototype version. Find out more about the new Porta-Jib Tracker by clicking here.