After a considerable decline in popularity over the last few years, 2024 could be the year of sliders’ return. Indeed, iFootage announced its Shark Slider Nano 2 during IBC 2024, and we recently reviewed the Trexo Converta. As someone who loves to use sliders for corporate and interview shoots, I’m glad manufacturers keep innovating in that area.

After releasing the Micro3 series in July 2022 and the AXIS series in August 2023, ZEAPON is back with the latest iteration of their sliders: the Micro4 series.

ZEAPON Micro4 Series – features

Let’s start with one of the standout features of the Micro4 sliders: its double-distance sliding mechanism. This innovative design allows the slider to offer twice the range of movement compared to its physical length, which can be very handy for filmmakers working in tight or confined spaces.

Six different versions of the Micro4 are available: the M500/M700/M1000, which are manual sliders, and the E500/E700/E1000, which are motorized sliders.

The main differences between the models are their length, travel distance, and weight. However, all slider models have a maximum payload of 12kg/26.4 lbs horizontally and 4.5kg/9.92 lbs in any other orientation. So, what’s new with this new fourth series compared to its predecessor?

What’s new?

The track design didn’t change much, but ZEAPON improved the dampening mechanism for smoother results, which is helpful for the manual versions. Also, they added support wheels at both ends of the sliders to prevent the slider from sagging when you reach the end of the track.

Most of the changes and improvements of these new slider models are located in the motor, which has been completely redesigned from the ground up. Thanks to its new control buttons and touchscreen, the Micro4 doesn’t need a cellphone or app to be operated.

On the motor, you’ll now find a speed adjustment wheel and a normal/high-speed switch button. In terms of speeds, the range goes from 0.18mm/s at 1% speed in normal mode all the way up to 17.8cm/s at 100% in high-speed mode. Furthermore, ZEAPON claims the Micro4 series motor is “ultra quiet” and should not make audible noise in normal-speed mode.

Like its predecessor, the ZEAPON Micro4 can be powered by one Sony NP-F battery. However, you now have the option to power it externally via a power bank plugged into the motor’s USB-C power input. According to ZEAPON, a single small Sony NP-F550 battery can power the slider for up to 5.5 hours at normal speed and close to 3 hours at high speed.

Price and availability

The ZEAPON Micro4 series sliders are available for preorder now, ranging from €428,95 for the M500 to €572,95 for the M1000, while the motorized version starts at €736,95 for the E500 all the way up to €879,95 for the E1000.

For more information, please visit ZEAPON’s website here.

What do you think about these new ZEAPON sliders? Are sliders still part of your shooting kit? Have you ever used ZEAPON sliders? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!

Rhino has been making camera sliders for over a decade. Over the years, they also developed motion control add-ons like their Rhino Arc II 4-axis motorized head.

Camera sliders have their utility, but they’re often limited to small movements/lengths. Also, except for big cinema sliders, the maximum payload capacity of a slider is often limited.

If you need to slide more than one meter with a heavy camera package, you better switch to a traditional dolly. The good news is that Rhino is expanding its range of camera movement solutions with the new Rhino Dolly.

Rhino Dolly carriage and rental kit features

The core piece of the Rhino Dolly is the all-metal carriage that has 16 built-in wheels. The carriage weighs around 23lbs/10.4kg, and it has a maximum payload capacity of 100lbs/45kg.

The compact “Rental Kit” version of the Rhino dolly comes in a hardshell case with the carriage and two endplates.

The carriage and Rhino Dolly End Plates are compatible with various rails, including US/Euro Speed Rails, 1 1/2” EMT, and the company’s own Rhino Infinity Rails.

The carriage has a 100mm built-in bowl, and the kit comes with a half ball with a 3/8″-16 stud.

The bowl allows you to level your tripod head/camera up to 10 degrees in any direction. At the bottom of the half bowl, the tightening knob also has a 3/8″-16 stud for underslung shots.

You’ll find four 3/8″-16 mounting points with ARRI locating pins and eight 1/4″-20 mounting points on the carriage itself. These mounting points allow you to attach a monitor or camera accessories onto the carriage directly.

Also, the carriage has a built-in brake system that you can engage with a quick turn of a knob. This brake system is handy when you have heavy – and expensive – camera packages mounted on a dolly.

Rhino Dolly base and ultimate kits with Infinity Rails

Rhino has you covered with its Base and Ultimate kits if you want a “ready-to-shoot” that fits inside a single rolling case. In the top lid of these kits’ hardshell, you’ll find four Infinity Rails.

Simply screw two rails together, and you end up with a 7ft/2.1m dolly. You can purchase additional Infinity Rails to make the Rhino Dolly as long as you wish. However, you’ll need to put a rail support every 7ft.

The quick-lock endplates double as feet for low-mode shots. Furthermore, you can mount the endplates onto a tripod via the 1/4″-20 female mounting point at the end of each plate. Finally, if you want more rigidity/payload capacity, you can mount the endplates to a light stand via the optional 1/4″-20 to stand adapters.

If you go with the Ultimate kit, you’ll get a set of four adjustable carbon fiber quick legs. These legs screw at the end of each endplate. According to Rhino, “when the legs are fully extended, the half ball is at ~54.5″; high enough for standing shots. When the legs are fully collapsed, the half ball is at ~24.”

One of the most significant drawbacks of these quick legs is that the maximum payload capacity drops to 75lbs/34kg at the lowest height and only 30lbs/13kg at the highest position.

Rhino Arc II motion control

The Ultimate Kit also comes with the Rhino Arc II motion control head and a special Rhino Dolly belt and connection cable. The Arc II allows you to motorize the Rhino Dolly and get consistent and repeatable shots.

Of course, if you already have a Rhino Arc II head, you’ll only need to tell Rhino to send you the Dolly belt and connection cable.

Price and availability

The Rhino Dolly is available for pre-order now on Kickstarter. The crowdfunding campaign lasts until April 29th, and the Rhino Dolly should start shipping by December 2022.

The Rental Kit is $1800, the Base Kit is $2400, and the Ultimate Kit is $4000.

For more information, please visit Rhino’s crowdfunding page here.

At the end of every crowdfunding-related article, we remind you to please be aware of the risks when backing a project on a crowdfunding platform. Please read the platform’s terms of use and remember that there can be significant delays when delivering the product. Some projects even don’t get delivered at all.

What do you think about the Rhino Dolly? Do you think it can compete with well-established tools like the Dana Dolly? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments down below!