iFootage Shark Slider Mini Review: Ideal for Indie Videographers

When it comes to sliders, the market offers numerous options. Some feature belt-driven heads, others utilize ball-bearings, and there are even wireless models available. The iFootage Shark Slider Mini complete bundle ($1389.99) stands out as one of the latest innovations, offering wireless control via a dedicated app. Impressive, isn’t it? Having extensively tested the Shark Slider Mini complete bundle, here is our comprehensive review.

Design and Build

• Slider rails
• Extension rail
• Slider motor
• Remote control module
• X2 Mini head
• Slider legs
• Flywheel
• Batteries
• Camera connector cables

These parts alone suffice for remarkable shots, though additional components can enhance flexibility further.

In terms of build, the Shark Slider Mini and the X2 Mini head impress without reservation. Almost everything is crafted from lightweight metal, with the plastic elements equally sturdy. All quick release buttons, numerous in number, boast brushed metal construction and sport the standard iFootage red, adding a striking contrast to the slider’s predominantly grey and black tones.

• Easy and swift to execute.
• No uneven joints when adding extension rails; smooth operation remains intact.

The second point is crucial because an uneven joint causes a camera bump when the slider-motor passes over it. However, with the iFootage slider, this isn’t an issue. Feedback from the video team highlights their appreciation for this attention to detail. They mentioned that the camera slip-plate is slightly thin, but it’s not a deal-breaker. While thinner than the plate used on the Manfrotto head for everyday shoots, it still feels sturdy.

Slider Assembly

True to its modular design, the iFootage Shark Slider Mini arrives with an array of components akin to a DIY kit. Yet, don’t be misled; assembling this slider is remarkably straightforward. Despite my initial inexperience with sliders, I effortlessly assembled the entire apparatus unaided, a testament to its user-friendly construction.

All pieces either screw or slide into place without any unnecessary nuts and bolts. Everything is intuitive, effortlessly aligning with the Shark Slider Mini. The remote control motor attaches to the slider-motor’s side, powering the gears to move as commanded. The flywheel, affixed at the same point, enhances manual shots, providing a smooth counter-weight. The head and camera plates attach similarly to other camera setups.

The flywheel facilitates manual camera head sliding, while the tracks effortlessly extend slider length. The L plate is ideal for heavier cameras, such as the GH-5.

Overall, carrying this thing on shoots makes a lot of sense because it’s easy to assemble, disassemble, and stuff into a backpack.

iFootage App

The iFootage app is a great companion for this slider. While its design may not be the best (it certainly appears outdated), and it might only be available on iPhones (as indicated by the ‘i’ in the name), it’s remarkably easy to use and feature-laden to say the least.

The home-screen of the app immediately displays the slider’s functionalities and connection status. If connected, a battery meter is provided for easy monitoring, which is crucial as relying solely on LED indicators for battery life assessment during shoots can be unreliable.

• Timeline Control
• Manual Control
• Target Control
• Stitching

Additionally, there are Settings and Community buttons.

Timeline Control

In the iFootage app, the ‘Timeline Control’ mode enables you to manually set slide, pan, and tilt values for precise movement of the slider motor and X2 Mini head during video, timelapse, or stop-motion shooting.

Manual Control

The ‘Manual Control’ mode provides a joy-pad for managing slide, pan, and tilt of the slider motor and X2 Mini head, along with buttons for ‘Lock Tilt,’ ‘Lock Pan,’ and more. Ideal for setting up photo-shots or for those seeking complete manual control over camera movement.

Target Control

‘Target Control’ mode is the easiest and one of my favorites. With it, you set up Point A, then slide, pan, and tilt to the desired final position, setting Point B. Once done, the slider automatically moves from point A to point B while smoothly panning, tilting, and sliding to capture a great shot effortlessly.

Stitching

Stitching offers two modes — grid and panoramic. In grid mode, the camera takes multiple shots and combines them for a super high-resolution photo. In panoramic mode, the camera automatically creates a perfectly leveled and stitched panorama. It’s awesome.

Settings and Community

Within Settings, you can choose shooting mode, modify display units, and manage track count. Firmware updates for the slider and X2 mini head are accessible here; keeping them current is essential for panning functionality.

The Community feature remains inactive, labeled ‘Coming Soon.’ It promises future integration with the iFootage community, enabling photo sharing for inspiration and recognition.

Usability

When it comes to usability, the iFootage slider is possibly the simplest I’ve ever used (and I’ve used quite a few). The app connects to the slider and head via Bluetooth, and the process is incredibly easy and fast, so you won’t have to fumble around in your iPhone’s settings.

Additionally, the X2 Mini pan and tilt head make it easy to capture incredible shots. The app is intuitive even for first-time users, making the iFootage slider one of the easiest to use sliders with a remarkable amount of control for both beginners and pros.

The slider can be placed on the ground, mounted on a tripod, or set up at an angle, allowing for various shots in different locations. However, due to its small legs for easy portability, using the slider on uneven ground, such as a construction site, may pose challenges. The Shark Slider Mini comes with short legs for portability.

Longer legs would have improved stability on uneven surfaces but sacrificed portability. iFootage opted for portability with the Shark Slider Mini, hence the compromise. Portability also limits the slider’s maximum load to 5kg, according to iFootage, making it unsuitable for heavier cinematic cameras.

Given its modular design, this slider allows for connecting up to 10 tracks (according to the app’s limit). Although untested beyond two tracks, employing more should still permit smooth operation via the app’s ‘Manual Control’ mode. Typically, ten tracks suffice for most shooting scenarios (barring, perhaps, capturing a Tesla Semi-truck).

Furthermore, direct power connectivity is feasible for the iFootage slider. This feature ensures uninterrupted operation during lengthy time-lapses, eliminating concerns about battery depletion mid-shot. Notably, the Shark Slider Mini boasts a generous maximum time-lapse duration of 7 days, suitable for the vast majority of users.

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Battery Life

The Shark Slider Mini and X2 Mini head both utilize Sony FV-50 batteries, commonly found in cameras such as the Sony A7.

In our testing, we observed that the batteries last nearly 3 hours on the slider motor and 4-5 hours on the X2 Mini head. This duration typically suffices for our YouTube shoots of shorter duration. However, for extended timelapse videos and similar projects, connecting the slider to an external power source becomes necessary.

The batteries charge fully in about 2 hours, which, while not particularly fast, is acceptable, especially considering typical charging times (including those of the GH-5 batteries).

Pros and Cons:

Although the iFootage Shark Slider bundle serves as an almost perfect slider for most purposes, there are some pros and cons to consider.

• Relatively inexpensive
• Portable and easy assembly
• Offers a wide variety of shots
• Thin camera plate
• Occasional vibrations in shots
• Shorter legs

Shark Slider Mini and X2 Mini Head: A Versatile Combo for Your Shooting Needs

In conclusion, the iFootage Shark Slider Mini, paired with the X2 Mini pan and tilt head, offers nearly everything a slider should in a remarkably compact and lightweight package, making this combo ideal for photographers and videographers on the move. The bundle includes a backpack that accommodates all components, cables, extra batteries, power packs, and more needed for shoots. While a smaller DSLM camera and lens could fit, I suggest using a separate bag if, like us, you often carry multiple lenses and lights.At $1,389.99, the Shark Slider Mini complete bundle offers excellent value and extends iFootage’s effort to make sliders accessible to many indie photographers and videographers. For those seeking an easy-to-use, portable slider for their shoots, the Shark Slider Mini complete bundle is highly recommended.