Astro Timelapse - Zeapon Axis Motion Timelapse Slider

[@antipodesastro667]

Hi Richard. Another piece of kit for my wishlist 😀Thank you for consistently delivering top-notch content and sharing your expertise with us. Always look forward to your insights and beautiful videos!👏🙌

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

You're very kind as always Lisa. Well it is a nice piece of kit . .I'll continue to see what timelapses I can manufacture with it moving forward.

[@heeyulkim9699]

What an interesting informative video Richard. I am really looking forward to seeing your great astro timelapse by this slider. tks

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks for watching my friend.

[@hanshuang4287]

Hey Richard, it's glad to see your in detail review, it's awesome!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much Hans, really appreciate that.

[@frankanore]

Thank you for this review. It built back my confidence on it. Was about to order but decided to watch YT reviews first. The first reviewer talked about the noise on noise, which to be honest, I could hear here as well. It talked about how not smooth it operates at start and end points. But yours here proves very smooth. Anyways, I I will watch out for their upgrade.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for watching Frank, really appreciate it.

[@frankobenic7917]

Very nice review and really creative shoots at the end. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

You're very welcome Frank

[@pskourides]

All my thanks for a superb 'review' of this Zeapon Axis slider. I really want one too! It's not even out yet as far as I can tell, I can only find the Pan Tilt head PT. for sale. I hope you have fun producing even more remarkable work. Your content is very much apprieciated. :)

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks Phil. Yes it was only released today. I think it will come up on Amazon soon.

[@Lexxo777]

Awesome Richard! Nice bit of kit.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks heaps for watching Rexx mate.

[@treeman3663]

What an interesting informative video Richard 📹

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks for watching my friend

[@lianalehua7424]

Great detail. Thank you. Since your title included the words “Timelapse Slider”, I was expecting to see an example of how the Timelapse feature works in practice. Thanks again for the detailed overview.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for watching. This was already quite a long video. You can check out my other videos featuring timelapse gear here: kzbin.info/aero/PLAYKmqkUeSM8_CC4sIU8xxmF6N8uOHESB

[@dennisblack4444]

Awesome piece of kit Richard

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks again for watching Dennis

[@geoffsharpe6456]

That looks like a handy slider system Richard. A smooth and reliable system with 3 axis motion 👍👌😎

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

It really is Geoff. A great product .. but I love all the Zeapon range.

[@gavinheppenstall766]

Another great vid Richard clear skies 🖖

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks as always for watching Gavin

[@timelapsescapes]

Another piece of kit in your studio Richard. I thought i had a lot of gear. It looks like you need a trailer to haul your gear on you road trips. Cheers Frank

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Yes it is getting like that Frank . .Oh well, it's all fun.

[@PentaxLife]

That's a nice slider, sure seems nice and smooth great job.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Yes it is very nice . .I think it's very well engineered.

[@samimqazi4270]

thank you for wonderful video but did you use shutter cable for timelapse ????

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks for watching. No I didn't connect the shutter cable for any of these examples . .but you can certainly use that method .. and I'd suggest most do.

[@M31glow]

Excellent review!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for watching.

[@allanwilliams2361]

Nice new toy Richard. I expect to see a lot more timelapses now.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Haha, I'll see what I can do Allan.

[@galacticnemesis366]

Wow Richard that appeared to be a welcome relief from your previous product experience. 😅 Benro take note. Here’s an example of a well executed product release that functions as intended including the app. Obviously Zeapon perform much better product testing before they release a new product. Looks like some quality gear too.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Haha, yes it is an interesting comparison I suppose . .I didn't think of it like that at first. I'm sure all these products have a ton of testing done before release . .at least you'd like to think so.

[@jannekukkola3625]

Absolutely amazing Richard! Greetings from Finland! I love your enthusiasm for creating these high quality videos. This slider would be great in making timelapses of Aurora Borealis. Here in Northern Finland the nights are getting darker and soon we'll be able to see the Northern Lights again. All the best!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Yes I agree it would be ideal for your wonderful auroras images. Thanks for watching.

[@PhillipMcCallum]

Great addition to your kit. Thankyou

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Yes I'll have to start offloading some of my other gear though Phil . .or upgrade to a larger vehicle ..!!!

[@PhillipMcCallum]

@@nightscapeimages.richard you must have quite a collection.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Yes I do @@PhillipMcCallum

[@johnd5244]

That is a real nice slider! But Richard you a bad influence on one’s wallet!🤣 can’t wait to see more Timelapse’s with it. Have a wonderful week my friend. And thank you for sharing with us.📷☕️🍪

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Haha, so sorry about that John ..!!!!

[@lesladbrook4508]

Looks brilliant Richard, I even enjoyed the wee pet field mouse in the video :-)

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Haha, it's amazing what you can see in a timelapse at night in the garden Les.

[@cyrilgpilot]

Thanks for the review. Absolutely insane! What is the max duration to travel edge to edge? I would like to do astrophotography timelaps so a need 4 to 5 hours on a single travel as I can see on some of your demi at the end of the review.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Yes I have done 4-5 hour timelapses ... it's pretty easy to make it work that long.

[@franksemi_modular]

Another good video and good product no doubt :-) I bought the Zeapon Micro 3 E1000 full set, + hotshoe trigger, revolver plate etc. after watching your older videos. It seams the Zeapon Axis is not for sale yet anywhere.. and when it will be im sure all units will be impossible to get for many months. That's the most annoying part of these things. After waiting and waiting you get so annoyed you just buy something else.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Yes it seems their taking their time to get it out to retailers . .not sure why they'd release it if you can't buy it anywhere. Appreciate you watching Frank.

[@dhg1960]

Hi Richard, Yet another fascinating video. This slider looks really nice. I had a look at their webpage and their gear seems to be extremely well built and thought out. I mentioned to you my using an Emotimo Panoramic head, this also has a slided, but not quite as nice. I loved the timelapses and in particular the mini bicycle ( like the one on the farm ). By the way, your garden looks great !

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks again David. I did try to hide all the weeds in the garden . .Not sure I succeeded with that ..!!!

[@dhg1960]

@@nightscapeimages.richard Well, they were so well photographed, I thought they were flowers! Fact is, they all look the same to me.

[@Valleedbrume]

Love what you’re doing with this slider.Thinking of buying one myself self.Still struggling between the different models.Does the unit allow for any camera control?Great video by the way.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for watching. I do love all the Zeapon gear. I used to have Edelkrone but these are far better and a lot cheaper to buy.

[@kerrykroberts7809]

Richard, most of my night time lapse photography are in areas with no cell coverage. Would you still recommend this slider over other options? Thanks!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

You don't need any mobile phone coverage for this device to work. The app runs via wifi from the unit itself. I like all the Zeapon options.

[@patrickleroy3284]

Merci bonnes photos !

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for tuning in.

[@MrExel47]

Splendid video! Can the timelapse trigger operate without the app, when using the new motor unit? And how does one set up a Nikon (I have a D850) for an automatic day to night transition?

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

I think you need the app to make the trigger work as it's an option in the app. I use Nikon mirrorless cameras in Aperture Priority mode so you could try that. I set the iso to auto and the aperture to f2.8 usually. . although it depends on how dark your location is. I typically am shooting milky way in dark sky locations. You can see a lot more about my methods regarding timelapse here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJishnWBjM-Kf5o

[@MrExel47]

@@nightscapeimages.richard Thanks for your advice! With auto ISO I would probably set a limit at ISO 4000.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

That would be quite good I reckon. I'm not sure if the D850 has "Exposure Smoothing" in the Interval Timer section, but I always make sure that's enabled for timelapse. @@MrExel47

[@TheMiniD3]

Hi Richard, Another very professional production (as always) Your attention to detail is amazing , great viewing but the Z9 has not allowed me much slack on the CC now :) other priorities being software and some serious HDD (running out of space, but I love where Im at with the pixels now) I thought you had moved to Tassie? :) Regards ............. Gary ..................... AU (Adel.)

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Haha, well I've spent a fair bit of time in Tassie lately . .I love the place. I hope you enjoy that Z9 mate.

[@andreaboyle9435]

What an awesome review!! I would buy it if I could do timelapse which, at my age, probably won't happen as I want to learn a musical instrument too. (I figure I only have so many brain cells left.) But I can see how it would augment astrophotography sweetly! Thanks for the tutorial, Richard!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Haha, well in my opinion we are never too old to learn anything new . . What musical instrument are you learning Andrea ..!!!

[@andreaboyle9435]

@@nightscapeimages.richard I'm getting a mandolin!!

[@klassenrick87]

I doubt I will ever afford it but looks like a great product. 👍

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

These are a lot cheaper than other "Name" brands on the market. But it all depends on what we actually need doesn't it. Thanks for watching.

[@RaymondToms]

Thank you for the extended demo Richard. I watched it a couple of weeks ago, and it was enough to make me buy the Axis 120 Pro, which arrived this week. The only issue I have at the moment, is that when moving at over 19% speed (yes, 19 and below ok, 20+ not ok) it emits a sound like a quiet ambulance siren (or donkey - eeawweeaww), which gets louder the faster it goes. Have sent a video to Zeapon, but have not heard back yet. I have updated the firmware, so it isn’t that.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks for watching Raymond. I assume you're using it for video ..?? I predominantly use mine for timelapse with no audio. When I tested it for video I was using a radio mic under my shirt so no sound picked up at all.

[@RaymondToms]

@@nightscapeimages.richard Hi Richard. I understand that, but did you hear similar noises, or is it peculiar to my unit. If so, then I will push to get it replaced.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Yes my unit is certainly not quiet. @@RaymondToms

[@lightexplorer]

This is certainly worrisome. I have done a lot of research on camera sliders over the last two weeks and Zeapon seemed to have the most promise (best value for your money). Now I am taking a closer look at the comments section for both the Micro3 and AXIS series across multiple KZbin videos and the overall sentiment is that people have a negative experience with the product. It's much different from the people reviewing the product like Richard and other KZbinrs. I wonder if there are some variances in terms of quality control during the manufacturing process or if the folks reviewing the product haven't had enough time with it to call out some of the grievances that people are mentioning. I don't want to discount the work done here because I think Richard has done a fantastic job reviewing the product but when I read comments like yours @RaymondToms it makes me think twice about pulling the trigger. I am looking for a slider that can double up as video/product photography and timelapse. Something like an annoying ambulance siren could be enough to deter me from purchasing the product because it tells me Zeapon still needs more time with sliders before they can make one without issues. There are certainly a fair amount of complaints about the app experience and nowadays, apps are supposed to be great given there is an entire industry around app development and UI/engineering best practices. Anyway thanks for reading my rant.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

As I mentioned my primary use of these products is for timelapse so they are moving slow. When using for video I never use a mic attached to camera so again audio isn't a concern. I remember my Edelkrone was quite noisy also.

[@Cheslav64]

Hi Richard! Very interesting video! What trigger did you use? Is Zeapon timelapse trigger compatible with Axis?

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for watching. I used the app to do all the timelapses in this video. I haven't used the Timelapse Trigger but it is compatible with the Axis.

[@Cheslav64]

@@nightscapeimages.richard thank you very much for your answer

[@mariopereira8261]

Hello Richard, another interesting review, because you liked it and said it so well, I bought the Zeapon micro 3 or 1000 with Pons PT , and I am loving the work I have done with them. Richard the Zeapon Axis Motion derived from its length is more limiting to be able to travel by plane, but I think it is lighter right ?? Thanks for this video Richard

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Yes that Micro 3 is an awesome slider. You are correct, this new Axis is much harder to transport any distance. It's not overly heavy but very solidly built.

[@manjul1966]

Hi Richard. Thank you - very informative: I received my Unit on Friday and was mucking around with it today: so your Video has helped heaps (as always). Have you any Videos on how to specifically setup Timelapses on the Zeapon? Including on how to use the Timelapse Trigger (which I also ordered) or any other resources you perhaps could direct me to? Much appreciated. Thank you as always. Regards Manjul

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Hey Manjul. I've been using Zeapon sliders for quite a while now. See here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGTGdKmNm9WVgJo or here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJXToIOKrM2sqtU

[@manjul1966]

Thank you Richard. Will watch these now. Cheers

[@andysuzierawlins5462]

Awesome timelapses at the end, my plan to timelapse every shoot this year went awry, due to lack of intervalometers, but I have quite a few from my spring me shoots., thanks for the info on your new slider I'm really sorry, I accidentally unsubscribed from your channel, wondered why I hadn't seen you for a few weeks, then realised why.... Duh, but I'm back, I don't remember doing it, so I probably mistouched the screen at the wrong time. Yours is one of my favourite channels so, I wouldn't deliberately unsubscribe

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

That's quite ok. I'd miss you a lot if you permanently unsubscribed though.

[@andysuzierawlins5462]

@@nightscapeimages.richard I have no intention of doing that 😊

[@samuraiintellectual]

I noticed skipping and repeating of frames in your astrolapses at the end. Was it smooth on the original and it’s just KZbin?

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

It's a combination of things. Yes they look better when not youtube compressed . .but also the daytime one's are shooting at a fast shutter speed which always appears less fluid . .especially on a motion timelapse slider. People will often apply an ND filter to slow the shutter speed down to help with this. I didn't apply any filters on these shots.

[@leonfisher]

Great review. I was expecting it to cost much more.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Appreciate you watching Leon. I think Zeapon is a great alternative to other name brands out there.

[@boycefitzgerald]

I have the micro3 700 slider and pons system and am very happy with it. I don’t see a reason to upgrade, but if I was buying now, this looks like a great product.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

I love the Micro 3. This one's longer but a lot more difficult to transport.

[@hanshuang4287]

@@nightscapeimages.richard Yes, I agree, it's a more professional and integrated slider😄

[@timelapsestreamer]

I'm using a Nikon Z5, and I bought this new slider, and I also bought the Timelapse Trigger because I wanted it to be a holy grail, but it doesn't work at all. Could you please tell me the settings when shooting?

[@timelapsestreamer]

Supplement. The time-lapse trigger I tried was a mechanical shutter rather than an electronic shutter. Enables rear curtain sync flash mode. Silent shooting OFF. NIKON's interval shooting starts when you press Start Shooting, so you can only take one photo even if you press the shutter. How can I use Timelapse Trigger?

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Yes as you suggest, you can only use the Timelapse Trigger with manual shutter. Not electronic shutter. So you have to enable the Timelapse Trigger in the Zeapon App .. Have you done that ..??? It's the last option.

[@entrancehaya]

@@nightscapeimages.richard 　I enabled Timelapse Trigger in the Zeapon app, but with the NIKON Z, the interval timer cannot be activated unless you press the start button, so the app tells you to press the shutter, so if you press the shutter, you can only take one photo, so NIKON no interval shooting cannot be used. Is there another way?

[@lightexplorer]

Great video. Could you tell us which is going to be your long-term slider? The Axis or Micro3 series? I am in the middle of trying to decide between the two and only have the budget to buy one of them.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

I think due to portability the Micro 3 would be my preference.

[@lightexplorer]

Thanks@@nightscapeimages.richard As someone who has extensive experience doing astro timelapses do you find the 500 or 700 series restrictive in terms of travel distance? Debating on which model to purchase.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

You'll get the effect.ect at any length but i prefer the longer sliders.

[@lightexplorer]

@@nightscapeimages.richard last question. Do you notice any stability problems like shaky footage or movement in your timelapse as the Micro 3 reaches the end of the track? I know this is a common complaint of the edelkrone systems.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

No nothing like that at all. I used to own an Edelkrone system and in my opinion the Zeapon is far better for what I'm using it for. @@lightexplorer

[@AlSo-Fotografie]

someone mentioned on yt that u have to press A or B to select your starting point (just before u press start). You will see the direction in form of arrows on the display (A >>> B or B >>> A). Only in single slide mode, obviously.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for watching.

[@DaxNZ]

I'm trying to decide between this and the micro 3. With the pons pt head thr micro 3 is $400 more. Is it worth the extra?

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

They are both very good. The main difference is that the Micro 3 is much more compact compared to the Axis. The Micro 3 is more practical for transport.

[@DaxNZ]

@@nightscapeimages.richard is one quicker to set up and use?

[@AstroRoad]

I think my days with fixed length sliders are done, but that flash trigger, Micro 3 and Pons P&T kit have not left my wish list since you first introduced them on your channel. Love the use of cheap, readily available NPF batteries too. Are you able to turn the display off during a time-lapse sequence? Any issues with light spill? Great video Richard, very solid looking unit and love that it integrates seamlessly with their existing ecosystem.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

All good thoughts based off years of great experience Dominic. I always have the display facing away from the front and haven't had any issues as yet. I don't think you can turn it off.

[@mannythehunter]

Man awesome product. I have a cheap slider that doesnt rotate. Maybe time to upgrade.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Yes all the Zeapon sliders are very good I reckon.

[@johncarter591]

So is this available yet or have you got a Pre - demo unit?

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

This is a pre-production model John. It was only officially released today. I think it'll be on Amazon very soon. See more Zeapon info here: www.zeapon.com/axis-multi-axis-slider/

[@johncarter591]

Okay You got your video up before Zeapon Tech have lol they only got it up now@@nightscapeimages.richard

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

We Aussies are up early aren't we John ..!!! @@johncarter591

[@willywolf6186]

Just a quick tip from a friend: Don‘t move an electro-motor by hand because it acts as an electro-generator. only if you have no other way to do so and in this case …very slowly. Most equipment that supports this kind of operation will always disconnect the pully so that the motor is not moving inside the device. Perhaps the have some protection on the electronic side but I wouldn’t count on that.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Fair enough. As I mentioned in the video. I don't use this myself at all . .but it is included as a feature.

[@willywolf6186]

@@nightscapeimages.richard I can clearly hear the sound in the video when you move the device by hand. So the motor is still connected. It‘s only a question of how fast you push that device. As faster you move as higher the injected voltage will be. I learned that the hard way with some other device. But you don‘t move your device by hand … That‘s a smart decision.

[@MrExel47]

It is actually possible to disconnect the pully.

[@jimgiraffe5253]

i got the micro 3 and the pons pan head in march and this new axis range isnt really much of an upgrade so ill give it a miss for now. what i am waiting for is their follow focus which hans said was coming around july time

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Yes that will be interesting. Appreciate you watching.

[@jimgiraffe5253]

@@nightscapeimages.richard no worries, you were the reason i got the micro 3 and timelapse trigger ... great bit of kit, im just surprised they made this axis slider ... i cant understand why

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

I did ponder that myself. Perhaps they are trying to cover all the competition options.@@jimgiraffe5253

[@jimgiraffe5253]

@@nightscapeimages.richard possibly, maybe competition like dynamic perception but using the same app is weird, if the app on the axis had more advanced controls had ramping etc then maybe i could understand but hey , it is what it is kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZzKgmuMnbKJibM this is one of my fav timelapse videos ever and got me interested in lapsed years ago, still stands up today (despite being 10yrs old) and that was using a dymanic perceptions slider.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

I agree about needing the ramping. Just goes to show that's it always comes back to the creator more so than the equipment.@@jimgiraffe5253

[@alandyer910]

Thanks for the review. Looks like a fine product. Just a note on your equipment list - it looks like the Timelapse+ View intervalometer is discontinued. Pity! They’re just selling the Lightroom plug-in software now to compete with LRTimelapse. But as you’ve noted, today’s cameras do a much better job handling holy grail timelapses in auto exposure even into dark scenes. Cheers!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks Alan. Yes I have a Timelapse + View but haven't used it for a few years now. I did hear that someone else may have taken it over.

[@brianwillert2833]

The problem I'm finding with this slider is no body sells it in Australia.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Yes it's brand new Brian. I think it will appear on Amazon soon.

[@brianwillert2833]

@@nightscapeimages.richard Well don't you think you should have been upfront with us an told us that you where sent the slider from Zeapon for review.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Well I don't think it should matter to be honest. @@brianwillert2833

[@brianwillert2833]

Well the law says this. Do influencers have to disclose? Under FTC law, influencers have a legal obligation to clearly and conspicuously disclose their material connection to the products, services, brands and/or companies they promote in their social media feeds. What are the rules for influencer disclosure in Australia? For influencer marketing and disclosure in Australia, it is mandatory to be transparent about any commercial relationships between brands and influencers. Under the Australian Consumer Law, misleading or deceptive advertising is prohibited.@@nightscapeimages.richard

[@blackburd]

That looks hella expensive.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

I think you'll find it really well priced versus the competition. Appreciate you watching.

[@nightskyimages2977]

I watched a video a while back of yours about shooting time lapes videos of the milky way but they are made in camera ready to watch and you made a good video about it but can't find it anywhere at all plz help me find it I really need to watch it again the camera made the time lapes and was ready to watch didn't have to do anything

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

I have made a few but I think it might be one of these. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJishnWBjM-Kf5o or kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGTGdKmNm9WVgJo