May 20, 2018

Sunwayfoto M3 Micro-slip Slide Video Rail Preview

Sunwayfoto M3 Micro Slide Overview

The introduction of M1 Micro-Slip Slide Rail (Preview) last year put Sunwayfoto on a different level concerning the mobile phone accessories market, both for stills and for video.
A new member in this family the M3 Micro-Slip Slide rail (it remains a mystery what actually happened to M2) enhances this image.

Somehow, the M3 slide cannot be considered an upgrade or update or even enlargement of the M1 since despite the function, they have nothing in common designwise.
Yes, M3 is a completely different approach, which however gives the impression that it was meant to bear heavier loads than the M1.

The Micro Slide

Manufacturer Specification:
Model:M3
Length:230 mm
Width:76 mm
Height:30 mm
Sliding Travel:170 mm
Top Mounting Stud:1/4"-20 UNC
Base Mounting Hole:1/4"-20 ~ 3/8"-16 UNC
Net Weight:299 gr

Despite the same Sunwayfoto standards in CNC machining and corrosion resistant hard coat anodizing, there are not any platforms with opposing travel, not any wires.
Even more the M3 has a single platform, larger than the rail width, that moves on the outer side grooves of the rail instead of the internal tracks. Furthermore, the platform is equipped with a friction/lock knob able to immobilize it.

The rail is hollowed out in order to keep the weight as low as possible, something that has always been in goal for Sunwayfoto engineers. The top side is laser engraved on both rims with full length decimal scales from 0 to 220 mm in 1 millimeter increments. The actual slide travel though is 170 mm considering the width of the top platform.
One 1/4"-20 stud on the platform is responsible for mounting any accessory required, while it can be transformed into a 3/8"-16 stud via a reducer bushing.
A quite large bulls eye bubble level is found on one end of the base rail with an "M3" label placed symmetrically on the other end.


Sunwayfoto M3 Micro Slide top and bottom views

Nonetheless, the M3 platform still uses four shaft bearings made by NSK Japan, famous for its quality, ensuring smooth movement on the CNCed grooves on the sides of the slide rail.
The underside is quite simple in structure with a center brace featuring a 3/8"-16 tapped hole in the middle and two 1/4"-20 tapped holes on the side for mounting the rail directly on a pod.
A couple of M3 safety stop screws, one at each end, ensure the rail doesn't slip off from a semi-closed clamp.

The rail sides have three dovetails in total one on top and one towards the bottom, between which slides the top platform and a third at the bottom, giving the ability of clamping the rail on a Arca style clamp.

Sunwayfoto M3 Micro Slide side and top dimensions
Sunwayfoto M3 Micro-slip Slide detailed dimensions



Available Packages

Much like its sibling the M1, the M3 Micro-slip Slide also comes in three configurations. The standard M3 stand alone unit and two other packages where it is accompanied by useful mobile phone accessories.

Sunwayfoto M3 Micro Slide packaging
Sunwayfoto M3 Micro-slip Slide packaging and accessories

The second iteration is Sunwayfoto M3-T1 which includes also the versatile Sunwayfoto CPC-01 Mobile Phone Bracket..

Sunwayfoto M3 Micro Slide + CPC-01 Mobile Bracket
Sunwayfoto M3-T1 package with Micro-slip Slide and CPC-01 Mobile Bracket

While the third iteration M3-T2 comes with the very recent double panning XB-28II Low Profile ball head and PT-37 quick release plate.

Sunwayfoto M3 Micro Slide + XB-28II Ballhead
Sunwayfoto M3 -T2 Package with Micro-slip Slide and XB-28II Low Profile Ball head

Applications

The M3 Micro-slip Slide being an Arca type rail is designed to be deployed mounted by the bottom dovetail on a quick release clamp or at least on a pod by its 1/4"-20 or 3/8"-16 mounting holes.
The M3 has less features and frills than the M1 but is more sturdy and can easily hold a larger camera no less a Smart phone.

Sunwayfoto M3 Micro Slide side with DSLR on T1A11 II tripod
Sunwayfoto M3 Micro-slip Slide on XB-28 II Ball head and T1A11 II mini tripod combo

I hope you found the info useful, thank you for viewing.
All Photos used by permission ©2018 Sunwayfoto.com

Price & Availability:
Recommended Retail Price is US$ 68.00 for the M3 Micro Slide, US $ 94.00 for the M3-T1 package and US $ 99.00 for the M3-T2 package. All packages will soon be available from Amazon and from eBay among others.

Update 15/01/2022:
Unfortunately the M3 Micro Slip Slide has been discontinued.

Referenced Articles:

Sunwayfoto CPC-01 Mobile Phone Bracket Review
Sunwayfoto CPC-01 Mobile Phone Bracket Review
Announcement of Sunwayfoto XB-28II Low Profile Double Panning Ball Head
Announcement of Sunwayfoto XB-28II Low Profile Double Panning Ball Head







Relevant Articles:

Sunwayfoto Introduced M1 Micro-Slip Slide Rail Preview
Sunwayfoto CPV-01 Aluminum Camera Dolly Review
Sunwayfoto CPV-01 Aluminum Camera Dolly Review

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