Vimeo member Derek Mellott appears to be refining his DIY motion controlled Timelapse Slider. This time he's added some clever upgrades such as a folding rail system, and end to end kill switches. He's also using the Ryobi 12V battery packs that I suggested a few weeks ago (glad to see that tip helped out). It looks like there's a POT in between to control voltage for slow or fast movements? Curious what the max speed is for consistent Video Dolly shots? [Thanks Derek]
DIY Equipment
DIY Cable Cam – GoPro or GH2
Not sure how many of you are following the 'Human Planet' television series, but it's something to look into. It's already pretty amazing what types of environments these film makers have to endure, but then at the end of the segment they always show some type of BTS of how they pulled off some of their camera movements. In one episode they showed how they setup a CableCam system to follow a man crossing over a turbulent river.
So now i'm interested in seeing if I can pull one DIY version off with a GH2 or at least a tiny version for a GoPro (you know just in case I run into a situation where i'm shooting over a turbulent river too). If you've got ideas for the best way to go about this, i'd like to see what you come up with. Here's a few interesting videos below on some motorized remote systems with pan heads.
Here's one below from Vimeo Member Photoship One, same guys who offer Helicopter mounted camera systems. Heck, if their version can support a GH2, I think it would do well in the market. On another note, with a motorized CableCam, has anyone attempted a motion control CableCam for super long TimeLapse?
Flashner HotShoe Multi Accessory Bracket
If you caught the video showing some of our ideas for setting up a cage during NAB, you might have caught a small double bracket holding the wireless receivers on top. This bracket is slightly expensive on it's own, but proved to be really functional. Here's another option for anyone looking to mount several accessories to the top of your camera, or to some sort of light stand. From CamCaddie, this 'Flashner' is available from 4", 8" and 16" lengths giving you plenty of rail for as many accessories as you can think of.
With up to 16" of hot shoe mountable rail, it would be pretty sweet to use these for an entire top and bottom section of a DIY DSLR cage. If you want to know what other options are available, click here. Otherwise the version below is a bit cheaper for getting several accessories mounted in one place.
DIY Remote Video Trigger for Canon DSLRs
Vimeo member Weelian Soh creates a simple trigger from a universal Infrared remote for Canon DSLRs. If you're familiar with Canon's video mode, so far it can only be started / stopped remotely via infrared. The trick here is to use a fiber optic cable that bends the light to the DSLR receiver. In the video (above) he uses a fiber optic cable, but a better method would be to use a shielded Optical Audio cable which you can find for 0.99 cents shipped. The actual remote being used is one you can find for under $4.00 dollars shipped. So for under $5 dollars, you can setup a pretty simple remote trigger to start and stop video mode on that Canon DSLR. [Thanks Weelian]
Cheap Infrared Remote Start Stop Video Mode Canon
This is a very old technique that started by using a very slim OEM Canon RC remote which only has one button, as seen in the video below by Vimeo member Lucasberg. The video shows use of the RC1 for Canon 5D Mark II which has now been replaced by the RC6 (still one button). The RC6 is said to support a bunch of different cameras from the 5D Mark II down to simple point and shoot cameras.
Lensse Gimbals for DIY Steadicam Stabilizers
When I first started messing around with DIY builds, one of the most difficult projects to try and tackle were the Stabilizers a.k.a. or what most people associate with 'Steadicams' (that's actually a brand name). Piecing together a stage and a set of counterweights was the easiest part, but trying to locate an effective off the shelf 'Gimbal' handle was always the biggest hurdle.
gim·bal (n.)
A device consisting of two rings mounted on axes at right angles to each other so that an object, such as a ship's compass, will remain suspended in a horizontal plane between them regardless of any motion of its support.
Here's where Lensse steps in. I think this could be officially the first DSLR equipment company marketing Gimbal handles for DIY stabilizer projects. This is another move for companies to get attention from the DSLR community. IGUS stepped in after finding many of it's Linear Guide Rails were being used as Camera Sliders, and even JuicedLink offers basic accessory brackets also named DIY*. These three new Lensse Gimbals designed for Light cameras to heavier loads, are all machined from Brass sockets. Brass is a metal with lower friction qualities, but still hard enough to last for years. If you're working on a DIY project that requires Gimbals, including Cable Cams, and Helicopter Mounts, check out some of the Lensse gimbals.
Lensse DIY Brass Gimbals for Steadicams
DIY Tilt Shift Photography
Not just moments ago, I posted an article about Lensbaby's new Sweet 35 lens for their Optic Swap system. If you're looking for a cheaper way to get into some make-shift tilt-shift photography, here's that popular DIY Tilt Shift Photography Tutorial from Make Magazine. On Flickr it's also coined as the 'plunger cam'. Nothing like real $2000 dollar TS lenses, but you'd be surprised at some of the images that have been snapped using this technique. If you don't want to use a cheap plunger, more professional versions of this has been made with Volkswagen CV Joint Axle Boots.
Transmission CV Joint Axle Boots
Obviously you'll lose all camera to lens communication, so this DIY is best used with Manual focus and manual aperture lenses. Since it's just a floating lens on a rubber bellows it's not so important which camera mount you choose. You can find a bunch of old manual lenses under $10 dollars to start to having fun with this project over on eBay.
DIY DSLR Cage on Auction
DSLR Cage Rigs on eBayHere's an interesting DIY DSLR Cage that appeared on auction. It's like a camera caddie meets rotating flash bracket type layout. From the description it's a one off piece, but a very cool setup of handles, base, and accessory mounting points. There's a bit of a back story in the auction details if you want to check it out. It's too bad this thing never flew into production, if the price was right I think it would have done well. This looks like it could have easily stepped in where Varavon's DSLR Armor is trying to take place. Either way, if you're a DIY'er time to take a close peek at this design to spark some creativity. Unless it's sold, you can find it here.
DIY Accessory Clamps for 15mm Rails?
Anyone have access to this clamp? Unlike those ugly common worm gear clamps (like these)
10 pack Hose Clamps Effective Diameter Range: 15/32" - 41/64" (13.5mm - 16.5mm) for 3/8" Hose
Cheaper Padded Travel Bags – Speaker Stands
Tripods, long Light Stands, or even Cranes / Jibs that break down into 4 ft. sections, there's always a need for a good travel bag. One good tip comes in talking about inexpensive Nylon Speaker Stand bags. Professional Speaker Stands are like massive light stands, and you'll often find these stands being used for DIY Cranes / Jibs since they support a good amount of weight. Some of these speaker stand travel bags come padded and at about 40" in length for under $25 bucks. Good deal for a solid travel bag to carry odd length gear. In fact, if you take the time to create sections it should fit most of the Glidecam stabilizers as well. I'm stoked to buy more...
Heavy Duty Speaker Stand Padded Nylon Bags