DIY Motorized Pan/Tilt/Dolly HDSLR Video Mount (Camera Slider)

Update September 2013:  What started as a hobby has turned into something pretty serious.  We are readying the launch of an open-source cinematic motion-control rig.  If you wanna stay up on the futue of cinematography "like" us at https://www.facebook.com/openmoco

UPDATES TO FOLLOW


2 Sets of Roller Blades (16 wheels/32 ball bearings) from Goodwill
www.flickr.com/photos/bradjustinen/5882721666/in/photostream

Aluminum angle

All thread

nuts/washers

Meade motorized telescope arm

Some sort of metal rail



I usually move the dolly by hand but for time lapse or slow movement I use a parallax continuous rotation servo that winds fishing line through a pulley attached to the dolly and onto a small spindle. I control the servo via a Traxxas (for a remote control car) controller and receiver. The Traxxas controller has a potentiometer on it that allows speed control of the servo in both directions. An easier option would be a rotisserie motor - I found one at Goodwill but didn't wind up using it cause I wanted to go wireless.

Give credit where credit is due, this project is a remix of these two projects:
 DIY video & timelaps electrical dolly
http://vimeo.com/9179128
DIY Inexpensive Camera Slider
http://www.vimeo.com/15891760

Comments

[rusticsailer]

This might have been a good project for those of us who are on a budget and are trying to avoid the high cost of commercial units. It one of the big ideas behind the "Instructables" website. So, why is this on Instructables, you don't show how to build it. What's the point? It looks like a "ad" or promotion for a product you want to sell. Good for you if it works out, but why take up space here?

[hkaldenbaugh]

For the panning/tilt assembly I'm using this setup

http://www.servocity.com/html/mpt1100-ss_pan___tilt_system.html

Good job on your build, you inspired me to finally make this a reality for my photo video setup.

I would like a bit more info on the dolly motorized wheel setup.

[e-mail]
Henry t. Kaldenbaugh
I'll update you with my setup as well

[sensoryhouse]

Yes. I use the Pt2100 with mine now. Nice work. The pt 2100 has an extra motor controller and you can use the left joystick for dolly.

[sensoryhouse]

Yes. I use the Pt2100 with mine now. Nice work. The pt 2100 has an extra motor controller and you can use the left joystick for dolly.

[joshsrai]

how much does it cost to build/buy?

[DJman230]

The video and music is AWESOME!!!!

[irowe]

this is awesome man.. please instruct on how to build :)

[sensoryhouse]

I'll be putting together a new, more detailed 'ible for this project in the next couple weeks.

[DanKoz]

Do you offer the DIY Motorized Pan/Tilt/Dolly for sale? If not, do you sell the plans?

Unfortunately, I am not mechanically oriented.

Do you think it will hold a camera like the Panasonic DV100A?

Thanks.

[RightShoe]

Can I hug you???

[maobazz]

Great I'd like.

pls send me price [e-mail]

regards
Mauro

[sensoryhouse]

Not really designed for sale but I have got a lot of enquiries so I'm trying to put together a price right now.

[Drayson Design]

Yo B I'm having a difficult time finding just the motorized arm... Don't know where to find one.

Is there any way that you could do a quick video w/ some detailed shots of the
"parallax continuous rotation servo that winds fishing line through a pulley attached to the dolly and onto a small spindle." and "the servo via a Traxxas (for a remote control car) controller and receiver." also how you attached the camera mount to the motorized arm.

Thx B

[sensoryhouse]

Craigslist or eBay. Cheaper in Craigslist if you spend the time to find it.

[LucasOchoa]

Nice work pretty sick

[PS118]

So, I'm guessing the telescope arm is what you're using for pan/tilt, but what are you using for the track motor?

[sensoryhouse]

i'll try to update asap. I usually move the dolly by hand but for time lapse or slow movement I use a parallax continuous rotation servo that winds fishing line through a pulley attached to the dolly and onto a small spindle. I control the servo via a Traxxas (for a remote control car) controller and receiver. The Traxxas controller has a potentiometer on it that allows speed control of the servo in both directions. An easier option would be a rotisserie motor - I found one at Goodwill but didn't wind up using it cause I wanted to go wireless.