I finished my camera boom...
I worked and this is no Bull#$@!, I mean no bull (same word again), from 1:30 in the evening yesterday all the way straight THROUGH to 7AM this morning. I completely forgot to eat anything at all, I ate NOTHING all day, drank two pitchers of tea (no sugar). I welded for hours on end, cut, grinded, built built built - all to rip apart what I spent 6 hours building (the base unit). I redesigned quickly and built again, this time I got something here that is easier to transport and setup, and it is actually lighter. I will send some pictures later. I need to see if the paint is dry:) Testing video will also come later if anyone is interested in seeing it. I sure am lol.

Oh and I am using a motorized head, i designed the support electronics to drive the motor myself. I used a trim switch from an airplane as my thumb control for the head unit, a 300 dollar switch haha. I worked in avionics for a good while so I have parts left over from those great days. The boom is 12 feet long and easily entendable! I can also shorten it to 8 feet if I wanted to, it will be able to break down into two 6 foot pieces. That will be the last thing i do, make those cuts and mount the support brackets for the break I make in it.

I am waiting on my LCD monitors, I am going to get two of them possibly today if my friend gets home. One will be mounted on my handlebar control and the other for my simple little bogen tripod.

TTFN

The progress pictures and video will be posted later on today at
http://www.realnola.com/dvprojects/index.html

I posted the video and pictures of the boom I built. Let me know what you think...

http://www.realnola.com/dvprojects/

Pretty cool....but...

You have a electric head on the end? The simple and proven way is to run a cable that is locked in place near the tripod, and then put it on a pulley at the top...so that when you move down the camera stays where it was originally.

Also, why didn't you just mount it on a real tripod instead of making one?

Sorry if i'm sounding harsh...

Great work though.

I mounted it on this thing because it is so heavy. Keep in mind that this is made from steel. It would crush my bogen. I need to get a better bogen for this thing. I think my friend has a couple broadcast grade tripods in his shead collecting dust. i am going to go and grab them as soon as he gets in. I will take your cable idea into consideration, in fact I will build it up and give it a try but first I need the pulleys and cable:)

As soon as I can find what I need I will do it and post the results. I did think of that but I had this head already.


Hey man, harsh? I am happy to hear what you have to say good or bad. I am not offended in any way - feedback makes cool stuff better.

Hi Kevin,

Impressive job!

Actually, the "simple and proven" way to keep the camera level on jib arms is to use a parallelogram design with pivots at each corner, which keeps the front platform level at any angle. It is also possible to have the geometry of the parallelogram be adjustable rather than fixed, which allows you to control the tilt of the camera mechanically.

I am going to redesign using this method, I am starting my search for the materials - actually already have in an order with one of my friends:) I can't wait to get it setup and give it a try.

Both are equally effective methods. The one charles stated is probably more popular, but the pulley method is easier to incorperate.

Looks nice both in design and in the results. Horizon is off indeed
but that was probably due to not seeing what you were shooting
I guess. Also the head is not smooth enough I think, or is this
due to operator "errors"?

You should be able to shoot some very nice footage with this!

Alex, actually I think Charles' suggestions is more easy to build
since you only need to add one pipe. With your system (which is
MORE flexible in use since you can move it) you need cables,
pullies etc.

KN,

I'm impressed--- I look at stuff like this and the projects over on HomeStablizers and can't believe what people can do on their own.

It looks nice... congrats, you should be really proud even though you are ready to redesign and rebuild.


One Question: What caused the "Fish Eye" effect for the footage?



if you don't want the old one, you can give it to me. : )

Kevin, good stuff man!

I envy anyone who has the skills and tools that enables them to make their own equipment. I'd love a gib arm (Matte box etc), but there is no way in hell I know how to make one, and even if I did, I'd have to spend A LOT of money on buying the tools for the job so I'll just have to go and buy one when I need it.

Keep it up

Aaron

Measure and cut, tools are simple.. I am redoing to get a tighter and cleaner pan and better overall product. I usually do this, build something and rebuild it till i am happy. The fisheye efftect came from using a cheapo really wide angle lens. I can't afford a good sony one right now.


Does anyone have any advice on a decent lens that is not so expensive?

Check out some by Raynox, depending on which model, they are pretty good.

I'm not sure I'm understanding this cable and pulley concept. Any pictures that illustrate it?