Homemade "rail" system at DVinfo.net

Justin Brown · June 25th, 2010, 04:04 PM

Just wanted to share a littel experiment I did that you can implement into your workflow, especially if you are on a tight budget like me. I have taken an ironing board and made it into a homemade "rail" system. If you get something smooth to slide across the top (in my case a large white balance card or piece of smooth metal) it will slide across the top surface with the camera a you will get beautiful smooth results. And the great thing is that it's extremely light and it's a built in tripod for the dolly shots. Now it can be wobbly without stabilizing the camera well and there are limitations to the angles you can get. Try it out and let me know what you think. I am going to test this out this weekend for some nature shots with my letus extreme and hopefully post some test shots. It's not a fancy dolly system, but for some nice slow "rail" type shots, you can't beat it, especially for the price.

Paul Cascio · June 26th, 2010, 04:57 AM

Justin, starch or no starch? :) Nice idea. I wonder if a tripod head could be attached to an old iron.

Tim Kolb · June 26th, 2010, 10:41 AM

I would think a nice, stiff board...something like birch maybe...with a serious bit of urethane, could be a an excellent surface with nothing more than a soft cloth as the "slider" under the camera. (maybe some slightly raised sides so the camera can't leave the board surface as the videographer is concentrating on the shot instead of keeping the camera on the board...)

...maybe with a tripod/monopod support system, or two tripods...even a couple of rigged, heavier light stands would probably be adequate for a small camcorder or not too uber-rigged DSLR maybe?

Once I used a skateboard on a kitchen counter...lots of interesting possibilities out there.

June 25th, 2010, 04:04 PM	#1
Justin Brown New Boot Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Lincolnton, NC Posts: 8	Homemade "rail" system Just wanted to share a littel experiment I did that you can implement into your workflow, especially if you are on a tight budget like me. I have taken an ironing board and made it into a homemade "rail" system. If you get something smooth to slide across the top (in my case a large white balance card or piece of smooth metal) it will slide across the top surface with the camera a you will get beautiful smooth results. And the great thing is that it's extremely light and it's a built in tripod for the dolly shots. Now it can be wobbly without stabilizing the camera well and there are limitations to the angles you can get. Try it out and let me know what you think. I am going to test this out this weekend for some nature shots with my letus extreme and hopefully post some test shots. It's not a fancy dolly system, but for some nice slow "rail" type shots, you can't beat it, especially for the price.

June 26th, 2010, 04:57 AM	#2
Paul Cascio Trustee Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bristol, CT (Home of EPSN) Posts: 1,192	Justin, starch or no starch? :) Nice idea. I wonder if a tripod head could be attached to an old iron. __________________ Paul Cascio www.pictureframingschool.com

June 26th, 2010, 10:41 AM	#3
Tim Kolb Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Neenah, WI Posts: 547	I would think a nice, stiff board...something like birch maybe...with a serious bit of urethane, could be a an excellent surface with nothing more than a soft cloth as the "slider" under the camera. (maybe some slightly raised sides so the camera can't leave the board surface as the videographer is concentrating on the shot instead of keeping the camera on the board...) ...maybe with a tripod/monopod support system, or two tripods...even a couple of rigged, heavier light stands would probably be adequate for a small camcorder or not too uber-rigged DSLR maybe? Once I used a skateboard on a kitchen counter...lots of interesting possibilities out there. __________________ TimK Kolb Productions