What are some things you have built? (DIY projects) at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > The Tools of DV and HD Production > Open DV Discussion

Open DV Discussion
For topics which don't fit into any of the other categories.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old January 11th, 2008, 09:16 AM   #1
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 47
What are some things you have built? (DIY projects)

I need to build a camera crane, dolly, and a steadicam. Basically my goal is to get better shots, better angles and make better films.

Does anyone here have any experience making any of the above or anything else for that matter?

What are your suggestions, any good sites to check out to make them, how much did it cost you to make yours?
Anthony Vincent is offline   Reply With Quote
Old January 11th, 2008, 01:58 PM   #2
Major Player
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: North Hollywood, CA, United States
Posts: 807
I have the book Killer Camera Rigs. I built the steadycam and it works pretty well. He also has plans for a crane, car mount, and dolly. http://www.dvcamerarigs.com/
Edward Carlson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old January 11th, 2008, 02:21 PM   #3
Trustee
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Healdsburg, California
Posts: 1,138
Quote:
Originally Posted by Edward Carlson View Post
I have the book Killer Camera Rigs. I built the steadycam and it works pretty well. He also has plans for a crane, car mount, and dolly. http://www.dvcamerarigs.com/
I second that. Its a great resource book, and I believe the author is a member on these forums.

-Jon
__________________
"Are we to go on record, sir, with our assertion that the 'pink hearts, yellow moons, orange stars, and green clovers' are, in point of fact', magically delicious?"
- Walter Hollarhan before the House Subcommittee on Integrity in Advertising - May, 1974
Jonathan Jones is offline   Reply With Quote
Old January 11th, 2008, 03:10 PM   #4
Major Player
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 270
Built a camera crane... jib arm really... and a doorway dolly some years back.

The jib arm was made out of speed rail and their fittings mounted to a old Houston Fearless tripod head and HF dolly. Back then I needed it to support my 25 lb. Betacam and Sachtler tripod head so it was very heavy duty. Used gym weights for balance. Smooth as silk, too. Ball bearings on every moving part.

The doorway dolly was similar to what you see in kits. A piece of 3/4" plywood with V mounts for the eight wheels. Had a local welding shop make the wheel mounts using 3" steel angle iron and 1/4" plating. Cost around $40 for the work. Just a 3/8" bolt was needed to secure the wheels.

Used 1.5" PVC (the white piping) for track and used 1" grey PVC electrical conduit cut with a 1/4" slot down the length to hold the track sections together.

Interesting thing on the dolly wheels. At first you'd think ball bearing wheels would be best. Turns out the board was like a loud speaker and the wheels made so much noise you could never have recorded sound. Switched to all plastic wheels (no bearing) and it was very quite. They were about $1.50 each.

What made mine neat was I used 1" speed rail and fittings to make a sturdy handle. It dropped into the back fitting, through the board into the other fitting where a cotter pin kept it from falling all the way out. You locked the fitting set screws and you had a very nice handle bar just like on the real dolly. Used four of those screw on clamps you use to hold your house broom to the wall to secure the handle to the bottom of the dolly for carrying and storage.

Damn. Should have marketed that thing.

Did a few web sites for some later projects. A dimmer for the Anton Bauer Ultralight (works with any DC light, really) is the one I like the best.

http://www.ctshooter.com/dimmer.htm
__________________
"the difference between an amateur photographer and a professional is the amateur shows you all his pictures"
George Odell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old January 20th, 2008, 01:40 AM   #5
Major Player
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 904
Under $50 matter box with full flags

I've come up with a nifty (well *I* think it is pretty nifty) first start for an under $50 matte box. It uses the Cokin P series mount as a base, so is a lens attached system. It is adaptable to most any videocamera. See my initial post in the Z1 forum. I hope to have pics up as soon as they let me or someone hosts them for me.
Chris Swanberg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old January 20th, 2008, 04:32 PM   #6
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
Posts: 82
Do those self-built cranes and equipment built to support big cameras like the Digital Betacam 790 or HDCAM Cinealta F900 for example? Or are they only built to withstand smaller DV and HDV cameras?
Hamad Abdulla is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > The Tools of DV and HD Production > Open DV Discussion

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:00 AM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network