Getting a high quality time-lapse doesn't have to be insanely expensive, especially if you're only moving your camera a short distance; set up your tripod in a desired location, slap on a slider and a motion control device and you're golden. But, covering longer distances in an area that is inhospitable to tripods can be a little more tricky -- and expensive. The folks at Syrp, however, want to show you how to build your own wooden DIY 2-axis Cable Cam rig that will let you pull off stellar time-lapse shots at a fraction of the cost.
If you're an avid time-lapse photographer/cinematographer, you're probably used to shelling out a pretty penny for gear (unless you're using a GoPro on an egg timer). Motion control units aren't cheap, though they're (usually) much less expensive than cable-suspended camera systems, which leads me to assume that there are quite a few time-lapsers out there looking for an inexpensive way to shoot distances that they're sliders can't afford them in places where their tripods can't go.
Syrp's tutorial isn't a quick and easy solution to this; it'll take some handiness on your part for sure, as well as the necessary tools for cutting, sawing, and drilling. However, it will save you a lot of money. Here's the list of items used in the tutorial, which will end up costing you somewhere in the vicinity of $175 depending on where you purchase everything. (If you're interested, you can even check out the receipt on Syrp's post!)
- 4 x Patio door rollers
- 5 x 3/8 -16" bolts
- 1 x Clamp 1/8 set (2 pcs)
- 1 pk washers (12 pcs each)
- 1 x 25 pcs hex nuts
- 4 pk ratchet tiedown set
- 100 ft 1/16" wire cable
- 24x18 acrylic sheet
- 1 x pack 1 1/4" screws
- 100m reel Syrp rope
- 2"x4" (6ft)
- 1"x2" (6ft)
- 1"x3" (6ft)
To find out how to put it all together, check out Syrp's tutorial below:
In the tutorial, Syrp uses their leading motion control unit, the Genie, to pan the camera, as well as their own rope. If you already own a mo-co unit, be sure to adjust your measurements, namely in the acrylic linear plate, in order to accommodate it. But, if you're interested in getting your hands on a Genie, from now until June 15th Syrp is giving you an opportunity to compete to win one by tweeting photos of your own "Genie compatible DIY rig." For more info click here.
Do you have any advice on how to build a DIY cable cam system? Let us know in the comments below.
Link: DIY Cable Cam Tutorial -- Syrp
[via Filmmaker IQ]
