Author Topic: EEVblog #493 - DIY Video Camera Dolly For Workbenches  (Read 31804 times)

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Offline FrankT

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Re: EEVblog #493 - DIY Video Camera Dolly For Workbenches
« Reply #50 on: July 13, 2013, 08:27:33 am »
the meccano set like features of this appeals to me


That is very cool.  And supports a 4kg payload, unlike the snake which was only 0.5kg.
 

Offline lilshawn

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Re: EEVblog #493 - DIY Video Camera Dolly For Workbenches
« Reply #51 on: July 13, 2013, 04:02:46 pm »
guys, one question:
next to the very inteligent sollution found byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy DAVEEEEEEEEEE (and many neanderthal men), there is a +10k  3d microscope whatever that is and next to it an agilent +10k also .. so now..
what is this rant about:
a. dave building a dolly system (showing us nothing is impossible if you do it with your own two hands) ? :)   :-DD
b. dave performing on a stage (like the actors do) guiding audience towards expresing ideeas which then benefit somebody not defined, so he reports his chiefs on "building confidence", "beeing an enthusiastic leader". (founded by the industry of course)
c. dave performing on a stage (actors too) but not getting the ideas from others. instead they meassure active-ness, creativity so that the industry knows the resources to build upon looking at the graphs per topic / subject
i know i'll get heat from everybody. i can't care less. truth is still the truth even in minority of one.

Did anyone understand a word he just said?  :-//

uhhhhm... i think it's the smiley faces throwing things off.

edit, edit, edit.... nope, still doesn't make sense.  :wtf:
 

Offline KuchateK

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Re: EEVblog #493 - DIY Video Camera Dolly For Workbenches
« Reply #52 on: July 14, 2013, 02:12:42 am »
I'll repost a little what I've written in the comments.

First, reduce wobble on that aluminum angle. Add cheap and commonly available shelving support as a corner brace.
http://www.mgxmetal.com/products/metal%20bracket/metal%20bracket%20for%20furniture/02%20metal%20bracket/OFFS0002.jpg

However I would drop that drawer slide. They are wobbly. I think tripod will give you sufficient travel. After all you can always move something on your desk a little for a perfect shot.

As for the clamp. Photography/lighting guys already figured out how to hold something solidly on tripods. Get something like Impact Super Clamp. It has threaded holes (unfortunately imperial) on the flat part, so you can screw it to your vertical aluminum piece. It is designed for quick mounting and adjustment onto various sizes of tubes. Photographic handles on tripods and clamps have spring mechanism, when you pull it out it will rotate freely around to move out of a way, so it won't stick out.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/824360-REG/impact_cc_106r_super_clamp_with_ratchet.html

From my experience lighting stand with boom arm is great solution for lights or cameras above the desk. Stand can be equipped with casters to move around. It is separated from the desk, so it won't transfer noise to your mic and camera won't shake. They typically hold flash lamp worth couple kilos together with some lighting modifiers, so small camera is nothing even for the smallest stand. They make them huge if you need.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/331723-REG/Interfit_COR754_Boom_Arm_Stand.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/272945-REG/Impact_3218_Multiboom_Light_Stand_Reflector_Holder.html

I know buying ready made solution won't be a great hack, but it works ;) We want videos about electronics, not camera stands :D There are other blogs for that.
 

Offline Involute

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Re: EEVblog #493 - DIY Video Camera Dolly For Workbenches
« Reply #53 on: July 14, 2013, 06:09:41 am »
Tripod dolly:  http://tinyurl.com/c8ju5eu
Tripod extender:  http://tinyurl.com/36js6pg
 
 

Offline DrGeoff

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Re: EEVblog #493 - DIY Video Camera Dolly For Workbenches
« Reply #54 on: July 14, 2013, 06:56:32 am »
But as Martin found out, getting a square shot is important.

That's where a jib comes in handy. The shot is always square irrespective of the height you move it to. However I'd recommend using manual focus as those handycam autofocus things are a pain when working with moving camera, as they are alwyas trying to readjust. Just set it to manual and pull the focus for the shot first and it will look crystal clear without any hunting.
Was it really supposed to do that?
 

Offline EEVblogTopic starter

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Re: EEVblog #493 - DIY Video Camera Dolly For Workbenches
« Reply #55 on: July 14, 2013, 10:14:04 am »
That is very cool.  And supports a 4kg payload, unlike the snake which was only 0.5kg.

Seems a bit limiting though because it seems the curved sections are actually fixed?
I'm leaning toward trying a Manfrotto 196 3 section arm on a swivel plate from the sliding trolly instead of the draw mechanism:
http://www.manfrotto.com/single-arm-3-section-with-camera-bracket
 

Offline BrianMason

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Re: EEVblog #493 - DIY Video Camera Dolly For Workbenches
« Reply #56 on: July 14, 2013, 08:49:29 pm »

Take a look a "Benbo" Tripod It will reach over your bench easily and has a ball head. They are incredibley? versatile.

Mount your subject on the rail, this way the camera remains stationary and rock solid and the subject is easily moved on your rails, also rock solid.

With the rails laid (unfixed) on top of your bench there will be no bearing noise and your subject will appear to move smoothly in both planes and remain in focus. Placing a board? over the rails will hide them successfully, and give the illusion the camera is moving. I think you will be very pleased with the resulting images. You could also mount a turntable on top of the rails then you will have left and right; back and forward and the ability to revolve smoothly too. :scared: (anyone got a record deck?)

You may be able to adapt your current tripod to a configuration similar to the Benbo.

This would be a lot easier to achieve and you already have all the bits needed. Hope this helps.

Great you tube channel and forum by the way...keep up the good work. :-+ (I,ve even started saying "Tah Darrr" again ;D)
 

Offline 99tito99

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Re: EEVblog #493 - DIY Video Camera Dolly For Workbenches
« Reply #57 on: July 14, 2013, 10:42:37 pm »
Dave you have it completely bass ackwards, you should be on a Dave Boom.



Cheers, Science-Mark
 

Offline TheEPROM9

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Re: EEVblog #493 - DIY Video Camera Dolly For Workbenches
« Reply #58 on: July 14, 2013, 11:02:09 pm »
A jib crane with a counterweight might have been a little easier to build.

Where is it going to mount?

Only yesterday, I used a pipe clamp to hold a power supply for my VFD clock together =-)
Something worth keeping in the tool box, good for when the Epoxy fails.
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Offline dexters_lab

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Re: EEVblog #493 - DIY Video Camera Dolly For Workbenches
« Reply #59 on: July 15, 2013, 12:19:01 am »
this new dolly arrangement defo needs some motorization!

Offline BrianMason

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Re: EEVblog #493 - DIY Video Camera Dolly For Workbenches
« Reply #60 on: July 15, 2013, 12:46:56 am »
guys, one question:

next to the very inteligent sollution found byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy DAVEEEEEEEEEE (and many neanderthal men), there is a +10k  3d microscope whatever that is and next to it an agilent +10k also .. so now..

what is this rant about:

a. dave building a dolly system (showing us nothing is impossible if you do it with your own two hands) ? :)   :-DD

b. dave performing on a stage (like the actors do) guiding audience towards expresing ideeas which then benefit somebody not defined, so he reports his chiefs on "building confidence", "beeing an enthusiastic leader". (founded by the industry of course)

c. dave performing on a stage (actors too) but not getting the ideas from others. instead they meassure active-ness, creativity so that the industry knows the resources to build upon looking at the graphs per topic / subject

i know i'll get heat from everybody. i can't care less. truth is still the truth even in minority of one.

 :-DD

Trying to resort to ridicule can be symptomatic of jealousy :bullshit: ;D
 

Offline moemoe

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Re: EEVblog #493 - DIY Video Camera Dolly For Workbenches
« Reply #61 on: July 15, 2013, 10:46:40 am »
That's the way I would build it, apologize the bad quality of the drawing, I'm an EE student, not an arts student ;)

Using two drawers and two pairs of sliding blocks should make it much more immune to tilting and rolling.

For attaching the tripod's leg onto the big angle use a pair of laboratory clamps like http://www.descolab.com/laboratory-hardware/Images/03.jpg

I don't know if they are available with threadings on the long pole, but I'm sure you know a mechanic who will cut you threadings on them for some dollars into the coffee cash box (is there a better english term for that, in germany that's the regular term for paying a favour, 'Einen Euro in die Kaffeekasse schmeißen'). Then just use one nut in front and behind the angle.

Ah, and the construction is upside down as you can clearly figure out, was just easier to draw this way.
https://github.com/maugsburger/
Breadboard Adapters featured in EEVBlog #573 on Tindie
 

Offline Orpheus

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Re: EEVblog #493 - DIY Video Camera Dolly For Workbenches
« Reply #62 on: July 15, 2013, 10:21:44 pm »


I actually designed/built a webcam video system very similar to that (but with a 3MPxl webcam) for an Industrial  Design course earlier this year, and will be offering it online soon as a donation premium (and  a seed project) for a Kickstarter for new kind of online hardware hacker community (which I will probably be pitching here for critiques and suggestions in the coming month)

The Tertial is not sold online and most of their 36 US B&M stores are clustered in few regions, but I've found it to be far and away the most promising and versatile base unit I've found and tested My first thought on seeing the video was to send Dave one of my prototypes (plus attachments), because I'm sure he'd love the versatility [e.g. mounted under the shelf over his workbench, its head would have 30" of reach and two degrees of rotational freedom, to do standard videos, closeups and even inspection microscopy without ever getting in his way, in use or stored, as a tripod or front-rail inevitably must]  -- but then I remembered his Mail Bag Embargo.

I really can't overstate how versatile this system is proving to be for me, especially with a few laser-cut attachments. I'm completely shocked that there isn't an affordable device like this already on the market for web-project photos, video presentations, etc.
« Last Edit: July 15, 2013, 10:25:00 pm by Orpheus »
 

Offline m12lrpv

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Re: EEVblog #493 - DIY Video Camera Dolly For Workbenches
« Reply #63 on: July 17, 2013, 05:03:50 am »
Hi Dave,

I have used these conduit clamps for a couple of project, really cheap at Bunnings. Take the tripod down and see if they fit.

http://martybugs.net/wireless/images/collinear_conduit_clamps.jpg

It may be difficult for 3 sizes but maybe something similar.

I've only just gotten around to watching the video and the conduit clips immediately jumped to mind too.

A simple solution and any sizing issues would be handled by a bit of tape around the leg of the tripod.
 

Offline robrenz

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Re: EEVblog #493 - DIY Video Camera Dolly For Workbenches
« Reply #64 on: September 06, 2013, 11:33:11 am »
I resisted commenting here untill I could put my money where my mouth is. This thread is my video response to what I think would be the ideal camera mount for Dave's lab.  I designed and built it for what I though would work well for my video and still camera use in my shop.
« Last Edit: September 06, 2013, 11:43:01 am by robrenz »
 

Offline phaseform

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Re: EEVblog #493 - DIY Video Camera Dolly For Workbenches
« Reply #65 on: July 01, 2014, 06:17:51 pm »
Bit late to the party but just thought I'd add my take on a bench camera dolly. I thought of a rail beneath the bench, which just connects to a spring arm as previously mentioned to move the camera around and has the camera on the end of that.


Only problem with this design is that the center of mass of the rig needs to be off the bench, otherwise the bearings running along the underside of the bench wont be in contact making the spring arm mount rub against the bench. Solvable by having another bearing for this purpose but regardless was just siting in my memory so I thought I'd write it down  :)
I built it with no welding in mind, just made of flat aluminum bar or steel or whatever.. and the moving rig is easily removable, like modern kitchen draws!
 


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