cable cam DIY? anyone?

i went to an outdoor place today to price some harness and all that jazz. i need to figure out what is gonna be cheaper, send myself down a line, or a camera rig. but the bonus on sending myself down the line is i can use my 16 as well, not jsut limited to whatever camera i set up the rig for. i made a rig set up in maya and it seems pretty do-able but probably high in cost. i can probably set up a zip line deal for less than $200. but we'll see. i'm super busy with finals right now but next week i'll start getting some more ideas going.
 
mikkowilson said:
Blckhawk:
I belive you are rereing to "Skycam" This system is a little different, but really very cool. The camera "pod" (camera, pan&tilt, other electronics) is suspended by FOUR cables. Each cable runs a corner of the stadium where it runs over a pully and down to a moroized cable spool. The spools are all linked by way of a central controller to a contol station. Depeding on how the spools "push" and pull, they can move the camera anywhere in 3d space within the stadium.

It takes 2 operators to control:
The "pilot" actually flies the camera aroudn the statuim, the computers tell the spools to pull and "push" the cable.
The other operator is the camera operator who deals with pan, tilt, zoom, etc..

It was invented by Garrett Brown (inventer of the Steadicam) there's more info on his site: www.garrettcam.com

- Mikko
Click to expand...

My company owns Skycam. We bought them about a year ago. The system is pretty complex, but tons of fun to fly! Here's some eyecandy:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kylestauffer/sets/595277/
 
Kai,

Thanks for the photos. Calling the setup complex seems to be an understatement! There's way more going on inside than I imagined. its gnarly.

-a
 
Yeah they're all stabilized with internal computerized gyros, etc. Each one costs a half mil to build. Crazy complicated for something so simple! Even then they do go wrong. We've had a few lose contact with the system and drop to the field. Luckily no-one was underneath them!
 
We have an owner of skycam on DVXuser.. sweet!

Hey Kai.. do you provide a "DVXuser discount" on pilot training? :)

Sweet pics.. nice to see inside her too..

- Mikko
 
i've began my purchase of needed items for the cable cam setup. so hopefully in a few weeks i'll have somewhat of a working prototype.
 
I was a grip for the Glide Cam ABC Sports uses on a AMA Motorcross and that setup was awesome. 2 - 20 foot towers across a valley with 2 cables about 8 feet across, with a remote control deck with the big remote tilt pan head . The whole operation was run by three guys during the show, it was pretty neat to build something so big, but nayways ..have fun...
 
if i get my setup working properly its probably gonna have to be two people doing it, depending on the type of remote system i can rig up. i've been buying a few peices here and there. my first part i'm gonna start working on is the pan and tilt rig, then move on to the propulsion system. i'm hoping to have it going by spring time, we'll see.
 
Mangler,
Please keep us updated on your progress. I would be very interested in how it comes along.

Cheers,
Chris Pyle
Wildland Films
 
i cant really go much farther right now, tuition is due next week so thats putting a damper on the situation, plus i just bought an engagement ring too, so my finances are tied for a bit, but hopefully things will get rolling soon. its gonna be a lot of work and probably a lot of trial and error but it will come out swell in the end hopefully.
 
elekrep has inspired me to make a cable cam. i have been working on it for the past few days and i think i will have it done tomorrow. ill post some pics if needed.
 
freerideprods said:
elekrep has inspired me to make a cable cam. i have been working on it for the past few days and i think i will have it done tomorrow. ill post some pics if needed.
Click to expand...

would appreciate the pics.
 
the elekrep setup is pretty simple, just camera on a hang type of support just going down a zipline. thats cool and all, and it worked for them in that one clip(i'm sure others too) but i need more control and want to be able to see what i'm getting. in other words, way too much money and blah blah. i'm shooting for spring for a prototype, i'm still gather items and working on drafts.
 
aight so i finished tonight and i tried it in my basement and it works very well.

http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=1/1818535038.jpg&s=x11

http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=1/1818563450.jpg&s=x11

http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=1/1819150737.jpg&s=x11

alright so the top part rotates and you can adjust the angle with the bottom.
i have another line that i attach to the trolley so that i can keep the speed under control. i am goin to spray paint the whole thing black to make it look better, i just havent gotten to it yet. altogether it cost me 25 but i found some of the parts laying around my house.
hope this helps guys.
 
"show us pics" .. "post some video"!

Tough croud huh?

It looks like the camera sticks out to the side of the trolly (that it doesn't hang exactly below the line) Does this cause a problem with it tilting and the pullies running at a funny angle? I'd think that if the camera's center of gravity was balanced under the line (even when tilted) you'd get better results.

- Mikko
 
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