DIY Motion Control?

[DeadEyesSmiling]

Are there any low(er) cost alternatives to motion control? I'm looking for something to control a dolly movement and possibly focus as well, although that is less of a worry for me. I've seen some thrown together rigs using the programmable motor controlled legos, but I haven't seen one be completely reliable. Just wondering if anyone's heard of or seen something that works that doesn't cost thousands of dollars. Thanks!

-DES

 

[quenchstudios]

I doubt you'll find anything commercially available that is cheap. Best bet is to go custom in this case. You could modify a low end commercial dolly by adding a stepper motor to drive the wheels...

 

[Bob Hill]

Take a look at the robotics community and see if you can mod an exisiting piece. I have an Evolution Robotic rig that I customized up for filming and it works very well.

Bob

 

[dbarak]

You might want to visit http://www.hackaday.com.

They list lots of DIY projects, and although I don't think they have any motion control rigs, they do have some DIY CNC milling machine projects, etc., and that kind of thing can probably be adapted to what you need.

 

[DeadEyesSmiling]

Awesome. Thanks for your replies, I'll look into these and if I have any success, I'll be sure and share my findings! :thumbup:

-DES

 

[DavidD]

RedRock at NAB 2007 (freshdv.com) is bring out a remote FF for $500.00 it looks awesome.

 

[Cool Lights]

There was a guy on Reduser.net recently that achieved an absolutely spectacular effect without motion control (that you would normally think would require it with conventional wisdom). Take a look at this thread and you may be amazed like I was:

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1373&highlight=motion+control

 

[DeadEyesSmiling]

Thanks again, guys! Cool Lights, I checked out that thread and was very amazed, I think that thought process might lead to some very promising results! Thanks for the tip!

-DES

 

[Cool Lights]

Yeah, that guy was really thinking out of the box on how to do that whole 'cloning' type of effect. A really amazing and inexpensive way to achieve it.

 

[NOMADIC]

if you ever get into building one, you can get a stepper motor drive here... www.geckodrive.com ...my roommate runs the company, they were used in some tim burton movies and king kong

 

[erniediaz]

hey Cool Lights, I made an HMI (metal halide) 150 w lamp based on your guides.

Cooooooll!!! man, thanks.

Ernesto

 

[Cool Lights]

Lets see it!

 

[erniediaz]

Soon, I just send it to finish the metal housing
I MADE MY OWN ALUMINIUM HOUSING INSTEAD OF A FRESNELL

you will see it!