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DIY Camera Dolly
Mar 21, 2013 09:42:11   #
BobKillmer Loc: Noblesville, Indiana
 
For the "make it myself crowd" that looks to PVC like the adult tinker toy...... a great project !
Link is:

http://www.simplifiedbuilding.com/blog/pvc-photo-dolly/

Dolly for Video or Still position
Dolly for Video or Still position...

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Mar 21, 2013 09:45:34   #
JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK
 
Uses !

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Mar 21, 2013 09:56:49   #
BobKillmer Loc: Noblesville, Indiana
 
This is great for a budding movie director or to take pics or video from slightly different angles or perspective. It not only helps to clean out the garage of PVC but also that inline skate that you are no longer using. I envision this in the hands of school video projects, etc. Please don't judge me on the cheap video camera in the pic. I was using to try out the dolly. I did not glue the PVC so that the length between the wheel axels could be easily expanded or contracted by different lengths of PVC. Check out the link to get a better idea of uses.
Bob

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Mar 21, 2013 09:57:50   #
JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK
 
No I am all for diy, just wondered if you had done it FOR something

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Mar 21, 2013 10:09:24   #
BobKillmer Loc: Noblesville, Indiana
 
I am a Realtor and am experimenting with short video of a kitchen by rolling on the counter or a table. Just adding a bit of interest. The axels are positionable so you can angle them to go in a complete circle around a subject as long as the surface, table, floor, etc is large enough for your circle path. I am also playing with using this to make informational videos that have a slight movement rather than using my web cam in my laptop. I may also use to sell a couple of items on Craigslist.

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Mar 21, 2013 10:26:03   #
bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA
 
A little bit of movement past a subject gives it some depth or "dimension". The trick is to make the camcorder movement minimally noticeable. A camcorder with good stabilziation makes it possible to hand hold and walk a short distance smoothly.

Bill

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Mar 21, 2013 10:44:39   #
BobKillmer Loc: Noblesville, Indiana
 
Thanks Bill. I couldn't agree more. I'm just trying to make it interesting, but not obvious. I am also starting to experiment with walking with a monopod with weight at the bottom. I'm smoothing out horizontal movement, but struggling with my vertical movement corresponding with my steps. I would love any ideas to help eliminate that. Bob

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Mar 21, 2013 12:34:22   #
bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA
 
BobKillmer wrote:
Thanks Bill. I couldn't agree more. I'm just trying to make it interesting, but not obvious. I am also starting to experiment with walking with a monopod with weight at the bottom. I'm smoothing out horizontal movement, but struggling with my vertical movement corresponding with my steps. I would love any ideas to help eliminate that. Bob

I wanted to buy a Merlin Steadycam but the price was too high. I tried to make one and it has not worked very well so far.

I've watched videos of people using their expensive steady cams. They employ a funny walk where their legs are flexed a little more than usual. Good practice might be carrying a full martini glass without spilling!

What has worked pretty well for me is to use the camcorder as the weight on a monopod with the monopod held upside down. To do it, I made a simple bracket with cheap ball head. Then I experimented with where to place my fingers on the monopod for best balance. With the camcorder stabilizer helping, it comes out fairly well.

Since then I found the bracket unnecessary because my video editing software (Premier Elements 11) will flip the footage.

Bill

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Mar 22, 2013 13:27:15   #
jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ
 
JR1 wrote:
Uses !


The wheels allow the camera to ride along smoothly for panning and rotating video shots.

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Mar 25, 2013 18:15:47   #
Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio
 
I have a steadycam style vest and arm for sale for $590 in case you may be interested.

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