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Quick & Dirty Full Fledged Video Dolly

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The good guys over at Age of Rockets are sharing their DIY design for a video dolly. Me likey. Unlike the iPhone Dolly or the PVC Skater Dolly which are for small cameras, this one allows you to mount a full fledged tripod on it. Probably a light camera only, but still better than a skateboard :).

The dolly also comes with a set of cheap aluminum angle bars rails (~$10 for 96″ @ HomeDepot) for smooth motion.

Basically it is nothing more than a few pieces of aluminum angle, some wood and bolts and 6 roller blade wheels. Did I say quick and dirty yet?[Read More…]

Using a Twist Jar Opener as Follow Focus

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Photographer Tony Carretti came up with a pretty twisted way to make a cheap follow focus.

Tony uses a $2.49 Bed Bath & Beyond twist jar opener with the focus ring on the lens replacing the jar lid. As Tony says it is not solve 100% of your follow focus problems, but for $2.49 it really is a sweet solution.

If you are looking for a more complete DIY solution, prepare your workshop and check out the friction based follow focus that we features a while ago.

via planet5d.[Read More…]

Build A PVC Camera Shoulder Rig

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User knoptop of Instructables came up with a video to show how you can make an HDSLR shoulder rig from PVC pipes.

For the most basic configuration all you’d need is a bunch of PVC pipes and fitting and a conduit box.

If you want a little bit extra you can add insulation foam as padding. I really like these kind of projects I wish we’d see more of them.[Read More…]

Convert a $7 Ikea Cutting Board to a Shoulder Video Rig

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With the blast of HDSLR comes the need to create a more comfortable way of shooting video with SLR shaped bodies. You can get one for about $2000 or make your own for about 7$.

All you would need for that is a IKEA cutting boards, a stove, and some pipes.

Yes, I did say IKEA cutting board.[Read More…]

Light Works Film Features Some Dope Type Bokeh Techniques

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Just in case you did not notice, DIYP has a slight obsession with shaped bokeh. While we covered almost any “regular” aspect of this technique, I am pleased to learn that there are always new applications for some good old shaped bokeh.

This one made by Kaleb Wentzel-Fisher (Supernormals) is a short movie that uses type bokeh. i.e. shaped bokeh with words. The movie, some tips on type bokeh and a short BTS after the jump[Read More…]

DIY Friction Based Follow Focus For 6 Bucks

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In the following post, Eric Au will share his making of  A DIY follow focus mechanism. We did feature a KNE’X follow focus before, however, this one mounts on a rig., and has a very pro look to it. While the specifics of this build are oriented towards a specific HD-DSLR mount, the concept and process can be adopted to other rigs by changing some of the measurements.

Bear in mind that this project does require some uncommon hardware tools, yet considering the price drop, you may want to ask your neighborhood iron man for some assistance. …and The floor is all yours Eric.[Read More…]

Using a Kitchen Timer To Create Panning Timelapse Movies

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We have had a post before where we shoed how to use a canon G9 camera and a bunch of opensource photography software (mainly CHDK) to create amazing timelapse movies.

This time we are taking it up a notch and adding some movment to the movie. The idea is simple, using a mechanical kitchen timer (I used a fancier one :) and a bolt we created a rotating camera. Movie with tutorial and samples after the jump.[Read More…]

DIY PVC Table/Skater Dolly For Video Photography

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If you’ve been following some of the video tutorials we’ve had here at DIYP, you probably noticed the skateboard dolly that was featured here a few weeks back.

Photographer and videographer Martin Taylor shows us how to build a much fancier dolly which is partially based on a skateboard. This dolly however, is smaller (will fit on table), has a head mount that can support an SLR and can be set to move in circles. It’s all Martin from here.[Read More…]

Amazing Light Camera Crane Build Video

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The following film by photographer Martin Roberts shows the construction of an aluminum and bearing based camera crane (similar to some designs we have featured before). The crane is used to extend the reach of the photographer both in height and in length.

The crane is very light weight (5.3kg to gain 2.65m worth of reach) supporting a Canon 550D and lens (about 1 Kilo), it is also easy to setup and tear down location.

Here is how Robert describes it:[Read More…]

A DIY 9Shooter: Shooting Stills & Video Simultaneously & Audio Too!

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The post below shows a simple way to capture video while taking still pictures. Sure, there is some added weight and yea, video will not get a dedicated person and will just “follow along”, yet, this is a neat way to achieve video with just one person shooting, This is also a great instructional tool for yourself to see how you interact with your model, what things work and what makes them shrink.

There are two versions for this mod – a dueler which mounts a DSLR with a video camera and a 9Shooter that also has sound attached. From now on it is all Elliot McGucken.[Read More…]

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