YouTube member Sunny01 shares a a simple DIY roller bearing slider most people can build out. A few T-shaped joining brackets on each side, some carefully spaced bearings on top and bottom allow the carrier to ride over the PVC pipes. If PVC isn't your thing, there's no reason you can't redesign around some lightweight copper piping. [Thanks Sunny]. Judging from the build and how it maintains itself on the rails, you'll need a minimum of 12 skate bearings. Normally these bearings come in packs of 8.
DIY Equipment
Meike FC100 Macro LED Ring Light Flash
The battery powered Meike FC100 LED Ring Light can function as both a continuos light, or be switched to photography flash mode. If you're planning to use the flash mode on the light, it would be a good idea to get the one listed for your camera make / model. These lights are a good way to shoot Macro photo or video to have shadowless images with close-up products. The video above from YouTube member DioxCorp, shows this Meike FC100 is also capable of flat even continuous lighting to act as a fill light in short distances.
DIY Wireless to Infrared Video Start/Stop Trigger
Imagine your Canon DSLR at the top of a 10 foot pole, end of a 12 foot crane, or any place where starting and stopping video would be inconvenient. Of all the Canon DSLR cameras available (right now), the only way to start and stop video mode remotely is through Infrared. Infrared sucks, requires line of sight, and the signal gets lost outdoors pretty quick. Keep in mind that we're talking about 'video mode' which is handled only by infrared. The problem is that Canon chose to use a separate button specifically for 'Video Mode', and the normal Shutter is only for still images. There are plenty of wireless remotes for the 'Shutter', but the Video mode is activated only through Infrared.
If you've had this problem, Justin writes in and shares his DIY wireless-trigger-to-infrared remote. Using a wireless shutter remote for Photography, he hacks it in to a cheap infrared remote with S2 function (required for video mode). In the end you'll still need the actual infrared remote placed somewhere in front of the camera, but the signal from operator to camera is truly wireless which can work through walls and has no limitations with line of sight. Makes you wonder about the Zoom H4n remote... More information on the build over at Instructables (here). [Thanks Justin]
For this project, you'll need the infrared remote to initiate video with the S2 button. Found below (click here).
Wireless Shutter Release Remote for Canon EOS
I've used many of these wireless shutter remotes. The 5D & 7D have a different pin style. The one that is compatible with the 550D (T2i) has the right mini jack connection. These wireless triggers are fairly generic and the same connection works on the Canon G12, Canon 60D, Canon T3i, etc. You can find them cheapest via eBay (click here)
Wireless Shutter Remote Receiver Transmitter
BTW they fixed all this with the new 1Dx camera. Now it's all done by the shutter button which means every basic wireless trigger will now work to start/stop video mode. Of course, thats about $7,000 dollars worth of camera. I think this DIY build is a bit cheaper.
Motorized JuicedLink Slider Gone Vertical
Earlier in the week Vimeo member Bagelman showed us his version of a DIY Motorized JuicedLink video slider. I was curious to see if his setup could actually handle a straight up vertical shot, so he's put together another demo. Yup, sure does go nice and smooth on a straight up vertical climb. [Thanks Gary]
Explosion with DIY Air Canon
If you didn't already catch it, here's a cool video from Vimeo member Real Pictures showing you how to make your own explosions with a DIY Air Canon. No instructions on making the air canon, but you can throw those questions over at the video page (here). [Thanks Dave]
Cheaper Accessory Quick Release Adapter
In a previous post, I was looking for feedback on a decent quick release adapter for accessories. There were only a few options, but the better options were easily over the $50 dollar mark. Here i've decided to order the Mag system from Trek Tech. The base has a standard 1/4-20 thread and sits flat (flush) on any base. The mounting plate (attaches to your accessory) is available in different densities so that you can have a fairly strong bond, or one that is incredibly strong. Another type of adapter they offer is the Ball Head MagMount Star with safety latch
 Trek Tech MagMount Star
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 Trek Tech MagMount Star - Pro
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Before we start diving in, I know a few people will ask about how safe magnets are around digital equipment. I've looked in to this and they don't have the same effect on LCD screens and flash media storage. Old CRT monitors used a magnetic field which could be interrupted with a simple magnet. LCD screens don't work that way. Compact flash and Smart Media cards (solid state) also are not affected by magnets like this. It's a very safe system. Especially once you've mounted the plates to the base, the magnetic field is almost completely blocked. The ball head adapter even comes with it's own cover so that the safety latch isn't left swinging around when not in use. Comments and feedback are still open if you find something better as a QR system for small accessories.
Light weight mount, Heavy weight mount, Ball Head Star MagMount
I'm extremely impressed with the size, strength, and build on these little adapters. It's about the size of a quarter and of course all solid metal. I'll definitely be adding more to my rigs for times when I need to build, reconfigure, or break down quickly. Considering the options for the smallest quick release systems available for accessories, this is the one i've found to be the best bang for the buck. Here's the kicker though, which i'm still trying to get more information on. The smaller kit seen below (comes with quarter size base + 1 light duty plate + 1 heavy duty plate) are no longer listed on the Trek Tech website. The Ball Head style mounts are still available, but some of the older items are listed as discontinued. No record if the small kit will still be in production. I've put in a few more orders for myself as I've found these to be the the smallest, fastest, and most convenient QRs I could find. I was able to contact a few eBay sellers that says they have quite a few of the 'Complete Kit' available right now following the link (click here).
Trek Tech Mag System Quick Release Base Mount Adapter
DSLR Accessory Quick Release Mounts
Felix asked me this question a while back, and i've been looking around during my spare time to see if there's some alternatives. Today i'm posting to get some feedback on what you guys might know about Quick Release adapters for accessories. The basic idea is to use a very small quick release adapter on items like a Zoom H4n, LED Video Light, Microphone, or other small accessory. Instead of having to screw the item into a cage or rig, you just mount and go. Setting up and breaking down should be quick and easy.
There's some high end ones from Cinelock that run about $80 dollars (below). The Cine Lock cinematic quick release mounting bracket for fast non-thread mounting and removal speeds up set-up and break-down with simple two-piece design. I wanted to see what you guys might already know (or be using). I have a fairly inexpensive one (not Cine Lock) that i'm testing out today, and it looks like a winner which i'll be sharing in a video review in a few hours. Leave your comments.
DIY Motorized IGUS Slider
A look at how Vimeo member David Sawyer motorized his IGUS slider - results found below. It's possible to take some of these ideas and use them with a variety of different sliders on the market. Great job on this [Thanks David].
DIY Cable Cam Prototype Test
I learned my lesson since the first time we tested this thing out. This time we're testing her out without a camera mounted. The new wireless system solved the previous problem of us losing control (interference). A few more parts were changed out and the Pan / Tilt head was added. It's a bit of a Frankenstein project right now, but once we figure out where everything fits best, and get everything fine tuned, it will be redesigned again, and have a new body. Time to take her out to the park today. Coyote Point may be our first destination..