Timelapse

A Customer who made his own timelapse using the Dana Dolly with pictures can be found here:

http://whitecapvideo.com/wordpress/?p=451

Here is a timelapse rig that was built by a customer named "Bill". Many thanks Bill for sharing this! You may want to also look at the "Mumford" setup, however these parts are from Servo City.

Mike,

I've been checking out the Timescape site, really interesting to see what people are doing. Most all are using DSLRs as their capture device. As I mentioned I have a Panasonic HPX-300 a shoulder mount ENG video camera, not too heavy, but more than most are using. It's weight should have an advantage in what I plan to do. The Mumford box seems to be more than i need with many features not used. I'm going to try a ServoCity setup I read about on that site from a guy with your dolly-(deleted email) . He has a large Sony pro-cam and has the same intention as I do.

I'm going to order the list below of parts from Servo City and then construct a simple wooden plate that will attach to one end of the speed rail. Setting a slight downhill slant to the track, I'll simply be pulling the dolly from one end to the other using a spindle/pulley that I will turn on my lathe, attach to the gearbox and a braided line attached to an eyebolt on the dolly. It's diameter will affect it's retrieval speed, along with the servo motor RPM and electronic speed pot setting, a 10x reduction they tell me from either a one or 4 RPM motor. The camera/dolly weight should allow a nice counter pull on the line resulting in a smooth winding.

Should be very inexpensive and flexible. I need to get it configured ASAP as my shoot throughout UT and AZ begins on Memorial Day (see below).

I'll send pictures and video of how it all works. BTW, no reason the same setup wouldn't work with a lighter DSLR.

Bill

(GPG845-BM) Gearmotor Gearbox (Full

Metal Gears)- $59.95

(SG806A) 6" Gearbox Arm (Round)- $8.95 (my wooden turned spindle/pulley will attach to the above via this round plate)

(902MSD) Dual Manual Servo Driver- $49.99

(ESC-7.2-24) 7.2-24V Precision Digital- $99.99

Speed Control

(RZ12-900-4RPM) 4 RPM Gearmotor- $24.99

RZ12-3000-1RPM

(3-12VDC)

418-TR2512-12- $25.99

Need to add 12v battery

Here is Bill's follow up letter and pictures (Thanks again, Bill):

Mike,

Just finished the timelapse project with your dolly. It works!

I haven't done any tests regarding duration, that's to follow. I did buy three pulleys- 2, 4 & 6 inch diameter from Grainger. I just took one wrap around it with the steel cable and adjusted the tension. The servo control allows a 10x speed range with the 4 RPM motor, but I think I'll pick up the 1 RPM unit to swap out and see what that does.

All parts from ServoCity.com, a motorcycle shop (battery), Lowes and Home Depot. I attached the end boards with rubber stoppers that I sanded down a bit and added a bolt and washers, like a test plug for plumbing, fits really tight.

Pretty pleased so far, now I need a nice case to transport the plywood plates in. BTW, the base plate simply attaches through your provided holes with a threaded post knob and some T-nuts.

On-line Metals sent a pair of 8 and 5 foot schedule 80 pipe, so I can try a longer track as well. They were packaged really well.

Finally, I made up two 3 foot 2x6 alder boards with adjustable swivel feet and bought two junior nail plates from Norms to attach that will allow a long angle ground shot, in leu of the combo stands. Norms stuff is really solid, good referral and a great price.

I'll follow up with some location shots from my road tour once I return in mid June.

Bill