The Metaboslider for photography and films

Timelapse photography has become an advanced form of image processing. Real nice films are produced in this way. A nice example of a popular topic is a film made from the icelandic vulcano eruption (see http://vimeo.com/11673745). An other recent development in camera manipulation is the use of sliding instuments. Commercial equipment is available but real amateurs make their own instruments. Youtube contains mant films on this topic but real satisfactions comes from the use of a self-designed slider. So far, I believe, I succeeded in building such a slider from components lying around in the garage or hobbyroom.


The basis is a Metabo slider for a blade saw (Precision guide rail, Item number: 6.31250.00). With a little dexterity, my Sony camera was mounted on the black glider. A small piece of plexiglass, a few scews and two small weels bought in the local supermarket. 


Manual movement of the camera is not very smooth and to make a smoother movement, a slow motor was installed (purchase from www.conrad.be : art. nr 222376   AANDRIJFMOTOR 385 3000:1 ). The movement speed is easily adjustable from a few cm per minute to a meter per minute by changing the voltage applied and the size of the driving wheels. Very simple is to make the movement with a turning system as shown in the pictures lower. 

Now, it will be a piece of cake to show examples of nice film shots: wait and see.