Okay, I have been promising pictures and so here are some preliminary ones. Thanks to my wife, I am in the process of building. She has been very understanding with my obsessions. :) These are all images of what I have just completed. This is the actual head of the jib arm. I am building the platform for the servos to sit.

This is the heart and soul of the operation. This allows for tilt and pan operation by wireless remote control. It is surprisingly agile.





Another angle showing the side-view of the tilt/pan.












Here is the box for the actual tripod that I have purchased for this. I love this thing. I included this image just to give you the model number.











Here is the tripod. Sorry for the side ways shot - I got in a hurry. I will be building a bunch more tomorrow. :) TTYL

Update...

I have done more engineering on the arm. It has been planned out (for the most part) and will be posting pictures of it as they become available. I am making a much more modular design that will work with both the new arm and the smaller (indoor) arm from before. Both are going to be able to utilize the remote pan and tilt functions and both arms will be wired for video, the Panasonic' s controls (hopefully - easier said than done), LANC for the Sony/Canon breed. I am READY to get this puppy running!

Until next time!

It has begun...

Well, I have the concept down. I have been searching for the perfect base. All of you video people know that you really can't get better than a Bogen/Manfrotto tripod - but at $200, it is just a bit out of my reach. So, in walks Northern Tools and equipment. Did you know that they sell a tripod made by CST/berger that has the same basic design as a Manfrotto, but only costs $69.99. For stability, it will hold my full weight with absolutely no problem. Modifications will be minor to make it exactly what the doctor ordered for the new jib arm's platform. I will keep you posted on progress and will give some pictures soon.

Also, I may try my hand at a "Fig Rig" - not for $650, but more in the range of $35. I will detail it as I get to it. Talk to you later!


Mike

New Ideas Abound!!!

I am now in the process (after viewing a demo reel from Denmark) of designing my new Jib Arm/Dolly assembly. The new idea is completely about portability and automation. I will keep you updated as it comes together.

A little background...

I have ALWAYS been interested in technology, but nothing has pulled me in more than video. Naturally, when the computer industry and the video industry married, I was blown away. I have since worked in the field of video and computers in some way, since I was able to wedge my foot in. My last gig, before becoming a minister for the church of Christ in Gastonia, NC (www.gastoniachurchofChrist.com), was as a DVD producer in Wilmington, NC.

Fast forward, I have now left the Windows world of video (although Sony Vegas Video served me quite well) for a much more stable video environment - the iMac Dual Core 2 Intel. Current (ever changing) equipment list -

Cameras:
Panasonic 3ccd GS-150, GS-29, Canon Optura 20, Elura 40MC
Hopefully soon a Sony HC3 High-Def Camera


Purchased Gear (Mostly ebay):
Glidecam 2000

Software:
Sony Vegas Video 7 (Now very secondary)
Apple Final Cut
Adobe After Effects 7.0

Built So Far:
Camera Stabilizer, Jib Arm

Wants and desires:
Right now I am loving the idea of a Bogen Tripod and a Manfrotto 501 head
so I can finally use my Jib I built.

Up coming:
Boom Mic, Vest Stabilizer, Dolly and Track and others as needed.

These projects will be (hopefully) documented to this blog as they come.

Mike

The Beginning...

Welcome!!! My name is Michael Morton and I am a preacher in Gastonia, NC. I also have a severe problem. I am addicted to technology, but as a preacher I do not have the cash flow to adequately feed this addiction. So, I am forced to create and finagle my equipment to do what I need it to do.

As some of my new projects have been pushing the envelope (mine at least) I figured I would share that with this empty page. If someone reads this page, then that would be just great!