I’ve watched about a million videos today about how to make a camera slider. None of these have the same requirements that I do… ie, that the camera slide OVER the subject, that it use MACRO and go extremely SLOW.
As I see it, there are some major themes…
- using a platform on wheels, where the wheels are guided by some form of track – whether skateboard or trolley but using really good wheels.
- mounting a camera on a surface that runs across some plumbing pipe as a guide, whether using wheels or some felt on some joiner pipe connectors. Variations include using steel rods and such instead of plumbing.
- using a piece of drainage with grate used to mount the camera – light would be an issue particularly.
- towing or winching the camera on various setups like the ones mentioned.
- on the really cheap side, using a camera on a small tripod in a box, sitting on carpet… or sitting on a lego platform with the small wheels.
- purchasing something particularly made for this purpose – too expensive.
- one very cool idea was using a camera mounted in a helicopter which isn’t feasible.
One big issue is that people are mostly building these things to film scenes… I’ll have to decide on an idea that best fits my unique needs. Argh.
I think I’ll go with some form of wheeled platform on a track made of a wooden plank with dowel for guides.