Camera sliders are a fantastic tool for those who wish to shoot beautiful and smooth panning video, or take expressive time-lapse shots. They can also be remarkably expensive, which creates an incentive for the DIYer to innovate at home. [Richard] wanted a motorized slider and didn’t want to break the bank, and thus, a build was born.
Starting with an existing non-motorized camera slider makes things easier, though there’s no reason [Richard]’s techniques couldn’t be applied to a completely DIY build. A NEMA stepper motor is fitted to the frame, and connected to the camera shuttle with a toothed belt. The stepper is controlled by an Arduino, which allows for both timelapse and smooth panning modes, and can be controlled with an IR remote sourced from Amazon. The slider is also interfaced with a Processing sketch, which gives a graphical representation of the slider’s current position on the laptop’s screen, which helps for setting up a shot.
[Richard] has shared the code and a shopping list, and is confident that the build can be completed for under $100. That’s a satisfying price given the quality of shots possible with a good slider.
We see plenty of slider builds here, including this impressive pantograph-type build. Video after the break.
[Thanks to Baldpower for the tip!]
Thank you for sharing Lewin!
Not to be an ass but wouldn’t a hacker not start with a shopping list?!
I’m hacking (altering) a normal slider to be completely automated. Not sure what you can work with if you start out with nothing?
Is that final shot in the video from the mall at College Park Maryland?
Yes it is! I’m a Junior in mechanical engineering there right now.
I love this project, especially the IR remote – so simple and effective.
Which arduino model did you use, if I may ask?
Thank You! I used an arduino uno for this build.
Unless the size of the stepper is mentioned (e.g. NEMA17) it makes absolutely no sense to mention that it’s a NEMA-sized motor.
Understood. It is a NEMA17
Hey Richard, interesting build! I did something similar a while ago, but found it more practical to attach a display and controls to an arduino mounted to the slider itself. I also implemented remote triggering for my DSLR and cellphone, so I do not have to press 1000 buttons for a longer timelapse. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHM0LwVwXpg
Really enjoyed your build and your video. I also had to deal with a lot of vibration.