We love the idea [Btoretsukuru] shared that uses a simple setup called the Syringe Slider to take smoothly-tracked video footage of small scenes like model trains in action. The post is in Japanese, but the video is very much “show, don’t tell” and it’s perfectly clear how it all works. The results look fantastic!

The device consists of a frame that forms a sort of enclosed track in which one’s mobile phone can slide horizontally. The phone butts up against the plunger of an ordinary syringe built into the frame. As the phone is pushed along, it depresses the plunger which puts up enough resistance to turn the phone’s slide into a slow, even, and smooth glide. Want to fine-tune the resistance and therefore the performance? Simply attach different diameter tips to the syringe.

The results speak for themselves, and it’s a fantastically clever bit of work. There are plenty of DIY slider designs (some of which get amazingly complex) but they are rarely small things that can be easily gotten up close and personal with small subjects like mini train terrain.

「注射器スライダー」を使った滑らか撮影テクが進化しました！！
枠を作って注射器とスマホを収め、いろんなアングルでスライド動作できるようにしました！
動画10秒目からの作例もぜひ見てください！#鉄道模型 #Nゲージ #Bトレ #ジオラマ pic.twitter.com/57uVTeHOxq

— B作 (@Btoretsukuru) September 24, 2024