Aug 5, 2015 | By Alec
Though photography is more accessible than ever before and all of us are shooting countless pics and videos that are all the same, high quality photography and filming are still something of a trade secret that requires very high end equipment. You try making stable footage, time lapses or tracking shots with your smartphone. While that upgrade to quality equipment is usually a far too expensive hurdle to overcome, a 3D printed prototype of a solution has just appeared on Kickstarter. Called the Steady Shot Bot, this camera motion controller has been developed by inventor David Johnson and could be a wonderful alternative for film students and hobbyists tied to a budget.
David Johnson himself is an inventor based in Mission Viejo, California with a back ground in software development, manufacturing, electronics and design. A big fan of high quality tools, he himself as bitten by the photography bug a while ago. ‘As a hobbyist, I recently found myself wanting to do more with my photography. Technology had reached a point where some very interesting specialized techniques like Steadicam filming, time lapse and hyper lapse were within reach, tools were becoming more prevalent, as such, I pursued interests in the fields of Cinematography, HDR, Time lapse and Hyper lapse and their related tools,’ he explains.
If that sounds familiar, the next step probably also does. For like many of you, he quickly found that there was a wide variety of options that were all very specialized and very expensive for regular amateur consumers. ‘As I embarked into these fields, I was hit with the hefty cost associated to specialty equipment. worse than that, few if any provide multi-purpose functionality. An expensive "slider", "motion control device" (that was very limited in its movement), a "Steadicam gimbal". The list goes on and on and the prices compiled fast,’ the inventor explains.
This frustration eventually led to development of the multi-purpose camera tool seen above. ‘It occurred to me that there should be a tool for consumers that could provide multiple capabilities - advanced capabilities generally reserved for high-end studios - in a single platform. A useful multi-function piece of equipment that is easy to use that provides these high-end features, let's your creativity flow without major investment in multiple niche tools,’ he explains.
So what is the Steady Shot Bot? ‘It has been designed as a multi purpose 3-axis stabilized consumer solution. Seriously, it's the photo tool that you've been waiting for! Built upon an intelligent bot base, it is capable of dead-silent 3-axis stabilization, motorized Time lapse and Tracking Shots as well as dynamic freestyle Steadicam and auto balancing mono pod capabilities. Steady Shot Bot is here to inspire your creativity,’ the inventor summarizes.
To ensure excellent moving time lapses (also known as Hyper Lapses, it features a built-in intervalometer that automatically controls the shutter, while its Steadicam option can be used to capture beautiful shots using its 3-axis stabilized controller. ‘It's comfortable to hold and supports several usage scenarios including Steadicam, Mono-pod, Hyper lapse with full Remote Control. The Stabilization supports a few modes of operation for gimbal-based control. The camera can follow the bot movement. As you carry the bot around the camera will track movements to smoothly in the bot's movement and always face it's designated front,’ the inventor explains. ‘The bot can also lock and track a position to keep the subject in frame while you navigate a complex path, for example while capturing a time/hyper lapse of a mountain face while hiking up a trail. For more dynamic needs, the bot can be remotely controlled by a director controlling the shot while another person carries the Steadicam.’ These features obviously also make it a perfect option for Tracking or Product shots.
A timelapse example.
Gimbal mode.
This machine is thus a perfect option for ambitious photographers, from film students, to professional and amateur photographers. To further cater to the amateur user, David Johnson is even planning a DIY Kit that can be assembled at home following included instructions. ‘Save money on the price of the kit then hack it to your hearts content. It's all good, we're open hardware!’ he says of the kit.
Speaking of doing it yourself, that describes the more general atmosphere surrounding the Steady Shot Bot. Though the final product visible above has been realized with injection molding technology, the Steady Shot Bot is at its heart an open source and 3D printable creation. ‘When possible, we employed the use of 3D Printers for rapid development and evolution of the design,’ Johnson says to characterize the design process, while the DIY kit itself relies on 3D printing as all models will be made available and can be 3D printed in the comfort of your own home. ‘The 3D printing and DIY space has really fueled the project,’ Johnson emphasizes.
Altogether, this machine is starting to look like a very interesting (3D printable) option for amateurs everywhere. What's more, the research and design phases have already been completed and this Kickstarter campaign is intended for production only – meaning that delivery can start as soon as March 2016. Really the only downside to the Steady Shot Bot is a financial one. Though much cheaper than most professional equipment, the Bot still quite expensive (at $1,099 for a DIY kit and $1,499 for a full kit). While this does include all parts and all hardware, you’re not getting anything for free.
But perhaps the bigger financial issue is the crowdfunding campaign itself. Seeking to raise a whopping $310,000 by 12 September 2015, you could wonder if Johnson is just a bit too ambitious. Nonetheless, the product itself is good, so customers could definitely follow. Interested? Head over to the Kickstarter here.
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
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