Here you can buy it:

The control unit consists of a Pelican 1450 case with an Arduino 2009, L297/298 Motor drivers (lately I used Nanotec SMC11 wit great success). Redundant power supply connector allow to power the unit by battery or power supply (or both). The control software runs on Windows in a Virtual Box on a Macbook pro (lately I use an EEE PC).

All connectors are XLR.

The dolly runs on any standard tracks or pipes that can be fitted with a toothed belt. The track I use has 4 legs that allow to level the track up to 50 cm.

Timelapse tracking from Matthias Uhlig on Vimeo.

In the NAB2010 edition of  Film & Digital Times I wrote an article about measuring the flange focal distance on digital cameras.

Yo can download it at www.fdtimes.com. Also in this edition: in depth NAB coverage and a great series of articles on “Oceans”

A new project has kept me busy during the last few weeks: the Nano dolly and its siblings, which will be marketed  starting  April under the brand name “Kids of all ages”.

Next to the Nano dolly, the Nano Jib, Nano motion control and Nano Shoulder Rig for DSLRs will be available. All Kids of all ages projects are open source, there will be detailed instructions and parts lists available online at www.kids-of-all-ages.org.

For those who do not want to search around for all the parts, there will be kits available for the Nano products. For those with two left hands or little time, ready to shoot packages are available for most products.

Check out www.kids-of-all-ages.org for details.

Kids of all ages

Optimo 24-290 & 7D

In the current Cine Gear to New Year – Feb 2010 Special Report online only edition of Film& Digital Times Jon Fauer presents, among many other interesting products, the MBF Canon PL adaptor.

PDF Version can be downloaded here.

Motion Control Timelapse Test from Matthias Uhlig on Vimeo.

Stereoscopy
The Nano also can be used for stereoscopic imaging. In the near future, even timelapse dollying will be possible. To achieve this the computerized dolly moves a bit to the left (or right) to get the second image needed for 3D imaging (interaxial distance) and then returns to it’s home position to go on in the timelapse program.

You need Red/Cyan glasses to view this image properly.

PL Mount

Many people ask why the MBF EF-PL adaptor cannot be used with certain lenses.

As you can see in the picture the stainless steel ring is about 7 mmdeep. Behind this ring is a brass ring with the EF Mount on the backside.

The lens’ mount has a collar, which is about 12-14 mm deep on most Zeiss, Cooke or Red lenses. When inserted in the camera mount, this collar hits the brass ring. So it’s a problem with the mount itself, rather than a problem with the lens’ rear element and the mirror (but please pay attention to that, or you might break something).

Can I use the adaptor with the 5 D Mk 2 ?

Yes, but…. mechanically there is no problem but most cine lenses will not cover the full frame sensor of the 5D-2. Examples for lenses that do work are the Century Series 2000 200 & 300 mm lenses.

But see for yourself:

Iron Lung Quintet from Matthias Uhlig on Vimeo.