360 degree vertical rotation?

[Mitch Martinez]

Hi All,

A director has expressed the desire to shoot some footage with multiple 360 degree y-axis rotations and I thought I'd check in to see if anyone had any specific experiences with any gear or DIY solutions.

Here is a reference video of the effect he's going for:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtyoxfMk_Ec

And also a behind the scenes video with the rig they used on that music video:
http://ilpvideo.com/video.php?v=MzM5ODc


Does anyone know that rig? Make/model/etc? The closest info I've found on any related product seems to be motorized rather than manual handcranked. Letus has a new product called the Helix but is clearly not the rig used in the reference music vid. Also, I know there's a motorized rig called Roundy Round which is hard to get any google hits for since Matthews has a dolly with the same name...

Any input is greatly appreciated. Should be a cool visual gag.

 

[Mitch Martinez]

Here's the latest in my findings: Letus Direct is making a product called the Helix (http://www.letusdirect.com/cart/letus-helix.html) but it won't be released until January or February of 2013 according to one of their reps that I spoke with on the phone today. Price point approximated between $2K and $2,500 according to product preview videos from NAB 2012.

Still looking for solutions in the meantime.

 

[Kwan Khan]

Nice found (on Helix)

 

[Todd T]

How about this?
Cartoni Spin Head

 

[Jeff Garton]

Stock two-axis Weaver Steadmans have a part that allows you to mount one of the modules on a head so it works like a third axis (rotating on the lens axis). This retains the pan and tilt function of the head. Its very cool, and I didn't even know of this use until I bought a used WS recently and dug up an old manual online. And WS are pretty inexpensive to rent. There are a number of heads that have a third axis option. Lambda and Weaver Steadman among them.
The Helix looks cool and I've been awaiting its official release. Hadn't hear anything in a awhile, thanks for the update.

 

[Todd T]

For a DIY project you might consider the Opteka GH1, it is inexpensive and rated at 30lbs

 

[Lee Saxon]

Todd, that's a copy of Wimberley's gimbal heads. Please don't support Chinese rip-offs, it hurts designers.

 

[Brook Willard]

The Libra Megamount is likely the most popular head for such moves.

 

[Mike P.]

Don't want to sound ignorant, but you could always shoot 5k ANA with spherical glass, and then punch in to a 2.7k 1:1 frame (2700x2700) and then spin till your heart is content digitally (digital motion blur might need to be added to sell the effect). If it's web or broadcast bound (1080p), it'd save you $2500 for a device that you'll probably only use once (assuming you can't rent it.) Another cheap method; mount it to an unbalanced (and short) steadicam and spin the entire rig around.... At least the steadicam you'll be able to use often. Personally, I think the digital spinning will work best (as you could pan and tilt [or steadicam] and it'd probably look even better than what's in that linked video.)

Test it out; it's be free to try (no extra kit) and I bet you'll be surprised by the results...

 

[Kwan Khan]

My 360 degree vertical rotation

Video:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10151529370888084

 

[Mitch Martinez]

Great ideas everyone! I really like a lot of the gear that people showcased or shared links for.

Along the lines of what Kwan did with the Varizoom remote pan/tilt head, I was able to accomplish pretty much the same thing with Kessler Revolution pan/tilt head during a camera test I did today. We'll be using the technique tomorrow on a music video... Ideally, I'd still love an inexpensive manual solution rather than motorized - but this a great solution without costing me a penny since I already own the gear.

Anyone wanting to see the test footage results, here is the link and password:
https://vimeo.com/54413009
password: red