A classic case of over-engineering

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svalley
Posts: 343
Joined: Sun Dec 03, 2006 7:07 pm
Location: Albany, Oregon

A classic case of over-engineering

Post by svalley »

In another thread on this forum http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... php?t=1352, Kite asks about homemade equipment. It got me thinking about all the things I have built over the years to aid my photo endeavors. Some things worked and others were studies in frustration.

This apparatus was conceived to solve problems I was having shooting dragonfly larvae in aquariums. Shooting from a tripod was a real pain because active larvae walked or swam out of the frame about the time I got focused. The so-called focusing rails were flimsy and only moved in one plane. The only other positioners I was able to find still only moved in two directions, X and Y, only traveled about 3 inches and were really expensive.

Luckily, the lab I worked at had its own machine shop, so I set out to design and build the ultimate positioner. I wanted movement in all 3 planes (X, Y, Z) and enough travel distance to follow my subject at least 12 inches laterally (X) and 6-8 inches in the Y and Z directions. It took 2 years working on and off in my spare time to complete and it looks like a real monstrosity, but it actually works. It is machined from steel and brass and weighs 25 lbs., so it takes a sturdy tripod. The only parts I had to buy were the gears, knobs and a simple head to mount the camera. My design had to be modified several times to cope with problems I had not thought of. I had to put in lubricated bearings to smooth the movements. The bearings can be tightened so there is no back slip, for example, the camera will not drift down under its own weight. I also added fine caliper scales so I can measure the amount of travel.

Image
"You can't build a time machine without weird optics"
Steve Valley - Albany, Oregon

rjlittlefield
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Post by rjlittlefield »

I love it! :smt026 :smt023 :D

But in what sense is this thing overengineered? What have you thought of or seen that would be simpler, and still get the job done?

--Rik

svalley
Posts: 343
Joined: Sun Dec 03, 2006 7:07 pm
Location: Albany, Oregon

Post by svalley »

I have not seen anything better, but it sure ended up being a bigger job than I originally anticipated. A trained machinist or an engineer would have been able to produce it in no time.
"You can't build a time machine without weird optics"
Steve Valley - Albany, Oregon

twebster
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Joined: Wed Jul 26, 2006 8:02 am
Location: Phoenix "Valley of the Sun", Arizona, USA

Post by twebster »

I love the vise-grip handle :!: :D
Tom Webster

Phoenix "The Valley of the Sun", Arizona, USA

The worst day photographing dragonflies is better than the best day working! :)

svalley
Posts: 343
Joined: Sun Dec 03, 2006 7:07 pm
Location: Albany, Oregon

Post by svalley »

Tom, yep that is the result of leaning my tripod against the car and then forgetting it was there. Who would have guessed that Gitzo made their knobs out of shatter prone plastic? At least now I can always find my vice-grips.
"You can't build a time machine without weird optics"
Steve Valley - Albany, Oregon

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