Time-Lapse - The Slider - TWiT episode 283 Live at CES 2001

This is a moving time-lapse shot during the live recording of TWiT episode 283 in Las Vegas, NV for the CES show 2011.

The Slider is a motorized dolly track that is programmable to complete a repeatable six foot dolly move over a pre-determined amount of time. In this case, the six foot length was programmed to move from end-to-end over a 2 1/2 hour period of time.

The camera used was a Canon 7D with a 10-22mm zoom lens that was set to it's widest setting of 10mm which on the cropped sensor of the 7D is more like a 16mm equivalent. An 'intervalometer' was connected to the camera and was set to fire off an image every 4 seconds for the duration of the expected 2 hour show.

Because of battery communication issues and charging challenges, both the camera battery and the slider battery ran out of power somewhere around the middle of the move. However, the problem was quickly noticed and both batteries were changed to continue the slide with minor interruption.

The final HD render seen here has some slight color correction and the center portion of stopped animation removed while the slider battery was stopped.

Photography by - Brent Bye
Motorized Slider provided by - Jerry Giacalone

Category:

Science & Technology

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• iJustine

[MotoEPhil]

The camera that is moving from right to left. Just to give it a little dynamic feeling maybe

[oceanstudio]

@MotoEPhil This is the slower version of the move.

The camera tracks from right to left over 2 hours, and stills were taken every 4 seconds.

There is a double speed version of the clip that was given to the TWiT network that displays in just over 30 seconds instead of over a minute.

The camera move is much more apparent in the quicker version. It's a bit too slow of a move here.

[meny311]

This was awesome! Brent, did a great job with shooting, and lighting! :D Everyone did an amazing job at CES with all the coverage...I really enjoyed it!

[oceanstudio]

@meny311 This was a very fun trip.

It was great to meet everyone that was hanging around the stage...

[tedknaz]

Pretty cool. What's the actual, uncompressed time on this shot?

[oceanstudio]

@tedknaz We expected the TWiT episode to run over two hours, so I programmed The Slider to run for the next longest run at 2 1/2 hours to complete a six foot pass...

First problem was that the slider battery ran out of juice about mid-way through. Then the camera battery ran out just after. I was operating camera for the main TWiT show, and noticed the slider stopped moving, so I changed both batteries to keep the time-lapse going.

This video shows a Slider move over about 1 1/2 hours...

[rleslievideo]

I would really like to know where you can buy one of those units. I've been trying to build a motor onto my manual motion slider for a long time.

I tape corporate videos and conferences out of Vancouver, BC

[theswissmonkey]

check out how often iJustine fiddles with her phone. lol!

[AngelChildxxx]

MAC AND iPad RULEZ.

[oceanstudio]

@2daDavid widescreen and 1080P is just the beginning...

We just love that YouTube supports at least 1080, now 3D, what's next...? dare we wish for 4K resolution....?

[oceanstudio]

@ksdjatt1111 yes, camera is moving, not the table or background

[oceanstudio]

@jordawessome

not exactly a "tripod" that moves, but close.

'The Slider', is a smooth-motion dolly track that is self contained within a half I-beam design and has a rack and pinion motor assembly that automates the motion of a camera either quickly or very slowly.

The controller can be programed to move across the entire track in a range of timings from 2 seconds for a 6 floot pass, all the way to as slow as 2 1/2 hours for a six foot pass.