The mighty but tiny Hercules: World’s smallest motorised camera motion control system2 min read
Reading Time: 2 minutesIf you love motion-controlled shots but never seem to be able to find the time, energy or money for a fully motorised slider system, then the new Hercules by Rollocam may be for you. It is the world’s smallest motorised camera motion control system; so small, in fact, that it will fit inside your pocket.
The design seems really clever and simple to use. It is basically a super-small motorised SKATER dolly with three tiny wheels. It weighs just 4 oz/110g and collapses down into two main parts, the longest of which is just 4.5 inches long. The makers claim that you can take it out of your pocket, assemble it, program it and be shooting within 30 seconds. It can be used for both time-lapse and regular speed moves, with a maximum speed of 1 inch/sec. It runs on a single AAA battery. Amazingly, despite its tiny size, it can carry a camera weighing up to 20lbs / 9Kg.
The idea of making motion control a more spontaneous thing was at the centre of the Hercules creators’ thinking. At present you really have to plan to take out a slider and motor unit for a shoot. On many documentary shoots I’ve done there simply isn’t the time to set one up. To just have something in your bag that gives you some extra motion options in a hurry is a great idea.
For the Hercules to work you need to run it on a relatively smooth and flat surface. You simply power it on, set the speed, and let it run. If you want to use it on rougher terrain you either need to improvise and construct your own flat surface, or buy an additional 20 inch long aluminium track which the Hercules can run along.
via: News Shooter
Image Credit: Rollocam
