Rail Standards

[petruzzo]

I've been scouring the internet for some good DIY information about building the rail system (you know, the things that all the extra gear attaches to). Virtually all of them are woefully incomplete for someone in my position, so I've been attempting to analyze the different elements of a commercial rail system so that I can go and try and put something together myself. What I would like to aim for, however unlikely a pursuit it might be, is for it to be in compliance with existing standards. I suppose in this case I talking mainly about the diameter of the rails, and how far apart they are. But being new at this, I'm guessing there are other things I haven't taken into consideration yet either.

What do you think?

EDIT: Just to be clear, the DIY information is woefully incomplete. Not what's available commercially.

 

[wheatgrinder]

many have tried few have succeeded.. I priced out my own design and could still not get a better product for the price.

Standards are: 15mm OD on 60mm centers.

Finding 15mm rod is an adventure in futility, its a conspiracy I tell ya!

best option is used ebay..

http://indisystem.com/products .. good examples of inexpensive options..

EDIT: You can see in the premiere members DIY area this short thread.. http://www.indietalk.com/showthread.php?t=21706
EDIT: http://jag35.com/new/products/rail-block/ $20 for the hard to make part.. just drill and tap as needed..

 

[Dreadylocks]

I found some relatively cheap 15mm rods a while back. I'll look for the link when I get home.

But, really, wheat is right, it does feel like there is some sort of conspiracy. I was thinking of buying up a bunch of those rods, cutting them into segments and selling them to indie filmmakers for a reasonable price.

 

[Cracker Funk]

I've been using PVC, with the dolly rolling on skateboard wheels. Simple design, easy to make. Comes apart and puts together quickly and easily (thus, mobile). Works pretty well. Only downside is that the camera can jitter slightly, when you cross over the joint (if you've connected more than one PVC pipe to make a really long track). Also, it's lightweight, so only your tripod and camera can ride -- camera operator has to walk.

 

[chilipie]

I've been using PVC, with the dolly rolling on skateboard wheels. Simple design, easy to make. Comes apart and puts together quickly and easily (thus, mobile). Works pretty well. Only downside is that the camera can jitter slightly, when you cross over the joint (if you've connected more than one PVC pipe to make a really long track). Also, it's lightweight, so only your tripod and camera can ride -- camera operator has to walk.

Crossed wires here, I think… OP is talking about camera support rods

There's a standard distance for the centre of the lens from the rods as well, which might be important if you're mounting a follow focus or mattebox that isn't a DIY job - I can't for the life of me remember what the measurement is though, and I can't find a site with the numbers, so hopefully someone else'll know.

 

[Cracker Funk]

Crossed wires here, I think… OP is talking about camera support rods

There's a standard distance for the centre of the lens from the rods as well, which might be important if you're mounting a follow focus or mattebox that isn't a DIY job - I can't for the life of me remember what the measurement is though, and I can't find a site with the numbers, so hopefully someone else'll know.

Ahhaaaaaa. Yes, I see, I misunderstood what he was referring to with "rails". Thanks.

 

[wheatgrinder]

CF is funny on many levels.. in this same OP's other thread, he sites this confusion between rails specifically in his "terminology" thread.. I'm suspicious that you KNOW THIS.. hum.. your a crafty one Mr. Funk!

And the standard is .. 15mm Outer Diameter on 60mm centers. Or in other words.. two 15mm holes 60mm's apart.

 

[petruzzo]

many have tried few have succeeded.. I priced out my own design and could still not get a better product for the price.

*sigh*

Hours of google and various forum searches seems to prove this point. It probably is kind of a conspiracy, though probably not a grand one. For example, when developing the standard within the industry, they could have simply gone with sizes that are widely available in hardware stores, but it was probably an intentional marketing decision to manufacture something different. This would theoretically force people to buy professional gear, rather than making their own. That would change if plumbers would start demanding 15mm tubes for something or other.

CF is funny on many levels.. in this same OP's other thread, he sites this confusion between rails specifically in his "terminology" thread.. I'm suspicious that you KNOW THIS.. hum.. your a crafty one Mr. Funk!

And the standard is .. 15mm Outer Diameter on 60mm centers. Or in other words.. two 15mm holes 60mm's apart.

To be fair, I've been cruising forums for hours and have managed to figure out the difference now, for the most part. Just sayin'

 

[chilipie]

*sigh*

Hours of google and various forum searches seems to prove this point. It probably is kind of a conspiracy, though probably not a grand one. For example, when developing the standard within the industry, they could have simply gone with sizes that are widely available in hardware stores, but it was probably an intentional marketing decision to manufacture something different. This would theoretically force people to buy professional gear, rather than making their own. That would change if plumbers would start demanding 15mm tubes for something or other.

There's a 19mm standard as well, if that's any use… though I think it's more intended for supporting massive cine zooms, and is probably a bit overkill for most of us.

 

[wheatgrinder]

chiliepie.. thats secret.. don't tell everyone