Summary of Arduino powered camera slider and pan-tilt camera mount
This project by YouTuber "isaac879" features a motorized pan-tilt camera mount combined with a precision slider for DSLR cameras like the Canon EOS 250D. Designed for video motion control, time-lapses, and panoramic shots, it uses mostly 3D printed parts, M3 hardware, and 2020 V-slot aluminum extrusion. The system employs a custom PCB with Bluetooth communication, stepper drivers, Hall effect sensors for homing, and an Arduino Nano to manage movement and camera shutter control. The slider moves with high precision via a 2GT timing belt and pulley system and supports battery or DC power.
Parts used in the Motorised Camera Slider and Pan-Tilt Camera Mount Project:
- DSLR Canon EOS 250D (camera)
- 3D printed parts
- M3 nuts and bolts
- 2020 V-slot aluminium extrusion
- Custom PCB with stepper drivers and breakout
- Arduino Nano microcontroller
- Bluetooth module
- RGB status LED
- Hall effect sensors (for pan, tilt, and slider axes)
- 2GT timing belt
- 20 tooth timing pulley
- NPN transistor
- 2.5mm 3 pole jack (for shutter trigger)
- 12V DC power supply or 3 cell LiPo battery
Photographers searching for a professional style motorised camera slider and pan-tilt camera mount, may be interested in a new project by YouTuber “isaac879”. The project is open source with links to the design files and code provided via Github. Check out the first and second videos in the series below. “This is the pan tilt camera mount I designed for my DSLR Canon EOS 250D. I designed it for video motion control, time-lapses and panoramic shots.”
This is a continuation of the pan tilt mount project I designed for my DSLR Canon EOS 250D. Here I have designed and added a slider to the pan tilt mount which allows for more complex camera movements. The slider is made from mostly 3d printed parts, M3 nuts and bolts and 2020 V-slot aluminium extrusion. It uses the same PCB I created for my pan tilt mount which is why I included an extra stepper driver and breakout for another Hall effect sensor. As the same PCB is used it has all the features of the pan tilt mount, such as Bluetooth communication to the Arduino Nano, the RGB status LED, auto homing and the ability to trigger the cameras shutter.”
“The 2GT timing belt, 20 tooth timing pulley and 16th microstepping allow the slider to move with a precision of 0.0125mm. The movement speed can be set extremely slow for time-lapses or up to about 200mm/s (in full step mode). There are Hall effect sensors embedded in the pan and tilt axis to allow the stepper motors to home and zero themselves when powered on. The circuit can be powered by a 12V DC input or 3 cell LiPo battery for portability. The Arduino monitors the battery level and indicates its charge on the RGB status LED. The Arduino can also trigger the camera’s shutter using an NPN transistor and 2.5mm 3 pole jack.”
For more information and to download the files and code for the project jump over to the official GitHub page.
Source: Arduino powered camera slider and pan-tilt camera mount
