Manual turntable options

[cdschroer]

Various folks have asked about turntables for doing subjects in the round.  Here's a good option that has very smooth movement and can handle fairly heavy weights:

 

Shimpo Banding wheels:

http://shimpoceramics.com/bandingwheels.html

 

They aren't too expensive.  They don't have marks for the degrees, this could be added with tape or other mechanisms.  We modified our turntables that way. Make sure to put any marks on the edge not the top, so that it is less likely to be moving through your images.

 

It would be great if others could post manual turntable suggestions here as well.  (if someone wants to start another topic for automated ones, I think that's great too)

 

Carla

[GeorgeBevan]

We're currently using a Sherline CNC rotary table, more or less in this configuration: http://www.sherline.com/3700cncpg.htm

A stepper motor and USB controller have  been added. We've rewritten some control software to have it work with a PC for automated capture and shutter release on the camera. Other than that we use a pretty standard lazy-susan in the field. 

 

Looking forward to hearing what others are using!

[IainS]

There seem to be two types - some have long necks (i guess you could call them that) and others have short necks is there any particular advantage to a particular type?

[cdschroer]

The ones that are taller might make it easier to get a camera at a low angle looking up to get lower areas of your subject.  It really depends on the subject, and where you are placing the turntable whether this will matter.

 

Carla