Innovation Report: The Genie Camera Panning/Tracking Device
PhotographyTalk has invited a number of photography equipment inventors to become members of our community: Dan Naramor and the innovative Graslon 4100 Flash Diffuser that he developed in his workshop and the two guys who started Cognisys and built the StopShot electronic timing device for high-speed photography.
Our crack research team has discovered the story of Ben Ryan and Chris Thomson, two inventors from New Zealand who call their company Syrp. They’ve created the Genie, a programmable device that helps generate a smooth, precise panning and tracking motion and high quality time-lapse video.
You don’t have to shoot much video footage, even with an above-average digital camera with an image stabilization system, to discover that panning handheld is just not steady enough. Then, try tracking a subject or object while you’re walking. You’ll record video that is virtually impossible to watch.
That was the challenge Ben and Chris accepted; and it appears the Genie is the solution. The “genius” behind the Genie is that it is attaches easily to a long list of camera models and is compatible with all tripods, sliders, jib arms, cable cams or the top of your kitchen table. (Visit the Syrp Web page, http://syrp.co.nz/products/ for a complete list of camera manufacturers and models that work with the Genie.)
An important part of their challenge was to make sure the Genie wasn’t complicated to use. Again, they succeeded, as it is easy to program via the interface on the front of the device. You select a series of motions and the Genie then automatically follows your instructions. A preview mode allows you to review the sequence and make any detailed adjustments. You also have a choice of instructing the Genie to move the camera in one fluid motion or to pause between shots. Save your Genie settings and use them again if you want to duplicate the same motion or time lapse.
Other capabilities of the Genie include interfacing with a camera with remote inputs, allowing the Genie to change camera settings during a panning motion or a time-lapse sequence.
The Genie from Syrp is available for pre-order for $990 at http://syrp.co.nz/shop/. Ben and Chris have been raising money for their venture through the crowd-funding site Kickstarter. They have reached their goal of $150,000, which will allow them to start shipping pre-ordered Genies during November 2012.
Photo © Copyright 2012 SYRP
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