Some of you have asked me how I filmed my last video. Well, they say that a magician should never reveal their secrets. However, I love watching all of your train videos and I was hoping that I could share some of my techniques with you in hopes that you would share more train videos with me.
The Table:
For starters, my entire 4' x 8' train table was built using this simple Lionel inspired design:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBNCmCxwUEA
I put caster wheels under each leg so that I could freely move the table in order to reach those hard to reach places, move the panel backgrounds around, and adjust the lighting.
Speaking of lighting, I use those cheap clamp lights that are typically used for working on the car. There is nothing special about my wiring, but I will mention that everything is plugged in to a surge protector with a circuit breaker. This acts as a kill switch so I don't burn my house down when playing with antique trains with questionable wiring.
The Camera:
To film, I am currently using a Sony DSC-RX100 camera.
I just picked it up in February and I absolutely love it. It shoots in HD, has full manual functions, and it has an excellent lens for it's class. What I really like is the compact size. This allows me to move the camera into any small space. The macro focus works great with toy trains and accessories.
The Production:
I use a combination of tripod mounted shots and a custom built rolling mount. I made the mount by drilling out a cheap Marx flatcar and a thin strip of wood. This can be moved manually or it can be attached to a moving train.
I'm no expert, just a guy having fun. I hope this info helps with your videos. Keep 'em coming!
-Matt
