How to Build a Barn Door Tracker
A barn door tracker is basically a camera mount that allows you to photograph the sky. Professional photographers often refer to this type of camera mount as a Haig mount. If you are an avid photographer that likes to take wide field shots of the sky, then building your own barn door tracker can be an interesting project for you. Building your own barn door tracker can be slightly challenging, but if you have basic building skills then you will have your own barn door tracker up and running in short time. Although most parts for building your own barn door tracker can be readily found around, some items might be special and will need some research on your part to find.
Instructions
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1
Understand your Needs:
It is important that you first understand your needs when it comes to building your own barn door tracker. Be sure to understand the mechanics behind a barn door tracker and how to mount your camera for optimum photography. -
2
Have the right Tools:
Like any building project, make sure that you have all of the right tools for the job. It is important that you have an electric drill, pliers, screwdrivers, ruler and handsaw for building your own barn door tracker. -
3
Research Plans from Internet:
Look around and do some research on the internet to find some easy to follow plans on how to build your own barn door tracker. Most of these plans are free and can easily be downloaded or printed for reference. -
4
Decide on Single or Double Arm Design:
The two different types of barn door trackers consist of a single or double arm design. Be sure to decide which design best suits your needs. -
5
Organise Materials:
Put together and organise all of the materials that you will need to build your own barn door tracker. These parts include screws, washers, motor drive and other parts that will be specified in the plans that you originally downloaded. -
6
Construct:
Put together your barn door tracker by carefully following all of the steps in the plans that you downloaded from the internet. Be sure to follow each step in the order that has been given. Remember to take your time and do a good job of putting your barn door tracker together as your expensive camera equipment will be sitting on top of this tracker and it should be sturdy. -
7
Test your Tracker:
Once you have built your own barn door tracker, carefully mount your camera and begin enjoying your wide angle sky photography.
