MRMC Launches 'Revolutionary' Robotics

Mark Roberts Motion Control (MRMC) has taken "a giant leap forward" with its new robotics solution.
Sports photographer Bob Martin became the first photographer to trial a new fast action robotics system at this year's Wimbeldon tennis tournament.
The system is the product of a collaboration between Nikon and MRMC.
Using Nikon’s D4 digital SLR cameras mounted on MRMC’s SFH-30 robotic heads located at the venue, the operator can move and rotate the any of the cameras and take shots from positions that would not normally be physically possible.
Each camera is controlled and used to shoot images by a single photographer from a remote location. By attaching one of the robotic heads and camera to the roof above Centre Court, Bob was able to capture images from a location that had never before been attempted at the event.
James Banfield Professional Services and Business Solutions Manager at Nikon UK says: "Our robotics project has been in the making for some time; since the London Olympics we’ve been working with Bob Martin and leading photo agencies who needed more from existing robotics systems, listening to their feedback and requirements to refine and develop this system."
He adds: "Initially the robotics set up has been designed to support sports photographers, maximising the qualities of the D4 camera and allowing them to track fast moving subjects, however there is great scope to use it for other areas of photography - our customers will dictate where this solution is used next."
Bob also shot with a new MRMC Polycam configuration, with three separate robotic heads used in synchronisation.
Polycam allows any number of robotic heads to be working together to automatically all track the same point of interest but from multiple perspectives, allowing one photographer or cameraman to effectively and easily control multiple remotes.
Bob Martin said: "The demand for new images at big sporting events is what encourages me to push the limits of photography. Using this set up, it’s proved that capturing the impossible is now possible, which is very exciting for the future of photography.
"I had some images in mind at Wimbledon before we set everything up; I was constantly hoping for sun so that I could capture the players on the grass with stunning shadows. Eventually the sun came out, so I’ve now got new, different images to add to add to my portfolio and offer my clients.”
Assaff Rawner, Managing Director at MRMC, says: “We’re pleased to be working with Nikon, to explore this new area for us creating solutions for photographers who are keen to take photography to a new level, with the help of our robotic and Polycam systems. Whilst the partnership has only been going since the start of the London Olympics, we’ve learnt so much and look forward to taking the systems further to support all photographers’ creative ideas and other specialist projects."
www.mrmoco.com
(IT/CD)