In a collaborative effort between Cape Town-based industrial engineering firm, Hans Von Der Heyde (HvdH), and professional photographer, Joe Louw, the new, exciting and fully functional Shukuma Dolly has finally reached the market.

Currently retailing at R12 500, the motorised dolly is the only time lapse dolly of its kind in the country.

Lowe first became aware of the time lapse technique a couple of years ago. 'It was then that I realised that one can add motion to your time lapse by means of a motorised dolly and I was determined to get one myself,' he recalled.

'Due to the high cost involved in getting a unit shipped and imported to South Africa I had to find alternative ways to get my own dolly. I got down to the drawing board in no time.'

Owing to increasing costs, design hitches and local supply problems, Lowe approached the research and development team at HvdH for guidance. The result is a compact, durable and professional product enabling smooth cinematic shoots in difficult terrain and at virtually any conceivable angle or direction possible.

Weighing in at only 4.8 kg, the Shukuma Time Lapse Dolly comprises a lightweight rail, swivel legs and battery powered cart and is marketed together with a SMC Motion Controller. The rail is custom developed to enhance mobility while the swivel legs allow for low shoots at various angles.

Based in Montagu Gardens, HvdH South Africa is the Cape Town branch of an established and reputable German precision engineering company.

Although its core area of expertise is developing cutting edge solutions for the automotive, upholstery and industrial manufacturing sectors right across the globe, it has the competency to solve diverse engineering challenges.

Amongst a comprehensive range of services are custom machine design, precision toolmaking, automation solutions and machining while an exclusive German manufactured product portfolio comprises industrial machines developed in an intelligent modular design for seamless integration into the production line.

As an added advantage, HvdH are the authorised re-sellers of lightweight, corrosion-free interlocking aluminium profile systems developed by ALKOR Industrietechnik GmbH.

To find out more about the precision engineering company, its products, services and recent innovations including the Shukuma Time Lapse Dolly, please visit www.hvdh-sa.co.za.