Dolly Ideas...? at DVinfo.net

Justin Connor · August 11th, 2007, 06:01 PM

Anyone have any Dolly recommendations?

HVX-BREVIS-Lenses-Marshall monitor on board so there will be some weight.

Looking for under 1000 bucks, and shots with some hight or hi hat capable so I can go left-right AND north-south.

limited low budget crew, so the ones where you need someone to push isn't my top choice, unless those are superior in your opinion to the likes of the many ladder dollys out there.

My knock on the dollys I've seen thus far is that they don't have a high hat (esp. ladder ones) to get some height above the rig to go north-south shots.

Any ideas? There's so many out there and I've read all the reviews, that I'd rather put it out to you guys now for some feedback.

Thanks much in advance!
Justin

Charles Papert · August 11th, 2007, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin Connor

My knock on the dollys I've seen thus far is that they don't have a high hat (esp. ladder ones) to get some height above the rig to go north-south shots.

Can you explain what you mean by that? Are you talking about the ability to boom like a jib?

Robert Lane · August 11th, 2007, 06:51 PM

It won't fit your budget (you can rent it instead of purchase) but the CamTram dolly is one of the most versatile I've ever used; it has a built-in Hi-Hat that even allows for under-slung shooting.

Check out http://www.camtramsystem.com; a few of the forum sponsors such as Abel Cine/LA rent this unit.

Cliff Wallace · August 11th, 2007, 10:53 PM

Go to the Digital Juice website and search through their tutorials. One of them is for an affordable and easy to build track dolly. I downloaded the plans on Wednesday, made some alterations, gave the plans to one of our engineers and he bought supplies on Thursday and had it ready for a shoot on Friday. The thing worked like a $5,000 dolly. I was beyond impressed. Oh, BTW, it cost less than $100 to build, including track. It was also very easy to put together and didn't require too many tools.

Dale Hildebrand · August 12th, 2007, 09:57 AM

Not sure if this is of interest to you, but I have 2 Matthews Briefcase Dollies. Each fold up into a single briefcase and when opened the solid briefcase locks into place, which in turn becomes the platform. They can fit in airline baggage. Has a set of track wheels as well as a set of hard surface wheels. They can hold up to 500lbs, and though portable, they are professional in quality - unlike some of the lightweight dv stuff. Not trying to knock other gear out there for we all have different needs. I use these dollies for my 35mm cameras down to my HVX's and DVX and always have solid, smooth moves. Here is a link:

http://www.msegrip.com/mse.php?show=...ducts_ID=25526

Had both dollies running tandem on track with HVX's, marshall's, camera operators (one dolly also had the focus puller as well as operator on it) for a series I was shooting and the moves were great - got wide and punched in dolly shots all in one move.

They are rather expensive, but I have been intending to sell one of them (as well as a ton of other great gear), I just haven't gotten around to listing them on ebay. $1000 and it's yours (or who ever might be interested). Apologies if it is inappropriate to post this kind of info in this thread.

Justin Connor · August 24th, 2007, 06:29 AM

i appreciate the info....

let me think on that briefcase dolly -- it looks nice but might be out of my budget.

cheers and thanks again.
justin

Steev Dinkins · August 24th, 2007, 11:56 AM

Might wanna check this out.

http://www.omni-tracker.com/

-steev

Stephen Pruitt · August 24th, 2007, 01:56 PM

Dale. . . you have an email.

Stephen

Justin Connor · August 24th, 2007, 05:02 PM

Thanks Steev, I will check that out.

Cheers,
Justin

Robert Lane · August 24th, 2007, 11:19 PM

Here's another option I just learned about today and plan to test: http://www.axisdolly.com .

Think of a melding of the Skater and Omni-Tracker dolly concepts but with a few more tricks up it's sleeve than either. Far less costly than the Skater, but more than the Omni. Check it out.

Mike Connolly · August 29th, 2007, 04:21 AM

I can totally recommend the axis dolly. Seth Wise is also very on the ball with questions/support. It's built like a brick sh*thouse, so holds enough weight to do some very smooth trackless pans. I've only used it with a tripod attatched, but great results.

He also provides an excel castor-angle-guage, so while not laser guided like the skator, it's functions are the same.

August 11th, 2007, 06:01 PM	#1
Justin Connor Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 73	Dolly Ideas...? Anyone have any Dolly recommendations? HVX-BREVIS-Lenses-Marshall monitor on board so there will be some weight. Looking for under 1000 bucks, and shots with some hight or hi hat capable so I can go left-right AND north-south. limited low budget crew, so the ones where you need someone to push isn't my top choice, unless those are superior in your opinion to the likes of the many ladder dollys out there. My knock on the dollys I've seen thus far is that they don't have a high hat (esp. ladder ones) to get some height above the rig to go north-south shots. Any ideas? There's so many out there and I've read all the reviews, that I'd rather put it out to you guys now for some feedback. Thanks much in advance! Justin

August 11th, 2007, 10:53 PM	#4
Cliff Wallace New Boot Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 7	RE: Anyone have any Dolly recommendations? Go to the Digital Juice website and search through their tutorials. One of them is for an affordable and easy to build track dolly. I downloaded the plans on Wednesday, made some alterations, gave the plans to one of our engineers and he bought supplies on Thursday and had it ready for a shoot on Friday. The thing worked like a $5,000 dolly. I was beyond impressed. Oh, BTW, it cost less than $100 to build, including track. It was also very easy to put together and didn't require too many tools.

August 12th, 2007, 09:57 AM	#5
Dale Hildebrand New Boot Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 12	Matthews Briefcase Dolly Not sure if this is of interest to you, but I have 2 Matthews Briefcase Dollies. Each fold up into a single briefcase and when opened the solid briefcase locks into place, which in turn becomes the platform. They can fit in airline baggage. Has a set of track wheels as well as a set of hard surface wheels. They can hold up to 500lbs, and though portable, they are professional in quality - unlike some of the lightweight dv stuff. Not trying to knock other gear out there for we all have different needs. I use these dollies for my 35mm cameras down to my HVX's and DVX and always have solid, smooth moves. Here is a link: http://www.msegrip.com/mse.php?show=...ducts_ID=25526 Had both dollies running tandem on track with HVX's, marshall's, camera operators (one dolly also had the focus puller as well as operator on it) for a series I was shooting and the moves were great - got wide and punched in dolly shots all in one move. They are rather expensive, but I have been intending to sell one of them (as well as a ton of other great gear), I just haven't gotten around to listing them on ebay. $1000 and it's yours (or who ever might be interested). Apologies if it is inappropriate to post this kind of info in this thread.

August 24th, 2007, 06:29 AM	#6
Justin Connor Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 73	thanks y'all.... i appreciate the info.... let me think on that briefcase dolly -- it looks nice but might be out of my budget. cheers and thanks again. justin

August 24th, 2007, 11:56 AM	#7
Steev Dinkins Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 613	Might wanna check this out. http://www.omni-tracker.com/ -steev __________________ www.holyzoo.com

August 11th, 2007, 06:51 PM	#3
Robert Lane Go Go Godzilla Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA Posts: 2,795 Images: 15	It won't fit your budget (you can rent it instead of purchase) but the CamTram dolly is one of the most versatile I've ever used; it has a built-in Hi-Hat that even allows for under-slung shooting. Check out http://www.camtramsystem.com; a few of the forum sponsors such as Abel Cine/LA rent this unit.

August 24th, 2007, 01:56 PM	#8
Stephen Pruitt Major Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 228	Dale. . . you have an email. Stephen

August 24th, 2007, 05:02 PM	#9
Justin Connor Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 73	omni tracker looks great Thanks Steev, I will check that out. Cheers, Justin

August 24th, 2007, 11:19 PM	#10
Robert Lane Go Go Godzilla Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA Posts: 2,795 Images: 15	Axis Dolly Here's another option I just learned about today and plan to test: http://www.axisdolly.com . Think of a melding of the Skater and Omni-Tracker dolly concepts but with a few more tricks up it's sleeve than either. Far less costly than the Skater, but more than the Omni. Check it out.

August 29th, 2007, 04:21 AM	#11
Mike Connolly New Boot Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Brighton, UK Posts: 16	I can totally recommend the axis dolly. Seth Wise is also very on the ball with questions/support. It's built like a brick sh*thouse, so holds enough weight to do some very smooth trackless pans. I've only used it with a tripod attatched, but great results. He also provides an excel castor-angle-guage, so while not laser guided like the skator, it's functions are the same.