Any Experts on Dollies In This Forum?

No no no. Please don't get the Spider Dolly. It has no platform which I hate so you have little option if you want to get a low down shot and put camera on a high hat or something. And you can't place sand bags or anything else. It's also much harder to rig lights or other things to. And what bugs me the most is that there's not much room to push or pull it. If you've got a big uphill dolly shot and you need 2 grips to push, where are they going to hold onto?

Get the matthews doorway dolly and a set of skateboard sleds for it. You won't regret it. If you REALLY want you can get the turret mount for it, but its not necessary. I'm not sure if the side runners are included. I think they are. If not, pick those up too. It'll cost you more like $3500 and you'll have a lot more versatility than the spider. Not to mention you can easily place it on its side for storage.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&Q=&is=REG&O=productlist&sku=135675
 
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If possible, I'd strongly suggest a long term lease on a Fisher 11 or Chapman super peewee. If you really must own one, then the doorway dolly with skateboard trays is definately the best bet.
 
I was going to say the Fisher 11, but thought it would be way too much. Didn't realize that you can lease them - if the price is right on the lease, that's a great option to go with.
 
Thanks for all the responses.

Noah, I had a feeling the spider sucked... now I know why. Regarding the Fisher 11, I had seen it before but thought "out of my price range" (I don't even know how much it is). But this idea about leasing it is just fantastic. Somehow it never crossed my mind. I definitley need something that says "pro" as I intend to rent it as well (besides using it on my movies).

Also with the money that I "save" by leasing it I could buy a used matthews doorway dolly. Now I just have to check out this Rowe Cine Dolly that Justin mentioned. Thanks to you all.
 
By the way, another reason why the spider dolly sucks:

When I went to check them out in person at the store, they all had cardboard pieces under them to catch all the oil that leaks from them... is that a bad sign or what...
 
I've missed the boat on this one but...everything they said is true. It's a huge pain dealing with the Elemack's legs, trying to get them to catch and lock, and the experience of putting them in swastika (space-saver) mode and then realizing, once it's on the truck, that you did it in the wrong direction...not cool. The locking mechanism on the side plates is awkward.

This as opposed to the Fisher, which is really a joy to work with. You're not going to put your back out taking it off the track because the push posts double as carry handles whereas the Elemack just has those handles above each wheel and four people don't have room enough to lift with their knees. Also, operating a Fisher on curved track is as simple as changing the gear, where the Elemack requires extensive babying (you have to set each wheel into the curve individually). Finally, the Fisher has all kinds of options to add extra space.

Neil's dolly is also an excellent product. High quality, very basic, and extremely affordable. Theoretically it's quieter than the Matthews doorway dolly due to the wheel design, I haven't had an opportunity to test that out personally yet. Hasn't got much in the way of accessories or add-ons as yet, but Neil has been known to do custom orders.
 
The reason I didn't suggest Neil's dolly was because its only a skateboard dolly. TheThe wanted something more professional and more expensive. The doorway dolly just has more versatility than a skateboard dolly, but not quite as much as lets say a Fisher. The main advantages of the Matthews doorway over a skateboard is that it can run on smooth ground without track - it can also be used then as an equipment dolly to haul hand bags and other equipment to a location. Also, with the addition of sleds, you can use it on curved track - Neil's can't do that yet. If all you need is a dolly to run on straight track then Neil's is the cheapest/best option.
 
Ditto to Noah's comments. Just hauling gear to the location is reason enough.
The Fisher would be the nicest, and most expensive option.
 
HappyGobo said:
...I was going to do an in-depth comparison but...
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Too bad. I would love to have read your comparison. As an independent producer I have organized many shoots, but have never actually used dollies; so I don't know what the essential features are that one must think about.

For example, I would have never thought about the issue of packing up the dolly and having the legs be turned the wrong way (like with the elemack). Or that the fisher can double as a sort of hand truck (definitely cool).
 
The western dolly is the unit that would also double as an equipment hauler.
The Fisher dolly, IMHO, would be the Cadillac of rides, when it comes to operating and using a dolly. The Fisher is NOT for hauling gear with, other than the camera and an operator, and sometimes the focus puller. Sorry if my previous comment made it appear that the Fisher is best for hauling gear as well.
 
I would like to add that even if you get a Fisher peewee 10, or some other brand.

NINE times out of ten you are going to lift it up and put it o/in a skateboard wheel set with a minimum of 36 wheels. Modern Equipment has a set for around 2 grand that will take that dolly.

You have to LEASE a Fisher and its not cheap, and you are still responsible for repairs etc.

Do what Noah recommended.

and if you need a pedestal shot, put the camera on the skateboard/platform dolly and use a small jib arm.

my two cents.
 
LOL, hauling gear, well, the camera if its smooth. Many Many times the dolly is used just as a way to move the camera around quickly.

And a First Assistant would always remind the crew when they would put coke cans etc on the dolly while they "lounged" between shots.

Its a dolly, not a deli.
 
TheThe said:
Too bad. I would love to have read your comparison.
Click to expand...

Well, I can't resist an invitation.

A lot of the things I would say have been said already, I'll try to avoid those.

While the Matthews is a little bit more versatile due to its side decks and different wheel sets (tires, track wheels, and skateboard), I love how simple Neil's dolly is.

The Elemack occupies a footprint just about a half-inch wider if you put it in swastika mode the wrong way. The lock-off knobs on the decks weren't really designed for the human hand to gain leverage upon, and they have to be unscrewed almost out of their socket before the latch will slide under the pin, or whatever (it's a weird little lock-off assembly). In order to move the dolly on or off the track, two people must assume a posture usually used only by constipated orangatauns: knees bent, chest pushed out so you don't throw out your back, and a profanity at the ready. It's easier (lighter anyway) with four people, but a bit more dangerous because head space gets real tight and maybe somebody trips on the track. Speaking of dangerous and head space: you've got to watch out for the hydraulic jib, which is known to come loose and shoot straight upwards with punishing force now and again. Not often, but all it needs is one time. Of course, if you want it to come down, you've got to stand on it. If you're bent over because it's inside the truck at the time and thus don't have your full weight on it, it may not cooperate.

The Fisher has a longer footprint, but a lower profile. The jib isn't quite as potentially dangerous because unless you're directly in front of the dolly and above the head, you'll probably see it coming. The Elmack almost forces you to put your face right where that jib would hit when you're carrying it. On the Fisher, moving the weight is factored into the design. Another cool thing, the decks take a fraction of the time to put on.

I will say this for the Elemack: I like rigging the seats. It's like playing with an Erector set. Then with the right rig you can swing around the center of the dolly (the camera) during a pan and feel really cool.
 
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