Anyone know about this? (low cost dolly question)

jinks

jinks

Well-known member
I'm shopping around for a low cost but descent dolly for an upcoming low budget short film. I was wondering if anyone knows about these dollies blackbearstudiosystems.com and http://cgi.ebay.com/Diamond-Film-Vi...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3ef9d2c805 .

I need a dolly that's sturdy and smooth, both for riding and crane mounting. I did buy an Indiesnap dolly a while back becoz I was concerned about weight and portability but the trade-off was shaky and crappy dolly shots a big lesson learn't. My budget is around $1000 max, please give me some advice on a descent dolly in this price range. Btw, I'm not a DIY type of guy so a homemade dolly is out of the question.
Thanks!
 
Jinksy, why do you only want a descent dolly? Don't you want one that goes up as well?

Sorry, that was....unhelpful. But I just couldn't resist!
 
Kurt, I get the joke but I seriously need some input on good dollies out there. Anyone???
 
mathews makes some of the best in the biz. I would check them out, you can bet there never being issues with build quality and they have tons of extras / add ons that are universal.
 
If you want one can support a crane, or do jib moves, I would just suggest getting a super pee wee or fisher 10 or 11. The hydraulic arm is very smooth, but of course, this sort of thing takes a truck to move around and a skilled operator. But...it's what they use and they use it for a reason!

Otherwise, the Matthews Doorway dolly is the only other good approach. You can rent them for like, 40 bucks or so...Also, if you get a set of skateboard wheels that'll add some extra smoothness to it. Much moreso than the 4 sets of 4 wheels that come with the doorway dolly
 
I agree with RyanT... but those are not for sale, and if they were would be like a cheap car.

Renting however is often something the indie community does not embrace... and why I have no idea. For a decent price you get unquestionable performance and reliability. Saves time too. I've had indie low-budget dollies and sometimes it takes time and time again to get a good move because of bumps and etc.
 
$1,000 spent on a dolly is $1,000 wasted on a dolly. I wouldnt buy one unless I had at least 3 grand to spend. Use that money for renting.
 
Thanks everyone, ya'll pretty much seem to recomend renting as opposed to buying which means I should stay far away from those two dollies I posted. Point well taken and thank you for your input. I will save some more and buy a good dolly becoz I can make money off it renting it other indie filmmakers. I know a bunch of 'em who are always looking to rent, plus I'm trying to get as much equipment for my company without having to rent. So, please keep the suggestions coming. I really appreciate them.
 
Black Bear Studio Systems

Black Bear Studio Systems

Hi Jinks,
My name is John King, Operations Manager for Black Bear Studio Systems. I was notified of this thread after we saw quite a bit of traffic coming in from this site and wanted to give you a proper response to your question from someone at the Company itself.

Our dolly is designed and manufactured to be a fully professional dolly for a price that has never been available before. That is, the basic configuration for just under $1000.

The responses to your question on this forum have been good advice, in that in order to get a professional dolly you have to spend well over a thousand dollars. This is exactly why Black Bear Studio Systems was founded: To engineer and manufacture truly professional film equipment at prices that independent filmmakers can afford, particularly the doorway dolly, at under $1000. I say that the responses to your question are good because I do not know any other company that makes a professional doorway dolly in this price range outside of Black Bear Studio Systems and know that many Ebay-type companies that make dollies in this price range are of poor construction.

Black Bear Studio Systems has been designing and manufacturing film equipment out of Los Angeles and Phoenix since 2005 with the express mission to be the first company to create truly professional grade equipment at independent prices.

Our dolly is, we believe, the first professional capacity doorway dolly ever in this price range, comparable to Matthews, American, Modern and Norms.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have, as I would be happy to answer them personally. This goes for all on the forum. My email and phone extension are below.

Thanks,
John King
admin@blackbearstudiosystems.com
1-877-305-BEAR EXT 704
 
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Ordinarily Stephen would be right about the $1000 price point. Black Bear makes these dollies here in Phoenix. I have seen them and they appear to be well built and rugged. While it is not a Matthews doorway dolly it is good and seriously cheaper without a lot of compromises.
 
John welcome to Dvxuser, I'm sure many people here will have a ton of questions for you. I must say, hearing from Phudsontx has encouraged me a little bit since not many people seem to know much about your product. What's turnaround time from date of order?
 
Turn Around Time

Turn Around Time

Hi Jinks,
You already know the answer to this, as we spoke on the phone this afternoon, but I'd like to answer the question anyway for anyone else who may have the same question:

We keep dollies in stock in their basic configuration (six pneumatic wheels, pushbar, steering bar, and seat w/ seat assembly). Dollies are crate shipped, so we normally say about 7-10 business days from time of order to shipping, though it is sometimes quicker and we can often rush order when needed.

And thanks to phudsontx for the positive comments as well. We pride ourselves on superior engineering and build and are always happy to hear positive remarks on our products.

-John
 
Thanks Ted, that dolly looks nice and portable. How much weight can it carry and how smooth is it? I saw three models on their site, which one do you have?
 
Nathyn said:
Most indy people hate any sense of red tape or someone having control over a project including a rental house.

-Nate
Click to expand...

What about the cost of the gear? That's red tape, and if anything the rental house breaks away that red tape by making expensive things available to everyone for a low rental rate. Everyone ends up winning!
 
Ryan Patrick O'Hara said:
Renting however is often something the indie community does not embrace... and why I have no idea.
Click to expand...

I would love to rent, seriously I would. But the cost of rental insurance drives the prices up to the point where I can no longer afford it. When I have to shell out $500 per day for even a basic shoot just to get the insurance to rent gear, that's when the cost/benefit equation goes screwy.

I wish there are more places like Wooden Nickel where they can just add you to their insurance policy for an upfront fee, that would make it a lot easier for me to rent stuff.
 
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