Best dolly to work with and most affordable, what options are there

Yes, they are really expensive, heavy and hard to transport which is why I haven't pulled the trigger on it. I'd have to rig something to my roof rack and I'm not even sure that's safe. I never see it used anywhere and I'm looking. The PVC is fiddly takes up space but it's light. There is a company that makes aluminum track http://www.blackbearstudiosystems.com/dolly_track.html but it's even more expensive.

I am a point where I can't load all my gear into the outback anymore. I picked up a couple of 4 X 4 floppies which are invaluable on set but the things are huge for putting in a car. So I'm still gaffing up Duvetyne on a gobo arm. It works.
 
Read up on the long valley dolly wheels. The innovation is in this nylon "gasket" between the wheels and the base that enable them to slide and thus work on curved track. I think it's worth the extra dough.
 
There are lots of options where dollies are concerned and it's always a trade of a size, weight, transportation and cost. Personally, I think that unless you can actually ride on a dolly (so that you're able to operate smoothly) - I think you're better off with the speed and simplicity of a longer slider. Trying to operate on a move whilst walking alongside the camera is just to hard, and the results are never as good as a ride-on.
 
There are lots of options where dollies are concerned and it's always a trade of a size, weight, transportation and cost. Personally, I think that unless you can actually ride on a dolly (so that you're able to operate smoothly) - I think you're better off with the speed and simplicity of a longer slider. Trying to operate on a move whilst walking alongside the camera is just to hard, and the results are never as good as a ride-on.

There are certain things that you can't do, but I find walking with the camera taking very small steps enables you to get very smooth shots. It get's trickier if you're also panning, but it's doable.
 
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