Camera low on dolly

PaPa

PaPa

Major Contributor
I will be doing a series of shots coming up where i want to have the camera crawling close to the floor and creeping towards my subjects. The only dolly i have available to me is the cinevate bellare dolly and i think what i need is basically a type of tripod that has legs that can go completely parallel to the ground. Either that, or some other way of setting the camera on the dolly so that it's set in a position that can still be accessed for some follow focusing.

Anyone have any suggestions as to an easy and inexpensive solution to this type of shot?

Thanks!

-J
 
rig up some cheeseplate with a 1/4 20 to the dolly as low as you can go would probably do better than a tripod depending on how close you gotta go.

Another way is to rig up a magnetic (or suction if it will stick) car mount kit to the dolly, those are usually pretty flexible and rigid to whatever they get rigged to. that would give you a lot of easy adjustability for the shot.
 
Camera will be the 7D, not sure what you mean by set? Don't have the room information yet, but it will be a dolly on tracks ( which would be better without track if i could get a dolly on wheels )

DC, i have not heard of a cheeseplate before. What exactly is this?
 
camera crawling close to the floor and creeping towards my subjects
Click to expand...
how non-original can one get!!!

depending on the traveling distance, and how crowded the place would be and whether the camera would travel in a strait direction, you would be able to decide the best method.

(do you really think you need to follow focus on a camera crawling. follow focus what, the dust on the floor)

note: tracks are for the most part much smoother and quieter than wheels, if the shot can be had on tracks.
 
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As mentioned, a suction mount, or magic arm / clamp on your dolly should do the trick.

Have you thought about the fact you might see your tracks as you track towards your subjects ? Especially if you really are at floor level.

jb
 
You need a slider!
ZSFloor_sm.jpg

Put the camera directly on the carriage, the legs out straight and you're 1" off the floor.

:happy:
 
amrrahmy said:
how non-original can one get!!!

(do you really think you need to follow focus on a camera crawling. follow focus what, the dust on the floor)
Click to expand...

If the object of interest is stationary, as the camera moves, need to change focus...


Lot's of films have the 'bug's eye' view...
 
Try something like this:

file.php


Probably a Manfrotto Arm or similar, bolts to everywhere (including dollys) with a Magic Clamp.

Frank
 
amrrahmy said:
how non-original can one get!!!

depending on the traveling distance, and how crowded the place would be and weather the camera would travel in a strait direction, you would be able to decide the best method.

(do you really think you need to follow focus on a camera crawling. follow focus what, the dust on the floor)

note: tracks are for the most part much smoother and quieter than wheels, if the shot can be had on tracks.
Click to expand...

Guess you win the award for most pointless response in this thread. Go waste your time elsewhere please.

lol, Zaza, im ordering one, do you build these?

Magic arm,, great idea, didn't think of that, that may be my solution, as long as i can get away without having to reframe.

postmaster, i think you and zaza nailed it.

But seriously, ill pm you zaza, very interested.
 
Hey PaPa

Try using a beanbag. What's that product they sell ? The cinesaddle

http://www.cinekinetic.com/

Anyways

A small bean bag type

You don't need to pan do you ?

-

As far as amrrahmy's reply goes .... Hmmmm .... still scratching my head. Wanna betch slap but laugh at the same time.
 
Yeah, a type of beanbag might do the trick as well, but really the best thing would be to have control over some type of pan or tilt. I guess when the budget is low, there are trade-offs. Maybe i can stage the shot a certain way that it won't be an issue.

My question has been answered very thoroughly. Very appreciative of the responses.
 
Guess you win the award for most pointless response in this thread
Click to expand...

awesome!! :thumbsup:

you can make a diy dolly similar to car repair dollies to be able to stay at eye level and in manual control of the lens.
 
J.R. Hudson said:
Hey PaPa

Try using a beanbag. What's that product they sell ? The cinesaddle

http://www.cinekinetic.com/

Anyways

A small bean bag type

You don't need to pan do you ?

-

As far as amrrahmy's reply goes .... Hmmmm .... still scratching my head. Wanna betch slap but laugh at the same time.
Click to expand...

Beanbag on a skateboard? Ok, two skateboards lashed together...

I sort of thought the shot was one of those 'on the floor' bugs eye view deals, where the camera is in motion at floor level...
 
doesn't have to be directly on the floor, just very low angle to emphasize the empty space in the room void of anything except the actor.
 
Hey Dennis, yeah i checked that out, unfortunately it's above and beyond my budget range ( price of the pole plus the low shot kit ) a little too much for me im afraid :(

Checking out the ZaZa slider.
 
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