Dana Dolly; tripod vs stand

dory_breaux

dory_breaux

Todd Wannabe
Its time to move on from the dolly I built in my garage 5 years ago. It worked great with the A7s but now that I'm using an Ursa Mini it just isn't burly enough to get a stable move.
I've been looking at the Dana Dolly with original track ends as my first choice. The only question I cant seem to find an answer to is; is there a way to support it with a bowl adapter equipped tripod (via 3/8ths most likely) instead of the Matthews stands? I already have a few sets of 100mm bowl legs, and I don't really want to or have the space to add stands to my kit.
I'm also not married to the idea of a Dana, it would be nice to be able to rent it out from time to time and I think the Dana is the most desirable as a rental, but I'd be open to other options, maybe that I'm just not aware of.

Thanks!
 
Hi Dory,

Have you considered the Dutti Dolly from Matthews? I was looking at the Dana but now I'm looking at this one because it seems more flexible with being able to be used on a variety of tracks, on the floor as a doorway and also with accessories like bazookas and seats. Have a look if you haven't seen it yet.

https://products.msegrip.com/products/the-dutti-dolly

-Andrew
 
Dory
I can't answer your question but

I simply built track ends that go on 100 bowls Using mainly off the shelf parts

I can't really see when I would use a hard to level light stand to mount track

You seem on the right lines
 
dory_breaux said:
Its time to move on from the dolly I built in my garage 5 years ago. It worked great with the A7s but now that I'm using an Ursa Mini it just isn't burly enough to get a stable move.
I've been looking at the Dana Dolly with original track ends as my first choice. The only question I cant seem to find an answer to is; is there a way to support it with a bowl adapter equipped tripod (via 3/8ths most likely) instead of the Matthews stands? I already have a few sets of 100mm bowl legs, and I don't really want to or have the space to add stands to my kit.
I'm also not married to the idea of a Dana, it would be nice to be able to rent it out from time to time and I think the Dana is the most desirable as a rental, but I'd be open to other options, maybe that I'm just not aware of.
Click to expand...

The original track ends for the dana dolly can be s*%t because of the particular and expensive stands/mount you need for them. Look for the NEWER universal track ends and they can go on regular stands. Possibly you can rig something up to put on your bowl legs.

Also by the way you can turn the original track ends upside down (or new track end) and put on Apple boxes.. that's what I do.

Personally I love the dana dolly because you can really set it up on anything - don't like the track length? A $5 hacksaw takes care of that, you buy new pipe for $40 if you need to.... endless possibilities. Sliders are WAY too expensive for a 20 lbs camera rig and then what do you do when you run out of length..


cheers,
 
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In the long run, you'll be happier with something like a pair of low-boy combo stands (with a Rky Mt. leg for leveling). Matthews also makes a cool mini stand to let you get low...and I think I just saw a video for a new Matthews setup with two additional brackets to hang the track lower and really low to the ground. Like Dennis notes above, I also carry a pair of 2x4 blocks that I can put on the ground, and flip the track to dolly away.
 
I recently picked up the longvalley Doug dolly https://youtu.be/CbzITiFJmcM It’s a really good deal and smooth as silk.

I looked at a bunch of stands and wound up getting the avenger stands specifically for the Dana dolly. They were on sale at Barndoorlighting. They are the right height and have Rocky Mountain legs which will be great outside. Regular stands are too high. Plus, as suggested, any lower you can use apple boxes. So nice to be able to operate shots like this on your own which is what these dollys provide.
 
Ill just elaborate on my setup.

Ive been shooting static product in the studio, S35_70mm sometimes longer, and I need flat rails.

I have..
Rails with 100mm bowl at each end.

Sachler video sticks (1990s ENG classics)
Manfrotto 028 photo sticks with 100mm adapter on top.

Procedure..
1 set sachler sticks.
2 place dolly track
3 add 028 sticks, a little low
4 raise 028 using centre columb until rails are level (laser level level)
5 tighten 100mm bowls ensuring level in second axis.

--

Last year I worked on a TV pilot as grip and we did lots of shots on a rocky and sloping beach.. that was the point I gave up on using light stands for track and went the route of 100m bowl sticks.
 
As the owner of a few sliders and my producing partner owns the Dana Dolly, I have one word for you about any slider or dolly. Rent.
 
Thanks for all the quick responses everyone, I'd forgotten how great that forum is!

AndrewGentle said:
Hi Dory,

Have you considered the Dutti Dolly from Matthews? I was looking at the Dana but now I'm looking at this one because it seems more flexible with being able to be used on a variety of tracks, on the floor as a doorway and also with accessories like bazookas and seats. Have a look if you haven't seen it yet.

https://products.msegrip.com/products/the-dutti-dolly

-Andrew
Click to expand...
I have, it's a tad out of what I want to spend right now.

morgan_moore said:
Dory
I can't answer your question but

I simply built track ends that go on 100 bowls Using mainly off the shelf parts

I can't really see when I would use a hard to level light stand to mount track

You seem on the right lines
Click to expand...
Could you PM me a picture or more info on what you built?

starcentral said:
The original track ends for the dana dolly can be s*%t because of the particular and expensive stands/mount you need for them. Look for the NEWER universal track ends and they can go on regular stands. Possibly you can rig something up to put on your bowl legs.

Also by the way you can turn the original track ends upside down (or new track end) and put on Apple boxes.. that's what I do.

Personally I love the dana dolly because you can really set it up on anything - don't like the track length? A $5 hacksaw takes care of that, you buy new pipe for $40 if you need to.... endless possibilities. Sliders are WAY too expensive for a 20 lbs camera rig and then what do you do when you run out of length what do you do?


cheers,
Click to expand...
It looks like the originals would be easy to drill and tap, whereas the universal ones I'd have to modify them a bit more.

hscully said:
I recently picked up the longvalley Doug dolly https://youtu.be/CbzITiFJmcM It’s a really good deal and smooth as silk.

I looked at a bunch of stands and wound up getting the avenger stands specifically for the Dana dolly. They were on sale at Barndoorlighting. They are the right height and have Rocky Mountain legs which will be great outside. Regular stands are too high. Plus, as suggested, any lower you can use apple boxes. So nice to be able to operate shots like this on your own which is what these dollys provide.
Click to expand...
How's the durability? My only concern is that it's made of wood. Hardwood, but I'm pretty hard on my gear (shoot mostly mountain biking and fly fishing) so durability is something I'm always concious of.

morgan_moore said:
Ill just elaborate on my setup

Ive been shooting static product in the studio, S35_70mm sometimes longer, and I need flat rails.

I have..
Rails with 100mm bowl at each end.

Sachler video sticks (1990s ENG classics)
Manfrotto 028 photo sticks with 100mm adapter on top.

Procedure..
1 set sachler sticks.
2 place dolly track
3 add 028 sticks, a little low
4 raise 028 using centre columb until rails are level (laser level level)
5 tighten 100mm bowls ensuring level in second axis.

--

Last year I worked on a TV pilot as grip and we did lots of shots on a rocky and sloping beach.. that was the point I gave up on using light stands for track and went the route of 100m bowl sticks.
Click to expand...
What track ends are you using?

puredrifting said:
As the owner of a few sliders and my producing partner owns the Dana Dolly, I have one word for you about any slider or dolly. Rent.
Click to expand...
I'd end up buying multiple systems a few times over if I rented. I also shoot very unplanned quite often and don't have time to line up rentals.
 
I genuinely thought the "Doug Dolly" was an April Fool's Day joke the first time I saw someone share the video.

Since you're a DIYer and space is an issue, you could consider some collapsible platform stands.

Can do something like this out of IKEA-type parts (I'd go with 4 legs for stability, I'm using these for speaker stands). The legs unscrew/bolt when not in use.

IMG_3634.jpg

If you've got a heavy camera/long lens/fast motor there are a few ways to get additional stability -- clamping the ends to the platform, adding hooks for sandbags, etc.
 
If you're on flat or semi flat surfaces you could buy 4x full apple boxes, which will give you many different heights and you'll use in other ways when not sliding around.
 
rob norton said:
If you're on flat or semi flat surfaces you could buy 4x full apple boxes, which will give you many different heights and you'll use in other ways when not sliding around.
Click to expand...

Apple boxes are definitely the best option, but OP said he doesn't have the space to add stands to his kit so those are probably out. If you can make the room, though, I'd do it.
 
dcoughla said:
Apple boxes are definitely the best option, but OP said he doesn't have the space to add stands to his kit so those are probably out. If you can make the room, though, I'd do it.
Click to expand...

Fair enough. I have low boy combos and apple boxes and wouldn't feel I was taking advantage of a complete system otherwise.

Also dcoughla, I had the same case as your universal rental kit but downsized to a pelican storm im2600, which was the smallest case I could find that would still fit the equipment.
 
rob norton said:
Fair enough. I have low boy combos and apple boxes and wouldn't feel I was taking advantage of a complete system otherwise.

Also dcoughla, I had the same case as your universal rental kit but downsized to a pelican storm im2600, which was the smallest case I could find that would still fit the equipment.
Click to expand...

The case is really quite absurdly sized. I'll check out the Pelican, thanks.

Not to derail us too much, but how do you like the low boys? What model are they? I'm trying to find some good stands but I either find reports of wobble, or can't find any reviews at all.
 
dcoughla said:
The case is really quite absurdly sized. I'll check out the Pelican, thanks.

Not to derail us too much, but how do you like the low boys? What model are they? I'm trying to find some good stands but I either find reports of wobble, or can't find any reviews at all.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure they're the matthews low boy double riser combo stands.

The stands themselves are fantastic. They've taken a beating, been in salt water, sand, etc.

It'd be nice if they could go lower but shipping for the american stands to Australia is through the roof so I passed. If I need to go lower I just use the boxes with their three "settings".

Matthews make slider stands but the low boy combos are better when needed as a larger light stand e.g. 575w HMI. They've even held a 2.5K HMI Arri Fresnel before too, which would be very close to the load capacity.
 
American and Matthews both make low junior stands that play nicely with the Dana Dolly, plus give you the Rocky Mountain leg to help quickly level the track. Matthews Duti Dolly plays directly on the floor too, which is fantastic.
 
dory_breaux said:
I'd end up buying multiple systems a few times over if I rented. I also shoot very unplanned quite often and don't have time to line up rentals.
Click to expand...

Fair enough, everyone's different. I just wrote that because I hardly ever use a Dana or even my sliders anymore, I used a rented Dana once last year on a YouTube RED shoot and that was it. If I had it to do over, I wouldn't have bought my Rhino setup, it's collecting dust.
 
puredrifting said:
Fair enough, everyone's different. I just wrote that because I hardly ever use a Dana or even my sliders anymore, I used a rented Dana once last year on a YouTube RED shoot and that was it. If I had it to do over, I wouldn't have bought my Rhino setup, it's collecting dust.
Click to expand...

If renting we're an option I'd take that in a heartbeat. But for me it's usually "hey the lights good, no wind, we've got this jump built, bunch of us are going out in 30 minutes be there" kind of scheduling.

Thanks for all the replies so far guys! Would love to hear more from the DIYers.
 
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