Dolly Decision

S

SPZ

Veteran
Dear All,

I've finally got enough cash to go for a dolly. I've been working with a Microdolly for a while (trough renting), and love it for its versatility, lightness and quick setup, but the thing is, that equipment will cost me aprox 3 400 USD as a purchase, over here. Its orginial cost is 2790 there in the US.

I normally go for "if it works, don't look elsewhere or you might get burned"- specially with gear you can't try out. Since everything I need to purchase is trough mail order, I would like to know your suggestions for my next dolly.

SOme users are happy with the Indydolly, I believe. Any other suggestion? I need something light, fast setup for guerrilla filmmaking that can stand the weight of an HvX200 and HPX500.

All help appreciated. Thanks

I was planning on spending no more than US 3 000 including shipping to Macau, near Hong-Kong, by the way.
 
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I'd take a look at the Cinevate Ballare. It seems like a great system, and considering that Denis just said in the video about it (on the cinevate university page) that there can be upto 1' of track separation difference, it seems like a really solid choice if you just want to throw down some track and go. For around $2500 you can get the dolly, mast and a seat, and that leaves you with $500 to spend on track (I think you can use 1" pipe for that track)
 
As usual, I created a great dolly from cheap materials. You can get 90 degree bend angle iron that is pre-perforated with 1/4" holes centered at each 3/4". You get a piece of 5/8th plywood and cut it to the desired size for your tripod/dolly. Ours is 30" X 42". You get rubber floor cups made for holding furniture legs off the floor and place three of them on the top of the dolly in the spots you want to hold your tripod leg bases. You bolt the angle iron with the open side up and the 'V' down on the bottom of the board in a parallel manner lengthwise. You place skateboard wheels, three to a corner; two facing one other, at 45 degree angles so they will face a 1" PVC pipe tube with short bolts and lock nuts into the holes on the angle iron. With a hinged broom handle on one end to pull or push, you have a cheap, highly functional dolly that can easily be transported for around $40. We have shot many great scenes with this simple, smooth, effective, cheap dolly. :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)
 
No matter which dolly you choose make sure it's silent! All too often not only are they not silent but the camera department doesn't even check it before using it! Both unprofessional and rude to both the sound department and your producer!

SFX
 
SFX said:
No matter which dolly you choose make sure it's silent! All too often not only are they not silent but the camera department doesn't even check it before using it! Both unprofessional and rude to both the sound department and your producer!

SFX
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So true. Make sure if you are making your own dolly that you use the 'old school' style of skateboard wheels as the urethane rubber used is soft and absorbs a lot of vibration and roll silently. Also when you roll on plastic track tubes, make sure they are large enough to place the track contact with the skateboard wheel in the center of the wheel. 1" white PVC track tube is marginally OK, 1 1/4" white PVC track tube is much better. Remove any stickers or price tags from the tubes when you purchase them. Clean your tracks and external wheel parts with some good cleaner such as Formula 409 before use to stop small debris from clicking on the wheels as you roll along. Check the tracks between takes for any residue that may be electrostatically attracted by the rolling movement to the wheels and tracks. Watch out for green screen fabric getting sucked up into the wheel sets on a green screen shoot. A quiet dolly maketh a sound pro happy. :engel017:
 
Went for the $$$$ Microdolly. No time, needed something with very fast setup for all situations. Since I used it and it worked flawlessly, I decided not to go cheap here and take the risk of missed shots and loss of time- in guerrila, this is very important- specially on exterior shots!
 
i would go with the Cinevate Ballare


hey sergio, did you work on Amazing Race Season 11, btw? Your name sounds familiar.
 
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