Dollys/Sliders for the FS-100

Give a look at smartsystem. I bought their smartslider pro 560 and is awesome. It's a bit heavy (around 3,5 kg) but it's sturdy and incredibly smooth.

disclaimer: I'm not affiliate with them :)
 
I mean... how do you operate your camera and the dolly simultaneously solo? You can't be standing on the actual trolly or you don't have traction to move it. Which means you need to be standing on the ground and reaching over trying to operate while also trying to push the trolly at the same time.
 
Yes - walking/creeping or even just sitting I can get a short push in

The T shape I keep the single leg operator side if I am standing - its really important to keep the ground free of gack

Right hand on the pan bar left hand gently on the lens to pull focus

I use an SmallHD not an EVF so I have some variance of eye/monitor position available - less with the shade onboard

Of course a fine head like my Arrow25 is important too because you need to match pan friction to tracking speed or it is really hard

Its mind bendingly hard - but compared to steadicam - its easy - both are a learning curve that I am not at the top of !

Doing shots not touching the camera is really easy

BTW I think operating the camera is important - well it is to me anyway - because a push in nearly always require a focus pull and a tilt up, and a slide nearly always requires a pan

And because I want to operate the camera thats why I vote for a sturdy set up

The 'slide out reveal from behind a pot plant' or the 'interviewee looking like they are sitting on a conveyor belt' are shots that don't generally interest me

you must match the gear to the shots you want to do IMO

Additionally I can place an office chair on the T which give me about a meter slide (I have long legs) when operating the cam on my shoulder - a fun look that will cut into a handheld sequence but have a little extra stability

S
 
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I personally like sliders more than tracks you have to level on the ground. For your rails, it looks like less of a problem, but for big dolly systems I have used, the time it takes to level the entire run was mind boggling to me. The results looked great, but I am too impatient. What if I want to move the system.

Currently I have a 3 foot IGUS slider that doesn't work as well for the FS100 for me. But, when I ran my 7D on it, it was fantastic. For me, the perfect length I think for a slider would be 4 or 5 foot.

I setup the slider by myself with almost no effort. I use two tripods. Moving it around, I just pop off the camera (on a Manfrotto plate) and then just loosen the heads. Pick up the whole thing under where the tripods mount and move. Very simple, very fast.

I've been demoing A LOT of sliders lately. Hopefully in the next few months I will settle on something that works perfect for me.

I've always loved the dolly that can go on a ladder. If I wanted a longer dolly, this is the path I'd probably take. I think it's awesome and the results look great to me. For $899, then the cost of the ladder, and the fact I can use the ladder for other things, big fan.

But, I am content with one man slider operation. I lock down the slider, and then I move it, pan it, tilt it, looking at a DP6. I can also walk the length of the slider if need be, tracking or moving since my tripod head works really well. I think that is one of the keys.

It's all in what you are comfortable with.

What I also like about the sliders with very rigid body design, you can do steeper angles without having to support long dolly tracks that would just not work. Or, you can do vertical shots VERY easy.
 
I can just throw my track on the ground, if its a bit rough a couple of door stops (wedges) usually solid it up

Of course it is completely inappropriate to use in a 'ploughed field' or on a hill or doing a vertical shot (all things our OP might want to do)

For that I would use a slider, steadicam, or need to build some sort of levelling system for the track- which I think would be quite an undertaking and would move the size, mass and setup time into the region of 'two person'

its getting the right tool for the job, each system has its advantages - my system is for corporate interviews in the main (or indy drama interiors) -

Just giving a little move in the interview that adds some class with the ability whip the sticks off the track and move round to the back or side of the subject for some cutaways or noddies without having to de-build the sticks, relocate the bowl, or strip down the camera to a lighter slider friendly config

S
 
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Ah....morgan... just looked at your design again. It's a bit different than a traditional dolly like the long valley set up. Yours doesn't have an actual "trolly" or board that everything is resting on. The tripod is directly attached to the track which makes it easier for you to move it. It's more akin to something like the indie dolly singleman whereas the long valley design is a whole platform that the operator stands/sits on and requires someone to push them.

side note: with these ladder dollys, how do you adjust the height of the ladder? Is there way to mount the ladder to combo/c-stands etc.
 
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Michael Solomon said:
side note: with these ladder dollys, how do you adjust the height of the ladder? Is there way to mount the ladder to combo/c-stands etc.
Click to expand...

Not really a side note IMO !

Exactly the problem

And lets face it you are probably going to need 4 Cstands for any sort of rigidity and a crew member to level it - one at each end - elevating the system off the floor you are introducing a world of hassle and wobble

Thats going to be a PITA - and how do you transport a ladder ?

I guess peli cases/apple boxes is a non variable blaggers solution ?

Great for lo shots or from a convenient kitchen side or table of course

S
 
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Ugh.... so I might just go with indie dolly's singleman since like mentioned, the long valley system requires two people minimum. Now where to find cheap track...... Indie dolly charges $500 for 12 feet of track -_-
 
I just use aluminium tube $25 or less

The trouble with that is that my slide is limited to the longest bit I can transport - being a van owner that is 2.5m (actually more if I got tricky under the seats)

which only equates to a 2m slide once you account for the size of the footprint

If you want to join multiple track a commercial purchase is probably a sensible option unless you have good relations with a machine shop

Slinging down a coupla bits of tube is a one person op, setting longer track is probably a crew activity

S
 
I think the SIngleman looks good

Id get some aluminium tube for quick set ups short runs use and invest in quality track when funds allow (do you operate from a vehicle??)

My Ali is rock - with rubber door wedges if required

You have to remember that any elevation of the track may sag - so Id only get quality stuff for elevated use.. and 10mm is elevation

BTW I don't see how a cross bar adds rigidity - my cross bar just means I can pick it up in one go

As it scissors shut I can also use it on a table with my MK1 (dana style) dolly too !

S
 
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