Steadytracker or Dolly

smelni

smelni

Veteran
Hi all,

I recently purchased a dvx100a and I am getting my accessories together - this is the best site- i have learned so much here so quickly.

I have a limited budget and can only get one or the other of these items so I need a bit of advice which would be better to have first. Which one would offer me more possibilities for creative shots. I would love to get both but after all the lighting and everything else I am really spent.

So its either the steadytracker here http://www.camerastabilizers.rainart.com/steadytrackers/index.html

or the track and dolly here
http://www.cameracranes.us/cobracranes/track/index.html

I know i can add a crane onto the dolly setup but I like the smooth movement shots can do with the steadytracker - what to do :undecided

In addition, if I get the steadytracker do i need the extreme model.

Thanks for any advice. Everyone on this site is really helpful.

best
seth
 
both models require you to have an understanding of tracking and balance. having said this, if you have not picked up a stabilizer device before, be it body mounted or not, you wont get smooth shots as you may think. these devices are no good in the hands of someone who has never had any practice operating a stabilizer.. same goes for the crane gadget...

but, nevertheless, if you want to choose one or the other, it depends on what projects you plan to do in the short term. the crane can only do so much .... boom up and travel only so far, so keep that in mind.. if you plan to do a lot of movement and tracking shots, its probbaly a good idea to pick up a stabilizer.. its quick to set up and you can be up and running within a few minuites verses laying track and planning the move.

in terms of the stabilizer, i have the extreme version.. i would recomend you get this model in that series as its beefier. bigger post.. much better grip than the smaller version... plus if you have to add a matte box, studio follow focus, mini-35 adapter (as i did once) you will need the extra sturdiness of the extreme...

there are other stabilizers out there as well so research.. you may find a better fit for your needs other than the promax version...
 
Instead of making a new topic myself, I have a question relating to this matter as well because I myself am looking to buy a track dolly and was wondering if anyone had any good recommendations for one under $700.
 
marctronixx - thanks for the info - very helpful.

I know that any equipment needs much practice to use it correctly. I plan on taking a couple of months practicing all types of shots and setups before I work on a "real" project - so your point is well taken.

I am gonna look into other stabalizers right now

thanks again
 
As far as stabilizers go, i'd strongly sugest you look into one with a gimble.

As said, it all depends on what type of shots you are dooing...
if it's shot-medium shots with a bit of linear movement, then the dolly is the way to go. But if you want to move 'freer' (this can also be a bad thing) then look into a stabilizer.
Do note, that due to the complexity of the 2 options, a good dolly will be much cheaper than a good stabilzer.

- Mikko
 
I did a search in the forum and didnt come up with anything - can you please explain why I should get one with a gimble and how that will effect what i need to spend.

thanks very much
seth
 
Hmm...dolly or stabilizer?

OK. You can hold the stabilizer while someone pushes you in a wheelchair, simulating a dolly.

With a dolly, you can't easily follow someone running haphazardly through the woods, simulating a hand-held stabilizer.

But it really does depend on your immediate needs.

Dan
 
Not to discout non-gimbled rigs, but a gimble greatly increases the osilation of the sled (& camera) from the operator's movements.
If you hand wobbles a litte, then the gimble will generally eliminate that. (and after holding a rig up for a while, it'll get heavy, and your hand will wobble.

Of course adding a gimble will also increase the cost of the unit, and the better the gimble, the more expensive it is.

- Mikko.
 
without going beyond the scope of this thread,

body mounted or gimbaled rigs are the best way to go. properly balanced, all firces (x,y and z axis) are all at rest just above the gimbal. this alalows you fingertip operating right at the edge of these forces. you will pay much much more for a gimbaled rig. if you have the dough then by all means go up to the top and get a body mounted rig..

if you dont want to spend OR have the money right now for one, just get a hand mounted stabalizer and work with it. oncre your budget and projectsz call for a more precise instrument, THEN you look. there are many companies out there, MK-V, PRO, Steadicam/Tiffen, GPI, etc...
 
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