Trolley for Tripod

M

mrtechnician

Active member
HELP !!!

I need to make a trolley/dolly for my tripod. It is needed for weddings where people are dancing and I can just move my camera with tripod around on wheels. Are their any diagrams or websites that you guys know about.

Thanks.
 
Re: Trolley for Tripod

You can get a wheeled spreader/dolly for most tripods, which would be the least intrusive way to do it. But I gotta go with Pookie on this. Get good at handheld or get a shoulder mount.
 
Re: Trolley for Tripod

Why is that. Ive got the new panasonic GS-400, would that fit on one of those shoulder mounts. What is the advantage of the shoulder mount and why is it a bad bad bad idea??????
 
Re: Trolley for Tripod

I'm thinking A) you will be too obtrusive rolling around with it. B) you are very likely to crash into people and have people crash into you, causing an expensive equipment accident.
 
Re: Trolley for Tripod

I think Pookie is the guy to recommend some alternative technology for your needs! What about a FlowPod - its small form factor would allow you to literally dance amoung the attendees.

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Re: Trolley for Tripod

Like Dakota said, you are trying to capture a real moment. The key to that is to be as invisible as possible. That's hard enough without wheeling a dolly and tripod around.

The other challenge is how you will be limiting your shooting options. Suddenly the groom's grandfather kneels down to get a peck on the cheek from the flowergirl. It's al ot easier to get your camera where it needs to be if it isn't on a tripod.

If you are asking why a shoulder mount, that's just for reasons of fatigue, with the added bonus of some stabilization. There's nothing wrong with having a tripod along, because it might come in handy, but I wouldn't use it as a dance partner.
 
Re: Trolley for Tripod

[quote author=mrtechnician link=board=news;num=1107243093;start=0#3 date=02/01/05 at 12:04:18]Why is that. Ive got the new panasonic GS-400, would that fit on one of those shoulder mounts. What is the advantage of the shoulder mount and why is it a bad bad bad idea??????[/quote]

Given that the GS-400 is a "small" handheld camera, there's no reason, or need, for a shoulder mount as has been mentioned, fatigue is not an issue.

To mount a camera and tripod to a dolly, then roam round the guests, or worse, the happy couple will guarantee one of three things:

1: as Dakota has already mentioned, running into the people

2: glaring looks of disgust from the guests for such an intrusion

3: your being removed from the premises, physically or otherwise.


Even the use of a Steadicam, or other such stabilizer is frowned upon for the exact same reasons.

Do handheld, or learn to run.
 
Re: Trolley for Tripod

Yea, I thought you were using the DVX, sorry. If you don'r need a stabilizer go without. Being unobtrusive is the key to getting good footage in those situations.

If you want to look at how to build a stabilizer, I'd recommend

Dan Rahmel's Nuts and Bolts filmmaking
Dan Selakovich's Killer Camera Rigs You Can Build Yourself
http://www.homebuiltstabilizers.com
 
Re: Trolley for Tripod

Just spend the money on a DVRig Pro and thank us later! LOL! You don't want to be rolling a camera/tripod around a dance floor at a wedding! Now if you were shooting a dance sequence in a film or music video then that is one thing but not a wedding reception.
 
Re: Trolley for Tripod

I see what everyone is saying about shooting with tripod wheels in high traffic areas. I have a tripod wheel setup that I use for moves all the time, and it looks great. I made a T shape out of aluminum square tubing, drilled holes for the tripod legs and mounted some beefy wheels that I bought at a caster hardware store. However, these are usually set up shots, and whether it will work or not is always dependent on how smooth the floor is. You could also look for Bogen tripod wheels anywhere to get a price.
 
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