http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ Videomaker Community Forums » Tag: dolly - Recent Posts en Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:06:52 +0000 http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/tripod-tricks-cineskates#post-70598 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 11:55:33 +0000 rours 70598@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> how do I buy?</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/tripod-tricks-cineskates#post-70578 Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:16:16 +0000 composite1 70578@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Definitely worth a look....</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/tripod-tricks-cineskates#post-70565 Mon, 29 Aug 2011 12:28:50 +0000 PJ McConnell 70565@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>those look fantastic! </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/tripod-tricks-cineskates#post-70564 Mon, 29 Aug 2011 11:46:10 +0000 todd pauls 70564@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I'm in love, smooth pans are a sign of professionalism. Looks like the upside down set up would be best as it has a lower center of gravity and thus a smoother look.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/tripod-tricks-cineskates#post-70560 Mon, 29 Aug 2011 09:40:38 +0000 composite1 70560@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>One of things tripods are always missing when you buy them is a means of horizontal movement. Either you have to buy or build a set of stable wheels for your 'pod or get an elaborate dolly setup with tracks and so on. Here's a concept by Justin Jensen of 'Cinetics' and his innovative compact version of a wheeled tripod. </p> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/27895941">CineSkates Camera Sliders</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/cinetics">Cinetics</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/diy-track-dolly#post-56908 Tue, 30 Mar 2010 13:20:06 +0000 Craigsnedeker 56908@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Ok, cause it did look really small so I was wondering :) </p> <p> </p> <p>BTW Great footage, very smooth!</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/diy-track-dolly#post-56183 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:04:40 +0000 CraftersOfLight 56183@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> Judging from some of the angles, the camera may just be sitting on the dolly as well. It didn't look like it could take much of a tripod.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/diy-track-dolly#post-56181 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:19:39 +0000 robGRAUERT 56181@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>"Do you stand on it or waht?"</p> <p>Ideally the platform should be larger enough for your camera on a tripod and the camera operator should have somewhere to stand/sit while he's looking into the view finder or LCD. An assistant would help push him or her along along the tracks.</p> <p>This guy's platform is so tiny though. The movement isn't very fast or far, so I'm sure he has his camera on a tripod and just pushes the dolly himself.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/diy-track-dolly#post-56174 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:28:24 +0000 Craigsnedeker 56174@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Do you stand on it or waht? =S</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/diy-track-dolly#post-55880 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:18:12 +0000 Derek Sine 55880@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>A cheap alternative to the other track rigs that cost several hundreds of dollars.</p> <p> </p> <p>The Track &amp; Dolly:</p> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/8857717" rel="nofollow">http://vimeo.com/8857717</a></p> <p> </p> <p>Sample Footage:</p> <p><a href="http://www.vimeo.com/8803312" rel="nofollow">http://www.vimeo.com/8803312</a></p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/advice-on-buying-a-portable-dolly#post-52226 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:08:30 +0000 EarlC 52226@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>You actually, for most work anyway, rarely need more than several feet of dolly track. Dolly moves, like most every other approach to videotaping should be of the "less is more" variety, and short dolly shots of momentary occurence are more effective as a rule than long, continuous, involved dolly shots - of course some entertainment folks might disagree.</p> <p>With that thought, a relatively compact and portable dolly rig that with fast and easy setup/breakdown could fit the bill for adding a bit of something special to your shoots and resulting content. But then, like Billy Idol once said: "...too much is not enough..."</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/advice-on-buying-a-portable-dolly#post-52223 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:04:32 +0000 midsouthvisual 52223@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I assume everything will be shot on rough fields, gravel, grass, etc?  I think you'd have to go with a track based solution instead of tire based, or a glider style tripod mounted dolly (glidecam, indieslider, etc.)  The gliders only let you do a few feet of motion and no curved radial shots though, but fast setup and convenience.</p> <p>________________</p> <p>Paul Lyke<br /> dollytrax.com</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/advice-on-buying-a-portable-dolly#post-51158 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:22:18 +0000 freefalk 51158@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Hey there,</p> <p>I am doing lots of documentary films in africa.....</p> <p>I'm looking for a dolly solution that must be portable, and durable. I have seen a thing called a wally dolly, a digidolly and a fly-dolly. Any coments on what works would be appreciated.</p> <p>thanks</p> <p>Falk</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/camera-add-on-advice-needed#post-49427 Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:48:41 +0000 TDedmonSBP 49427@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Well, to be honest I consider myself a professional. I have worked for Gospel music channel, shot an indie feature, and won some awards for 48-hour filmmaking. My reasoning for the thread is that I have never felt held back by my lack of the "professional" tools. I use filters but typically only the big three, my lens hood tends to give me all the shade I need, and my manfrotto tripod dolly is one of my favorite tools, I use it every chance I get. Yes I can see that a matte box could come in handy if I wanted a full size glass filter to also help keep debri out of the lens (sand, dust, etc.) but I really think at the independent or freelance level, it's a bit overkill.</p> <p>The jvc has a great lens, and I love the camera. My only complaint is that the 110 doesn't have HD video out, so I can only preview in SD on a monitor. Other than that, it's my first time using a lens with a back focus, but once I got the hang of it, I think I am hooked on a "real" lens from now on.</p> <p>I actually built a jib last year for use with a Canon HF10 but it couldn't support the weight of the JVC so I scrapped it until I could build a sturdier one. I also don't have the skills to make it functional with electronic pan/tilt so I will probably buy my next one. One of the guys I worked with a few months ago had one that I got to help with and I def see the advantage.</p> <p>I think part of my reason for not seeing all of the thrill is that once I got serious about film and video I got an XL1 and then my JVC so I always have had shoulder cams so I never really get carried away with the follow focuses and rail systems, etc. because I work solo a bunch and only have two hands. </p> <p>Thanks for your response, you are among the most knowledgable on these forums and I love reading what advice you have to give.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/camera-add-on-advice-needed#post-49390 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:08:03 +0000 composite1 49390@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>TD,</p> <p>This isn't a 'NoobQ' at all. You're obviously an intermediate ready to move into advanced level work. Really all matteboxes do is help block unwanted light and allow you to use higher end lens filters comprised of high quality glass. They also with the help of a lens adapter, rails and focus support gear facilitate using 35mm lenses for film or video cameras. All both the stuff you mentioned and what I just described are just tools to allow you to get a much more polished and professional look to your work. </p> <p>Dollys help you to make smooth tracking shots. Cranes and Jibs help give your shots a more '3 Dimensional feel' by allowing you to move the camera smoothly up, down, side-to-side and everything in between. Filters give you different looks or act as protectors (you should have a UV filter on your lens at all times to protect the glass.)</p> <p>'Your skills' will become more advanced as you learn when, where and how to use these other tools. Truthfully, if you don't have the basics of composition, focus and exposure down, none of that other stuff will help you at all. You asked, <em>"What accessories are needed and which ones are just superlative?" </em>The only real answer I can give you is another question, "What do you want to do?" </p> <p>BTW, the 110U is a nice camera. We use the 200 and 250 also nice cameras. There's a deep resevoir of stuff to learn just with what you have. How to get desired looks in camera by adjusting the menu's and so on. On a recent job, I figured out you can get stereo sound out of one mic just by putting the mic selector switch between the audio 1&amp;2 channel. It's kind of tricky to get it to work the first time, but once you figure it out, it's easy. You can't use it like that with two mics though. </p> <p>What will get you to the 'next level' will be you trying new things and building up your kit. Of course, the more complicated your shots get, your requirements for additional personnel will grow too.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/camera-add-on-advice-needed#post-49385 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:54:34 +0000 TDedmonSBP 49385@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I couldn't think of a better title but hopefully this will suffice. I read Videomaker religiously as one of only two magazines that I never miss a month. The other is HD Video Pro. The stuff I notice in all of the magazines are ads and review guides about all kinds of accessories for cameras. My problem is that this dilutes the market and it makes it very hard to know what are accessories and what are add-ons. Things like mate boxes, add-on batteries, dollies, lights, twelve mics, 87 filters, rail systems, etc. It all just seems so daunting. What accessories are needed and which ones are just supperlative? </p> <p>I currently use a JVC GY-HD110u with a tripod, dolly, extra mic and XLR cable, and a three light kit. Am I missing out on something that would really set me to the next level, or am I still beign held back only by my skill? I don't usually post general noob Q's like this but I just can't figure out who would &lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;need&lt;/span&gt; all of that stuff.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/dolly-advice#post-45138 Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:45:41 +0000 EarlC 45138@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Here's what you need, for probably less than $50 or so: a square, or rectangle of 3/4 or thicker plywood, some kind of non-slip rubber/other surface material to glue to the work side, three bungie cords or other fasteners and the appropriate hardware to attach them to three corners of the platform in a traditional tripod/spreader figuration, a wagon tongue or other handle to use for pushing or pulling with proper hardware for attaching (permanent, or removable for portability) four pairs of skateboard-style wheels and brackets needed for fastening them to the underside of the platform, two six-to-10-foot, or longer, as needed sections of 1" or 2" PVC pipe (I used two-inch a long time ago to do one of these and that worked fine.) Assorted tools, nuts, bolts, lock washers, LockTite, other hardware.</p> <p>Get some lesser priced skateboard wheels but try to avoid the extremely hard plastic or composite ones, the more yielding, rubberized type do better as far as giving a smooth ride. They actually provide a bit of drag that might be helpful in acquiring more smoothness in the ride. You can use carpet or something instead of the non-slip material, but carpet tends to be a bit more slippery to tripod feet even if you use the spikes. A spreader will help keep the tripod legs from slipping out or maybe even jumping the harnesses you create if the harnesses were not designed especially right.</p> <p>Cut a square/rectangle of board large enough to accommodate your camera, tripod or whatever, drill some holes to accept the spikes on your tripod or, if no spikes, use a spreader and devise some kind of bungie cord or other fastener to attach to the spreader/legs for safety, security and tight to prevent unnecessary jiggle or bumpiness. A LOT of the success of this is to make sure your "PVC" track is level and straight, or if you're working an incline, that you put caps on the ends to help a bit on the braking at each end, instead of rolling right off the track. This works on grass, sand, carpet, even concrete streets, sidewalks, hard floors, and other hard surfaces as well, but you might need something to help wedge the track in place so it won't roll on you while in use, or scoot out from under the wheels unexpectedly.</p> <p>Find and purchase, some triangle-shaped angle brackets that will allow you to fasten the wheels in such a manner as they tilt at an angle and each wheel of each pair faces each other - this configuration allows the wheels to "hug the PVC pipe track snugly, and roll smoothly along its surface and length. You'll need to work with this and develop a perfect angle, spacing, etc. to accommodate the circumference of PVC pipe used. Leave a couple inches from each corner (front and side) for some platform overlap and clearance. Also, it is a good idea to round or sand down the corners so they are not sharp and prone to possible injury or damage, or pad them some way.</p> <p> You could fashion wooden wedge blocks for attaching your wheels at a "perfect angle" but metal will not split on you at the wrong moment, and probably will last a lifetime if properly attached. Finally, I used a old Western Flyer wagon tongue assembly for mine, but I have also developed a cup retainer for placing a closet clothes poll or even a broom handle to push - wagon tongue assembly for pulling, pole seated in a socket for pushing. You could conceivably make this apparatus large enough to contain a seat for a operator/dolly approach similar to the wheel chair. Believe me, it works, and if mine hadn't rolled right off the back of a truck a friend was driving, one who "forgot" to lift the tailgate in place, and hit the road, breaking into a thousand small pieces, in an area where we couldn't safely stop and retrieve any of it - actually didn't discover it was missing until after we'd arrived back at the pizza place and were enjoying a satisfying meal for a shoot well done.</p> <p>OK, your wheels and blocks are attached and fashioned in angles that allow each pair, all in perfect allignment of course, to snuggly hug the PVC pipe track. Your method of attachment for the triood, or even a center piece with a stryrofoam pellets or other bean-bag type filler under for cushioning, will allow you to roll the camera at an extremely low level for another unique angle of trucking or dollying, and I've set the track up across saw horses or even chair backs, for other unique angles, heights, perspectives. As I mentioned, you can do inclines, such as following dolly shots alongside outdoor/indoor stairs, allowing the bannisters and rails to be part of the sense of action in the footage - possibilities are limitness, and once you develop/engineer this gear to your specific needs, intentions and use, you will leave it in the trunk or truck, or back of your PT for those unique POV opportunities that always come up on a shoot. Just make sure the tailgate is closed.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/dolly-advice#post-45132 Tue, 24 Mar 2009 12:38:04 +0000 TDedmonSBP 45132@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Yeah I agree with JMM, well mostly. It all depends on what kind of dolly you are looking for. If it's a tripod dolly you want, it costs $100 give or take so just go for it because they have a million uses. If you were looking for something like a hand truck that only goes one direction, you can build it yourself with plywood and some casters from Lowe's for sub $20 and it will give you something to carry your gear on when you aren't using it for shooting. </p> <p>But if you have a rolling desk chair or wheel chair...yeah that will suit your needs also.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/dolly-advice#post-45131 Tue, 24 Mar 2009 12:30:21 +0000 JMM 45131@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>rent a weelchair, seriouly its working preety well if you have a clean floor , if not you can still put some wood to make some rails</p> <p>This maybe sound like a ghetto set-up but thats what they used in the movie reine Helisabet. I have tried it too and its the chapest good way to do it.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/dolly-advice#post-45130 Tue, 24 Mar 2009 12:23:52 +0000 jonahr 45130@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>what would be the cheapest quality way to effectively move the camera laterally in a straight line, i see relatively inexpensive dollies at B&amp;H but will these move in a straight line if desired?</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/snow-motion#post-35261 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:59:04 +0000 disjecta 35261@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> Hi all,</p> <p> Here's a short piece I did when it snowed recently in my area. Shot on a Canon XHA1 using the Letus Extreme 35mm adapter and, for the movement, I used an IndiSlider (available from Indifocus.com)</p> <p><a href="http://www.vimeo.com/709560" rel="nofollow">http://www.vimeo.com/709560</a> </p>