Anyone know of a good Track and Dolly system?

FrigidNDEditing wrote on 1/9/2006, 5:19 PM
under $500?

I've looked around some - but haven't ever used a track and dolly system. I think it might be usefull for some of my work. I'm just wondering if anyone here has had any experience with decent track and dolly setups.

(not including tripod and does not need to be rideable)

Dave

Comments

Coursedesign wrote on 1/9/2006, 5:31 PM
Forget tracks for that price, unless you are making this yourself. DIY is very possible, great instructions available if you're interested.

For ready-to-use, you need to use a low slung cart with soft wheels, large enough to spread out your sticks. This can work very well too on level hard surfaces (used in many movies actually when going across a parking lot for example, then tracks are a hassle).
MH_Stevens wrote on 1/9/2006, 5:39 PM
I like Spot's grocery cart system but from the picture (in his book) I can not make out if it was from Kroger or the cheaper 99cents-only store.



FrigidNDEditing wrote on 1/9/2006, 5:41 PM
as in, Ride in?

What book is this? I'd pay money to see Spot riding in a cart :)

Dave
MH_Stevens wrote on 1/9/2006, 5:46 PM
Actually I think Spot was PUSHING!
Coursedesign wrote on 1/9/2006, 6:35 PM
You could also buy or rent a wheel chair. This is another popular feature film choice.
Spot|DSE wrote on 1/9/2006, 8:30 PM
Mannie is in the cart, I'm taking the picture. But it works fabulously well. So do wheelchairs, and same with office chairs if they have big and smooth wheels. Also, for some works...an appliance dolly with the rider belted in tight.
As Course mentioned, lotsa DIY stuff out there. I recommend Dan Selakovich's book "Killer Camera Rigs"
farss wrote on 1/10/2006, 12:15 AM
Book is good, finding time to build the stuff is what is killing me.
By the way if you want lots of wheels and bearing and motors and all kinds of goodies do a Google for the guys selling bits for battlebots.
Bob.
mjroddy wrote on 1/10/2006, 10:55 AM
Free web resourse:
http://www.homebuiltstabilizers.com/
Cool info there.
RafalK wrote on 1/12/2006, 9:13 AM
Pro Max Dolly. ( http://www.promax.com/Products/Detail/6254 )
I have it and it work great, smoooooothh motion, I bought additional track for total of 30 feet and it was still under 500. Combined it with a crane from ezfx ( http://www.ezfx.com ).
Take a look in the cinema section of my website and watch the 300 Club video, I used the dolly and the crane to get the initial car shots.
( http://www.sevillemedia.com )
Cheno wrote on 1/12/2006, 5:39 PM
Or you can build the same type of ProMax dolly for about $60 and that's including good wheels and bearings.

I was given a piece of diamond plate and built a doorway dolly having a metal fabrication shop weld the frame, bend the diamond plate to fit, cut the angle iron and drilled all of the holes, then bought skate wheels online along with ceramic bearings. A trip to Home Depot for the hardware and voila, $175 later I have a rideable dolly that will hold upwards of 300 pounds. 4 pieces of 10' pvc pipe and the thing works like a champ.

if you build it, they will ride it......

RafalK wrote on 1/13/2006, 8:43 AM
lol, Cheno, I'm lazy so for me it was worth it, BUT, you're right, it doesn't take a lot of cash to build one of these.