Tag Archives: skater dolly
Pico Dolly with Self Contained Motorized Trailer
Here's a look at a prototype motorized trailer sent to me today and it's attached to a PNC Pico Dolly. Still a prototype, it's supposed be universal and have some mounting options to attach to several different dollies or maybe even sliders? The idea is to have a motorized push cart to have consistent movement all of the motors, batteries, wiring, and switches all self contained into one little unit.
There's a few 1/4x20 threads to mount other accessories on the little push car too. From the image it looks like it's around 4" wide. I have no additional information about availability or pricing at this time. What do you guys think about something like this? For more about the Pico Dolly, you can find that information at the following page: https://www.photographyandcinema.com
Pico Dolly from PhotographyandCinema.com
Sneak Peek Cinema Skater DSLR Dolly
A quick look at the new Cinema Skater Video dolly that can support larger size cameras. On the dolly you'll see the huge Manfrotto 501HDV fluid head. There is no possible way this head would mount up on the smaller Pico Flex Dolly, so if you're looking for a dolly to support something like a Sony FS100, Panasonic AF100, or even a RED Scarlet here's an option.
Above: Sony EX1 on Cinema Skater
Thrown on the fluid head is a Canon 5D Mark II, and the Swivi LCD (for low angle shooting). This was a quick test run as we plan on throwing on the much larger and heavier Sony EX1 on it tomorrow. Build quality is A++ on this Cinema Skater, all metal, and smooth bearings/wheels. Available from eBay (click here)
Cinema Three Wheel Skater Dolly for Large Cameras
You can also find the Cinema Dolly via Amazon (click here)
Cinema Skater Dolly
DIY Motorized Pico Flex Table Dolly
Great job from Vimeo member Oliver for this DIY motorized Pico Flex Table Dolly. It's a direct friction based drive wheel, which doesn't require much torque. The dolly rolls very easily with little effort from a motor. I was testing out something similar several weeks ago using a pulley wheel to a continuous rotating servo found (here). I used the same basic battery box, continuos rotating servo, and speed controllers as in the DIY motorized JuicedLink slider project. You can find a list of those parts (here). I can see that Oliver is using a servo tester, which is a much cheaper solution than the servo controller I was using. [Thanks Oliver]
If i'm correct, that servo tester is just the basic ones found over at eBay (click here).
Servo Tester
Flexible Tripod Rubber Suction Spiked Feet
The FotoPro Transformer flexible tripod (released sometime last year), has optional replaceable feet that can be swapped out from standard rubber balls, to suction cups, to magnetic, and also spiked feet. The different options screw in through standard '1/4-20 threaded inserts'. This particular flexible tripod is good for cameras weighing under 3lbs (lightweight cameras), or small accessories like lights and flashes.
FotoPro Transformer tripod already setup with 1/4-20 threaded mounts
Having standard threaded inserts makes it very easy, if you decide to mount something else. You'll start seeing these tripods pop up in various colors with different package options, on both eBay (click here)
FotoPro Flexible Transformer Tripod – via eBay
and also via Amazon (click here).
FotoPro Flexible Tripod Rubber Suction Spiked Feet - via Amazon
Pico Flex Table Dolly Sample
YouTube member dim3m has got the right idea on using the Pico Flex Table Dolly. And on that note, keep watch on this blog. Orders should begin opening up again in anytime now..... [Thanks dim3m]
NEW – Pico Flex Table Dolly
Since the inception of the SpiderTrax dolly, there have been quite a few iterations from a number of different companies. Those units on the market were either still pretty large, or built with poor quality. This time around, I wanted to focus on flexibility and portability. I tried to achieve the highest quality possible, in the smallest footprint, and still make it the most affordable for the community. So today i'm showing you guys the Pico Flex Table dolly. It's still based on the 4 wheel two axle design which I showed a few years ago on the SpiderTrax. The reason for this is because it is much more time consuming to properly align any three wheel design (in case you were considering one). There's no need to look into any other table dolly system as this one still performs as good, and traveling with it is even easier. You'll also be quite happy with the initial price.
Although you can spin your dolly around like a madman, when used slowly they can create some interesting footage. Here's a two year old video I shot when experimenting with my first dolly. Just slight rotation moving slowly on a table.
It's as small as you can go, while still being able to mount a regular sized Fluid head and support a normal sized Canon DSLR. The main purpose of this product is to just have fun and get creative shots. There are three threaded mounting points to attach friction arms which allow for the lowest possible angle in a camera, as well as adding a number of accessories. Of course if you want to sling a DSLR upside down (as shown in the video), you can counterbalance the weight with another accessory (notice the LED light in the video used with the upside down DSLR).
Pico Dolly w/ Zacuto EVF as Monitor. Also 240 LED Video Light.
The Pico is complete fun for iPhones, GoPro cameras, Small Point and shoot HD Video cameras (like my HX9V), and Micro Four Thirds. Perfect for that new Sony NEX-5n, NEX-7, or even Olympus EP-3. You can purchase the Pico alone, which is a great price. There's a bundle with a friction arm which brings the price up slightly. The Pico Flex Skater Table Dolly and Accessories are available now. (click here for Pico Flex Skater Dolly)
Order Pico Flex Table Dolly - PhotographyandCinema.com
Camera Dolly Skater – Three Wheelin’
Is a three wheel dolly better than a four wheel SpiderTrax dolly? It's definitely more difficult for the average DIY'er to tackle, and unless you have clear markings on the wheels, setting the rotation can be a bit tricky. There's one thing that a three wheel dolly can do that a four wheel can't, and that's rotate in 360 degrees without changing the center axis. Not super helpful as a camera movement since you can already do that with a basic Fluid Head, but if you place a stage and a product, you'll have yourself a nice 'lazy susan' style rotating table. Outside of that party trick movements are pretty much the same. Here's another version of a three wheeled rotating camera dolly (technically 6 wheels) by the same guys who make the iPad Prompter on 15mm Rails, and looks like a pretty solid build.
DSLR Gear – Attack of the Clones
It's bound to happen, so here's another version of a ready made rotating video dolly newly to the market. This one comes from the little known company Lensse. Obviously it does what other rotating dollies can do, but unless it's wider than what appears in the photos, the narrow stage doesn't seem like it's going to be practical for some type of a Fluid head mount. Hmm..might be good for tiny cameras and a mini fluid head?
Next one (above) looks very similar to a DVTEC MultiRig Pro. If you're not familiar with what that is, you can find some Vimeo videos here: https://vimeo.com/search/videos/search:dvtec/e30032e7. It's a multi configuration type rig that can go from shoulder support to handheld. Doesn't look to have all the pieces of a true DVTEC, but it doesn't have all the price of one either. You should check out the link below to see all the different configurations this type of camera support can origami into..
DSLR Rig Shoulder Mount Video Kit
Next item (below) another Video Stabilizer based off of the Merlin, Hague, Lensse, IndieHardware design. Yeah I know right? Even clones can get cloned. Well to be fair, it looks closer to the IndieHardware over anything else. Love the write up in the auction about being 'The Secret Weapon" and "Latest Innovation". LOL. While the others are set on pricing, at least this starter is throwing out a few auctions.
