Makeshift Dollys

Fwilly

Fwilly

Hey! As you can tell from the title, I was wanting to make a makeshift dolly so I can keep the camera steady while moving. Now I've seen things and I also have a couple of ideas. 1, I've seen people (FreddieW) use Heelys, which seems like a good idea and it obviously works good for him. I've also seen people use a wheel chair which seems like an okay idea but a little more shaky. Last I've always thought of screwing some wheels on the bottom of a tripod so you have the good parts of a tripod but it can move. So do any of these sound like good ideas? Do you have any ways to make a replacement for a dolly?

-Frank
 
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I've also seen people use a wheel chair which seems like an okay idea but a little more shaky.
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I was on a shoot where we did that. I haven't had the courage to look at the footage yet, but I'm sure it wasn't pretty.

Last I've always thought of screwing some wheels on the bottom of a tripod so you have the good parts of a tripod but it can move.
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Depends on the surface you're using. You can attach caster wheels to various braces to put a tripod on, but you need a very smooth surface, otherwise the end result isn't as pretty as most people would like. Put it on carpet and you may be asking for poor quality work.

If you want to get an idea of how it'd work, take your tripod to a super market, setup the tripod in the trolley and see the result. If you're happy with it, you're golden. There are plenty of DIY guides on youtube on how to make tracks and the appropriate wheel structure to make it work to varying degrees and various qualities. Go take a look and see if you find something you'd be happy using.

Just remember one thing. To get a dolly effect, you'll pay for it one way or another in the end. Either through high equipment costs or lower quality/capabilities. You just need to decide what quality and result you want, what you need to make it happen, and then work out your best options.

You can also look up jibs/cranes there too...
 
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Hey, yeah I have heard of wheel chair rigs, and was interested as well. Youtube Frugal Film maker, he will show you how to build a really cheap, decent one out of PVC pipe and other materials. The guy has a lot of helpful info, I built my camera rig from one of his videos and I am very happy with the results of the shots I can get.
 
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I've been trying to find a good way to do this myself.

I have tripod casters, but the biggest issue is the bumpiness and getting tripped up by the tripod. Small hard rubber wheels will also feel every bump. I would only feel safe using this on a dance floor that was freshly cleaned. Large urethane wheels might work reasonably well.

I've been looking at making some very simple rails that use EMT conduit. I've done other rail shots just by being pushed down a hallway on a dolly with pneumatic tires.
 
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