Camera Dolly

[Dan Boyd]

Anyone have experience with the Premier Studio Equipment PD-1 portable camera dolly with the Red One? We have a limited budget so cost is a major factor. Any other economy but good dolly's you might recommend?
The dolly will be used by students in the Madonna University capstone film class in the Broadcast and Cinema Arts program as well as in house productions.
Thanks in advance for any advice. Dan

www.premierstudioequipment.com

 

[Barry Gregg]

I've shot with the Cameleon, which is their older small dolly. It worked well even though the one we had was a little beat up. I've been considering the purchase of a PD-1 because I liked it so much.
I own a Lossmandy Spider dolly which packed into three ATA cases, but it never was very smooth. The dolly itself is just too light weight. Mass is a good thing in a dolly.

 

[Dan Boyd]

Thanks Barry, We have a Lossmandy jib that works pretty well. I'm mainly curious about the lack of hydraulics or electronics and whether it still works well without the high end features. As I understand it the Cameleon is a hydrolic dolly whereas the PD-1 is not. Thanks for responding with the picture nice to see the PD-1's discontinued cousin in action.

 

[Mitch Martinez]

for low budget dolly solutions, the Long Valley Super Track Dolly (www.longvalleyequip.com) is a great option. I use it on a lot of my shoots and I doubt you can find a smoother solution for less $.

it all depends on what you need to do with your shots. if you're going straight track, then Long Valley is a great way to get your shots on a low budget.

*Note - I am not an employee or representative of Long Valley; I just really have great experiences with their gear.

 

[Dan Boyd]

Thanks Mitch, I'll definitely check them out.

 

[Dan Boyd]

Nice that you can do it that cheap but I'm looking for something that can raise and lower while shooting. Anything that gets me closer to a Chapman would be good for the students to learn on. I know I'm asking for the impossible but the PD-1 looks like its in the ball park at least from what I can see online. Has anyone actually used one with Red One or another camera?

 

[Nick Gardner]

I'll put in a good word for Premier Studio. I have their Cameleon, it's a great dolly for what it is. Good design, well made stuff.

Nick

 

[Dan Boyd]

I'll put in a good word for Premier Studio. I have their Cameleon, it's a great dolly for what it is. Good design, well made stuff.

Nick

Thanks Nick, knowing that they build good equipment is a big help.
Dan

 

[Stephen Lovett]

Hi Dan,

I'm in a similar situation, but I haven't pulled the trigger on a bigger dolly yet.

Here is why:

I spoke to a couple of rental houses that own them, and had a long conversation with one in LA in person, and his conclusion was that the PD1 really just wasn't beefy enough for RED.

OK, well the budget has to go up but then I thought the PUP would be a good fit, trouble is that there impossible to get, and Premier isn't building them at least a couple of months ago, because they are working on a replacement for the pup.

The owner couldn't really answer the "when" question for me.

It's probably time to check in again with him, in the interim i've gone with a Microdolly, but it of course doesn't have the boom capability.

Let us know what you end up getting and how happy you are with it after working with it for awhile,

Steve

 

[Nick Gardner]

If you can find one, buy a used cameleon. Even if it is a bit abused, all the hydraulics are stock parts and can be serviced very easily. You can do it your self if you are a good mechanic. The frame and arm of the cameleon are going to be in good shape unless you throw it down a flight of stairs, and everything else is very straight forward. I think the best way to use a dolly like that is to keep the road wheels on it for dance floor, planks and just rolling it around, and then throw it on a set of sled wheels for track. I've pulled off some great stuff with that dolly. I have routinely mount two cameras on it for wide and tight for action stuff and it stands up well.

Nick

 

[NormLi]

I've owned a Cameleon and a PUP500. Both great dollies. Wish I still had one but ran out of space.

Norm

 

[Dan Boyd]

Good advice, I really appreciate it. That's disappointing that it may not be beefy enough for the Red One. I wonder if its close or if a streamlined config would work. I haven't had any luck locating a used Cameleon or Pup. Maybe the Pup replacement will come out soon and will be reasonable.
Does happen to know a dealer who sells these used?
Thanks very much,
Dan