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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Awesome dolly

Lee Dashiell

Lee Dashiell

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We bought this thing a few months ago and we've been using it on a regular basis. It's great for tabletop work and product shots but we have built an 8 foot platform that mounts on two 20" C-Stands that makes for very quick set-ups. It's smooth as glass and one person can pull off very nice dolly shots in just a few minutes. I mounted a 516 Monfrotto head on the base because it has a flat base. It keeps the camera pretty low rather than using a high hat on the dolly. Here's a shot of the dolly.

http://omni-tracker.com/home.html
 
That's interesting. Thanks for posting.

OspreyHD.com said:
" an 8 foot platform that mounts on two 20" C-Stands that makes for very quick set-ups."
Click to expand...

Any chance of a pic showing how you attach the platform to the C-stand?

How noisy is it, running on the platform?

How thick did you go for the platform..just thinking of weight, lugging it around?
 
Dominique Grenier said:
Hey nice setup! Which one did you get exactly?
Click to expand...

I bought the larger one and then added the 516 head. It is totally silent. I'll take a few pics of the dolly table tomorrow. I attatched two Matthews 3 inch Baby plates to the bottom of the dolly table and use C-stand knuckles to level the table. I also built a table with a semi-circle cut out so you can rotate around stuff. Here's a pic of the semi-circle dolly, we were shooting a piece for a resort/spa but shot it on the HDX900. The pics are a little burry. I'll take a few tomorrow of the dolly with the RED on it.

By the way, the curved table takes 3 c-stands rather than two. The 8 foot table is 23" wide and only has 2 baby plates.
 
Interesting. You may also want to check out the CamTram 2500. It can clamp to an extension ladder so you can rent your "track" wherever you travel and carry your dolly in a Storm case. I'd describe it as a hihat on wheels.
 
Evin Grant said:
Very cool, I wonder if it could be modified to accept a Mitchell base head?
Worth a Call certainly.
Click to expand...

The Omni-Tracker or the CamTram? The CamTram can use Mitchell, 150mm, 100mm or 75mm. For the Omni-Tracker you'd need some space below the Mitchell for a tie-down, so I don't think a lowhat would do it. You'd likely have to mount up a hihat.
 
P+S Technik also have what they call a Mini Skater. Brilliant stuff! I use it all the time.

Anyone using jimmy jibs with the RED One? Types? Thanks
 
rameshjai said:
P+S Technik also have what they call a Mini Skater. Brilliant stuff! I use it all the time.

Anyone using jimmy jibs with the RED One? Types? Thanks
Click to expand...

Yes, mine has been used on the Jimmy Jib Triangle several times, worked really well.
 
I also own a CamMate. Here's a shot from a music video we shot about a month ago. Bling Bling!!!!
 
The P & S Technica "Skater Dolly is what originally interested me. I called to get a quote and thought that $6700 was a little high for something as simple as it really is. It's a great tool, but $6700 seemed a little high. That's when I found the Omni-tracker for around $850. I'm no brain surgeon, but they seem to do the exact same thing....laser and all. There's something to be said for smart purchases. Here are a few detailed pics of mine.
 
Great find, thanks for posting !

My order went out today!

Is that the Red rock matte box? If so do you like it also?

Dave
 
This is a really great find. My PS skater was a wallet buster and functions essentially the same way.

Do the wheels lock? Also how does that head mount with it being so low profile? Can it work with other heads?
 
I have one of these, too, and just to add to what Lee/Osprey is saying--

Warren from Omni-Tracker will give you excellent customer service. Highly recommend. He is very committed to the quality of the product.
 
Avenger007 said:
This is a really great find. My PS skater was a wallet buster and functions essentially the same way.

Do the wheels lock? Also how does that head mount with it being so low profile? Can it work with other heads?
Click to expand...


The wheels don't lock but you can turn them to where it can't role in any direction.

The Bogen 516 head was the only inexpensive head that I could find that can handle the weight of the RED or HDX900 and had a flat base. There is a 3/8 allen screw that comes up from the bottom of the dolly into the head. It is provided by Omni Tracker.

Before anyone busts my chops about the head....I really wanted to buy a head that I could dedicate to the dolly 100% that didn't cost an arm and a leg. I leave it on the dolly and put the Allstar dovetail on it for quick camera swaps.

It's really just holding the camera, the dolly is making the moves.
 
I put a big heavy duty Bogen ball head on mine, if you want to compare low end, crummy tripod heads...the advantage is that I can do dutch moves which the 516 cannot. Locked down, it just exists to hold the camera, like you said. But you can get some groovy angles.
 
This looks amazing, but I'm a bit confused about mounting different heads. I have a Manfrotto 526 with 100mm ball, so I think I would need the big one with a hi hat. But then I can't figure out if I also need a reduced half ball or something. I kind of lose the plot about mounting to the hi hat.

I'd like to order this, but if it's going to cost another $500 in accessories, I need to think twice.

Even if I mount the 516 like Lee did it will be $500 for the head.

Anyone have any knowledge they can share?
 
This looks very good, I ordered one today.
Aloha
-A
 
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