Thoughts: Elemack Spyder Dolly, geared head.

[Joseph S.]

Does anyone know if this is a good deal? I was going to buy a dolly and a geared head, but not sure if this stuff is worth it.
I figure older equipment is always well made.

Guessing the geared head it good too since the Worrell head was originally designed by the Worrell guy himself.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190330899914

 

[Nick Gardner]

Old, but functional. I am not a fan of the head, but the Spider is a nice dolly. You can't boom during a shot, but you can change camera height pretty easily. The Worral head is huge, heavy, and will have issues eventually. It's a good head to learn on if you don't have gear head skills.

If I had $6k sitting around I'd buy it just on principle ;-)

Nick

 

[Tony Covell]

Elemack spyders and worral heads etc.

Elemack spyders and worral heads etc.

I have been around Elemack Dollies for all my working life. A long time. They are still a good buy and can be refurbished pretty easily if you can find the right workshop. All seals are still available, Check the column locks work and use a minijib if you want a rise and fall. VERY many great movies were made on them and some 2000+ were sold worldwide. Some Spares are still available from Elemack in Rome. PAY BETWEEN £3K AND £5K FOR A NICE ONE with all accessories. I have sold several recently thro REDuser and ebay.
Gear heads.
First you have to understand that gear heads are large for a reason. They had to accomodate very big cameras. However todays cameras are getting to weigh almost 30 kg when all the must have items are strapped onto the camera. Next take any zoom and add a 6" mattbox on rails you are getting to be almost 30 inches long. Putting this on a small g/head will only allow you to pan and tilt about 15dgs at most. You need the big platform and the big arc to accomodate the size of the camera etc. etc. Also they are bulit to take the weight of the kit you are useing. The MK1 Arri head although smaller is sort after becos it was built to accomodate The 35bl range of cameras. The mk 2 is smaller but does not have the Arc of travel on Tilt. Yes its newer but is it as good? Thats a personal thing. Arri heads fetch at least £12k While a worral or moy will be a fraction of that price. The worral and moy heads are repairable and are totally gear driven; whereas the others are cable driven and you should watch for cable stretch. The CP Miniworral is very prone to that problem.
So there it is, I hope its all been worth reading.
And lastly You cannot get stable pictures for HD from lightweight kit you will always get vibration. Yes I know somebody will say rubbish. However; long term it will prove to be true.
Keep shooting and dont worry about weight too much you do need it.
Kindest
Tony Covell.:seeya:

 

[Harry Clark]

Tony speaks the truth!
Please listen...
Cheers,
Harry