Welcome to our community

Be a part of something great, join today!

Log in
  • 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 :)

A quick skater dolly knockoff test

Shawn Nelson

Shawn Nelson

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 28, 2006
Messages
4,595
Reaction score
1
Points
0
Age
43
Location
Portland, OR
So a project I'm working on this weekend asked for a skater dolly, but they don't have a budget to rent the full $6k P&S version. Well I had an old knockoff I had bought off eBay for a few hundred a few years ago to use on my Z1u. I had never tried it on Red because I assumed it couldn't handle it. Well tonight, out of necessity, I gave it a try.

To my astonishment, it actually works. It took a few tries, but see what ya'll think.

These are small sizes and I'm not posting this on Redrelay or anything, because this is far too sloppy of a test, but you get the idea.

Here is also a picture of my setup, I stripped Red down to a 16.5 lb operation.

http://brainspasm.com/red/TableTest_semicircle.mov
http://brainspasm.com/red/TableTest_RtoL.mov
http://brainspasm.com/red/TableTest_forward.mov
 
That looks really nice. I've never actually seen that type of rig (never really been involved with any table-top work).

Of course, now I think everything should be shot with the Frazier Lens! :)
 
there's an alarming constant presence of alcohol in every test Shawn shoots :)

Looks good and smooth. I've used the P+S skater before and it truly is a joy to use, that thing is amazing in what it can do, but yes, I agree it is vastly overpriced.
 
Thanks for posting, that's good info. Just curious- I'm not sure how everything is attached, but are the rods shown in the photo doing anything? Seems like for minimum weight you could get rid of them also?
 
I love the Ps Technik Skater! That thing kicks ass, WAY over engineered and WAY to expensive, but damn is it fun to rent.
 
jbeale said:
Thanks for posting, that's good info. Just curious- I'm not sure how everything is attached, but are the rods shown in the photo doing anything? Seems like for minimum weight you could get rid of them also?
Click to expand...

My guess is that's what Shawn holds onto to "steer"

Great test! Why can't I find cool stuff like that on eBay? I guess it helps when you can differentiate the good stuff from the crap...
 
It really is a nifty toy. It doesn't seem so hard to build one, but that's speaking as someone who's never tried...
 
There is a US company who "knocked off" the Skater mini, but I won't give up the source!

I have shot for Sebastian Kramer (who designed the skater mini). He won a technical achievement award at the Academy awards this year for that design. It is an amazing tool. To see someone ripping off his design is disheartening.

May the Karma police visit all of you!

A Skater Mini used on e-bay doesn't count...the "other" version...kaboom...your RED will crash!

Dylan Macleod
Cinematographer
Toronto, Canada
www.dylanmacleod.com
 
I have a solid Skater Dolly knock off that ive used on a couple of shoots.
Including some shoots with my RED on it.

If anyone is interested I am willing to sell it or trade for a lens or RED equipment.
I need things for my package more than i need the Dolly at this time.

If your serious about wanting it, just PM me and ill send you some pictures of it.
It is solid aluminum and works perfectly fine.
I 100% full MONEY BACK or trade back guarantee that you will love it and it will work great.

It was built for 35MM cameras and full BSP pacakges.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxfnUaRAw4M&feature=related
 
Evin Grant said:
Shawn, are these still available on E-bay. I'd like to get one.
Click to expand...

The one I have, from eBay (which they are not longer on eBay), is actually not as good as one made by a local Portlander (and DVXUser) Evin Carr. It's still from wood, but it's got good craftsmanship. He sells his for $250.
 
Shawn Nelson said:
So a project I'm working on this weekend asked for a skater dolly, but they don't have a budget to rent the full $6k P&S version. Well I had an old knockoff I had bought off eBay for a few hundred a few years ago to use on my Z1u. I had never tried it on Red because I assumed it couldn't handle it. Well tonight, out of necessity, I gave it a try.

To my astonishment, it actually works. It took a few tries, but see what ya'll think.

These are small sizes and I'm not posting this on Redrelay or anything, because this is far too sloppy of a test, but you get the idea.

Here is also a picture of my setup, I stripped Red down to a 16.5 lb operation.

http://brainspasm.com/red/TableTest_semicircle.mov
http://brainspasm.com/red/TableTest_RtoL.mov
http://brainspasm.com/red/TableTest_forward.mov
Click to expand...

Amazing Shawn!

Also a great choice of extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, "vino rosso", etc., from Tuscany, the motherland of Renaissance.

By the way P+S Technik will show Skater Junior at NAB boot with a price about Euro 1.200,00.

I saw it last week and it looks perfect and going to order one when is available.
 
If anyone is interested in a Skater Dolly out of 6061 Aluminum-Cut to Size which works perfect with a RED camera let me know.

If I can get 4 other people to buy with me I can get the price down to $1,600.00 each

I'll buy the 5th and that's where the price break happens.
Apparently the aluminum bought in bulk has dramatic price drops and they are made when ordered.

PM me if you are seriously interested.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top