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 :)

Elemack Cricket vs. Fisher 11 for location shoot

Richard Foster

Richard Foster

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 10, 2010
Messages
656
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
USA, Caribbean, England
Website
www.fosterent.com
A little advice, please. I am shooting a feature on RED MX, all on location, some INT, some EXT, some 2nd floor via stairs. I am used to the Fisher and will be using a wheeled head (Mini Worrall) but am looking to save money and space but still be able to operate comfortably and do smooth dolly/boom combo moves. The Elemack is about 1/3 price for the 27 day shoot. Will I be happy or should I spend the extra? Your honest advice is appreciated. Thanks.
 
personally I would stick with the 11, its the standard and its very small. If the Elemack is in top shape, and the cost difference is that substantial, then you might go this route, but check it out first. From my experience most of the Elemack's Ive seen are pretty beat up and need help...and Ive never seen one that wasn't leaking oil
 
My personal opinion is that the Elemack is a better choice (I am biased as I own one). Assuming both dollies are well maintained -

Elemack Pros-
Boom is extremely smooth and it is hard for the dolly grip to pop you in the eye with the viewfinder because it is predictable and consistent.
A center column dolly is never operator unfriendly, no need to 180 the dolly. You also don't have to climb over the boom on 180 degree pans.
The Elemack is better for dance floor. You can configure it in a 3 wheel mode - 3 points in space define a plane, so you never wobble in 3 wheel mode if the floor is less than perfect.
The Cricket can have a really tiny footprint if you need it to.

The down sides are that your dolly grip may not be familiar with all of he awesome things it can do (Both the guys I usually use as dolly grips really like my Cricket)
You need the low mode attachment to get lower than seated eye height. And there is no roundy round or shift on the fly from crab to normal steer.

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with the elemack.

Nick
 
I think you are confusing the Cricket with the Spyder (which did always leak oil). The Cricket usually does not. There are a number of positive things about the Cricket to consider -- The price difference over 27 days will really add up, if cost is an important issue. It is a center shaft dolly rather than having a lift arm, so it is easier to work with for most set ups -- the seat swings around the center post 360 degrees. It weights a little less than the Fisher. If it is clean and in good shape, the lift is very smooth. The legs folds up very small and will functionally fit into tiny corners more so than the Fisher (I think) because of the center post function. With legs full extended, it has a wider (more stable) footprint than the Fisher. It's maximum height is the same as a Fisher 11. Negatives -- it requires a low boy if you are going to be shooting low angle shots (its minimum camera height is four inches higher than the Fisher). It is from the olden days and like all machines they need to have to be cared for. Many are not. But if it is working well, it is a great little dolly. You just have to check it out, as you would any piece of equipment.
 
you are correct, I thought he was asking about the Spyder...I see now I didn't take the time to read. Regardless I still think you should check it out first and make sure it was well maintained. The Fisher's are all leased, so they are generally always in top shape.
 
The Fisher's are all leased, so they are generally always in top shape.
Click to expand...

I wish that were the case ;-) depending on how often they work, and how far away from the mothership the rental house is, Fishers can be just as beat down as anything else.

Nick
 
I would seriously consult with your dolly grip. Most guys here in LA are die-hard Chapman or Fisher users, and when they are faced with another option like Elemack, Panther or others it sometimes can be an issue. Chapman's and Fisher's are leased, and as such are normally in excellent order. I must admit for a while there I fell in love with the Panther Dollies, but since Hideki, my brilliant dolly grip moved back to Japan, I haven't found another dolly grip who knew it as well and could provide such smooth and precise moves. Also a big fan of the electric center column.

However there is much to be said for throwing down some birch and executing amazing dancefloor moves with a Fisher 10 or 11.
 
Call me an asshole, but if my dolly grip dictates what dolly I use, I get a new dolly grip.

Nick
 
My point was to consult with with your dolly grip, whose experience can be invaluable, and can help select the right tool for the job.

If you already own your dolly of choice then you are all set obviously.
 
I agree 100% that you should consult with your dolly grip, but dolly grips push dollies, they don't ride on them. The dolly that is the easiest to work with from a grips pov is not necessarily the best one to operate from is all I'm saying. Actually, a key grip I know who has been around the block a time or two, always liked having a cricket as the b-camera dolly because that way you had a cricket when you needed one because it does stuff that the other dollies don't. That's how I came to own one myself, from a grips recommendation.

Nick
 
I’d like to add, with all due respect, that the professional infrastructure in Los Angles, where you can always get exactly what you want because there are ten of everything and where there are certain “standard” ways of doing things as a result the nature of the business there, a kind of narrowing of vision can occur, that is evident sometimes when an LA crew works outside of that environment.

In cities where I have had to put together a production (including Cairo, Vilnius, Addis Ababa, Tehran and Baltimore) sometimes you have to do with what they have, as the local crews do and things usually work out fine. But you must be flexible. Of course it is a great luxury to have anything you need at a negotiable priced, but compromises can be a very important part of filmmaking, including in no small way the selection of equipment. I think the use of an Elemack might be an example of this. Just my two cents.
 
Thanks to all for the great feedback. This is a wonderful community of experienced professionals with a spirit of sharing there expertise. I am very grateful and honored to be a part of RED.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top