Skaterail slider or Dana dolly?

[Phil Holland]

Another big ups for the Dana Dolly.

I get "mad face" when I see sliders and dollies that don't have 75, 100, 150mm or Mitchell built in now. Also the extra width in terms of playing nicely with larger camera's center of gravity is important.

The Skaterrail isn't bad, I just prefer the wheels and action on the Dana Dolly. In fact the wheels are really the thing that separate it from similar devices out there at the moment.

 

[Peter Strietmann]

I'm sold on the versatility of the Dana Dolly. I would however cut off the studs on the spacers that line up the pipe and bolt on some matthews studs that fit much better in Junior receptors (see image). Last summer I had production weld up 2 20' lengths of 2" square stock. I had them weld the ends so I could put the camera on a wedge plate with the lens between the track for a log overhead dolly shot. The dolly rolled effortlessly on the square stock.

 

[Bob Gundu]

I love the Dana dolly too, but you'll see from my review that the Trost is a different animal. Some shots are impossible to do with the Dana.

 

[Ben Scott]

Does the Dana have a brake?

 

[Adam Beck]

No brake on the Dana Dolly itself, but if you put a clamp on the pipe, it acts as a stop/brake.

If that is what you are asking about.

 

[Tom Greenberg]

Absolutely love my Dana Dolly! They have recently come out with their own modular track system, not inexpensive, but great for those that don't have access to speed rail or who travel a lot. I played with it at NAB and the joints were virtually seamless…couldn't feel a thing as the wheels passed over them. As far as locking the Dana in place, I just keep a motorcycle strap handy, and fasten it around the fluid head to keep the Dana from rolling or getting knocked off the track with camera on board.

Here's a look at the track kt: http://www.filmtools.com/cameradept/movcamsupeq/silders/dana-dolly-track-kit-w-case.html

 

[Chris Henze]

CamTram over Dana Dolly all the way. Try doing this with a Dana Dolly

 

[Adam Beck]

Absolutely love my Dana Dolly! They have recently come out with their own modular track system, not inexpensive, but great for those that don't have access to speed rail or who travel a lot. I played with it at NAB and the joints were virtually seamless…couldn't feel a thing as the wheels passed over them. As far as locking the Dana in place, I just keep a motorcycle strap handy, and fasten it around the fluid head to keep the Dana from rolling or getting knocked off the track with camera on board.

Here's a look at the track kt: http://www.filmtools.com/cameradept/movcamsupeq/silders/dana-dolly-track-kit-w-case.html

I think I was actually with you Tom when we checked out the new track.

I own a 5ft and a 10ft set of speedrail, but if I had the extra money to burn, buying a couple of sets of the new track would be ideal for travel.

 

[Ben Scott]

No brake on the Dana Dolly itself, but if you put a clamp on the pipe, it acts as a stop/brake.

If that is what you are asking about.

Thanks yeah. Recently had my scarlet fall off a dolly about 6ft up because the end stop hadn't been put on properly. Only the 15mm rails and mattebox saved it from real trouble so I'm slightly wary of not being able to lock it off properly.

 

[Tom Greenberg]

I think I was actually with you Tom when we checked out the new track.

I own a 5ft and a 10ft set of speedrail, but if I had the extra money to burn, buying a couple of sets of the new track would be ideal for travel.

Yeah, that's right...you were with me, Adam! It was pretty sweet! I put a set in my budget for this coming year, now to see if the budget gods smile on me, lol...

 

[Abiodun Shote]

off topic here! but does anyone please have any email or phone I can reach out to the folks at dana dolly? after 3years of use and a recent trip to a very sandy location I stupidly decided to thorougly wash my d dolly only for me notice that some of the wheels got stiff and could never get any form of usable movement on them since then on. I need a set of replacement wheels for Soft Polyurethane wheels.
Filled out the contact form on their site twice (some weeks back and just now). Any help will be graetly appreciated. Thanks

 

[Dave Blackham]

off topic here! but does anyone please have any email or phone I can reach out to the folks at dana dolly? after 3years of use and a recent trip to a very sandy location I stupidly decided to thorougly wash my d dolly only for me notice that some of the wheels got stiff and could never get any form of usable movement on them since then on. I need a set of replacement wheels for Soft Polyurethane wheels.
Filled out the contact form on their site twice (some weeks back and just now). Any help will be graetly appreciated. Thanks

Sorry, no idea. I tried to buy bowl adaptors and other accessories and I still would like to, but I mailed several times with out reply.

I think you may find standard board wheels will fit if you can find a suitable durometer wheel.

 

[Tom Greenberg]

Try this (insert @ symbol in appropriate place)…it's Mike Hall's email address: mike (at) azgrip.com

 

[Abiodun Shote]

Thanks Tom

 

[Rick Augustus]

Dana Dolly for sure...

 

[Curt Pair]

No breaking or locking system on the Dana Dolly. The only resistance is the weight of the platform and camera system. The platform has got some good weight, I think it's 10.lbs or so.

I typically use my thumb and drag it behind on the moves... I can add resistance that way. When I want to lock it off... I turn the wheels side-ways. Of course you can't do that while rolling! Mike Hall, the owner of the company now has "safety bars" to prevent the dolly from even the possibility of it tipping over too! They are CONSTANTLY working on new stuff! Personally? I can't wait until his motorized rig is ready to go!

 

[Curt Pair]

I have been interested in this for quite some time. I was just wondering how you would do angled shots. How would you mount the ends?

Also, what if you want various length of track? Once you want a 4ft piece. Another time you want a 8ft piece. You would need several pipes at those lengths. Problem is, you'd need a big car/van to carry those pipes. If only there was a way to attach several 4ft sections together instead of having one long one, which probably wont fit in my car.

Is it worth it over the Kessler Shuttle Pod?

I bought these track connectors from Modern Grip for $17 per connector! You drill out a hole, and THEN cut the pipe so the pieces ALWAYS fit together perfectly! I have sections in 4'... then add two pieces for 8', then add some stands and pieces for 12' and 16'! It's VERY easy to modify your pipe with these little gems from Modern!

 

[Curt Pair]

I just shot today with the Dana Dolly in a 500,000 sq ft warehouse. What made it easy was putting the dolly on low boy stands that we attached caster to and it was easy to move from one location to another. Oh.......and the shots look amazing.

Adam, I did a shoot like that in the "Musical Instrument Museum..." NEVER took the camera off the dolly! Further, I wheeled the entire set up around the museum... for a goof, I even SHOT a few shots MOVING the entire system! They aired those on CBS Sunday Morning too!

 

[Curt Pair]

I'm sold on the versatility of the Dana Dolly. I would however cut off the studs on the spacers that line up the pipe and bolt on some matthews studs that fit much better in Junior receptors (see image). Last summer I had production weld up 2 20' lengths of 2" square stock. I had them weld the ends so I could put the camera on a wedge plate with the lens between the track for a log overhead dolly shot. The dolly rolled effortlessly on the square stock.

Peter, you're like me... you've had this for a while! Mike went to a NEW track end system about 2 years ago! It's a "C" Clamp thing now. MUCH better too! Gotta get those!

 

[Curt Pair]

Sorry, no idea. I tried to buy bowl adaptors and other accessories and I still would like to, but I mailed several times with out reply.

I think you may find standard board wheels will fit if you can find a suitable durometer wheel.

I just reached out to Mike for you too!