Pedestals at DVinfo.net

Dan C. · January 20th, 2002, 10:58 AM

Can anyone tell me how much I would expect to pay for a camera pedestal/dolly?
Also, is there anywhere in the UK that sells them?

Alternatively, are just wheels for an existing tripod available for a cheaper price?

Ed Smith · January 20th, 2002, 11:02 AM

Hi Dan,

I thought they were called dollies?, Hague produce some and they are based in Nottingham URL http://www.b-hague.co.uk, they also produce Jibs and Cranes.

Hope this helps,

Ed Smith

Dan C. · January 20th, 2002, 11:13 AM

Thanks for that Ed.
They seem to be called both pedestals and Dollies.

In one shop I was looking at, the ones whith vehicles attached where called Dollies and the ones with wheels were called Pedestals.

They do look rather expensive, are there any lower-specified models available anywhere or has anyone got any tips for attaching some wheels to my existing tripod, as I dont really want all the other features of the dolly (ie. the tripod bit).

--UPDATE--
After seeing some Pedestals on bhphoto.com - $50,000!, I now retract my opinion that the one on the above store is expensive.

Ken Tanaka · January 20th, 2002, 02:16 PM

Ed,

If all you're really looking for is a dolly (i.e. a set of wheels) for your current tripod I might start with looking at the brand of your tripod. Bogen/Manfrotto, for example, makes several models that mate to the design of their tripods' feet. Mating the feet to the dolly's wheel fittings will be a bit of an issue, hence my suggestion to look at your tripod's manufacturer first.

Here in the U.S. B&H Photo is a good place to start (bhphoto.com). Click "professional Video" and look for the link to "Tripods & Dollies".

Dan C. · January 20th, 2002, 03:23 PM

Thanks for your post.
I have a relatively cheap, MIRANDA tripod.

I have seen a set of wheels that attach to the tripod on the above mentioned site, but I dont know if they will fit my tripod.

Is there anywhere where I might purchase individual wheels, which can be attached to my tripod?

Another query, does anyone know whether the HAGUE-PRO tripod on the website above has a hydraulic up/down feature?
If not, would I be looking at much more for a dolly with this feature? (if I was going to buy a proper dolly I would like it to have this feature because that way I am getting some improvement over simply a tripod with wheels)

Ed Smith · January 21st, 2002, 02:11 PM

Hi Dan,

As far as I am aware the Hague Pro Dolly does not have hydraulic up/down feature and that is why it is so cheap. If you are looking for one with that feature try this web site:

http://www.cke.co.uk/acatalog/CKE_Distribution_Tripods_35.html

Unfortunately these are not cheap coming in at around £2000!!

Hope this helps

Ed

John Locke · January 21st, 2002, 02:23 PM

Don't forget borrowing/renting a wheelchair.

Don't laugh...Robert Rodriguez shot "El Mariachi" that way.

Casey Visco · January 21st, 2002, 03:43 PM

Not just for indie films: for some scenes in Enemy At The Gates they used a wheel chair as a dolly too =)

Dan C. · January 22nd, 2002, 10:03 AM

Im not sure if a wheelchair would be a good idea, considering I will be using it a lot (once a week maybe).

I think I might just buy those B-Hague wheels for my cheap tripod.

When using a wheelchair, how is the camera attached to it?

Ken Tanaka · January 22nd, 2002, 10:47 AM

Typically the camera operator is sitting in the wheelchair and someone is pushing the chair. For some situations, notably smooth surfaces, it works as well as a tracked dolly and takes no time to set-up or tear-down.

Casey Visco · January 22nd, 2002, 05:48 PM

i have often scene a mounting head simply clamped to a bar of the chair...

January 20th, 2002, 10:58 AM	#1
Dan C. Major Player Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Cheshire, England Posts: 105	Pedestal/Dollies Can anyone tell me how much I would expect to pay for a camera pedestal/dolly? Also, is there anywhere in the UK that sells them? Alternatively, are just wheels for an existing tripod available for a cheaper price? Last edited by Dan C.; January 20th, 2002 at 11:33 AM.

January 20th, 2002, 11:13 AM	#3
Dan C. Major Player Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Cheshire, England Posts: 105	Thanks for that Ed. They seem to be called both pedestals and Dollies. In one shop I was looking at, the ones whith vehicles attached where called Dollies and the ones with wheels were called Pedestals. They do look rather expensive, are there any lower-specified models available anywhere or has anyone got any tips for attaching some wheels to my existing tripod, as I dont really want all the other features of the dolly (ie. the tripod bit). --UPDATE-- After seeing some Pedestals on bhphoto.com - $50,000!, I now retract my opinion that the one on the above store is expensive. Last edited by Dan C.; January 20th, 2002 at 04:22 PM.

January 20th, 2002, 02:16 PM	#4
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Ed, If all you're really looking for is a dolly (i.e. a set of wheels) for your current tripod I might start with looking at the brand of your tripod. Bogen/Manfrotto, for example, makes several models that mate to the design of their tripods' feet. Mating the feet to the dolly's wheel fittings will be a bit of an issue, hence my suggestion to look at your tripod's manufacturer first. Here in the U.S. B&H Photo is a good place to start (bhphoto.com). Click "professional Video" and look for the link to "Tripods & Dollies". __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

January 20th, 2002, 03:23 PM	#5
Dan C. Major Player Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Cheshire, England Posts: 105	Thanks for your post. I have a relatively cheap, MIRANDA tripod. I have seen a set of wheels that attach to the tripod on the above mentioned site, but I dont know if they will fit my tripod. Is there anywhere where I might purchase individual wheels, which can be attached to my tripod? Another query, does anyone know whether the HAGUE-PRO tripod on the website above has a hydraulic up/down feature? If not, would I be looking at much more for a dolly with this feature? (if I was going to buy a proper dolly I would like it to have this feature because that way I am getting some improvement over simply a tripod with wheels) Last edited by Dan C.; January 21st, 2002 at 08:41 AM.

January 21st, 2002, 02:23 PM	#7
John Locke Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 2,882	Don't forget borrowing/renting a wheelchair. Don't laugh...Robert Rodriguez shot "El Mariachi" that way. __________________ John Locke SursumFilms.com

January 20th, 2002, 11:02 AM	#2
Ed Smith Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Hampshire, England Posts: 1,545	Hi Dan, I thought they were called dollies?, Hague produce some and they are based in Nottingham URL http://www.b-hague.co.uk, they also produce Jibs and Cranes. Hope this helps, Ed Smith

January 21st, 2002, 02:11 PM	#6
Ed Smith Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Hampshire, England Posts: 1,545	Hi Dan, As far as I am aware the Hague Pro Dolly does not have hydraulic up/down feature and that is why it is so cheap. If you are looking for one with that feature try this web site: http://www.cke.co.uk/acatalog/CKE_Distribution_Tripods_35.html Unfortunately these are not cheap coming in at around £2000!! Hope this helps Ed

January 21st, 2002, 03:43 PM	#8
Casey Visco Major Player Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 280	Not just for indie films: for some scenes in Enemy At The Gates they used a wheel chair as a dolly too =) __________________ Casey Visco Glidecam Industries, Inc.

January 22nd, 2002, 10:03 AM	#9
Dan C. Major Player Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Cheshire, England Posts: 105	Im not sure if a wheelchair would be a good idea, considering I will be using it a lot (once a week maybe). I think I might just buy those B-Hague wheels for my cheap tripod. When using a wheelchair, how is the camera attached to it?

January 22nd, 2002, 10:47 AM	#10
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Typically the camera operator is sitting in the wheelchair and someone is pushing the chair. For some situations, notably smooth surfaces, it works as well as a tracked dolly and takes no time to set-up or tear-down. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

January 22nd, 2002, 05:48 PM	#11
Casey Visco Major Player Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 280	i have often scene a mounting head simply clamped to a bar of the chair... __________________ Casey Visco Glidecam Industries, Inc.