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Thursday, December 29, 2011

Video: NEX-FS100 on the Pocket Dolly

I've made a short movie called "Deserted Mall"with the NEX-FS100 and the Kessler Pocket Dolly.


Although I had some troubles in the beginning (3x Unboxing of the Kessler Pocket Dolly), I finally was able to start using the Pocket Dolly on a short movie!

I didn't really had a plan when I went filming at the mall, but just went with the flow. It was on Boxing Day and it was very quiet there at the time. I spent about an hour filming on different locations and ended up with enough footage to make this short movie. It's the first video I created with the Kessler Pocket Dolly. In editing I decided to go for the 'Deserted Mall' theme and luckily I had enough footage without people walking around on camera.

Setup I used was the Sony NEX-FS100 with Novoflex Nikon to E-mount adapter and Tokina 12-24MM F4 Pro II Zoom Lens. The Kessler Pocket Dolly was placed on a Sachtler DV6 SB tripod with a Manfrotto (MN-357) Sliding Plate Adapter. This made it very easy to take the Pocket Dolly on and off the tripod, within seconds. The head I used to support the camera on the Pocket Dolly was the Manfrotto 128LP Micro Fluid Head. It was good enough to make minor camera movements (pan and tilt) while keeping the total weight down.

Here are a some BTS (Behind The Scenes) pictures.


Filming the opening shot of "Deserted Mall"
NEX-FS100 and Kessler Pocket Dolly on a Sachtler DV6-SB

Quiet in the deserted mall please... and ACTION!

10 comments:

  1. Leuk gedaan ! Ik zat te kijken naar wat beelden die geschoten waren met jouw Sony...

    Ik twijfel tussen wat modellen maar de prijs deze is nog net te doen voor mij, ik schiet bewegende actieshots en vroeg mij af of jij dat ook doet ?

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  2. Nice fluid movements, I see on the lowest photo you are moving the camera by pushing the sled, did you also try to use the wheel and does that give constant movement when turning? I have seen footage where the motion was a bit jerky when they turned the wheel.

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    1. Thanks. Actually I've never used the wheel because I wasn't able to get a fluid consistent move from it. Reason I didn't went for the basic version was because the belt system does help to dampen the movement a little bit. For example, when you give the sled a push, the wheel would start to rotate quickly and automatically come to a natural stop. So having the wheel and belt system helped in a different way then I expected. I've also used the basic version, but prefer the one with the wheel. Even though I never used the wheel for it's original purpose.

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  3. Please I love your works. I will love to come learn the art from you. I have a Panasonic HVX-200A but i'm impressed with your works. Please let me know what is required to learn from you. I am willing to come get some extra skills from you. Waiting to hear from you.

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  4. Love the video! Great motion and really nice colour in post. I was wondering if you had the basic slider or the travel? If you have the basic, how is the weight distribution having it stationed in the middle of the tripod with the FS100? Is there any wobble at the end (or beginning) of your slides? Also, have you happen to try the slider with the FS100 and rig (follow focus, rails, etc...).

    Thanks

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    1. Thank you! This was filmed with the standard Pocket Dolly V2.0 (so with the handle and belt drive system in place). I've also worked with the Basic version, but prefer the one with belt even though I never used the crank to slide the camera. The belt system just provides a more fluid slide. When center mounting the Pocket Dolly on a tripod it's best to use the camera without a rig or accessories attached, to keep it as light as possible. There's a slight bend when you move the camera to the far end of the slider, but it isn't very noticeable on screen.

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  5. Nice work, can you tell us: How did you get those colors? is that a post production effect, or is it only the camera settings?

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    1. I used Magic Bullet Looks to color grade the footage. You can see the original ungraded version here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-I7_3_yCX4

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  6. Can u show me how to setup the pocket dolly on the tripod? tks

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    1. I didn't do anything special with the setup, other then using a Manfrotto (quick release) sliding plate in between the tripod and PD. Just let me know if you have any further questions.

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