Axis Dolly Resources

Axis Dolly Specifications
Axis Dolly Assembly
Assembly instructions for Axis Dolly with Circular Body
Downloads
See who's using the Axis Dolly!! COMING SOON
Securing your tripod to the Axis Dolly
Dolly tips to keep in mind

Axis Dolly Tips

This is a short list, but it will grow as users make recomendations. Video examples will be added as soon as possible.

When securing the leg extensions to the Axis Dolly body for use with a tripod, make sure the configuration of the legs is always ABC counter clockwise (or the dolly charts will not be accurate and you will get erratic results when dialing in degrees),
and that plates on dolly body are facing down or away from the leg extensions (or the faces of the degree plates will get scratched and the knobs will not secure the leg extensions to the dolly body as securely).

The easiest way to connect a camera to the Tilt Plate is by using a quick release plate. I suggest the Bogen/Manfrotto 577 Quick Release Adapter Assembly (available for about $53).

To secure the Pneumatic Wheels to the legs, hold the caster in place securely with one hand, then insert the knob and secure.

The Pneumatic Casters work better the more weight they are supporting. This is because as the weight increases, the pneumatic tires flatten on the bottom more, which evens out imperfections in the surface better. The less weight the casters are supporting, the more imperfections in the surface will effect the movement of the dolly. I suggest adding a weight or sand bag to the dolly when using the Pneumatic Casters. Also, letting some of the air out of the tires helps.

Put a piece of tape on the ground next to two of the casters before beginning your track if you want to duplicate the track. This will allow you to adjust for drift should any occurr over consecutive, repetative tracking. Drift generally happes easier in curved tracking shots than on straight shots, but with practice can be almost entirely avoided. Under most circumstances you will not notice it in the first place.

When using the Axis Dolly in mini-mode with a tripod head, please make sure that the camera's center of gravity is directly above the center of the Axis Dolly body which is the most stable configuration for the unit. Tripod heads move the camera forward and backward when tilting, thereby pushing the center of gravity of the camera forward or backward. This offsets the center of gravity of the camera from the center of the Axis Dolly body. When tilting the tripod head, please be aware of this. I suggest using a tilt plate which keeps the center of gravity directly over the center of the dolly by tilting the camera around it's center of gravity.

When using the Axis Dolly in mini-mode, be sure to move the Axis Dolly with two hands.

 

Email: seth@axisdolly.com