Fisher 11 Dolly

[Jason Torbitt]

Hi,

 

I have some grip work this coming weekend, basic dolly work, using a Fisher 11 dolly. I've not used one of these before, anyone used it? Any tips? There's a rigging / prep day scheduled so I have a day to get to grips with it and familiarise myself, so I'm not too worried, but any insight would be useful, thanks

 

Cheers

Jason

[Erwin Landau]

Hi Jason,

 

 

It's a great dolly just like the Model 10 just smaller and lighter. Depending on the size of the Camera especially with a 35mm, 1000 footer and an 11-1 Zoom it can start to be wonky. Try to use, when possible, the wide track (Turn the wheels 180 so they stick out about 5 iches on each side, makes for a wider track. More stability.

Also the Lift Beam is narrower then the one from the 10 so it starts to twist and bow faster. On a dance floor with a long lens and a faster move vibration can (and will) be an issue. Conclusion: It's nice but not as solid as the 10. Same contols just smaller.

 

 

Check:

http://www.jlfisher.com/dollies/model_11_dolly/index.asp

 

 

Good Luck,

 

Erwin

[geoff shotz]

jason- the boom sucks. as erwin said, the arm is flexy. add on top of that, the boom controls don't feather all that well. when possible, make the moves as simple as possible if you are on a long lens. we're using one and i'm all over my dolly grip on the show i'm on. he is not subtle as it is and this dolly really makes him look bad. if you have the ability to get a 10, get that instead. if space is an issue, this dolly is tiny and fits nicely in small areas. good luck.

 

geoff

[Jason Torbitt]

Thanks for your help guys :)

 

I'll have a closer look at the specs today. As I mentioned, I'm having the opportunity to make friends with it tomorrow before the shoot. 3 days studio, 1 day location - straightforward enough. It's the usual mid budget HD deal - Sony 750, follow focus etc, nothing to worry about

 

Cheers

Jason

[Michael Stumpf]

The Fisher 11 stinks.

Get a Chapman Super PeeWee IV instead (that is if the production won't pay

for the Fisher 10.

 

The Fisher 11 is just to unstable.

[Jason Torbitt]

Hi guys and thanks for the input. 3 days down, 1 to go.

 

As mentioned, the boom arm takes some mastering - I found it much easier to feather the movement craning the camera up from the floor. Coming down, the weight always seems to get the better of the dolly and it's very difficult to get a nice feathered start point. Using the wider track, which helps, and my trusty WD-40 spray on the wheel fixtures and track rails soon put a stop to some creaking. All the controls are straightforward to master, and I added my 5" LCD for reference for more critical tighter lens tracking shots.

 

0verall, a nice small dolly with plenty of possibilities, but several limitations to be aware of, but as with our noble instrument itself, practice makes you better.

 

Oh, and I did a Steadicam shot today...I knew it would only be a matter of time before production asked...