iStabilizer Dolly

By Eugene Kim

If you're an amateur filmmaker, you've probably wanted to create those smooth, seamless tracking shots you see in professionally recorded movies and TV shows. But then again, if you're an amateur filmmaker, you can probably only dream of affording the fancy rigs used to achieve them. The iStabilizer Dolly ($59.95 direct) ?won't match a pro setup, but this miniature dolly for smartphones and small cameras is a useful tool that can add a bit of polish to your next film project.?

The diminutive Dolly is essentially three main components: The wheel base, an adjustable arm, and a cradle for your phone or camera. The 1.25-pound base is sturdily built, measuring 3 by 8 by 5 inches (HWD), with a metal frame and four rollerblade-like wheels. The axles for the wheels are fastened to the base with thumb screws, and each can be independently adjusted to achieve an arching path for your shots. There are also helpful angle markers to ensure you get a precise and even turn.

The 11-inch long adjustable arm screws into the base, and at the end of the arm is a standard ?-inch screw tip that is compatible with most point-and-shoots and consumer camcorder tripod mounts.?The maximum load is 12.3 ounces, and in my tests, the Dolly worked with a Panasonic HC-V700M?camcorder??and an Olympus PEN E-PM1 ?Micro Four Thirds camera?though you have to be careful not to extend the arm too far out past the base with heavier cameras or the whole thing will topple over. The smartphone mount screws into the arm and features a springloaded design for securing various sizes of smartphones without the need for adjustments. It worked with my iPhone 4S?and just barely accommodated a Samsung Galaxy S III, but I wouldn't try anything wider than that. The below video features two shots taken using the Dolly, first with an iPhone 4 and then with a Panasonic HC-V700M.

No instructions are provided, but setup is very simple. The arm adjusts easily, but its joints are stiff enough to hold its position under the weight of devices. Adjusting the angle of the wheels is also very easy, so getting the arch you want isn't difficult. The wheels glide the Dolly along smoothly, but there's no suspension, so any debris or small obstacles in its course will likely cause shakes in your footage.?

I have two minor issues with the Dolly. First, it's a bit small and short, so its uses are limited to spaces with raised platforms, or low-to-the-ground shots. Second, since there's no motor, it can be tough to maintain a consistent speed, especially for longer takes and shots from the ground.

Even still, with a little imagination, the iStabilizer Dolly can be a fun, useful tool for any aspiring filmmaker. Smooth and stable tracking shots, pans, pushes, and pulls are all aided by the Dolly. With the right camera you can even set up moving time lapse shots that would be nearly impossible without the Dolly. The whole package is solidly built and the price is reasonable for such a versatile device, making it a good choice for anyone looking to add a little variety to their next video project.?

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