Achieving Professional Dolly Shots with the NEEWER Motorized Camera Dolly Kit: A Budget-Friendly Alternative to a Probe Lens
As a commercial photographer, videographer, and content creator, I’m constantly searching for ways to improve the quality of my work while keeping costs down. So, I recently picked up this awesome new piece of gear that’s really changed the game for me when it comes to capturing those dynamic dolly shots: the NEEWER Motorized Camera Dolly Kit with App Control (DL200). Check out this super quiet motorized dolly! It can hold up to 6.6 lbs (3 kg) and works great with both smartphones and DSLRs.
I mainly use it with my GoPro Hero 9 and Insta360 Go 3 to get those dolly shots in tabletop setups or tight spots. It really helps me nail that sought-after probe lens look without having to spend a ton on an actual probe lens. In this post, I’m excited to share my experience with this super handy motorized dolly. I’ll walk you through how I use it during my shoots and show you some examples of the awesome shots you can get with it.
Motorized dollies are a must-have in the world of professional filmmaking and photography, helping to create those smooth, controlled camera movements we all love. In the past, getting these kinds of shots meant dealing with big setups and pricey equipment. But now, thanks to smaller and more budget-friendly options like the NEEWER DL200, indie filmmakers, YouTubers, and commercial photographers can easily get the shots they want.
For me, a motorized dolly serves several key purposes:
Smooth motion: Handheld shots are limited when it comes to maintaining a perfectly steady movement. A motorized dolly, however, guarantees that the camera glides smoothly across surfaces, creating a professional look.
Consistency: Once you've set your path, the dolly repeats the motion exactly as programmed, ensuring consistency across multiple takes. This is crucial when shooting tabletop content or product shots where you want to maintain a certain angle or framing.
Hard-to-reach shots: Traditional dollies are often too bulky for small or tight environments, but the NEEWER DL200’s compact form factor allows me to get the camera into spaces where a tripod or large rig just wouldn’t fit.
Budget-Friendly Alternative: Instead of spending thousands on a probe lens to capture intricate, close-up shots of food, products, or intricate setups, the dolly helps me simulate those smooth, immersive movements without the extra investment.
- Ultra Silent Motor: One of the standout features is how quiet the motor is. This is crucial for my work, especially when capturing ASMR-style videos or any content where ambient sound is essential.
App Control: The companion app is intuitive and lets you control the speed, direction, and movement path of the dolly. Whether you need a slow crawl or a faster, dynamic shot, the app makes it simple to customize the dolly's behavior on the fly.
Compatible with Multiple Devices: While it’s designed for cameras, the DL200 is also compatible with smartphones, making it a versatile tool for photographers and videographers using different types of gear.
Flexible Movement: The dolly can move in straight lines or curved paths, offering flexibility depending on the shot you need. Its small wheels are designed to roll smoothly on tabletops, hardwood floors, or even slightly uneven surfaces.
Compact and Lightweight: Weighing just under 3kg, this motorized dolly is portable enough for me to take on location shoots or easily integrate into small setups in my studio.
Now, let’s look at how I’ve been using the NEEWER DL200 in various projects, along with some practical examples.
I mainly use the NEEWER DL200 for product photography, especially when it comes to food and beverage clients. When I'm dealing with products like donuts, pastries, or bottles, I really want to capture those dynamic visuals that show off their texture and shape.
When I put my GoPro Hero 9 on the motorized dolly, it lets me capture smooth, close-up shots of the product from various angles. The GoPro’s wide-angle lens, along with the dolly’s smooth movement, really creates that cinematic vibe, making it feel like you’re right there experiencing the product up close. So, I recently tried out this setup to get a 360-degree dolly shot of a perfectly frosted donut. The slow movement around the product really brought a touch of professionalism to the shot that would have been tough to pull off by hand.
I set up a shoot for a local bakery, using the GoPro Hero 9 on the NEEWER DL200. I programmed the dolly to move slowly in a curve around a plate of artisanal donuts. The outcome was a smooth 360-degree view that showcased the icing's texture, the glaze's shine, and the detailed toppings from all angles.
The Insta360 Go 3 has been such a great buddy for this motorized dolly. The Insta360 Go 3 is super compact, which means I can easily slide it into tight spots, like behind objects or in small spaces. Plus, the DL200 makes sure I get smooth motion even in those tricky setups.
I came up with a pretty creative idea for an ASMR video where I aimed to capture the vibe of a probe lens. I set up the Insta360 Go 3 on the dolly and angled it low, gently gliding it through some detailed little scenes, like water trickling over rocks and beads resting in a bowl. The dolly let me mimic the look of a pricier probe lens while keeping my movements smooth and controlled.
I recently shot an ASMR video where I used the Insta360 Go 3 and the NEEWER DL200. I created some really nice slow, gliding shots over a textured surface with small stones and water droplets. The close-up, smooth movement really gave the impression that the camera was wandering through a tiny landscape, creating a soothing and captivating vibe.
B-roll plays a crucial role in video production, particularly when you're putting together content for social media or YouTube. I’ve really found the NEEWER DL200 to be super useful for capturing some great b-roll footage. Whether it’s those slow-motion shots of coffee pouring, unboxing products, or even just some beautiful nature scenes like flowing water, it does the trick!
I've got my GoPro Hero 9 set up on the dolly, and it's great for smoothly gliding across a scene. It really brings some life to what would normally be a still shot. This works really well for making high-quality visuals without breaking the bank, and I can get professional results without needing a bigger dolly system.
For a product unboxing video, I used the NEEWER DL200 to create a slow, smooth shot as the camera glided over the opened packaging. By slowly tracking over the box and product with the GoPro Hero 9, I added a cinematic touch to the b-roll, which enhanced the overall quality of the video and kept viewers engaged.
I’ve been playing around with the dolly for food and beverage photography. It’s all about capturing that freshness and appeal of a product while it’s in motion. So, there was this time when I was shooting a commercial for a coffee shop, and I decided to use the NEEWER DL200 to get a slow-motion shot of milk pouring into a glass of iced coffee. It turned out pretty cool! The way the dolly moved along with the liquid created such a captivating shot, really giving it that polished, professional look—ideal for a high-end commercial!
I recently did a shoot for a local coffee shop where I used the Lumix GH5 along with the NEEWER DL200 to get a slow-motion shot of a barista pouring steamed milk into a cappuccino. The smooth movement of the dolly while the milk swirled into the coffee really brought the shot to life, making the final video not only visually appealing but also super tempting.
I’ve really come to love the NEEWER Motorized Camera Dolly Kit with App Control. It’s such a great tool for bringing some exciting movement to my photography and videography projects! This motorized dolly is perfect for capturing those tight, detailed shots on a tabletop, simulating a probe lens, or giving your b-roll footage that cinematic flair. And the best part? You get professional-quality results without breaking the bank.
I've found that using the dolly with compact, high-quality cameras like the GoPro Hero 9 and Insta360 Go 3 really helps me create smooth, engaging visuals that boost the production value of my content. If you're on the hunt for a versatile and budget-friendly option to get those dolly shots and probe lens effects, you should definitely check out the NEEWER DL200. This motorized dolly is a game changer for your shoots, whether you're capturing products, food, or those stunning immersive scenes. It’s all about unlocking new creative possibilities for your work!
