Being mostly a studio photographer, I work with my camera just as much as I do with the camera trolley. I have a great camera, but my trolley was always missing a lot of pro features. While investing in a new cart was never an option, upgrading my current cart seemed like the way to go. I looked into the lava kart system to see if it was able to boost my kart.
was one of my favorite shows growing up pimp My Ride. The idea of ​​modifying existing devices to make them better is very smart. Think about medium format cameras: if you need a better sensor, you can get a different back. If you need to convert your camera into a technical camera, you can do it easily by simply investing in a component instead of buying a new camera.
The same thing applies to flash also. A flash head can be plugged into multiple generators, which will change how good or bad your flash output is. Modularity is an excellent concept, as you are able to improve and customize your workflow according to your specific demands.
Introduction
Previously, I reviewed the RockNRoller R12 kart. It was and still is a great option for those of us who need a gear mover and a general working surface. This is by far the best camera trolley you can have. It is mostly well made, durable and unbreakable. However, it’s not perfect, and when you compare it to something like Magliner, you see more flaws than ever. I knew I wanted to upgrade my cart to something better without investing thousands in a brand new cart and finding a new use for the old one. right here lava cart Comes. They offer upgrade kits to boost your cart. From shelves to monitor mounts, to a host of useful bits and bobs to turn your RocknRoller into a stable production cart.
cabinets
Lava Cart cabinets are specifically built for studio and production use. They are made of what appears to be wood. Top and bottom cabinets differ in construction; The top shelf is made to hold all of your monitors and cameras, while the bottom shelf is made for all of your Pelican cases, modifiers, and other odd items. I use it mainly to transport equipment from the storage room to the set. There’s really nothing beyond “good” that I can say about the lower shelf. The top one is a different story.
First, it’s wider than the cart, giving you more surface area to work with. Although I have the RockNRoller extra-long shelf, I like it more because it gives me more protection. I’d be lying if I said I’ve never had a gear fall off my car. This was a big problem with the old shelf system. This shelf deals with being large and providing lots of mounts and attachment points for different devices. Additionally, it has a protective border that magnetically attaches to the cart, preventing accidental slips.
cable management
One of the most important things about a production cart for me is the ability to manage cables effectively. It’s one thing to bury them all and quite another to have two dedicated ports that bury all the cables below the work surface. Additionally, cable management is enabled by a screw-mounted extension cord that you can purchase from Lava Cart. This makes cable management extra easy and super neat. To power the entire setup, you just need a cable that connects your cart to the mains in the wall. This enables you to move the setup around the studio very easily, preventing accidental power cuts and falls. The only downside is that I live in Germany, and the extension for the lava cart is made for a US plug. Luckily, I can order the solution from Amazon.
There are two rails on the bottom of the shelf that enable you to mount accessories with screws. This is extremely useful, as you may want to plug your power in there, add some hooks, or add any other accessories underneath. I would love to see Lava Cart add more accessories, like small shelves. I would love to keep things like my phone, hard drive, etc. on a shelf under the car. Perhaps you have a Mac Mini that you run your station from; He can also go down. Additionally, it would be great to see the material on the top shelf changed to a softer carpet-like material. This will improve the user experience and your camera will never get scratched. If it is not, it would be great to make the surface mouse-friendly.
stuff
Lava Kart also shines when it comes to accessories that improve your RocknRoller kart. I added some accessories that make the cart more stable, make wheel removal easier, and reduce wobble in the top shelf. The wobble on the shelf used to be a really bad problem, because the cart didn’t lock completely, and moving it always meant something had fallen out. He also used almost every hole in the car. I’ve added screw mounts to my cart and am able to put a tripod head on the cart, which keeps my camera in place when I’m not shooting with it. However, it can be improved by adding a tensioner to the screw.
It is a mobile setup that is easy to transport. Simply open the top shelf and attach it to the bottom with the included straps, and you’re ready to roll.
final thoughts
overall, lava cart A great product that makes your RockNRoller cart much better. Of course, it’s compatible with other carts, like Gator Framework, Rockville, ProAim Vanguard, and On-Stage Cart. I think the team at Lava Kart could put extra effort into adding accessories to their range. Things like cabinets, mounts, and cables can come in handy. As for me, I’m ordering some more power management equipment and adding it to the final production cart!
