Guides & Setups

RocknRoller Steel Bearing Upgrade: Which Kit and How to Install
  • By Shane LaVancher
  • Oct 31, 2026

Which steel needle bearing set to buy for your RocknRoller cart, what tools you need, and how to install it on the back and front wheels.

How to Use a LAVA Flat: Bounce, Negative Fill, Flagging and More
  • By Shane LaVancher
  • Jul 03, 2026

The ways to use a LAVA Flat on location: bounce, negative fill, flagging, backgrounds and set division, with photos from an interview set.

4 Real LAVA Cart Setups: Studio and Location Shoots
  • By Shane LaVancher
  • May 22, 2025

Four real cart setups from working photographers and filmmakers, with what stands out in each and how to build something similar.

Fstoppers Review: Upgrading a RocknRoller R12 with a LAVA MOTI Shelf
  • By Shane LaVancher
  • Jan 16, 2025

A summary of a Fstoppers photographer's review of the LAVA MOTI shelf on a RocknRoller R12: what he liked, what he wanted more of, and how to build the same setup.

Digital Tech Cart Using a Gator Frameworks All-Terrain 52" Cart
  • By Shane LaVancher
  • May 25, 2024

A digital tech cart built on a Gator Frameworks All-Terrain cart. Gator Frameworks carts are on our compatible carts list, and we still suggest a RocknRoller for the best fit. Read the Gator cart notes.Photo submitted by New York still life photographer, Aarron Barton.

Gator Frameworks All-Terrain Cart: Compatible with LAVA Shelves
  • By Shane LaVancher
  • May 25, 2024

Gator Frameworks All-Terrain carts work with LAVA MOTI and EGON shelves. What to know before you buy, and why we still suggest a RocknRoller.

The LaVa Cart Story
  • By Shane LaVancher
  • May 30, 2023

New York City, June of 2020. The photo industry was even tougher than normal. The few clients that were still hiring for productions have their hands tied with government mandated caps on crew sizes. Crew positions to get the axe first were photo and production assistants.The few times I was...