HMC150 on a crane/jib

[Superfresa66]

Hello guys, i just wanted to test my FTP server (i had it for a while with no use) and thought what a better way than uploading a video... and people say weddings are boring :grin:

There's no editing or anything, just grabbed a clip and exported it for web

here's the link http://www.recimages.com/test3.mp4

[DPStewart]

Hwy man!
Was this at the big hall in the western suburbs that has the two big swords outside where you drive in?

[Superfresa66]

Hwy man!
Was this at the big hall in the western suburbs that has the two big swords outside where you drive in?

The one by 95th Ave close to La Grange RD??? nah

but close enough... is DiNolfo's Banquets in Homer Glen Il by 159th http://www.dinolfosbanquets.com/

Where you located?

[DPStewart]

I was thinking of The SABRE Room.
Went to a Palestinian friend's wedding there.
Awesome event.
VERY Similar looking room.

I'm in L.A. now.

[Superfresa66]

Yup the Sabre Room, i was just by there today... in a hall like 1/2 mile down "Chateau Del Mar"
so you're from Chicago?

[MadHMC150]

lol funny clip.

What kind of jib you using? you have a tilt/pan head? We rent our jib at the moment but looking to get a good brand/deal.

[Superfresa66]

It's called a "DV Crane" you could tilt up and down to follow the action (works great when doing a first dance for example, you could put the arm all the way down on the floor looking up and start raising the boom while tilting the camera down to follow their heads... also great for doing room shots and cake shots and dance shots and... i like it)

At the moment there's no special pan head, the one i want is a little expensive and would rather use that money on a different toy!!! here are some links

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/557259-REG/Comely_Productions_DVC2_DVC2_DV_Crane_II.html

http://www.camcrane.com/usa-can/en/products/prd_dv_crane2_en.html

If you get a crane is also good to have a controller for the camera... the one i was using on this wedding is a Libec (only has a zoom and rec button), but i just received my "Varizoom VZ RockPZFI" http://varizoom.com/products/controls/vzrockpzfi.html that will allow me to also change aperture and focus if needed.

but the most important piece of advice when using a crane is "Never Forget the Weights" cuz if you do you will have to hang the spare tire of your car in the back (just kidding but is not fun trying to find something heavy!, i used some belt battery bricks that i used back when i had a NRG light)

As far as this video, Is almost impossible to get some decent footage for the dance part in this type of Arab Weddings (imagine 500 out of 600 people dancing all at once) and the bride and groom stay in the middle... The funny thing is when people talk to me in Arab and i have to smile and tell them I'm Latino. LOL

[Justyn]

lol funny clip.

What kind of jib you using? you have a tilt/pan head? We rent our jib at the moment but looking to get a good brand/deal.


I highly recommend the EZFX jib for its ease of set-up, strenght, and functionality... but MOSTLY.. because they are produced in Winter Garden. You can go right to their shop... talk to the guys.. and then pick one up. They also offer a deal with rentals that if you rent things from them, they will apply 50 percent of the rental to future purchases.

Not only that.. but the owners are really cool guys, they will go out of their way to help and I couldn't recommend them more... It's good to support local guy and their product is wonderful.

[Superfresa66]

I highly recommend the EZFX jib for its ease of set-up, strenght, and functionality

Can you tilt up and down without the Varizoom/mechanical head? i use this feature often and many cranes don't offer it, or make you buy a special head!

It seems like a well built crane... but at a higher price, the DV crane is good for the price and rigid enough to hold the HMC150 with no problem. I like many other cranes but many are made with the Big ENG cameras in mind!...

As far as the Maker, he's a great guy that also likes to do comic books, very friendly person
I had the pleasure of meeting him while demoing his crane!

[Justyn]

It doesn't do the movements unless you either mechanically alter the tilt with the provided arm.. or you have a motorized head. I have a few hook-ups in town to rent or borrow a motorized head.. and that's bay far the best way to have it, but its pricey and such.

It can be a bit of work to do this with just the arm though, and certainly takes practice and has some limitations. I've seen other jibs that do tilt and that's a nice feature....


The EXFX can easily handle a large cam, but that will require a good deal of counterweight.

[MadHMC150]

Hrm, the EZFX looks nice but comes with a nice price tag. I like the DV Crane also...

This may be a better deal. We use a Kessler, here is a shot on a music video shoot...:

Update: Ack that didn't work... here is from their website.

http://www.kesslercrane.com/images/stories/cranes/55.gif

[Luis_]

We use a Kessler, here is a shot on a music video shoot...:




where can i see the sample video?

[MadHMC150]

Thanks for asking, the music video is still stuck in the post production world!

I will post a link as soon as its up, but looks like it might be a week or 2.

[ZazaCast]

where can i see the sample video?

I LOVE my Kessler...and you can see it in action on any of my films: www.zazacast.com (http://www.zazacast.com)

[Everts]

Which Kessler did you get Zaza ?
The time for me to purchase one is near. Im looking at the 8 ft versions.
Thanks.

[MadHMC150]

I would go with the 8, the 5.5 is great if you want something small.

[MadHMC150]

the 5.5 is at 0:28 on this montage: http://vimeo.com/6065966

[Everts]

Nice reel Mad, which tripod are you guys using ?
Im thinking about getting a complete package. I got the 515 manfrotto legs but I m not sure if this will hold the kessler 8 ' . with camera.

[MadHMC150]

Thanks Everts,

That's my heafty Bogen-manfrotto 3046, it gets the job done for the jib or if I need a tall tripod...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/images345x345/5286.jpg

[Superfresa66]

not a crane shoot but still kind of funny
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUftSH678-s

[MadHMC150]

Hahaha... now that's not what i was expecting :)


We finally have a jib now... Its the length I want, with the features I want, almost like I made it myself... Oh yeah I did make it myself!


http://www.cflbars.com/images/jib.png

[Superfresa66]

looks cool, but can you break it down? I'm actually working on a jib myself and now have access to a machine shop... so maybe I'll start my own design line!!! =)

[MadHMC150]

Damn that would be sweet, but at least I have a make shift machine shop in the garage :)

Shoot, you should have moved to Orlando - we could manufacture these :P


I haven't cut it in half yet and made a sleeve, but I will.

[JFEditorIV]

Check out the Pro Am DVC 250. It is very reliable and gets the job done. Well made and great customer service from this company. I recommend the stand.

http://www.bargain-camera.com/store/product.php?productid=16209&cat=275&page=1

I used it in this video:

http://vimeo.com/6010094

[MadHMC150]

I thought you guys should have been in the top 5, great video.

[JFEditorIV]

Thanks a lot, I think it was because our video wasn't edgy enough for them. But we followed the rules closely so that prohibited it and for the final 5 they made exceptions.

[MadHMC150]

Guys, Check out the DIY jib finished:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=181993