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Kessler Crane Review
- Thread starter Jarred Land
- Start date
acoreasc said:
We just got an HVX200 and got all of the Redrock gear so now we are moving into the other great toys. The only thing I do not like about the HVX200 is that it is never around. Everyone stops by and sees it and next thing I know it is out the door on someone's shoot. I need to get one just for myself.
keynstring
Well-known member
I love mine. I've had it for about 3 months now. Easy setup/breakdown. Solid as a rock. Immediate street cred when you pull it out. Great support from Eric at Kessler. Two thumbs up.
JwrFord said:
Are you talking about the fine tuning weights? As for the main weights I used a combination of 2 1/2 thru 25 pound weights from the local sporting goods store. Cost me about $50 or so for the set. The fine tuning weights allow for slight shift in overall balance of the unit. Allows you to get perfect balance as opposed to trying to find the right combo out of the gym weights. Just get it close and then move the fine tuning weights back and forth and you are set.
As for the questions about the head I don't think I understand what you are asking. If you are asking about the Fluid Swivel Head you should visit the Kessler Crane website. They have some great video demos of all of the different pieces. This may give you some better insight into the products as the pictures only do it half the justice it deserves.
Let me know if there is anything that I can answer and I will do my best.
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Thanks alot man its awesome that your doing this to further all of our knowledge. Kudos.
I was curious how the camera head that attaches to the actual camera sits if you do not opt with the ball plate. I will check back and edit my comment tomorrow if it still is confusing. When I am tired I have "quite the way with words" haha
ie) THE glidecrane attaches the head (IE 501,503) to an L bracket riddled with holes like a fine swiss cheese ;-) so you can select the optimum location for the head to attach.
I was curious how the camera head that attaches to the actual camera sits if you do not opt with the ball plate. I will check back and edit my comment tomorrow if it still is confusing. When I am tired I have "quite the way with words" haha
ie) THE glidecrane attaches the head (IE 501,503) to an L bracket riddled with holes like a fine swiss cheese ;-) so you can select the optimum location for the head to attach.
JwrFord,
If you do not buy the ball plate deal then there is a couple of ways to mount. There are two long slots with a hole in the middle of them. If you do not opt to go for the center hole you can slide the mounting screw in one of the two slots. It seems as though you would have and infinite amount of adjustment in the center of the plate. I looked at the Glidecrane and it does have a lot of holes. The Kessler only has the three centered on the bracket. Hope that helps.
Sean
If you do not buy the ball plate deal then there is a couple of ways to mount. There are two long slots with a hole in the middle of them. If you do not opt to go for the center hole you can slide the mounting screw in one of the two slots. It seems as though you would have and infinite amount of adjustment in the center of the plate. I looked at the Glidecrane and it does have a lot of holes. The Kessler only has the three centered on the bracket. Hope that helps.
Sean
Look out Spielberg, Iv'e got a Kessler Crane now... Buwa- Ha. Ha. Ha. Haa...
Look out Spielberg, Iv'e got a Kessler Crane now... Buwa- Ha. Ha. Ha. Haa...
Thanks for the detailed review Jared!
Between your account, other posts here and the great videos at the Kessler Crane website, I finally decided on the KC-8, basket, tuning weights, brake, fluid head, bag, monitor bracket, quick-release screws etc, etc. About a grand for all trimmings + S&H.
I ordered late afternoon yesterday (a Saturday) and 12:40 pm today I received my tracking number. Talk about fast turnaround and on a weekend as well!
I am really amped up about this product... I should receive it in a couple days. I'll let you guys know what I think as well...
Again Jared, Kudos on taking the time to write a great review.
:dankk2:
Look out Spielberg, Iv'e got a Kessler Crane now... Buwa- Ha. Ha. Ha. Haa...
Jarred Land said:
Thanks for the detailed review Jared!
Between your account, other posts here and the great videos at the Kessler Crane website, I finally decided on the KC-8, basket, tuning weights, brake, fluid head, bag, monitor bracket, quick-release screws etc, etc. About a grand for all trimmings + S&H.
I ordered late afternoon yesterday (a Saturday) and 12:40 pm today I received my tracking number. Talk about fast turnaround and on a weekend as well!
I am really amped up about this product... I should receive it in a couple days. I'll let you guys know what I think as well...
Again Jared, Kudos on taking the time to write a great review.
:dankk2:
thank mr. buck for taking it out and reviewing it.. and thank Kessler for making a great product.
hobbes
Member
hey guys
i bought the glidecam camcrane 200, and i guess i wouldn't buy it again. it's a good product, but i really think the kessler is better. there are no accessories you can buy (the brake is nice) and it bounces a little... but still, if you know how to handle this one, you get some reeally nice shots...
i bought the glidecam camcrane 200, and i guess i wouldn't buy it again. it's a good product, but i really think the kessler is better. there are no accessories you can buy (the brake is nice) and it bounces a little... but still, if you know how to handle this one, you get some reeally nice shots...
MiniMan13
Well-known member
I have Setup, and operated the Kessler crane on 2 diffrent Short films, Its a Quick setup, Fairly Durable, and gets the job done. The only thing thats a little annoying is some of the Bolts/Nuts Will strip after alot of use, but we just picked some of the same ones at a local hardware store.
definately a one man operation. Nothing requires 2 people.. unless you of course wanna offload carrying the weights to someone ha ha ha.
maverickstunts
Well-known member
I have a Kessler 12/8 with the short head extension also. The one that makes the crane 5 1/2 feet long for indoor shoots. I have pitched Eric's cranes on this forum before. It is invaluable as a tool on the set. You can also see some of the footage that we shot for national commercial spots on the Kessler site. We won a "Telly" award for "The Garage Lady". This crane and the service that Eric gives you are second to none.
What we did also was purchase a three wheel tripod dolly from Samy's for a couple of hundred dollars. We shot with the crane at the Pomona Fairplex and dollied the entire length of the building with the crane up and with about 3 thousand people on the floor for EASYRIDERS EVENTS.
What we did also was purchase a three wheel tripod dolly from Samy's for a couple of hundred dollars. We shot with the crane at the Pomona Fairplex and dollied the entire length of the building with the crane up and with about 3 thousand people on the floor for EASYRIDERS EVENTS.
A big Your Welcome to those of you who have responded to my article and congrats to all of you who own one. I used the demo one on a 11 day indie feature shoot and it was great. We used it more times than on sticks. The only downside was when Jared came by to visit and saw it in the corner. He drug me all the way out into the parking lot kicking and screaming trying to hold onto it. I guess I have to buy my own now. :crybaby: