What crane should I buy?

cinebuddy said:
Anyone have any experience with Nuangle? http://nuangle.com/NX.htm
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I am purchasing this model and I'll give you my opinion after I do some tests. I'll be mounting the whole crane to an old 35mm tripod with a 150mm bowl mounted head. The crane is 23lbs and I'm going to mount a remote motorized head @ 8.5lbs and my DVX @ 7lbs for a total of 39lbs. I think the tripod and head will work with 39lbs considering the old 35mm film cameras were pretty stinkin heavy.

-Kevin
 
Hey Jason,

It'll be shipped on the 28th and most likely arrive the end of the month. I went through Paypal. What a hassle. Had to wait 3 days to activate my account. Had to wait 3 more days to transfer funds via e-check. Now I'm waiting for confirmation of recieved payment. When I get it I'm going to put it through some tests and I'll post them with the footage.

-Kevin
 
Here's a question regarding the Kessler cranes:

Why is the 5.5' model $430, but the 8' model is only $10 more...?

I mean, the 8' looks like it could be the 5' with the extension thing, but they sell the extension alone for $200. Doesn't make sense to me, I must be missing something. :huh:
 
Ryan_W said:
Here's a question regarding the Kessler cranes:

Why is the 5.5' model $430, but the 8' model is only $10 more...?

I mean, the 8' looks like it could be the 5' with the extension thing, but they sell the extension alone for $200. Doesn't make sense to me, I must be missing something. :huh:
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I wondered the same thing, but since I'm about to order the 8 foot model I didn't want to bring that to the attention of anyone causing me to pay more. But I doubt it's a mistake, both sizes have their advantages.
 
Re: Kessler -- I think it's because the sections that make it either 5-foot or 8-foot replace each other. That is, you're not adding a piece onto the 5-footer to make it an 8. So you don't automatically get a 5-footer when you but the 8. Why the prices are so close, though, I have no idea.

Ram -- let us know if you like it as much as Jarred did in his review. What options are you getting with it?
 
JasonFox said:
Ram -- let us know if you like it as much as Jarred did in his review. What options are you getting with it?
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I am ordering the Tool-Less package, Verticle Brake and Zoom Commander DVX. I'll let you know what I think about it as soon as I use it. Everything will be orderd this friday.
 
I ordered my package from Kessler about an hour ago. I can't wait to receive it, i almost boaught a cobra crane, but I think I made a better choice.
 
It's here!!

It's here!!

X-Mas came early yesturday. My Nuangle (now Dreamshot Manufacturing) crane arrived finally yesturday. I'll be updating this thread over the next couple of days with footage and pros and cons.

ANYONE IN SEATTLE HAVE ANY OF THE CRANES TALKED ABOUT IN THIS THREAD? WE SHOULD HOOK UP AND DO SOME COMPARISONS!!!

excited..

-Kevin
 
My Kessler KC8 crane and accessories came on friday and I will be using it on a music video shoot later on today. So far I love it, the Tv station a work at has a jib so it's not my first experience with one. I'll update on my experience of actually using it in a shoot ina couple days.
 
Well I decided to time myself setting up my Nuangle(Dreamshot Manufacturing) crane for the second time. I did it in 3.5 minutes. I think under 10 minutes is easily doable to build the crane, mount it on the tripod, attach the camera, and balance the weight. There are no tools needed in the crane assembly. I used a 5 gallon bucket of water to balance the crane. I'll be posting footage and my opinion over the next couple days. I have already found some pros and cons.

Here are all the parts before assembly:
19005093254.jpg


Here is the crane on a nice little temporary tripod I built:
19005163328.jpg


Another view:
19005201158.jpg


-Kevin
 
First impression

First impression

Hey Fellow users. Sounds like I'm at a drug rehab meeting. Ok so I'm going to give my first impression on the Nuangle (Dreamshot Manufacturing) camera crane. If you have any tests you want me to do or questions shoot them over to me…Here goes:

Here is a short video I shot the same day the crane arrived:

http://media.putfile.com/CRANE-96

I had to build the tripod you see above from 2x4’s so I didn’t ruin my fluid head tripod. The panning is horrible since the metal crane base was just resting on the wood base I built. Also the vertical movement is bad since I just rested the crane with the supplied bolt on the wood tripod without securing it down so I could still pan. I’ll do more testing once I get a proper tripod.

In my analysis I will be comparing the Nuangle (Dreamshot Manufacturing) crane to the Kessler crane based on the videos I have seen on kesslercrane.com. Note: I have never used the Kessler crane so if I make incorrect presumptions please correct me.

Tech Specs
Max verticle reach: 14'
Min operational length: 7'
Max length of dissassembled parts: 34"
Camera table mounting threads Industry standard 1/4" and 3/8"
Unit Weight: 23lbs @ 13'
Materials: T-6 aluminum with impact powder coat finish.
Finish Impact resistant Wrinkle powder coat

-The crane will extend to approx 14' high on a 6' tripod. It went 12.5" high on the 4' tripod I built you see in the pictures. The crane will also operate at a 7’ height and a 10’ height. You simply remove one of the 34” sections to reach 10’ and remove 2 sections to reach a 7’ length. So 3 lengths gives quite a bit of flexibility. I plan on having Matt machine me a riser for the end of the crane to get me up a couple more feet. I also talked with him about buying a second crane and connecting them in the middle to give me a 32lb payload capacity (It’ll look like the Kessler if I do this.). He said he would be able to make the connectors and work with me on any other misc parts I might need. I think he is able to do this because he does all the machine work himself.

-The crane was packaged well. Nothing got lost or damaged in shipping. Matt at Dreamshot Manufacturing was easy to deal with and very prompt to respond to my questions via e-mail. Some of the aluminum shavings were left in the end piece which was easily cleaned out, but inconvenient.

-I was told by Matt that Nuangle has been sold to him at Dreamshot Manufacturing. I don't think he even has a new web site up yet. I managed to get a great deal buying my crane on e-bay. If you are considering buying this crane pm me and I’ll give you Matt’s ebay name and contact info. PS: He said I can get a discount on a future purchase if someone decides to buy an item from him and mentions my name. Note: This is not going to sway my report on this crane in any way.

-The crane is well made with sturdy aluminum, and coated in some thin black crap which I guess is to cut down on reflections? The machining work is good, but a little inconsistent and I had to take a file and slightly modify a part. I will show you what I modified and show the inconsistency in my assembly video later this week.

-The crane came with no setup instructions, and for the technically un-savvy this could be an issue. I had no problem figuring it out and was able to put it together in 3.5 minutes on my second try.

-The Nuangle crane can be assembled without any tools, which is very handy. I noticed that Kessler charges an extra amount for their tool-less kit, and in the assembly video of the Kessler tool-less kit he uses an alan wrench to secure the weights…kind of funny. I wonder why they don’t just include the tool less kit in the first place? The Nuangle tool less set up need some improvement in my opinion, and I’ll modify the crane and talk about this in an assembly video I’ll be shooting later this week.

-The pole that hangs below and runs from the tripod to the end of the crane needs improvement. The pole is used to control the angle the camera is at, and it’s held together with some small wing nuts and a washer. The wing nut is threaded into the inside pole and the pressure from the wing nut being tightened is suppose to hold the pole sections together. I found the pole sections coming apart multiple times while I was testing the crane. I tightened them down as hard as I could and still had it come apart at least once. My solution is a simple neoprene washer which will act as more of a lock washer. The current configuration relies on the friction between the wing nut/washer combo, and the metal pole itself. I’ll explain this more in the assembly video I shoot later this week.

-The Nuangle crane does not have the option to use a fluid head to tilt the camera while in flight on the end of the crane(Kessler Manual Mode). It will keep the camera at any angle you decide while moving the crane up and down. The Kessler has an excellent way to be able to use a tripod head to tilt the camera while the crane is moving. The Nuangle is able to do the Kessler automatic, and automatic fixed angle mode. I will show how on the video later this week.

-Kessler has some guarantees where I see none on Nuangle’s site.

-Kessler has footage!!! How to guides!!! Etc. Nuangle has 4 pictures and that is it!!!

-Kessler has some great accessories. Matt at Nuangle/Dreamshot says he will machine parts to meet most needs.

-Kessler has testimonials. Nuangle needs to get on the ball if they want to sell more products.

-Kessler breaks into 4’ sections. Nuangle breaks into 3’ sections.

-Kessler 8’ weighs 17lbs. Nuangle 14’ weighs 23 lbs.


More to come right now I’m tired

-Kevin
 
Ok, I shot some assembly footage today, but I have to upload and encode so it'll be a while.

A-man(Atias?). I checked it out and it looks like a really cool concept. I think if it catches on there will be a huge learning curve just like the steadicam units. I also think it will take an above average user to be able to manage the weight for extended periods. I see you have a link to the site on your signature, so maybe you could fill us in on any questions we might have? I downloaded all the sample footage and the biggest issue I see is, "what makes this better than a standard crane"? It looks like the selling point is it can be used on a person giving you the flexability and portability to take a crane shot anywhere you need it quickley. Based on the pictures and videos it looks like a somewhat complicated setup. Mounting the crane to the body would take away that mechanical feel to the footage somewhat and I don’t suppose you can get a moving shot since it’s hard mounted to the waiste. How reliable is the wire system that controls the tilting? I think it would take a master to get good shots with the Cool Cam. I think the average user would just get tired and mount the Cool Cam on a tripod and turn it into a regular crane. If that is the case the construction to keep the Cool Cam light looks like it would inhibit the amount of weight that it could hold without warping the pole unless it’s made from titanium, then I’d have to wonder how much$$$$? I wasn’t able to find the price A-man. Do you know how much they are selling for?

Now the Kit Cool boom pole holder looks like a killer product. I'll keep that in mind for a future purchase.

Please correct me if I’m wrong. I really wonder what the benefits are over the traditional crane. I doubt it’s cheap.

-Kevin
 
Video time

Video time

Ok guys/gals I finally put a little video together. I know I'm a techi-nerd, but I hope this helps someone. I forgot to cover some topics in the video and forgot at least one of the modifications I wanted to show, so I'll try to do it with pictures in the following days.

Here is the assembly video staring me:
http://media.putfile.com/CRANE2

The shavings I mentioned above.
19306542767.jpg
 
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IS ANYONE BENEFITING FROM MY PREVIOUS POSTS?

I have some good footage finally and more imput on the crane with a good tripod I'd like to post, but if no one is interested I'll just waiste my time on something else.

-Kevin
 
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One thing is the host not sure if its cause Im on a mac and trying to use WMP but after a bout 50% of play it goes dead on me. But I did see enough to tell me not to use one of these cranes so very beneficial to me. Im not the sort of person who can buy something and spend time making it work right. But I still like cheap :P

Id also consider dropping all your info into a new thread so people can see its now a crane review.
 
Ty

Ty

ncje said:
One thing is the host not sure if its cause Im on a mac and trying to use WMP but after a bout 50% of play it goes dead on me. But I did see enough to tell me not to use one of these cranes so very beneficial to me. Im not the sort of person who can buy something and spend time making it work right. But I still like cheap :P
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I think I'll re-encode it. I ended up buying my crane off ebay and got it for $355. with shipping, so for me it was worth a try. I think the only contender close to this price range is the Kessler Crane and there are pros and cons with both, although I do beleive the Kessler is a better manufactured product.

ncje said:
Id also consider dropping all your info into a new thread so people can see its now a crane review.
Click to expand...

Thanks ncje, I'll do just that.

-Kevin
 
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