Advice on a good crane

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abyss_76

New member
Hello Folks,

I hope all is well. I am requesting your expertise, comments, recemmendations, and feedback concerning a good reliable crane.

I went through several threads and saw some feedback. I've been doing some research on several cranes but I'd really love to get some feedback from people who have actually used these cranes.

These are the ones I've come across so far;

http://www.advantajib.com/price.html ($1799)

http://www2.promax.com CobraCrane2($500)

http://www.kesslercrane.com (KC-12/8) (variety of prices)

http://www.glidecam.com (camcrane200)

I'll also need a monitor for this, any recommendations for that?

I plan to purchase one this week, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Imran

(www.justsaygofilms.com)
(www.americanramadan.com)
 
I use the glidecam camcrane 200 and have been greatly pleased with it! The main reason I decided on that one was because of it's mounting. It mounts directly on the tripod legs and not on the fluid head. The crane by itself offers no tilt, but you can attach a fluid head (or motorized head) to achieve more complicated crane movements. All in all for the price you can't beat it!

-Jon
 
The Kessler
you can always add to it, I got the 5.5 and use a 7 inch dvd player for my monitor
and if go up to the 8 or 12 foot crane you just add there head for 200.
 
I say the Kessler as well. I like the way I can sling the camera whichever way I want, bolt on more sections for added length and the auto function. Not to mention the most rigidly built crane I have ever come in contact with.
 
I got the Advantajib. It is by far the best jib I have used. The fact that it is pneumatic and it's smooth as butter. I have tried a bunch of different ones and finally landed on the Advantajib because of three things: ease of use and set up, smooth as a babies bottom, and the pan and tilt angles are excellent!
 
Kessler is probably the best of the $500 and below cranes. Very sturdy, but it can't tilt straight down when elevated, and it's two part arm extension construction can jiggle a bit. Can be a bit tough to execute head tilts while operating the crane (but it gets better with practice). It's very good, but the more expensive cranes probably address these issues, if you have the money.
 
Thanks guys for your input, I really appreciate it.
Now, time to make a decision!!!

I'll let you guys know which one I got and how I find it.

Peace,
Imran
 
We use the EZFX fitted with the Varizoom MC100 head for CineAlta F900 / 350, HVX200 and Z1U. It is capable of handling 22lbs., so the CAs are right at the edge.

The EZFX isn't quick to set up, and with a 15' reach and 20lb. capacity, you absolutely must run it on a turnbuckled pedestal like the 100mm bowl version avaialble through EZFX.

ezfx_mbc1.jpg


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overlandfilms said:
We use the EZFX fitted with the Varizoom MC100 head for CineAlta F900 / 350, HVX200 and Z1U. It is capable of handling 22lbs., so the CAs are right at the edge.

The EZFX isn't quick to set up, and with a 15' reach and 20lb. capacity, you absolutely must run it on a turnbuckled pedestal like the 100mm bowl version avaialble through EZFX.

ezfx_mbc1.jpg


e
Click to expand...

Wow, I've been in the market for a crane, and wow, that's the baby I want. Wonder what I can get for a slightly used kidney.
 
jonack said:
I got the Advantajib. It is by far the best jib I have used. The fact that it is pneumatic and it's smooth as butter. I have tried a bunch of different ones and finally landed on the Advantajib because of three things: ease of use and set up, smooth as a babies bottom, and the pan and tilt angles are excellent!
Click to expand...
Hey Jonack,

Do you have any samples online using the jib?
 
Just wondering if anyone knows if it's really necessary to go for the 12 ft kessler or if the 8 foot will cover most situations.

Most times I ask this it probably means it will be necessary, but you never know!
 
Dunno what a kidney goes for (wake up half-dead in a bathtub full of ice versus donor program), but that configuration is about $8k less HD monitoring.

:)

e
 
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