Affordable camera crane

[dvx_filmmaker]

Hey everyone,

I am in the process of finishing construction of a camera crane I designed. I was really kind of fed up with all the crappy jibs that area available for DV production out there. To get a really good crane, it seems like you have to spend $10,000+.

In light of the response to redrock's Micro35 project, I was wondering what the response would be to bringing an affordable camera crane to the masses. So my question is, who would be potentially interested in a crane (specs below) at around a $1,500 price point? What other features would you want in one?

Specs:

- 20' arm length
- Cable-driven underslung camera head, 2-axis movement +/- ~120 degrees
- Mounted on platform with (4) 14" rubber tires, convertable to track wheels
- Can hold a camera of up to 50 pounds
- Arm is removable, base can be used as a dolly
- Arm disassembles into (4) 5' sections

This crane is by no means meant to replace a jib. It is not light, and it takes about 30 minutes to assemble on location. It's meant for those huge, sweeping crane shots we all wish we could get, but can't afford to rent a TechnoCrane.

Anyway, give me your questions and comments...

 

[mr._guiyotinne]

whoa!! would you be able to send it to Spain? is it enough answer?

And 30 minutes is not a long time! And if the arm is removable we can stuck a little jib on it for more control. It looks a perfect deal!

 

[ColdPyroWF]

...you DO know that there are alot of good cranes out there that sell for less then that. Who would really need 20' ? I wouldnt trust my camera on a piece of steel that is put togethe in 30 minutes 20' in the air. The EZ Jib is 7' for 1149$. Its amazingly strong..and cant support a full sized studio camera and tripod head.

 

[mr._guiyotinne]

hehe... ColdPyro... What i would do with a place like this... Thanks, it was for a long term, but makes it a day!

 

[taubkin]

...you DO know that there are alot of good cranes out there that sell for less then that. Who would really need 20' ? I wouldnt trust my camera on a piece of steel that is put togethe in 30 minutes 20' in the air. The EZ Jib is 7' for 1149$. Its amazingly strong..and cant support a full sized studio camera and tripod head.

I don't know ColdPyro, the EZ jib does not have automated head movement, and 20' is kind of a nice rise. I was up in a crane 20' in the air once and I trusted not only a 35mm camera but m own life to it's steel. So it really doesn't seem so crazy for me, provided the crane is quality gear and works as promised. I'd really want to know, though, how would I get such a thing in Brazil...

 

[dvx_filmmaker]

...you DO know that there are alot of good cranes out there that sell for less then that. Who would really need 20' ? I wouldnt trust my camera on a piece of steel that is put togethe in 30 minutes 20' in the air. The EZ Jib is 7' for 1149$. Its amazingly strong..and cant support a full sized studio camera and tripod head.

I am aware of the EZ FX Jib, I have actually used it before. But like I said, this is more than a jib... there are a lot of people that wish they had a 20' crane - for them, the EZ FX Jib isn't the answer. There's only so much you can do with 7', especially sans any sort of remote head movement.

 

[Director Isaac Belot]

Hey everyone,

I am in the process of finishing construction of a camera crane I designed. I was really kind of fed up with all the crappy jibs that area available for DV production out there. To get a really good crane, it seems like you have to spend $10,000+.

In light of the response to redrock's Micro35 project, I was wondering what the response would be to bringing an affordable camera crane to the masses. So my question is, who would be potentially interested in a crane (specs below) at around a $1,500 price point? What other features would you want in one?

Specs:

- 20' arm length
- Cable-driven underslung camera head, 2-axis movement +/- ~120 degrees
- Mounted on platform with (4) 14" rubber tires, convertable to track wheels
- Can hold a camera of up to 50 pounds
- Arm is removable, base can be used as a dolly
- Arm disassembles into (4) 5' sections

This crane is by no means meant to replace a jib. It is not light, and it takes about 30 minutes to assemble on location. It's meant for those huge, sweeping crane shots we all wish we could get, but can't afford to rent a TechnoCrane.

Anyway, give me your questions and comments...

Hello,

Actually, that's my target since ten years ago.

I have lately launched CineRobot, a company for professional but really affordable camera cranes and systems. And independent filmakers can get near profit free discounts. www.cinerobot.com

We have completed the fourth prototype which will enter the market in March.

A crane of 30 ft, 30 lb camera load, aluminum arm with variable speed motors for about 2500$ or less for independent filmmakers.

I congratulate you for your zeal, go on with it. Any technical questions please contact me.

Our market is primarilly the middle east, so we're not competeing against each other

 

[MadHMC150]

Any pics yet?

 

[Paul Hudson]

...you DO know that there are alot of good cranes out there that sell for less then that. Who would really need 20' ? I wouldnt trust my camera on a piece of steel that is put togethe in 30 minutes 20' in the air. The EZ Jib is 7' for 1149$. Its amazingly strong..and cant support a full sized studio camera and tripod head.

If you are going to put an expensive camera 20 feet in the air you DO NOT put it on a cheap crane. Jimmy or Jony Jib is the place to start when going to this extreme.

 

[Paul Hudson]

This is the crane we use. For obvious reasons.