BodyCrane

Looks great.. I once saw on the web another body-mounted crane.. it put you as the central fulcrum, wrapped its two sidebeams around each side of your hips.. and you wore it kind of like a vest.. it looked interesting, but I never could find it again.

J
 
I've been doing this with my tripod for years... it works better then you think it would... especially if you have a fairly solid pod with 3 main legs (not the multiple leg "arrays") and it also helps if the head is good and smooth... and solid... with an arm (or two) that can swivel UP... so that you have one or two "arms" to hold onto... seriously I do it all the time and it works great.

Another shot from ground level up is to have the pod down with two legs back and the other leg folded under... then step on the leg ends (gently) so that you can pull the cam up from ground level... or go down to ground level... again... works better then you'd expect... but the right pod and head sure helps.
 
TeamJD, that's the other design that occured to me when I contemplated a body-mounted crane/jib arm. Probably less fatiguing to the operator but a bit dangerous for anyone standing around back of you. There's only so long that you can stand the weight anyway, personally I'd go for the simpler design even if being able to see the entire thing means its front-heavy. Of course with the counterweight behind you, you'd better hope you balanced it right or it could all end in tragedy. If you ever find a link to the body-as-fulcrum design I'd like a look though.

Matt, how many of the tripod's legs do you brace against yourself for that first technique?
 
TeamJoeDawn said:
Looks great.. I once saw on the web another body-mounted crane.. it put you as the central fulcrum, wrapped its two sidebeams around each side of your hips.. and you wore it kind of like a vest.. it looked interesting, but I never could find it again.

J
Click to expand...

You're probably talking about BodyBoom:

http://www.bodyboom.net/

The system costs more than $25,000, though. Not something easy to replicate as DIY. Here are a few other body crane/jib designs to look at for inspiration:

http://www.b-hague.co.uk/Handyjib.htm
http://www.boom-audio.com/
http://www.skycrane.com/walker.html
http://www.habbycam.com/microjib.html
http://www.mentormall.cc/getVendor.cfm?currVendorID=222
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170025546156
http://www.easternvideo.co.uk/facilities/pressreleases/stikcam.html (used by BBC for Topgear)

Back to DVmove, I've read a few posts in other forums stating it would only work with small cameras such as the Canon XM1/XM2, Sony PD100/PD10X, etc. Most people sold it after moving to larger/heavvier setups. If you're like starting a DIY yourself project on this rig you may want to try a fishing gimbal belt to prevent fatigue and muscle strain.

Lutnik
 
Yeah, this is basically an amateur product as it only works with very small handycams. I'm pretty sure even a HVX200 would be too much for it. A bigger non handcam type of camera like the HD100 or XL2 would be nearly impossible. If you add a Mini35 to them then forget it. Since those little cams aren't good for serious work this rig is really a hobbyist thing. Not a big reason for excitement there.
 
lutnik said:
You're probably talking about BodyBoom:

http://www.bodyboom.net/

The system costs more than $25,000, though. Not something easy to replicate as DIY. Here are a few other body crane/jib designs to look at for inspiration:

http://www.b-hague.co.uk/Handyjib.htm
http://www.boom-audio.com/
http://www.skycrane.com/walker.html
http://www.habbycam.com/microjib.html
http://www.mentormall.cc/getVendor.cfm?currVendorID=222
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170025546156
http://www.easternvideo.co.uk/facilities/pressreleases/stikcam.html (used by BBC for Topgear)

Back to DVmove, I've read a few posts in other forums stating it would only work with small cameras such as the Canon XM1/XM2, Sony PD100/PD10X, etc. Most people sold it after moving to larger/heavvier setups. If you're like starting a DIY yourself project on this rig you may want to try a fishing gimbal belt to prevent fatigue and muscle strain.

Lutnik
Click to expand...

Yep.. that is exactly what I was talking about.. looks smooth in their videos.. but $25k?????? Youch..
 
lutnik said:
Back to DVmove, I've read a few posts in other forums stating it would only work with small cameras such as the Canon XM1/XM2, Sony PD100/PD10X, etc.
Click to expand...

That's what I was afraid of. I guess I'll go with the original plan, when I scrape up the money--Kessler.
 
HappyGobo said:
That's what I was afraid of. I guess I'll go with the original plan, when I scrape up the money--Kessler.
Click to expand...


The only cranes that will work with the DVX100 and HVX200 are CoolCam DV and CoolCam HDV from BoomAudio (http://www.boom-audio.com). Both can be used on harness or tripod for extended flexibility. I've never come across them in a production environment, but their customer portfolio is quite impressive. With a bit of work you may be able to reproduce that design to build your own rig.

Lutnik
 
I wouldn't want to wear a crane. Part of the appeal of the "BodyCrane" was its simplicity. But if it won't hold an HVX, it won't do. A body-mounted crane seems like a great idea, but the only way it'd be worth the trouble is if you could use it as a Steadicam that makes jib moves, so you can swoop in, track with a subject for a while, swoop back down, up and away...all in one take. The operator for that sort of thing would have to be built like a tank. Last time I checked, I'm built more like, oh, spaghetti: skinny and pale. I'll keep it in mind for when I direct my Hollywood corporate sellout movie though (let's hope that's soon, hah).
 
HappyGobo said:
I wouldn't want to wear a crane. Part of the appeal of the "BodyCrane" was its simplicity. But if it won't hold an HVX, it won't do. A body-mounted crane seems like a great idea, but the only way it'd be worth the trouble is if you could use it as a Steadicam that makes jib moves, so you can swoop in, track with a subject for a while, swoop back down, up and away...all in one take. The operator for that sort of thing would have to be built like a tank. Last time I checked, I'm built more like, oh, spaghetti: skinny and pale. I'll keep it in mind for when I direct my Hollywood corporate sellout movie though (let's hope that's soon, hah).
Click to expand...

Mmmmm. Looks like both of us would benefit from some kind of bionic aid like this:

http://www.newscientist.com/data/images/archive/2494/24945801.jpg

:grin:

Lutnik
 
HappyGobo said:
I'll need a jetpack on it so I can get helicopter shots too, of course. Or a backpack rotor assembly, I'm not picky.
Click to expand...

Well,... glad you aren't picky.. :-)


How about a really high-sprung pogo stick?

J
 
lutnik said:
You're probably talking about BodyBoom:

http://www.bodyboom.net/

The system costs more than $25,000, though. Not something easy to replicate as DIY. Here are a few other body crane/jib designs to look at for inspiration:

http://www.b-hague.co.uk/Handyjib.htm
http://www.boom-audio.com/
http://www.skycrane.com/walker.html
http://www.habbycam.com/microjib.html
http://www.mentormall.cc/getVendor.cfm?currVendorID=222
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170025546156
http://www.easternvideo.co.uk/facilities/pressreleases/stikcam.html (used by BBC for Topgear)

Back to DVmove, I've read a few posts in other forums stating it would only work with small cameras such as the Canon XM1/XM2, Sony PD100/PD10X, etc. Most people sold it after moving to larger/heavvier setups. If you're like starting a DIY yourself project on this rig you may want to try a fishing gimbal belt to prevent fatigue and muscle strain.

Lutnik
Click to expand...
I think these look great as DIY projects.. especially the skycrane walker and handijib.. Anybody ever tried to make these, yet? handheld?



J
 
Well...I had a hand in designing something like the "skyeyewalker," except it uses a counterweight and the operator has to hold it a certain way for the effect. No pulley system or moving parts, only the operator moves. If I put an angle attachment on it I could probably open up some different angles previously unconsidered. To give you an idea, it's sort of like the DV MultiRig, but a bit more versatile. It's also solid--gives you something to work with, lets you relate to the camera spacially in different ways. I still haven't had a chance to test it out with a DVX or HVX on it, so any post regarding this little rig will have to wait until then...I'm looking forward to that test though, which should prove whether I'm a genius or just full of $hit.
 
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TeamJoeDawn said:
I think these look great as DIY projects.. especially the skycrane walker and handijib.. Anybody ever tried to make these, yet? handheld?



J
Click to expand...

The one problem with these little handheld jibs.. they all seem to recommend a small camera.. not one of them shows a website with anything sizeable on it, like a DVX...

J
 
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