Cobra Crane, TommyJib or ??

H

Heartfelt

Well-known member
In a equipment pack for a ministry I assist, I have a Cobra Crane I
with extension. It seems a bit wobbly. I have to use it like the stick
in a Cessna... "fingertips".

Working for an industrial company, I am specc'ing a future purchase.
In the lower end of crane/jib equipment, what do you prefer?

What would you recommend?

Rob
 
I would start with payload. Figure out the maximum weight you expect to fly and cull out the jibs that will not support the weight.
Also the longer the jib the more counter weight will be needed to balance the rig.

Good Luck!

Dave
 
I appreciate the reminder about weights and balances.

I actually spoke with Cobra when making the first purchase. They were great to work with. The HMC40 is very lightweight and was well within the realm of the Cobracrane I.

Maybe my expectation was too high.
 
Currently I own a Cobra Crane I+ for very small cameras, and a T2048 Trovato Tote Jib Model 48 which supports heavier cameras.

If I were shopping for a new jib, I would pick something that would not become obsolete if you purchased a new camera that was heavier than your HMC40.
 
As long your camera is under 20 lbs, it´s an excellent crane.
I own several Kessler products and swear by them.

Frank
 
Very light or you get side flexing.

With the used Trovato I have mounted an Arri 35BL4 and Cooke 25-250 + much counter balance weight. But it is a much better jib.
 
Regardless what crane you buy, you must start with a good foundation or you can get someone killed. Though there are alternatives, it would be hard to beat the Hercules Head and KPod stix from Kessler. Before you get too excited about the KC lite, make sure the control end of the crane is going to make you happy versus the standard kessler setup. Control is everything when it come to running a crane. The exception being if you are going for a motion head and will leave the crane static.

Grant
 
This thread has been sitting for a while. Just wanted to know any updates. Looking at the ProAm crane and Kessler KC-lite, or if something new is out there. Ebay has some sellers.


I would love to stay under 200, but the Kessler goes for 400. The Indy Jib 12 Ft Camera Crane Jib Boom w/ Crane Stand goes for 500$. The ProAm I might be able to get under 200 on ebay. Would love to hear your suggestions.
I have a Canon Vixia and a Panasonic HMC-150. Is the HMC150 to heavy to use with one of these.
I won't be using this a ton of time, but thought it would be cool to get some interesting shots.
 
id be HIGHLY DOUBTFUL of ANY jib under $400

i have the kessler 8 foot on a $2000 tripod and its still more wiggly than id like.
 
"i have the kessler 8 foot on a $2000 tripod and its still more wiggly than id like.

What tripod do you have it on? I have the Hercules Head and KPod sticks and have no wiggle at all.
 
My budget is a few hundred dollars. That is why I am looking at the ProAm DVC cranes and the KC lite kessler.
The kc lite is at 400$ and the Proam dvc 200 and DVC210 is under 300.00 . I think both companies are good from what I read. The ProAm offers life time warranty. I read on both that some get a wobble when you start and stop, and I am hoping to find ways to help prevent this. But really, I want to go out and have fun with one and get some cool shots. If I like it a lot, and get rich, then I can get a better one.

Not sure what the difference is between the DVC200 and DVC210. The DVC210 looks a little improved, not sure it is needed.
http://www.bargain-camera.com/store/ProAm-DVC210-DSLR-Camera-Crane-Jib-DVC210-New-Release.html
http://www.amazon.com/ProAm®-DVC200...F8&qid=1344468561&sr=8-1&keywords=proam+crane
 
I have a smaller 4 foot Glideshot jib. It can do most of what I need. I found that I could cut down some on the wiggle with a fine touch, practice and using the camera remote to start and stop. At mid to full telephoto it is next to impossible to eliminate. You can see a few jib shots here.

 
Last edited:
That is way to relaxing to watch! It must of lowered my blood pressure.
Very nice video. You should see if the hospitals would want to buy it. I was with my daughter in the hospital and they have a station with relaxing type videos like yours. But yours was so much more better.
Thanks for sharing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top