Crane for Tripod

T

Thinketernity

Active member
Hi guys... if I wanted to get a crane... Like the

*CobraCrane II Plus

Could I put it on the tripod I have now?

*BOGEN
3130-3021BN TRIPOD KIT

Does the crane mount on the tripod head or something else?
 
Re: Crane for Tripod

It mounts on the tripod head. It's fairly heavy and there are guidelines as to what head you should use. Promax should have it listed but if they don't, you should call them and find out.

I bought my crane a few years ago and remember having difficulties supporting such a load on a head that wasn't compatible.
 
Re: Crane for Tripod

What head do you use now?

Is it quite sufficient, or do you wish you'd gotten a heavier duty head?


Thanks for your time disjecta, and I really really appreciate your work.
 
Re: Crane for Tripod

This is my current configuration:

Bogen / Manfrotto
3046 Tripod Legs
   
Bogen / Manfrotto
516 Pro Video Fluid Head

Legs matter less once you don't have a flimsy Walmart tripod...which you don't :) My tripod legs support 26lbs
 
Re: Crane for Tripod

Skip the Promax Cranes... they're crap because of the fact that its movement is entirely depended on the tripod head. You'll be wearing your head out that much faster. Get the SkyCrane JR. I just bought it for my 3021 legs. Even though those legs are not recommended, They worked nicely after I tightened down the locking clamps. The Skycrane JR has it's own built in head so you just screw it onto the legs. It's $550 and well worth it IMHO. pics of crane+legs below.

http://www.pbase.com/booggerg/room
 
Re: Crane for Tripod

With all due respect, booggerg, the Cobra Crane is anything but "crap". I have used mine extensively for almost 3 years with the same tripod head and it has not shown any signs of wear and tear.
 
Re: Crane for Tripod

hmm...i agree w/ disjecta...the cobracranes are way far from being "crap". i've used a cobracrane(one arm version) since 1998 and still going strong. i originally used it w/ a bogen 3063 head(similar to the 501) but now use it w/ a 3066 head( replaced by the 516). eternity, i would recommend something similar to the 516 because as you add the camera and plates, the smaller heads tend to bend the "L" bracket.
 
Re: Crane for Tripod

The extra money you have to shell out for a good fluid head, makes up the price difference between the Cobra I and the Skycrane JR.  Operating the Cobra is also trickier because it involves you to move the tripod head's handle to level the camera end, while pushing the crane at the weight end to perform any arcs or height adjustment. I've used a Cobra Crane II and it simply can not compare to the SkyCrane in ease use.

Also beware that Promax doesn't accept returns and the few times I've dealt with a Promax salesperson, it was never a satisfactory experience.
 
Re: Crane for Tripod

Will the Bogen 501 head be okay? I also have the 3046 legs. I love the height on those legs. I just did a wedding out doors - eek, no balcony for my third camera! But with that 7 foot high tripod and my teenage son (and camera operator) on a chair, it shot over the heads nicely.
 
Re: Crane for Tripod

So is there any way to change the angle of a shot while you're moving the crane up and down, to and fro?

Or do you just have to set it at the angle you think will be best and just hope the shot looks good?

Can you pull wires or press buttons to change the angle?
 
Re: Crane for Tripod

www.skycrane.com

http://www.dvinfo.net/articles/camsupport/skycranejr.php

Cobra crane in action.. sucky that you have to reach far with both arms. ???
DSCN0049.jpg
 
Re: Crane for Tripod

[quote author=Thinketernity link=board=Links;num=1098109763;start=0#10 date=10/19/04 at 04:52:44]So is there any way to change the angle of a shot while you're moving the crane up and down, to and fro?[/quote]

My understanding is that you can "change the angle" as you say by tilting the camera up and down on most cranes (except, I believe, the Glidecam). You can pan by moving the tripod head side to side, but you can't get the effect of moving the camera to the side while maintaining focus on a stationary object. For that, you would need one of the expensive pan/tilt heads.
 
Re: Crane for Tripod

is the skyscrane jr set in place on the tripod? or can you..."push" it fartehr out and pulll it farther in?
 
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