D7000, Kessler KC Lite 8, Small DP6

[rbd]

Please forgive my absolute ignorance.

All of this is new to me.

I'm shooting a Nikon D7000, which has some obvious limitations.

I ordered a Kessler KC Lite-8 crane.

Will I absolutely need the brake for the crane?

I also ordered the Small DP6.

In operating the crane, I can see the advantage of having the monitor closer to the rear, so I ordered both a short HDMI cable, and a 6' cable.

Now…

In early experiments with the Small--I at first thought was a retard. I'm not, but I am 63--it seems that to take full advantage of the monitor, it would be good to have it mounted on the camera.

Would it also be worth the effort to make provision for mounting nearer the tripod?

I'd like to mount an extra shoe on the crane camera plate, to hold a Zoom for informal audio.

Any and all comments would be appreciated.

Do understand that I am on a short budget, and the crane and monitor pretty much broke the bank.

And… my hat is off to all the contributors that make this forum an impressive combination of intelligence, experience, and accomplishment.

rbd

 

[david_p]

ive got the 12' kessler with the motorized head and oracle controller. ive also got the extension on the back end (cant remember what its called) that adds a bit more length.

so although i dont have exactly what you have there are similarities on some things.

i also use the small hd 6. i mount it very close to the rear controlling area about 2-3' from where ill be standing. i bought kessler's monitor mounting bracket which attaches easily and firmly to any part of the crane's structure. honestly though on the placement of the DP6, i just say you can put the dp6 where ever you want. there are times that i dont use the motor head and i just mount the camera on a ball head that attaches to a plate (that accepts the ball head) that attaches to the front of the crane. this is great for more nuanced operation. here you can pan L&R while raising up and down with the crane (diagonals) and "still pan the camera seperately because its on a ball head that moves in any direction independently. in this situation ill move the DP6 up close to the camera or sometimes i wont even bother and just use the LDC on the camera although not as functional as having the larger monitor that you can "angle" in your direction to best suit your moves that you plan to do.

im using an ex1, hmc150 & 5DmkII on the crane so ive had to invest in a bunch of various cables from HDMI, composite plus extension cables for my thumb controllers on the video cameras. on thing i will say as to cables...always buy reasonably longer than you think you will need. you want to make sure your not to tight which will stress the ports out of the camera and also ports on the dp6. i thought i was liberal in my length estimates but hadnt fully considered the motor head in its full 360 degree movements making it easy to reel up available slack quickly and dangerously.

the DP6 has been a great monitor which i use on all of my cameras from time to time. a word of caution though...ive seen various posts on forums showing "burn spots" of burned out pixels on the DP6 caused when used in direct sunlight. you might want to research this a bit. the DP6 does come with their attachable hood but it still possible to have sun going into it depending on the angle you monitor is at. ive been very careful and most of my shooting has not involved sunlight luckily.

im actually thinking about buying the KC Lite 8' as well. if i did id just leave it erected so i could just throw it on the Kpod/hercules head without having to put it all together. i love my 12' w/revolution head and all but its way beyond a one man operation and quick in and out gigs and even on the better paying gigs that i use it for i never look forward to erecting it and taking it apart.

let me know what you think of the rigidness of your crane and how sensitive it is your controlling movements. for $400 if its solid id buy it just for the convience of it staying erected.

david