Kessler Cranes
- Thread starter eureka
- Start date
wgzn
Veteran
i have had the 8 foot for a year or so. love it. but you MUST MUST MUST have a very heavy duty tripod to get the best performance from it. nothing less than say a manfrotto 510 head and 3193 legs. 528 legs are good to. either way, looking at about $1200 min for the tripod.
it WOULD work on a 501,503 head but im sure youd ruin it in about 10 uses.
i have 1 10lb, 1 5lb and 1 2.5lb weight plate (the kind at your neighborhood sporting good store) to counter balance it.
i also bought two pelican 1750 weapon cases to carry the 2, 4' sections and all associated hardware for air travel (would be happyto share my foam cut dimensions with folks with interest) from sailtech marine - cheapest pelican dealer available.
i have an ikan 8000HD monitor, manfrotto clamp and gooseneck mount to attach it. a 12 foot rca cable to get the camera out to the monitor.
also HIGHLY suggest a bebob foxi focus and their zoedvxl zoom controller. not required but open up a bunch of otherwise unavailable options.
it WOULD work on a 501,503 head but im sure youd ruin it in about 10 uses.
i have 1 10lb, 1 5lb and 1 2.5lb weight plate (the kind at your neighborhood sporting good store) to counter balance it.
i also bought two pelican 1750 weapon cases to carry the 2, 4' sections and all associated hardware for air travel (would be happyto share my foam cut dimensions with folks with interest) from sailtech marine - cheapest pelican dealer available.
i have an ikan 8000HD monitor, manfrotto clamp and gooseneck mount to attach it. a 12 foot rca cable to get the camera out to the monitor.
also HIGHLY suggest a bebob foxi focus and their zoedvxl zoom controller. not required but open up a bunch of otherwise unavailable options.
Last edited:
maverickstunts
Well-known member
absolutely the best product out there. I couldn't be happier. I have the 12/8 with a short tip and a remote head. Heavy duty tripod a must as well as video assist of some sort and a three wheel dolly.
Their service is exceptional and their equipment top notch.
Their service is exceptional and their equipment top notch.
DCERVENKA
Well-known member
wgzn - I'm definitely interested in your hardcase configuration! Thanks!
I got the 12' Kessler and I love it! I've had the thing strapped to a bow of boat going 26 mph, used it on on land, a stage, you name it! Rock solid design!
I can speak from experience and a broken 501 head plate.. You MUST have a beefy tripod and head if you want to run the 12' crane. I ended up with the 316 which I purchased on eBay for $500 or so.. You can peep my set up here: http://www.dpcfilms.com/HowTo/Articles/jibarm/
To give you an idea of how much weight you need to support... The other night I was using the entire 12' crane setup; at the end I had a Bescor motorized head and the HVX200 with the Century Optics 0.6x WA. I was running 62.5 lbs counter weight.
What started out as a $900 crane purchase blossomed into about $2000+.. This is my set up:
To keep all the cable nice and tidy (I'm running 3: the s-video, LANC controller, and Bescor controller) I picked up a roll of corrugated tubing from Fry's. I keep it secure to the crane with some velcro tie straps.
Just a few more notes.. I bought the crane before I had the DVX so the Libec zoom control was all I needed because it just controls the zoom and start/stop. For the HVX you will want a VariZoom VZ-Rock PZFI or similar that controls all 4: the start/stop, zoom, focus, and iris.
Also, I just noticed that Kessler has got something up their sleeve.. The Hydra-Turret, very nice! http://www.kesslercrane.com/images/stories/video/mov/turretteaser_MOV.mov
Add the Hydra-Turret to your kessler and you've got the utlimate rig..
I got the 12' Kessler and I love it! I've had the thing strapped to a bow of boat going 26 mph, used it on on land, a stage, you name it! Rock solid design!
I can speak from experience and a broken 501 head plate.. You MUST have a beefy tripod and head if you want to run the 12' crane. I ended up with the 316 which I purchased on eBay for $500 or so.. You can peep my set up here: http://www.dpcfilms.com/HowTo/Articles/jibarm/
To give you an idea of how much weight you need to support... The other night I was using the entire 12' crane setup; at the end I had a Bescor motorized head and the HVX200 with the Century Optics 0.6x WA. I was running 62.5 lbs counter weight.
What started out as a $900 crane purchase blossomed into about $2000+.. This is my set up:
- Kessler KC 12/8
12' Crane. Can be used as a 8' or 12' crane. - Kessler TOOL LESS KC-12
A Must have!!! No need to have a hex key while in the field... - Bogen 316 Head
Old school, but does the trick. The head is so wide that I have the slide the crane in from the front. - Bogen 3191 Legs
Older version of the 3193 (I think), but there is no where to mount the optional mid-level spreaders.. :-( - Libec LIZC3DV
ZC-3DV Mountable Zoom Control For Lanc & Panasonic DV Cameras - Bescor BEMP101
MP-101 Motorized Pan Head - Slow and barely moves a full loaded HVX, but allows you to fine tune your shots without having to worry about moving a 120+ lbs crane setup. - Bescor BERE20
RE-20 20' Extension Cord - for MP-101 Pan Head Remote Control REG - Varizoom VAVZTFT7K
VZ-TFT7U 7-Inch Widescreen Color LCD Monitor Kit, includes Carry Case, Li-Ion Battery and Charger, Shoe Mount, Sun Hood, AC Adapter, Car Adapter and Cables REG - This monitor is only good for composing your shots... - Varizoom VAVZB72
VZ-B72 Replacement Lithium Ion Battery Pack for the Varizoom - The monitor eats through batteries!
To keep all the cable nice and tidy (I'm running 3: the s-video, LANC controller, and Bescor controller) I picked up a roll of corrugated tubing from Fry's. I keep it secure to the crane with some velcro tie straps.
Just a few more notes.. I bought the crane before I had the DVX so the Libec zoom control was all I needed because it just controls the zoom and start/stop. For the HVX you will want a VariZoom VZ-Rock PZFI or similar that controls all 4: the start/stop, zoom, focus, and iris.
Also, I just noticed that Kessler has got something up their sleeve.. The Hydra-Turret, very nice! http://www.kesslercrane.com/images/stories/video/mov/turretteaser_MOV.mov
Add the Hydra-Turret to your kessler and you've got the utlimate rig..
krestofre
Knight of the Holy Order
Sure there is, but you almost have to have the mid-level speader in hand to realize where the mount points are. If the tripod is in it's most folded-down position look for the little holes slightly above the feet. Let me know if you need a pic.
I'll give another positive vote to Kessler. I've got the 8 footer and it's terrific. Also they're teasing us with the Hydra Turret add on. Once that hits then the Kessler enters a whole new realm of usefullness.
DCERVENKA
Well-known member
krestofre said:
Yes please... I've got the 3189 mid-level spreader http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=ProductDetail&A=showItemLargeImage&Q=&sku=5448 and I'm not seeing anywhere to clip it to on the tripod.. Am I that blind or is it not that obivous...?
Spidey - If it's broke then get it replaced.. Kessler's have a Lifetime Warranty ..
"If anything goes wrong, relax! Just ship us the broken or worn out part and upon receipt we will ship out a replacement within 24 hours. Lifetime guarantee applies to mechanical workings and structural integrity of crane only."
wgzn
Veteran
ok, so it didnt "broke on day one." it arrived damaged or non-complete.
could it have happened in shipping? or might you have used it incorrectly? i know my box arrived pretty well beat up. when i purchased a year or so ago they would ONLY use USPS - which i never really understood. but USPS has the worst record (in my experience) for damaging shipments.
could it have happened in shipping? or might you have used it incorrectly? i know my box arrived pretty well beat up. when i purchased a year or so ago they would ONLY use USPS - which i never really understood. but USPS has the worst record (in my experience) for damaging shipments.
Realdvxuser
Well-known member
We have the 8 foot crane as well and are really happy with the results. You can make stunning subtle movements with a crane. The crane itself is absolutely rugged, but that also makes it quite heavy on the tripod head, so indeed get a good tripod as suggested in the other posts.
A few weeks ago we were filming on a set of a feature film as we are doing 'the making of' on it. As I showed up with the crane, it was the DOP of the film that walked up to me saying he was quite impressed on how cool it works for our camera (DVX).
Anyway, good tool and I fully recommend the Kessler.
A few weeks ago we were filming on a set of a feature film as we are doing 'the making of' on it. As I showed up with the crane, it was the DOP of the film that walked up to me saying he was quite impressed on how cool it works for our camera (DVX).
Anyway, good tool and I fully recommend the Kessler.
maverickstunts
Well-known member
I have spoken with Eric Kessler several times and have quite a bit of his equipment that I am extremely happy with. In all of his dealings with me he has been and continues to be very professional and conscientious.
Did you happen to make some calls or actually try to deal with the problem? I can't believe that Eric would/could possibly not rectify the situation.
All of his equipment is first rate in my opinion.
spidey
Shogun Assassin
i just dont deal with stuff like that anymore so yeah i get a guy and i rent his 35 foot jimmy jib so im ok i just think whatever happen i dont buy from people who dont give me everything. I mean when I got my dvx I won on here. it was missing peaces and the firewire port is broken so i had to buy another camera to just to log from it. so yeah... yay...
wgzn
Veteran
"BASIC" setup would be the 8' kessler, a heavy duty tripod (ones mentioned in this thread) and a monitor+extension video cable. you'll be ready to roll with that.
beyond that, its up to your taste and budget. but i consider my list from my original post to be a pretty comprehensive crane setup. for basic shots you wont "need" remote zoom and focus but as you get more creative, they become somewhat imperative - oh and you'll need additional people on the set to drive all that.
beyond that, its up to your taste and budget. but i consider my list from my original post to be a pretty comprehensive crane setup. for basic shots you wont "need" remote zoom and focus but as you get more creative, they become somewhat imperative - oh and you'll need additional people on the set to drive all that.
