Kressler Crane Kit for HMC

Depends on your shooting needs:

The 12ft is pretty much an outside tool unless you have some pretty high ceilings. You can buy the 8/12 kit and add the short tip for not much more. I have used the short tip more than the others. The most important decision is how you want to configure the controls. Though not essential, the rear control center offers an easier setup for a monitor, and cam controls. The add ons are pretty important to functionality, leave some money in your budget for stuff like a half ball, ball relocator, a seat bracket, dolly wheels, monitor and cables. I added a Bescor motorized head, though not good for panned shots, is really handy.

Though it takes a little practice, the Kessler is pretty easy to set up.

Not sure if you were going to include the Kpod and Herc head, but whatever you mount the crane to, make sure it really skookum as the assembled crane with cam and counterweights will stress most sticks and heads. I recommend the Kpod since it has the brute strength needed for the work and is relatively inexpensive. Since the Kpod has a 100mm bowel, you could use it for other work by adding a different head. The Hercules head is very strong, but not a fluid head.

Overall the Kessler is pretty good stuff for the money, and they are developing new stuff constantly.

Grant
 
ggrantly said:
Depends on your shooting needs:

The 12ft is pretty much an outside tool unless you have some pretty high ceilings. You can buy the 8/12 kit and add the short tip for not much more. I have used the short tip more than the others. The most important decision is how you want to configure the controls. Though not essential, the rear control center offers an easier setup for a monitor, and cam controls. The add ons are pretty important to functionality, leave some money in your budget for stuff like a half ball, ball relocator, a seat bracket, dolly wheels, monitor and cables. I added a Bescor motorized head, though not good for panned shots, is really handy.

Though it takes a little practice, the Kessler is pretty easy to set up.

Not sure if you were going to include the Kpod and Herc head, but whatever you mount the crane to, make sure it really skookum as the assembled crane with cam and counterweights will stress most sticks and heads. I recommend the Kpod since it has the brute strength needed for the work and is relatively inexpensive. Since the Kpod has a 100mm bowel, you could use it for other work by adding a different head. The Hercules head is very strong, but not a fluid head.

Overall the Kessler is pretty good stuff for the money, and they are developing new stuff constantly.

Grant
Click to expand...

thanks. Can you shorten the 12 feet to 8 feet ?
 
yes, you start with the turret assembly, then start adding pieces like a lego set short tip, or 8ft, or 12ft or longer. Add the control station, and whatever other accessories you need.

kessler has pretty good videos of all this stuff on their website and is worth looking at before you buy.

Grant
 
ggrantly said:
yes, you start with the turret assembly, then start adding pieces like a lego set short tip, or 8ft, or 12ft or longer. Add the control station, and whatever other accessories you need.

kessler has pretty good videos of all this stuff on their website and is worth looking at before you buy.

Grant
Click to expand...

tnks.
 
I own a Kessler 8' crane with the Kpod tripod & Hercules head. I think it is a great piece of equipment but unless you are also investing in a motorized pan / tilt head you will probably find yourself operating it mostly from the front of the crane where you can control the camera mounted on your tripod head that will be mounted to the crane.

As someone mentioned look at the options. You will probably want the ball relocator and the vertical brake. I also got the "tooless" kit and think it was worth it for ease of assembly. Oh, I almost forgot that before I bought the vertical brake I had bought the light stand clamp mount. Without the vertical brake it is the only way to rest the crane when it is set up.

The Kpod tripod and Hercules head are perfect for the crane as they are very, very rugged. The head has a 150lb wt. capacity and the Kpod tripod something like 450 lb capacity.

Assembling the actual crane only takes a few minutes. But to mount an LCD monitor, run an extended LANC cable to your LANC controller, run headphone and video cable, etc and last but not least balance the crane all adds up. I think you should allow a minimum of 45 minutes and probably an hour for your total setup time.
 
I agree 100% with Notlad's comments. I'd love to spend a few grand on a motorized head, but settled for the Bescor. Kessler is putting there own unit together and shows promise.

Grant
 
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