Libec T57 for Kessler???

Rick Meyer

Rick Meyer

Veteran
I just purchased a set of Libec T57 tripod legs. I was wondering if anyone has experience with these, are they durable enough to handle a 40pound or so, 8' Kessler Crane set-up?

Thanks for the input guys (and gals)-

Rick
 
It's the plastic leg locks you have to worry about. I have no experience with Libec. You'll have more than 40 pounds (probably) by the time the camera is built up and you add a head. Good luck (you know I'm shopping around for jibs myself...)
 
thisiswells said:
It's the plastic leg locks you have to worry about. I have no experience with Libec. You'll have more than 40 pounds (probably) by the time the camera is built up and you add a head. Good luck (you know I'm shopping around for jibs myself...)
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Yes, I was actually following a thread that you were part of that got me to thinking about durable tripods. You mentioned something about not wanting to put a 6K camera kit on a shabby sub 1K crane. This is understandable. But, 1k+ is too rich for my blood. And, I have been really watching the Kessler Cranes. For the money, they look fantastic. And, I was speaking to a representative yesterday who informed me that they are making a 4 foot extention for their 8' crane. So, now I don't have to fret over whether to get the 8' or 12'. I can get the 8' foot now, see how she does and if I want to upgrade the crane to a 12' crane, they will have an upgrade extention available after the first of the year.

Now my problem is getting a beefier tripod. Per Kessler mine will be MORE than fine with an 8 footer (of course they'd say that) and according to Libec, I will want to upgrade to the $1300.00 LS-101 (doubly of course they would say THAT). So, I am just going to get the crane first then make a tripod judgment.

Rick
 
I just don't see the attraction of these big flimbsy jib arms, really. The one I'm considering is three feet long and has a built-in extention to six feet long (extends like a tripod leg) and that is plenty for me. It's $1600 bucks and it, unlike the Kessler crane, will fit in a car. Unless you have a big work van, I don't have any idea what you're going to do with a big long jib unless it folds down or comes apart. If it comes apart, then that indicates re-assembling it every time you want to use it. "Where did I put that bolt" comes to mind...
 
I see your point. Transporting this guy could be a problem. However, the 8 footer is only 50 inches folded up. Thats still a bit of a hassle and is a hair more than 4 feet, but I think it's doable.
 
There is nothing flimsy about the Kessler Crane at all. It's got huge bang for the buck. I have the 12 foot one and it stays together all the time. I strap it to the top of my truck when I go to a location. I highly recommend the Kessler Crane.
 
KHendrix2 said:
There is nothing flimsy about the Kessler Crane at all. It's got huge bang for the buck. I have the 12 foot one and it stays together all the time. I strap it to the top of my truck when I go to a location. I highly recommend the Kessler Crane.
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Amen brotha!

The whole assembly (8' or 12') breaks down to 4' sections and will fit in a car, unless you have a Yugo.

The TIG welded frame is very strong and lighter than the steel versions out there.

The arms are at the sides, instead of one above the other, which prevents wobble from side to side.

It goes together in about 5 minutes (after the first few attempts).

It is designed to handle an ENG camera... is that sturdy enough for you?

Finally, it doesn't break the bank. Spend the extra cash on a beefy tripod since all of these rigs need it.

Hey, Eric Kessler... I'm evangelizing here... I need a kick-back!
 
That indiedolly tripod looks very well-made, and it would be a good investment for a certain type of jib. However, the biggest issue people are having is finding a fluid head rated for enough weight to hold the jib. A lot of the less expensive jibs on the market mount directly to your fluid head, rather than to the bowl.
 
I personally would never put a Jib on the tripod head, they are not built for that. You are only going to ruin your tripod head while you are trying to save some money on the Jib, bad trade off in my opinion.
We have the Heavy Duty Indie Dolly tripods in stock now by the way.

Thanks,
Helmut
Indie Dolly Systems
323 467 6160
www.indiedolly.com
 
Indie Dolly Systems said:
I personally would never put a Jib on the tripod head, they are not built for that. You are only going to ruin your tripod head while you are trying to save some money on the Jib, bad trade off in my opinion.
We have the Heavy Duty Indie Dolly tripods in stock now by the way.

Thanks,
Helmut
Indie Dolly Systems
323 467 6160
www.indiedolly.com
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I can't find it on your site... How much are your Heavy Duty Indie Dolly tripods?
 
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