can this be done with a crane arm or jib attached to a tripod head and done smoothly and steadily ? i'd like a quick pedestale but don't want to spend 3000 on a system
Sure, if you've got a crane or jib and the room to use it--why not? A pedestal shot moves the camera up or down while maintaining the same distance from the subject. A jib will move the camera through an arc, but unless the subject is very close to the camera, it will look identical to a pedestal shot.
Longer the jib the less noticeable the arch will be. Also for a perfect up and down move with a jib throw wheels on the tripod so you can compensate. Use your imagination. Im sure there are some ready made things out there that normally serve a totally different purpose but you could attach the camera to make this kind of camera move. For example you can make a very smooth dolly out of a paper napkin. No really.
