Remote and Monitor for Jib Crane Use?

G

gordstray

New member
I recently purchased a ProAm Crane on Ebay before I realized that there was no wireless remote sensor on the back of the unit. Couple of questions:
1.Suggestions on a decent wired remote for the HMC40 that won't break the bank? Basically need start and stop record and a smooth zoom.
2.Same for an LCD monitor? BTW, is there a setting on the camera to show the screen functions? i.e. record indicator etc. I played with a screen I have and just saw the picture itself come through (no text on the screen).
3.Best sources for above.

Thanks!
 
You'll have to look through the manual to figure out how the display output can be configured to show the timecode, tape (P2) remain and so on. On the larger cameras it's something like DISPLAY > OUTPUT SELECT > VIDEO OUT CHAR[ACTER]. That's from one of their SDI cameras, but it should be the same on the HMC40.

[edit] Check page 108 of your manual. It's VIDEO OUT OSD (DEFAULT OFF) in your camera. [/edit]

For the remote, you can START / STOP / ZOOM / FOCUS / IRIS (FIZ-R) with one of Varizoom's controllers.
 
as erik said, the HMC40 has the ability to show display TC.

now, how sturdy does this unit looks?

i have been dying to get one for a long time!
 
Gordstray,

For stop-record-zoom I use a Libec ZC-3DV

For focus-iris I use a Manfrotto 521PFI

Both of these work pretty well. The 521PFI can sort of pull focus with the button activated stops. There are a couple of products that are all in one units, but I tried that and wasn't coordinated enough to handle all the functions with one hand. I am old and feeble.

For a monitor I ended up with two inexpensive solutions. The first is a Varizoom TFT7 7". It is very light and portable and you can focus with it pretty well. Note that you can view the Panny focus bar in your monitor with the HMC40. Make sure and get a detachable hood. The power system for these is a little kludgy, but it does work, and the batteries from Varizoom are cheap (relatively), get two, or maybe a Bescor 12v battery pack instead. The second solution is a small SD flat screen LCD TV from my RV that was surplus when the world went to digital transmition. It is 12VDC powered, has multiple inputs, and a 13" screen, but is very light. I tried it on a lark on my Kessler and it works surprisingly well. You can go to Wallmart and buy something similar for under $200. Just make sure you have a way to power it. Once again, anything outside will need a hood. Don't kid yourself that this is as good as a HD Panny field monitor, but it works great for the price. I'll pack this unit with me in the field for viewing clips and is much better than using an lcd flipout. I am able to frame and focus in pretty low light.

OK, you guys with expensive HD field monitors can stop laughing now.

Grant
 
ggrantly said:
For a monitor I ended up with two inexpensive solutions. The first is a Varizoom TFT7 7". It is very light and portable and you can focus with it pretty well. Note that you can view the Panny focus bar in your monitor with the HMC40. Make sure and get a detachable hood. The power system for these is a little kludgy, but it does work, and the batteries from Varizoom are cheap (relatively), get two, or maybe a Bescor 12v battery pack instead. The second solution is a small SD flat screen LCD TV from my RV that was surplus when the world went to digital transmition. It is 12VDC powered, has multiple inputs, and a 13" screen, but is very light. I tried it on a lark on my Kessler and it works surprisingly well. You can go to Wallmart and buy something similar for under $200. Just make sure you have a way to power it. Once again, anything outside will need a hood. Don't kid yourself that this is as good as a HD Panny field monitor, but it works great for the price. I'll pack this unit with me in the field for viewing clips and is much better than using an lcd flipout. I am able to frame and focus in pretty low light.

OK, you guys with expensive HD field monitors can stop laughing now.

Grant
Click to expand...

these are great points,
some of us, the not so rich class, can't just walk into a store and get a 1000+ LCD HD screen for ur cameras. I have a small 7" tv that accepts:Composite, S-Video and DVI (for some stupid reason :P) and i have been wanting to use for a long time.
my idea is to get or build a DIY crane jib and use that as part of the weight in the back, you can get a heavy battery so you'll end up using less weights. another thing, this might sound retarded, but you can also try and use rechargeable batteries for RC toys. some of them do 12V, that's what i will be looking into.

and don't feel bad, you work with what you have!
 
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