Help me choose a crane / jib

Jean-Philippe Archibald · August 18th, 2008, 02:29 PM

Hi, I need a crane/jib for a shoot in september. I was thinking of getting a kesler crane, but according to Eric Kessler, the K-Pod is out of stock in the moment so I might not be able to get the crane in time.

I am looking for alternatives. For differents reasons, I can't rent. Please point me to some other cranes, ideally with 12' of range. I will be using an XLH1 with a bunch of accessories (35mm adapter, follow focus, matte box).

Thanks

Tony Moskal · August 19th, 2008, 12:58 AM

Check out the advantajib, made in Ontario. Light, and portable and capable of compound moves. I am very happy with mine.

David W. Jones · August 19th, 2008, 07:14 AM

First you will need a fluid head that will support the weight of all the little goodies added to your camera, around 23 pounds. Of corse you will want to weigh your gear to make sure of your load range. Something along the lines of the EZFX Jib, or the Seven Jib would be perfect for your camera. Then you will need sticks that will support more than 100 pounds.
And also counter weights.

Jean-Philippe Archibald · August 19th, 2008, 07:22 AM

Thanks Tony, the Advanta-Jib seems to be a really interesting product.

David: Yes, I am aware of that. I already have a good head. With the Kessler, I was planning to use their K-Pod. With the Advantajib, I don't think I need the head since the camera side is mechanically movable. I am wrong? I will also check the jibs you proposed.

Steve Phillipps · August 19th, 2008, 07:23 AM

Try index I have the multijib, which is good for HDCam and other full size cameras, but there are some smaller ones there too. Glidecam makes some nice kit too.
Steve

Andrew Dean · August 20th, 2008, 04:21 AM

I have an advantajib. Its an interesting l unit. Bit of a learning curve, but versatile. With the advantajib you do not need a head. the crane hooks via 100mm bowl to your legs (assuming they have a 100mm bowl) and the "head" for the camera is built in.

crane shots with a 35 adapter are tricky if you need to follow focus, and impossible to do manually if the crane is really tall. I've given up trying to hand focus shots while also trying to control the crane. and having 2 people handling the camera/crane isnt a great idea either. If you really need narrow DOF on a crane, you either need a lot of really specialized/expensive equipment, shots that dont change focus as they fly, or (my favorite solution) a ride-on crane where the camera op can fly along with the camera.

Jeffrey Butler · August 27th, 2008, 02:05 PM

The versatility commercial is a riot. I bet that video has sold half their fleet....
Advanta-Jib Video and Photo Galleries

August 18th, 2008, 02:29 PM	#1
Jean-Philippe Archibald Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Saguenay, Québec, Canada Posts: 766	Help me choose a crane / jib Hi, I need a crane/jib for a shoot in september. I was thinking of getting a kesler crane, but according to Eric Kessler, the K-Pod is out of stock in the moment so I might not be able to get the crane in time. I am looking for alternatives. For differents reasons, I can't rent. Please point me to some other cranes, ideally with 12' of range. I will be using an XLH1 with a bunch of accessories (35mm adapter, follow focus, matte box). Thanks __________________ Jean-Philippe Archibald http://www.jparchibald.com

August 19th, 2008, 07:22 AM	#4
Jean-Philippe Archibald Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Saguenay, Québec, Canada Posts: 766	Thanks Tony, the Advanta-Jib seems to be a really interesting product. David: Yes, I am aware of that. I already have a good head. With the Kessler, I was planning to use their K-Pod. With the Advantajib, I don't think I need the head since the camera side is mechanically movable. I am wrong? I will also check the jibs you proposed. __________________ Jean-Philippe Archibald http://www.jparchibald.com

August 27th, 2008, 02:05 PM	#7
Jeffrey Butler Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Virgina, USA Posts: 221	Only the best Kraft! The versatility commercial is a riot. I bet that video has sold half their fleet.... Advanta-Jib Video and Photo Galleries __________________ Jeff Butler Cabin One Productions

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August 19th, 2008, 12:58 AM	#2
Tony Moskal New Boot Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 9	Check out the advantajib, made in Ontario. Light, and portable and capable of compound moves. I am very happy with mine.

August 19th, 2008, 07:14 AM	#3
David W. Jones Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Little Rock Posts: 517	First you will need a fluid head that will support the weight of all the little goodies added to your camera, around 23 pounds. Of corse you will want to weigh your gear to make sure of your load range. Something along the lines of the EZFX Jib, or the Seven Jib would be perfect for your camera. Then you will need sticks that will support more than 100 pounds. And also counter weights.

August 19th, 2008, 07:23 AM	#5
Steve Phillipps Major Player Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Wales Posts: 559	Try index I have the multijib, which is good for HDCam and other full size cameras, but there are some smaller ones there too. Glidecam makes some nice kit too. Steve

August 20th, 2008, 04:21 AM	#6
Andrew Dean Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Motukarara, New Zealand Posts: 126	I have an advantajib. Its an interesting l unit. Bit of a learning curve, but versatile. With the advantajib you do not need a head. the crane hooks via 100mm bowl to your legs (assuming they have a 100mm bowl) and the "head" for the camera is built in. crane shots with a 35 adapter are tricky if you need to follow focus, and impossible to do manually if the crane is really tall. I've given up trying to hand focus shots while also trying to control the crane. and having 2 people handling the camera/crane isnt a great idea either. If you really need narrow DOF on a crane, you either need a lot of really specialized/expensive equipment, shots that dont change focus as they fly, or (my favorite solution) a ride-on crane where the camera op can fly along with the camera.