Tripod for craning at DVinfo.net

Nevin Aragam · March 28th, 2005, 11:44 AM

It's that simple. I am looking for a tripod which can provide simple craning of at least a foot.

I have a consumer Sony tripod which does this, and it's a great effect, except for the bloody shaking (but the tripod is a runt to begin with.)

I need something which can support at least 6 pounds and not bounce around while craning. I'm looking for something that will offer the most bang for my buck while staying in a entry level professional price range.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Nevin

David A. Smith · March 28th, 2005, 08:12 PM

I'm not really sure what you mean by craning.... can you explain?

Nevin Aragam · March 28th, 2005, 08:23 PM

Crane... Crane up crane down... moving a camera up and down. vertical movement of the camera.
Craning... tuchee?
Thanks,
nevin

David Yuen · March 28th, 2005, 11:05 PM

Your crane will weigh a lot more than 6 pounds, especially with the counterweight.

Bob Jones of Skycrane recommends the Bogen 3051 tripod for his Skycrane, Jr. units. Dan Selakovich's book gives you instructions on how to modify a heavy-duty surveyor's tripod for under $100.

What crane do you have?

Richard Lewis · March 29th, 2005, 03:51 AM

I think he means the movable vertical column on some tripods that allows you to raise and lower the camera height, rather than an actual crane?

Jimmy McKenzie · March 29th, 2005, 06:11 AM

I think the term we're looking at here is referred to as "pedestal". I use this quite a bit when there is not room or time to rig a crane. The Bogen/Manfrotto have nice medium priced rigs that allow for about 18" of travel down the centre column. My sticks are 028 Manfrotto.

Nevin Aragam · March 29th, 2005, 07:37 AM

Wow...
Ok. That got way to confussing way too quick.

I was naming the motion not the product... guess thats where the confussion arose? I dont need a crane to "crane" the camera, from my experience: "Crane" is the vertical motion of a camera. Sorry for the confussion.

Yes, Mr. Lewis i am talking about the vertical column: "the movable vertical column on some tripods that allows you to raise and lower the camera height."

That is what i am interested in. If there's confussion about what the actual motion is called, just forget about it.

Jimmy i've looked into the "Bogen/ manfrotto", and i love the name, but what exactly are they? Special kinds of tripods? Why the special name?

Hope this clears up some stuff.
Thanks,
Nevin

Jimmy McKenzie · March 29th, 2005, 07:43 AM

Hi Nevin,
You do have a refreshing way of using the language. That's a compliment.

Try here: http://www.manfrotto.com/product/ite...1&sectionid=78

These tripods are sold in kits or you can pick 'em up by mix and match.

Dan Selakovich · March 29th, 2005, 09:25 AM

I've never seen a center post of a tripod that was meant to be used while tape/film is rolling. Have I missed something? The "tripods" used for TV pedestal up and down by a huge center column, but somehow I don't think this massive monster is what Nevin wants!

Dan
www.DVcameraRigs.com

David Yuen · March 29th, 2005, 10:02 AM

Here is vertical movement.

Nevin Aragam · March 29th, 2005, 11:24 AM

David: That riser looks awesome. Unfortunately i need something more travel friendly. I cant strap that to a backpack or use it very effectively in my line of work.

Dan: Maybe the center posts werent made for use during film but i work with what i have and it works for me. I'm just intrested in a tripod which is more stable than the cheap sony one i have now but not huge and cumbersome for location shoots.

Thanks,
Nevin

Richard Lewis · March 29th, 2005, 12:19 PM

Mr Aragam

Nevin Aragam · March 29th, 2005, 01:36 PM

Haha,
Sorry. I'm in school, most of the time I have to call people by their last names, some times i dont. Force of habbit. Sorry Richard.

Jimmy McKenzie · March 29th, 2005, 02:54 PM

It is rather unconventional to attempt this kind of shot, but in the hands of a very steady operator it does have it's uses. The slow cranking down is almost always sped up in post so you get some neat stuff. Stop motion effect with a slow downward crawl. Spooky!

Dan Selakovich · March 30th, 2005, 09:09 AM

Nevin,

Is there a particular shot you are trying to do? Maybe we forum yokels can help.

Dan
www.DVcameraRigs.com

March 28th, 2005, 11:44 AM	#1
Nevin Aragam Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Knoxville Tennessee Posts: 37	Tripod for craning It's that simple. I am looking for a tripod which can provide simple craning of at least a foot. I have a consumer Sony tripod which does this, and it's a great effect, except for the bloody shaking (but the tripod is a runt to begin with.) I need something which can support at least 6 pounds and not bounce around while craning. I'm looking for something that will offer the most bang for my buck while staying in a entry level professional price range. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Nevin __________________ That'll do pig, that'll do

March 28th, 2005, 08:12 PM	#2
David A. Smith New Boot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lambertville, New Jersey Posts: 19	I'm not really sure what you mean by craning.... can you explain? __________________ Your mileage may vary.

March 28th, 2005, 08:23 PM	#3
Nevin Aragam Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Knoxville Tennessee Posts: 37	Crane... Crane up crane down... moving a camera up and down. vertical movement of the camera. Craning... tuchee? Thanks, nevin __________________ That'll do pig, that'll do

March 28th, 2005, 11:05 PM	#4
David Yuen Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 185	Only 6 pounds? Your crane will weigh a lot more than 6 pounds, especially with the counterweight. Bob Jones of Skycrane recommends the Bogen 3051 tripod for his Skycrane, Jr. units. Dan Selakovich's book gives you instructions on how to modify a heavy-duty surveyor's tripod for under $100. What crane do you have?

March 29th, 2005, 03:51 AM	#5
Richard Lewis Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Manchester and Kent, UK Posts: 256	I think he means the movable vertical column on some tripods that allows you to raise and lower the camera height, rather than an actual crane? __________________ Richard Lewis. Steadicam Owner / Operator

March 29th, 2005, 06:11 AM	#6
Jimmy McKenzie Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Waterloo Ontario Posts: 721	I think the term we're looking at here is referred to as "pedestal". I use this quite a bit when there is not room or time to rig a crane. The Bogen/Manfrotto have nice medium priced rigs that allow for about 18" of travel down the centre column. My sticks are 028 Manfrotto.

March 29th, 2005, 07:37 AM	#7
Nevin Aragam Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Knoxville Tennessee Posts: 37	Wow... Ok. That got way to confussing way too quick. I was naming the motion not the product... guess thats where the confussion arose? I dont need a crane to "crane" the camera, from my experience: "Crane" is the vertical motion of a camera. Sorry for the confussion. Yes, Mr. Lewis i am talking about the vertical column: "the movable vertical column on some tripods that allows you to raise and lower the camera height." That is what i am interested in. If there's confussion about what the actual motion is called, just forget about it. Jimmy i've looked into the "Bogen/ manfrotto", and i love the name, but what exactly are they? Special kinds of tripods? Why the special name? Hope this clears up some stuff. Thanks, Nevin __________________ That'll do pig, that'll do

March 29th, 2005, 07:43 AM	#8
Jimmy McKenzie Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Waterloo Ontario Posts: 721	Hi Nevin, You do have a refreshing way of using the language. That's a compliment. Try here: http://www.manfrotto.com/product/ite...1&sectionid=78 These tripods are sold in kits or you can pick 'em up by mix and match.

March 29th, 2005, 09:25 AM	#9
Dan Selakovich Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 220	I've never seen a center post of a tripod that was meant to be used while tape/film is rolling. Have I missed something? The "tripods" used for TV pedestal up and down by a huge center column, but somehow I don't think this massive monster is what Nevin wants! Dan www.DVcameraRigs.com

March 29th, 2005, 10:02 AM	#10
David Yuen Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 185	Camriser Here is vertical movement.

March 29th, 2005, 11:24 AM	#11
Nevin Aragam Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Knoxville Tennessee Posts: 37	David: That riser looks awesome. Unfortunately i need something more travel friendly. I cant strap that to a backpack or use it very effectively in my line of work. Dan: Maybe the center posts werent made for use during film but i work with what i have and it works for me. I'm just intrested in a tripod which is more stable than the cheap sony one i have now but not huge and cumbersome for location shoots. Thanks, Nevin __________________ That'll do pig, that'll do

March 29th, 2005, 12:19 PM	#12
Richard Lewis Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Manchester and Kent, UK Posts: 256	Mr Aragam __________________ Richard Lewis. Steadicam Owner / Operator

March 29th, 2005, 01:36 PM	#13
Nevin Aragam Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Knoxville Tennessee Posts: 37	Haha, Sorry. I'm in school, most of the time I have to call people by their last names, some times i dont. Force of habbit. Sorry Richard. __________________ That'll do pig, that'll do

March 29th, 2005, 02:54 PM	#14
Jimmy McKenzie Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Waterloo Ontario Posts: 721	It is rather unconventional to attempt this kind of shot, but in the hands of a very steady operator it does have it's uses. The slow cranking down is almost always sped up in post so you get some neat stuff. Stop motion effect with a slow downward crawl. Spooky!

March 30th, 2005, 09:09 AM	#15
Dan Selakovich Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 220	Nevin, Is there a particular shot you are trying to do? Maybe we forum yokels can help. Dan www.DVcameraRigs.com