Smoothing out Kessler Crane motions
 

I've had the 12' Kessler Crane for about a year now, and I'm super pleased with it. We have booked jobs because of some of the amazing shots we're capable of pulling off. It's been a great investment.

I just have one issue that I'm trying to solve. I can't seem to get a good, smooth vertical tilt. The vertical tilt meaning the one you pull/push the handle to achieve. The movement is difficult and gives me trouble, and that shows up in the film.

I'd love to be able to go from ground level to treetop level and point the camera toward the ground, but I can't pull it off smoothly enough to have confidence to do it at a live event.

Is there any way to grease the joints or loosen something that's not loose to achieve smoother tilt movement?

You do not need to grease anything. Here are a couple things I recommend trying, if you are having issues getting a smooth tilt.

Make sure the camera basket is in the 'underslung' configuration. This will help with the camera balance, especially if it is a heavier camera.

Make sure the camera is balanced front to back on the camera basket. A good trick to determine the center of balance of your camera is to sit it on a pencil or something similar and roll it until you find the center of balance.

If you have ever adjusted the bolts on the camera basket (i.e. changing from overslung to underslung), be sure the bolts were not over-tightened. When you are tightening the bolts on the camera basket, you should tighten them until they just become snug, then back them off just a bit. The basket should move freely, but not be loose.

If that doesn't work for you, give us a call at the shop and Eric or I will see if we can help you out.

Thanks!
Chris