The GH2 just needed
 

I was looking at buying another slider the other day. That fell through and since I had budgeted for it, I spent some time looking. Then I ran across a Youtube Video testing a Proam 8 foot jib/crane.

It just looked like the perfect accessory for my GH2's (and the XA10 and G10 and the Sony).
It should be here on Thursday and I have te perfect project to use it on.

Re: The GH2 just needed
 

Cool!! Let us know how it goes, and let's see some test footage.

I was looking at this one:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/568370-REG/CobraCrane_5033_5033_Backpacker.html
I am curious how you think it might compare.

Thanks,
Angelo

Re: The GH2 just needed
 

Don,
Id like to have one of these too. Please post your evaluation of the unit.
Thanks for posting the vendor too...great price.

Are you just going to mount it on your tripod...or did you opt for the stand.
I would like to get a HDMI cable to use my Marshall monitor...do you have a source for "long" cables to use with the crane?

Jeff Hinson

Re: The GH2 just needed
 

It came a day early so I got to play a little today.

I was going to mount it on one of my heavy tripods but they are all set up for something specific. I also have two surveyors tripods but one is dedicated to a 25 foot pole cam and I use my four foot slider with the other...so I bought the tripod made for it. It was only around $50+.00.

The Tripod is nice. Sturdy and panning is butter smooth.

The crane seems well made. Everything fits and it's designed to compensate for any wear. It took 5 minutes to set the whole thing up without reading the instructions.

The rule for balancing the 8' model is 3 times the weight of the camera. I went to Walmart and got three 2.5 pound barbell weights. That balanced the GH2 with the 14-140 perfectly.

I mounted the camera and the only gripe I have is that in the rightmost hole, there isn't enough room to open the LCD. That's a minor issue with the GH2 because I can just open it in place. With the camcorders, it is a small problem. but they will open enough to use them and I'll mount my Field monitor on it anyway.

There are a couple of threaded holes to mount accessories like a monitor.

In the small amount of time I had, It was smooth and solid. I used it in the auto mode and the manual mode. All worked well.

I mounted a ball mount on the head to help with angles, leveling and have a quick connect mount. That kicked the weight up enough to require ten pounds of counter balance. I bought one extra to compensate (I hope) for the XA10..

It breaks down to pieces just shy of 5 feet so it will fit in a car easily.

You can also buy a 4 foot extension which I may get one day in the future.

So far...I flat love it. I'll post video as soon as I take a test clip worth looking at.

The seller was great too. I emailed just to see if I'd gotten everything I needed. They replied within a half hour and included their phone in case I had more questions.

Re: The GH2 just needed
 

at DON.......
Thanks for posting the info...sounds like you got a winner there.

I think I will order one soon. Spent the budget on other stuff this month ha.

Looking forward to seeing your test video clips.

Jeff Hinson

Re: The GH2 just needed
 

Just a quick update Jeff, I've been so impressed with it while playing, I ordered a 4' extension bring it to 12'.

As long as I remember not to bump it (which you can see in the test video) it runs itself.

Test

Re: The GH2 just needed
 

Looks great Don....
Gotta get me one...Im might as well get the 12' extension too...sure I will want it eventually.

Im sooooooooooooo satisfied with my XA10/GH2 cams. Im finding the GH2 makes great portraits too with the right lens. So Im sticking with it instead of going for the 5D. It has a certain personality that stands out...and a look I like. I wind up cutting clarity on most portrait shots with the GH2..so the extra pixels of the 5D would be wasted anyway.

By the way....is it "lens" or lense" ha

Thanks again for the test video....have fun.

Jeff

Re: The GH2 just needed
 

If you have the room at a reception, can you imagine the shots you could get.

A GOPRO 2 would yeald some fantastic results on the crane at a wedding reception or other event.

Re: The GH2 just needed
 

Don,

What lens did you have on the camera. Curvature on the horizon indicates somewhat of a "fisheye". Footage looks very good, looks like you're going to have some fun with that crane.

Re: The GH2 just needed
 

That was a GoPro2 Bruce. I had my GH2 on the tripod below it. You can see it in part of that video.

Re: The GH2 just needed
 

Can u tell us the exact model from their website that you purchased?

ProAm Cranes :: Camera...

Also, can I ask where u bought the products at? The stand I cant seem to find for less than 120.

Re: The GH2 just needed
 

James, I bought them from Amazon, except the extension.

This is the $59.00 stand which is quite nice.

This is the 8' Jib/Crane



I ordered the 4' extension directly from BC Media which is a really nice family owned business and they are the sellers on Amazon.
Pro Camera Cranes / Jibs, Small HD LCD Monitors, DSLR Filmmaking, Audio Equipment & More


My recommendation is to buy it directly from BC Media.

Re: The GH2 just needed
 

Well, I'm going to pull the trigger on this one since u seem to love it so much! I am going to bump up to the 210 i think as its a bit newer and for DSLR specifically. Only problem is now looks like I'll have to drop 200 on a monitor ;p

Re: The GH2 just needed
 

I think you'll like it James. Obviously you can't just pick it up like a tripod but for those special shots..it's great.

I had a Lilliput monitor but Personal Views has special buys all the time and I think they had found an inexpensive monitor that worked pretty well.

I bought an inexpensive camera Mic someone reviewed the other day I like it much better than the Rode Video mic pro and it was a hundred dollars less.

Re: The GH2 just needed
 

I would have to agree on inexpensive options being viable, I found that 30$ lav mics from below rival any 200$ lav out there.

Miniature Microphone Specialists Stereo - Mono - Cardioid - Omnidrectional Giant Squid Audio Lab

Re: The GH2 just needed
 

I got a cable accessory from BC Media today.
I wasn't having trouble with the 12 foot boom but did have to watch the starts stops and transitions. BC suggested the cable.

As usual, they were right on the mark. It does stiffen it considerably and takes about 60 seconds longer to set up.

I can't wait until political campaigns really ramp up. I'm really going to be able to look them in the eye.

Re: The GH2 just needed
 

You are having a "ball" with that new boom...I can tell.
Just don't over do it.....it may give us motion sickness. :>)

Have fun,
Jeff "wish I had one of those" Hinson

Re: The GH2 just needed
 

Well, mine came in. I'm impressed, its constructed well and you really get a lot for the money. Super fun piece of equipment, though I'm concerned I may intimidate wedding couples a bit too much if I start pulling this out at the ceremony or reception lol

Re: The GH2 just needed
 

With a little practice and the optional knife assembly....you can help them cut the cake while immortalizing it on DVD...lol

It has other uses also. The clip I posted earlier that I inverted the colors will have the opening credits. Before that, is my opening narration and it will be at night (Simulated) with a searchlight beam.

I've been playing with the fog today and the beam will just be a tight beamed light on the jib...panned across the scene.

This is just a quick daylight test with the fog and a flashlight I was waving around...graded to night looks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTOec...ature=youtu.be

Re: The GH2 just needed
 

James and Don....

I'm so envious...cant wait to see the "cake cutting" clip. :>)

Gotta get one soon,
Jeff

Re: The GH2 just needed
 

Ah I love the idea of the cake cutting with a nice boom up motion, oh man. Only problem is most of my weddings I operate solo, so I doubt I'll be risking my only shot of the cake being on the end of this crane haha

Time for an assistant.

Re: The GH2 just needed
 

Got my ProAm 210 model yesterday....well made.

I tried it on an old tripod with a plastic quick release....thats not going to be steady enough for the weight of the crane. I have some Speaker stands made for large music speakers ...real heavy duty stand. I need to find a way to mount the crane to those. I will have to purchase the "bearing dodad"...in order to pan...or come up with another DYI solution or buy the factory made stand.

Jeff

Re: The GH2 just needed
 

If they are the same speaker stands I have Jeff...they're the same thing as the tripod you buy. You will have to buy the bearing or make one.

My speaker stands are heavy tubing an inch and a half or larger in diameter.

Re: The GH2 just needed
 

Yes, they're probably the same...mine are Peavey.

I just went ahead and got the stand w/bearing installed. Rather that DYI my speaker stand.

Seems I always screw up something, to make something screwed up. haha

Jeff