added 30 August 2000
The Skycrane Junior Mini-DV Camera Jib
by Bob Jones and Chris Hurd
Introducing the Skycrane Junior Mini-DV camera jib… finally, a professional jib that will fit into your production budget.
This extraordinary jib is made of extremely rugged steel rectangular tubing and all of its movements are on ball bearings. The SKYCRANE Jr. is finished in an abrasion resistant, textured, matt black, baked on powder coating.
Unlike lesser jibs on the market today, the SKYCRANE Jr. does not require mounting to a fluid head or special tripod, thus eliminating a clumsy mounting procedure.
The SKYCRANE Jr. is a cable driven jib, incorporating its own vector ball-bearing head and will mount to your tripod in seconds.
A new and unique feature found only on the Skycrane Jr. is a friction brake (drag) allowing more control while booming up or down.
The SKYCRANE Jr. is a jib with unparalleled fluid movement and stability, it offers some incredible camera movements not found on lesser jibs but only on very expensive jib arms, such as 360 degrees of camera rotation on the tilt axis.
The SKYCRANE Jr. is extremely easy to transport, when broken down, measures only forty-eight inches in length and weighs in at seventeen pounds.
Skycrane Jr. Features:
Whenever you can move your camera in an unusual manner, it will add new and exciting dimensions to your film. That’s why most great films have used camera cranes (commonly called “booms” or “jibs”) to achieve dramatic high impact scenes for their projects.
Now, the new Skycrane Jr. Mini-DV camera jib lends itself to achieving the same dramatic shots seen in some of your favorite films.
Like some very expensive camera jibs, the Skycrane Jr. uses a cable drive system allowing your camera to stay level while booming up or down, also giving you the ability to keep your subject in frame.
Unlike other camera jibs, the Skycrane Jr. also allows 360 degrees of camera rotation on the tilt axis, providing you some incredible camera movements.
The Skycrane Jr. can be set up in a fraction of the time required by other jibs… it mounts to your tripod in seconds without the need of a fluid head.
The Skycrane Jr. incorporates its own Vector ballbearing head; also a new feature exclusive to the Skycrane Jr. is an adjustable friction brake, for more boom control.
While boom panning, booming up or down and tilting your camera from eleven foot high to ground level in one fluid move, you’ll be able to create some of the most dramatic and dynamic footage possible.
The Skycrane Jr. will support most film or video cameras up to 8 pounds. Unlike other lighter weight jibs on the market, the Skycrane Jr. is made from 2″x 4″ x 1/16″ steel wall rectangular tubing and weighs in at 17 pounds, giving your camera maximum stability.
Specifications, Features and Accessories
A two-piece jib: operator end, 4 feet… camera end, 4 feet… over all length 8 feet.
- Construction: Steel
- Finish: Textured, baked-on powder coating
- Color: Matte black
- Movements: Cable & ball bearing
- Mounting System: Ball bearing Vector head, mounts to standard tripod 3/8″x16 stud.
- Trim weight: External; one pound
- Adjustable brake: Friction (drag)
- Max boom elevation: 11 to 12 ft, depending on tripod
- Tripod recommended: Bogen 3051, 3061 or equivalent
- Shipping weight: 22 pounds
- Suggested retail price: $549.00
Additional items needed: tripod; camera; wired remote controller; counterweights: 2 x 1-1/4 lbs., 2 x 2-1/4 lbs., 2 x 5 lbs., 2 x 10 lbs. (standard barbell weights with 1/1/8″ I.D.)
Available accessories: LCD monitor mount, $44.95; Drive lever counterweight bar, $12.95; Velcro grips, $ 5.95 ea.
For any additional information on the Skycrane Jr., please call Bob Jones at (949) 631-6065.
NightShift Enterprises
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
tel (949) 631-6065
fax (949) 631-2922
www.skycrane.com
Thrown together by Chris Hurd
Please direct questions to the DV Info Net Community Forums.
