I'm new to this forum and I browsed through the old topics, but I couldn't find one about "cheap camera cranes". :-)

On Ebay you'll find different camera jib cranes for around 200 to 300$. I wanted to ask if somebody has bought one of these? Are they any good?

I don't shoot films for a living - it's just a hobby. So I don't have to rely on professional equipment. I'm just interested if you can do one or two nice shots with these cranes - just for effects.

Thanks.

Let me recommend the book for sale over at dvcamerarigs.com. I'm not associated in any way -- just a satisfied customer!

His plans are clear and relatively simple to build. I've built a couple of them, and the hardest thing is getting the parts.

Robert, the thing is I've got two left hands... so building it myself would be a pretty bad option. :-)

Anybody else who could help me?

Robert, thanks for the nice words about my book!

Steven, if you can drill a hole, I really think you can make the cranes in "Killer Camera Rigs That You Can Build". And if all you need is a short jib that goes up about 8 or 9 feet, the "Killer's Kiss Crane" is the easiest thing in the world to make. Really, I think if you can open a jar of peanut butter, you can make this jib! And your local home depot will have all the parts for this jib--I promise! Plus it is designed to work with the dolly in the book, the 2nd most easy thing to build!

All my best,

Dan
www.DVcameraRigs.com

Dan's book is great.

I built the Killer's Kiss Crane and it is really neat.

It took me longer to paint it than it did to build it... but I still can't get that peanut better jar to open.

KIM

Steven,

check this site:

http://homebuiltstabilizers.com/

you can find a lot exellent examples and with a liitle imagination and patience - you can build your own rig easily!

filip