Kessler Crane

William Gardner · January 25th, 2006, 05:52 PM

Rob, Alan, and others,

Thanks for your opinions on this crane. I'm thinking of getting one, but I'm stumped as to how to support the thing. As Rob says, with 20+ pounds + camera + crane, the thing seems like it weighs nearly 50 lbs.

A quick search through the Bogen tripods section at B&H shows no tripod/head combo rated for this large of a weight. Most are rated between 10ish and 30ish pounds. Are they just being cautious? Can you really put 50ish pounds on these things without a problem?

Can you guys say specifically what head/tripod you're using? And what you'd recommend if you were getting something now?

Thanks in advance for any advice,
Bill

Alan Galbraith · January 27th, 2006, 02:48 PM

head - libec H50
legs - libec t58

seem to work just fine with the full load

Stan Rimer · July 6th, 2006, 11:08 PM

For those interested, I'm just starting a feature film using HD in Las Vegas (see treatment http://myspace.com/treehouseproduction ). Our production is considering placing an order for the Kessler 12' crane in the next day or so for $635.. Kessler says they will have the 4' extension to make a 16' by the end of next month for a upgrade cost of $250. that includes a heavier cable and weight bar. Everything compatible with the 12' crane. Many shots will require a smaller crane of this nature and some possibly up to 30'. After researching and visiting about 80 websites, the Kessler Crane seems to be the best constructed camera crane with easy assembly at it's price level. I found a company in Germany called ABC Products that have 20-30' cranes built of titanium and unique cabling systems - shipping and customs may cost a bundle - still checking.

Any one with good tips on wheels, tracks and techniques you've come up with for this crane I'm interested in hearing your input. Stan Rimer

David Cervenka · July 7th, 2006, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stan Rimer

Our production is considering placing an order for the Kessler 12' crane in the next day or so for $635..

Hi Stan - You may want to give Eric at Kessler Cranes a call and double check the availability of the 12 footers.. I purchased a 12' from him last week and it sounded like it was the last one they had in stock.

Webb Pickersgill · July 7th, 2006, 12:44 PM

The website says that the 12' are backordered till July 14th.

Stan Rimer · July 7th, 2006, 04:23 PM

Hi David, had a talk with Eric yesterday, they have 25 more ready for powder coat by today, and will be available next week - I'm all over this crane.

Steve Madsen · July 24th, 2006, 03:57 PM

I'm toing and froing at the moment between saving a buck by getting this combo...

Bogen 3190 legs / 3198 cine/video deluxe dolly

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

Or spending more and getting this combo...

Cartoni A302 legs / C491 lightweight dolly

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

Has anyone had experience with either setup supporting a crane?

If the Bogen dolly only works with spiked feet that's a bit of a turn off for me. It's also rated at only 44lbs (mid level spreader increases this?), though the Kessler guys say it works fine with the 12 foot crane. What's deal with these spiked feet tripods anyway...are they retractable?

The cartoni setup is more expensive (big price difference between dollies, and I'm balking at that), though is rated at 110lbs, apparently future proofing me. It's also lighter, which is a real bonus for a one man show.

Any help would be much appreciated...

Thanks

Steve

Gabriel Yeager · July 24th, 2006, 05:00 PM

Hi,

I'm kind of new to the indie film industry, so I cant give you to much info.
I recommend looking at ebay. I was just looking there abnd you can get some really good deals on camera dollys like this one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Camera-Tripod-Do...QQcmdZViewItem

As for attaching a crane to one, I don't know. You could always ask the seller and see if they now. Hope I was of help,

~Gabriel.

Steve Madsen · July 25th, 2006, 05:08 AM

Gabriel - magic, thank you. That was just the tip I was looking for (damn, $8.50!!? A bit cheaper than the $500 for the Cartoni dolly)

Seri Al-Najjar · July 28th, 2007, 12:27 PM

Hi everyone, hopefully a quick and simple question for someone that's already done this.

I received my Kessler crane yesterday and I've just put it together to get some practice in, but now I'm stumped.

As part of the package I purchased it came with the vertical brake, but the parts I have look next to nothing like they do in the instructions and I can't work out where the heck it goes.

Can anyone offer any assistance?

Thanks

Seri

Joseph Hutson · July 29th, 2007, 05:33 PM

If you will quit using "heck" on this site I will!

http://www.kesslercrane.com/images/s...ticalBrake.wmv

Joseph

Joseph Hutson · July 29th, 2007, 05:37 PM

Hey, I am about to buy a Kessler.
Am I missing anything that I might need to buy or do I need to exchange anything that I shouldn't get.

I have a couple of Hvr-Z1U's and need a crane for one of them.

LANC $179
http://www.signvideo.com/zoom-comman...ler_II_pro.htm

Crane Package $789
http://www.kesslercrane.com/index.ph...d=26&Itemid=51

Tripod $269
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...al_Tripod.html

Dolly $189
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...uto_Dolly.html

Motorized Head $129
http://www.kesslercrane.com/index.ph...d=24&Itemid=44

Eric Shepherd · July 29th, 2007, 07:25 PM

Do you have a monitor? :)

Simon Heymans · July 30th, 2007, 04:32 AM

I think you would need a kessler swivel to attach your crane to the tripod. I'ts not included in the package.
I am not sure that the motorized head is strong enough for your camera, needs to be checked.

Seri Al-Najjar · July 30th, 2007, 09:48 AM

Thanks Joseph... consider it a deal... but do I have to stop using ellipses too...? ;)

-- edit ---
Hmmm, out of curiosity, I just did a search through every posting I've made and discovered I'd only used the word once before on this forum. So I'm curious, and I know it's completely off topic, but do some people find the word offensive? Would be a handy thing for me to know seeing as I use the word quiet a lot as an assumed "safe" word.

July 6th, 2006, 11:08 PM	#33
Stan Rimer New Boot Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 7	Kessler 12' Crane with 4' extension coming next month. For those interested, I'm just starting a feature film using HD in Las Vegas (see treatment http://myspace.com/treehouseproduction ). Our production is considering placing an order for the Kessler 12' crane in the next day or so for $635.. Kessler says they will have the 4' extension to make a 16' by the end of next month for a upgrade cost of $250. that includes a heavier cable and weight bar. Everything compatible with the 12' crane. Many shots will require a smaller crane of this nature and some possibly up to 30'. After researching and visiting about 80 websites, the Kessler Crane seems to be the best constructed camera crane with easy assembly at it's price level. I found a company in Germany called ABC Products that have 20-30' cranes built of titanium and unique cabling systems - shipping and customs may cost a bundle - still checking. Any one with good tips on wheels, tracks and techniques you've come up with for this crane I'm interested in hearing your input. Stan Rimer

July 7th, 2006, 12:44 PM	#35
Webb Pickersgill Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Louisville, CO Posts: 204	The website says that the 12' are backordered till July 14th. __________________ Webb Pickersgill Bassline Digital, LLC

July 7th, 2006, 04:23 PM	#36
Stan Rimer New Boot Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 7	Kessler 12' Crane with 4' extension coming next month. Hi David, had a talk with Eric yesterday, they have 25 more ready for powder coat by today, and will be available next week - I'm all over this crane.

July 24th, 2006, 03:57 PM	#37
Steve Madsen Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 111	Tripod / Dolly for Kessler Crane I'm toing and froing at the moment between saving a buck by getting this combo... Bogen 3190 legs / 3198 cine/video deluxe dolly http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search Or spending more and getting this combo... Cartoni A302 legs / C491 lightweight dolly http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search Has anyone had experience with either setup supporting a crane? If the Bogen dolly only works with spiked feet that's a bit of a turn off for me. It's also rated at only 44lbs (mid level spreader increases this?), though the Kessler guys say it works fine with the 12 foot crane. What's deal with these spiked feet tripods anyway...are they retractable? The cartoni setup is more expensive (big price difference between dollies, and I'm balking at that), though is rated at 110lbs, apparently future proofing me. It's also lighter, which is a real bonus for a one man show. Any help would be much appreciated... Thanks Steve

July 28th, 2007, 12:27 PM	#40
Seri Al-Najjar New Boot Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA & London, England Posts: 12	How to attach Kessler vertical brake? Hi everyone, hopefully a quick and simple question for someone that's already done this. I received my Kessler crane yesterday and I've just put it together to get some practice in, but now I'm stumped. As part of the package I purchased it came with the vertical brake, but the parts I have look next to nothing like they do in the instructions and I can't work out where the heck it goes. Can anyone offer any assistance? Thanks Seri

January 25th, 2006, 05:52 PM	#31
William Gardner Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 216	Rob, Alan, and others, Thanks for your opinions on this crane. I'm thinking of getting one, but I'm stumped as to how to support the thing. As Rob says, with 20+ pounds + camera + crane, the thing seems like it weighs nearly 50 lbs. A quick search through the Bogen tripods section at B&H shows no tripod/head combo rated for this large of a weight. Most are rated between 10ish and 30ish pounds. Are they just being cautious? Can you really put 50ish pounds on these things without a problem? Can you guys say specifically what head/tripod you're using? And what you'd recommend if you were getting something now? Thanks in advance for any advice, Bill

January 27th, 2006, 02:48 PM	#32
Alan Galbraith Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 98	head - libec H50 legs - libec t58 seem to work just fine with the full load

July 24th, 2006, 05:00 PM	#38
Gabriel Yeager Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Washington, NorthWest USA Posts: 788	Hi, I'm kind of new to the indie film industry, so I cant give you to much info. I recommend looking at ebay. I was just looking there abnd you can get some really good deals on camera dollys like this one. http://cgi.ebay.com/Camera-Tripod-Do...QQcmdZViewItem As for attaching a crane to one, I don't know. You could always ask the seller and see if they now. Hope I was of help, ~Gabriel.

July 25th, 2006, 05:08 AM	#39
Steve Madsen Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 111	Gabriel - magic, thank you. That was just the tip I was looking for (damn, $8.50!!? A bit cheaper than the $500 for the Cartoni dolly)

July 29th, 2007, 05:33 PM	#41
Joseph Hutson Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Claremore, Oklahoma Posts: 131	If you will quit using "heck" on this site I will! http://www.kesslercrane.com/images/s...ticalBrake.wmv Joseph

July 29th, 2007, 05:37 PM	#42
Joseph Hutson Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Claremore, Oklahoma Posts: 131	Missing anything? Please help. All comments grateful for! Hey, I am about to buy a Kessler. Am I missing anything that I might need to buy or do I need to exchange anything that I shouldn't get. I have a couple of Hvr-Z1U's and need a crane for one of them. LANC $179 http://www.signvideo.com/zoom-comman...ler_II_pro.htm Crane Package $789 http://www.kesslercrane.com/index.ph...d=26&Itemid=51 Tripod $269 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...al_Tripod.html Dolly $189 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...uto_Dolly.html Motorized Head $129 http://www.kesslercrane.com/index.ph...d=24&Itemid=44

July 29th, 2007, 07:25 PM	#43
Eric Shepherd Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 404	Do you have a monitor? :)

July 30th, 2007, 04:32 AM	#44
Simon Heymans Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Brussels - Belgium Posts: 53	I think you would need a kessler swivel to attach your crane to the tripod. I'ts not included in the package. I am not sure that the motorized head is strong enough for your camera, needs to be checked. __________________ Simon Heymans http://www.vimeo.com/simonheymans

July 30th, 2007, 09:48 AM	#45
Seri Al-Najjar New Boot Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA & London, England Posts: 12	Thanks Joseph... consider it a deal... but do I have to stop using ellipses too...? ;) -- edit --- Hmmm, out of curiosity, I just did a search through every posting I've made and discovered I'd only used the word once before on this forum. So I'm curious, and I know it's completely off topic, but do some people find the word offensive? Would be a handy thing for me to know seeing as I use the word quiet a lot as an assumed "safe" word.