Comparison of cranes. at DVinfo.net

Emery Wells · February 28th, 2003, 02:19 PM

Im looking for a ROCK SOLID crane arm to give me those beautiful sweeping "filmic" shots. I dont want any wobble or anything cheap or flimsy in the way it moves. Has anyone here had experience with the following cranes:

1. Cobra Crane II http://www.cobracrane.com/crane2.html

2. Camcrane 200 http://www.glidecam.com/camcrane.html

3. Sky Crane http://www.skycrane.com/sky.html

Does anybody know of any others too??

-Emery

Robert Knecht Schmidt · February 28th, 2003, 03:21 PM

I have a Cobra Crane II. With the extension on and an XL1s mounted at one end, even with the microphone/EVF assembly removed from the XL1s, it takes ~37.5 pounds of weight at the other end to balance the rig. All told (arm, extension, camera, balancing weights) this supercedes the weight limitations of most sub-$1000 fluid heads for your tripod. Expect a rig like this to put a lot of wear on your tripod head, and I would never dare to operate it alone, even with two people doesn't seem like enough to ensure the safety of the camera and the operators. (I've gotten plenty of pinches and bruises just trying to assemble/disassemble it in a hurry!)

If you do a quick search, you'll find reviews of all these products.

Emery Wells · February 28th, 2003, 03:57 PM

oh im sorry, ill move it over there. Thanx

-Emery

Nori Wentworth · February 28th, 2003, 04:00 PM

I own the skycrane. It was very affordable, and does the job quite nicely. It took a little getting used to, but now can be opperated easily by myself.

Check out:

http://atomfilms.shockwave.com/af/content/starwars_prologue

From 01:41 - 2:01 I used my skycrane jib.
It might lag and look like crap on the net, but the original footage looks amazing.

or:

http://www.tranceblackman.com/ironneil/gi_video.htm

The Jib was used many times throughout this video.

-Nori

Emery Wells · February 28th, 2003, 04:04 PM

I just posted this in the "film look"' category (oops sorry).

Im looking for a ROCK SOLID crane for my DVX100. The three Im familiar with are:

1. Cobra Crane II http://www.cobracrane.com/crane2.html

2. Camcrane 200 http://www.glidecam.com/camcrane.html

3. Sky Crane http://www.skycrane.com/sky.html

Can anyone chime in that has experience with one or more of these cranes?

I did a search and read alot about the sky crane... is that the crane of choice?

Ive played around with the Glidecam Camcrane at b&h and it seem pretty solid, but it cannot tilt its head like the other two.

From the pics, the sky cam looks kinda flimsy. Is this the case or does it just look that way?

Any info would help, thanx.

-Emery

Emery Wells · February 28th, 2003, 04:36 PM

Hey this is a little off topic but ive seen alot of people do those light sabor effects... howd u do em?

Nori Wentworth · February 28th, 2003, 05:01 PM

effect?

Ahh man... I bet I could of saved a lot of money if it just did them in post.

-nori

Robert Poulton · February 28th, 2003, 05:26 PM

goto www.dvgarage.com then look at the compsite toolkit.
I have it and it shows you step by step process of doing that effect.

Rob:D

John Locke · February 28th, 2003, 06:55 PM

How big a hurry are you? SkyCrane is working on a new model with a head that not only tilts but pans as well. Considering the price and quality of their other products, I'm betting this will be THE crane for DVers.

Emery Wells · February 28th, 2003, 07:41 PM

yes Ive heard of this new model... Im not in any hurry. How long is it expected to be? Possible release for NAB?? Any idea of the price for this new model??

John Locke · February 28th, 2003, 08:02 PM

Price? I'm not sure...but I'd bet it'll be very reasonable.

And when is it expected? Sometime this year. I'm not sure if NAB will the announcement forum for it.

Rob Lohman · March 1st, 2003, 07:33 AM

What range is very reasonable, John? I'm wondering to what
amount of money I must save to get me one of these :)

John Locke · March 1st, 2003, 07:52 AM

Rob,

I wish I knew the price. You and I both need to just save our Yen and Guilder every day to be ready. ;)

Emery Wells · March 1st, 2003, 03:12 PM

Is it just me or does anyone else think the sky crane looks very "cheap" compared to the cobra crane??

I keep hearing its a great product, so it must be good. I guess I feel more comfortable with heavier bigger crane.

Has anyone had experience with both cranes??

I dont mind spending a little extra money to get a crane that will be SOLID. Ive tried cutting corners in the past and ive lerned that I have just wound up buying the more expensive product a little down the line. Id rather not waste money on something that wont meet "professional" standards.

I use the DVX100 but it would be nice to have a crane capable of a little more weight if need be. I mainly produce music videos, but im starting to do some short films so Id really like a crane that can "grow" with me.

Is skycrane the product that will do this? Or do I need to look elsewhere?

-Emery

Alex Kamm · March 2nd, 2003, 02:41 AM

Hmmm... jibarm anyone by habbcam? hehehehe...... heard it does the same job just looked like a twig! Anyone have it? or thoughts on it?

February 28th, 2003, 02:19 PM	#1
Emery Wells Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 38	In the market for a crane! Im looking for a ROCK SOLID crane arm to give me those beautiful sweeping "filmic" shots. I dont want any wobble or anything cheap or flimsy in the way it moves. Has anyone here had experience with the following cranes: 1. Cobra Crane II http://www.cobracrane.com/crane2.html 2. Camcrane 200 http://www.glidecam.com/camcrane.html 3. Sky Crane http://www.skycrane.com/sky.html Does anybody know of any others too?? -Emery

February 28th, 2003, 03:21 PM	#2
Robert Knecht Schmidt Wrangler Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,933	I have a Cobra Crane II. With the extension on and an XL1s mounted at one end, even with the microphone/EVF assembly removed from the XL1s, it takes ~37.5 pounds of weight at the other end to balance the rig. All told (arm, extension, camera, balancing weights) this supercedes the weight limitations of most sub-$1000 fluid heads for your tripod. Expect a rig like this to put a lot of wear on your tripod head, and I would never dare to operate it alone, even with two people doesn't seem like enough to ensure the safety of the camera and the operators. (I've gotten plenty of pinches and bruises just trying to assemble/disassemble it in a hurry!) If you do a quick search, you'll find reviews of all these products. __________________ All the best, Robert K S Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| The best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

February 28th, 2003, 04:04 PM	#5
Emery Wells Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 38	Comparison of cranes. I just posted this in the "film look"' category (oops sorry). Im looking for a ROCK SOLID crane for my DVX100. The three Im familiar with are: 1. Cobra Crane II http://www.cobracrane.com/crane2.html 2. Camcrane 200 http://www.glidecam.com/camcrane.html 3. Sky Crane http://www.skycrane.com/sky.html Can anyone chime in that has experience with one or more of these cranes? I did a search and read alot about the sky crane... is that the crane of choice? Ive played around with the Glidecam Camcrane at b&h and it seem pretty solid, but it cannot tilt its head like the other two. From the pics, the sky cam looks kinda flimsy. Is this the case or does it just look that way? Any info would help, thanx. -Emery

February 28th, 2003, 06:55 PM	#9
John Locke Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 2,882	How big a hurry are you? SkyCrane is working on a new model with a head that not only tilts but pans as well. Considering the price and quality of their other products, I'm betting this will be THE crane for DVers. __________________ John Locke SursumFilms.com

February 28th, 2003, 08:02 PM	#11
John Locke Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 2,882	Price? I'm not sure...but I'd bet it'll be very reasonable. And when is it expected? Sometime this year. I'm not sure if NAB will the announcement forum for it. __________________ John Locke SursumFilms.com

February 28th, 2003, 03:57 PM	#3
Emery Wells Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 38	oh im sorry, ill move it over there. Thanx -Emery

February 28th, 2003, 04:00 PM	#4
Nori Wentworth Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kelowna, B.C. Canada Posts: 217	I own the skycrane. It was very affordable, and does the job quite nicely. It took a little getting used to, but now can be opperated easily by myself. Check out: http://atomfilms.shockwave.com/af/content/starwars_prologue From 01:41 - 2:01 I used my skycrane jib. It might lag and look like crap on the net, but the original footage looks amazing. or: http://www.tranceblackman.com/ironneil/gi_video.htm The Jib was used many times throughout this video. -Nori

February 28th, 2003, 04:36 PM	#6
Emery Wells Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 38	Hey this is a little off topic but ive seen alot of people do those light sabor effects... howd u do em?

February 28th, 2003, 05:01 PM	#7
Nori Wentworth Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kelowna, B.C. Canada Posts: 217	effect? Ahh man... I bet I could of saved a lot of money if it just did them in post. -nori

February 28th, 2003, 05:26 PM	#8
Robert Poulton Major Player Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 245	goto www.dvgarage.com then look at the compsite toolkit. I have it and it shows you step by step process of doing that effect. Rob:D

February 28th, 2003, 07:41 PM	#10
Emery Wells Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 38	yes Ive heard of this new model... Im not in any hurry. How long is it expected to be? Possible release for NAB?? Any idea of the price for this new model??

March 1st, 2003, 07:33 AM	#12
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	What range is very reasonable, John? I'm wondering to what amount of money I must save to get me one of these :) __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

March 1st, 2003, 07:52 AM	#13
John Locke Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 2,882	Rob, I wish I knew the price. You and I both need to just save our Yen and Guilder every day to be ready. ;) __________________ John Locke SursumFilms.com

March 1st, 2003, 03:12 PM	#14
Emery Wells Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 38	Is it just me or does anyone else think the sky crane looks very "cheap" compared to the cobra crane?? I keep hearing its a great product, so it must be good. I guess I feel more comfortable with heavier bigger crane. Has anyone had experience with both cranes?? I dont mind spending a little extra money to get a crane that will be SOLID. Ive tried cutting corners in the past and ive lerned that I have just wound up buying the more expensive product a little down the line. Id rather not waste money on something that wont meet "professional" standards. I use the DVX100 but it would be nice to have a crane capable of a little more weight if need be. I mainly produce music videos, but im starting to do some short films so Id really like a crane that can "grow" with me. Is skycrane the product that will do this? Or do I need to look elsewhere? -Emery

March 2nd, 2003, 02:41 AM	#15
Alex Kamm Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: SANFRANCISCO, CA Posts: 74	Hmmm... jibarm anyone by habbcam? hehehehe...... heard it does the same job just looked like a twig! Anyone have it? or thoughts on it? __________________ RACESAUCE DOT COM \|Equipment: PD-150\|