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Jibs / Cranes ? Anyone heard of PROAm ? or others ?
I’m posting here cause I haven’t seen a better forum to post this question to. If another forum jumps out at you – please let me know.
I am looking at doing an “exercise” training video. I have watched many and it seems that the “slow swoop down and around ‘5 seconds or so’ clips” are a very “nice” feature to include if properly mixes in with other cuts.
I noticed in Serious Magic’s Making of a Wedding Surprise – that Mark Randell was using a EZFX jib.
I also found an 8′ jib at bargain-camera.com that seems to have several similiar features – but is a bit less pricey ($500 or more less). The one I am looking at is the ProAm Multimedia DVC200 – an 8′ crane.
I am wondering if anyone has experience with either the EZ FX or ProAm – and particuarly if anyone has used the ProAm and can comment on it – or if anyone has another recommendation. Particularly I would like to know postive or negative on the ProAm.
Thanks
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7 Replies
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The EZFX jib is a sweet unit – beefy! For a lighter cam checkout the Promax CobraCrane. You will also need a monitor and a remote to use a crane efficiently. You could probably fake it with a handheld steadi-rig if you have time for a few extra takes.
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Before buying anything as specialized and expensive as a jib arm/crane, do the following:
1. Get a copy of Mark and Trish Von Lanken’s “Moving Camera Techniques” DVD, and see if you can get what you want with a little practice and a monopod.
2. If you have to have a jib arm or crane, look into renting one.
Regards,
Doug Graham -
Best to rent these unless you are going to use them weekly. You get more crane/jib for the money that way as well… like a dolly and circular track to really make the shot swoop nicely.
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My parents got me the ProAm crane you referenced for Xmas this year (pretty nice present, eh? especially when all my other mid-20s friends got books and ties).
I have enjoyed it immensely. The shots I get with my GL2 are wonderfully smooth, and it really adds quite a bit of production value to any job (if not overused, of course).
You’ll want a quick-release plate for the bottom and some sort of monitor. I happen to have a portable DVD player from Best Buy (store brand) that works quite well for this. $150 + $10 in cables at Radio Shack. It doesn’t relay the color/exposure information perfectly, but it’s great to check framing.
You’ll also need a serious tripod to handle the weight. Mounted on my hefty Bogen tripod, I’ve flown it up to 18 feet, which is plenty high for most applications. If you’ve got a sturdy tripod, you can achieve steady results at such heights.
A caveat: It’s not quick-folding or anything, so you’ll need to budget 5 minutes to set it up and take it down before loading it into your vehicle.
Hope that was some useful info for you.
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Thanks Luke. That is very helpful. I actually have several other questions I wouldn’t mind asking – and I would be glad to call you or email (or even post here. (a call just seems to often save a lot of time) If you send me an email a “dave @ vfwTech . com” we could work out any details.
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yo Dave,
Glad to help. Check your inbox.
-LD -
I have the Proam DVC100, and it work out fine, just need lots of practice..
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