Orion DVC200 DSLR Video Camera Crane – Aircraft Aluminum Camera Jib – 8 ft Extendable Filmmaking Boom with L-Shaped Side Camera Mounting Bracket

A camera crane is a tool that when properly used can be helpful in obtaining stunning video shots BUT like the zoom lens it must be used carefully and with purpose. I purchased the ProAm DVC200 on Amazon along with The ProAm stand. This package came with free shipping which saved almost $40.00. The crane portion comes in two parts which can be attached together without the use of additional tools. Ordered with the stand the crane has the proper adaptor for attachment (also without tools). It can be ordered for use with a tripod and will then come with the appropriate mount. Using a crane requires the right equipment and some practice. The video camera needs to have the ability to attach a TV monitor and remote controls to it in order to frame your picture and start and stop your camera. It also requires balancing weights at the end of the crane. My set up consists of a Panasonic HMD-40 camera with a remote control manufactured by Studio 1 in Florida that lets me start and stop the camera as well as control the zoom speed, the lens focus and the iris. Depending on your camera a kit can be purchased that includes a remote control, a TV monitor and a bracket that attaches to the side of the crane. In my case the Panasonic camera required a different type of remote control. For a TV I adapted a Coby 7″ portable digital LCD TV by making a metal plate to attach to the crane and attaching industrial strength velcro strips to the plate and the back of the TV. When I can I will upgrade to a better monitor but until then this works. The crane is very well designed and reasonably light. A four foot extension is available that changes the crane from 8′ to 12′ and can be purchased later. So far I have found that a crane works best when using wide angle lens settings. The crane is difficult to get stable start and stop pictures but works very well as a moving device. Zooming can be effectively used in moving shots with practice to great effect but the wide angle will give much better results at the starting and stopping positions. The camera platform has several mounting holes but to get the steadiest camera shots the camera should be mounted as close as possible to the crane siding. All in all the ProAm Crane is a well constructed piece of equipment that if used properly can be a creative tool for professional looking video. Like the zoom lens the crane must have a reason for being used. This is a good piece of equipment at a decent price.