$6 Jib-Crane made from Tripod parts, steel cable, L-brackets and a bunch of nuts and bolts!

READ ME!! (EDIT) - Felt I needed to add this because of an unforeseen flaw:
_________________________________
The twisting of the arm because of the weight of the camera being to one side makes it more difficult to use. At ground level, it tilts clockwise a bit, when it is mid-level (parallel with the pivot point, it is perfectly level, and when it is up high, it tilts slightly counter-clockwise.

I can fix this in post, and have used this on two shoots already. but it is a pain.
_________________


Lightweight, VERY portable, and achieves tilt.
Ok - the title is a bit misleading. I already had almost everything I needed to make this new jib. So yes, it only cost me $6 to make. If you bought the parts now it would cost approximately $25-35 depending upon how much the tripod costs.

I used parts from an old Targus tripod (mainly the legs) to create the arm for the jib, and then used L-brackets and a bunch of nuts and bolts. I specify at the end of the video what parts I used and how many. I also go into DETAILED information about how I made it.

Sorry for the wind noise in the shots outside. It was REALLY windy and my shotgun mic's windscreen was not holding up.

IMPORTANT - if you try this yourself, you need to start with a VERY STURDY TRIPOD as the source for your parts. You also need to make sure you balance everything very well!!




This was NOT an attempt to duplicate the CobraCrane or other design. (Though I did use that as a general direction) It was a challenge I assigned myself to see if I could make it using existing parts.

This design works very well and I am going to be using it on a shoot next week.

Does it look very professional? Not really - but I still wouldn't be ashamed to take it out on a shoot. It performs very well.

All Music performed by myself.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• DIY Jib Crane
• Old Tripod
• Camera Crane
• Jib Crane with tilt
• cobra crane

[engereken]

idea and music very cool tanks

[musichistorynut]

@engereken Thanks! As I say, the IDEA is good, but you really need a better source for the jib arm than the tripod leg - too much twisting is going on.

[didanhtennis]

Why didn't you just put the jib at the center of the tripod then you don't have to worry about the offsetting weight? Good design though, I like it.

[musichistorynut]

@didanhtennis The reason I didn't put the jib on the center of the tripod was because you can get a LOT more height with less length of jib arm when mounting it to the side like that. Cobra Crane's PhotoCrane does it like that. Of course, they use much higher quality components.

[astraeus08]

Really well done - you've inspired me to use yours as a basis for making a jib-crane of my own. Do you have any more videos taken using the jib-crane? Have you found it is prone to wobbles? I noticed that the movement on it appears not to be uniform in the short clip you showed at the end there - how problematic have you found that?

[musichistorynut]

@astraeus08 Yes. Actually, this design is great in concept, but in reality, the twisting of the arm because of the weight of the camera being to one side makes it more difficult to use. At ground level, it tilts clockwise a bit, when it is mid-level (parallel with the pivot point, it is perfectly level, and when it is up high, it tilts slightly counter-clockwise.

I can fix this in post, and have used this on two shoots already. but it is a pain.

[CALICOTV301]

Nice idea...I think I'll get a real one so I can be taken seriously on the street. The police may think Im some sort of agglomerating junk

[tonysyl7175]

pretty cool dude! I like it.

[shuttlewerks1]

Great design. I will use your design to make mire so I thank you. I would make the comment that after you added the extra L bracket to the tripod and the long bolt joining the two you could use that bolt as the pivot for you lower bearing. This might limit your height somewhat but you would have perfect balance left and right.

[davidrobillardgolf]

That's excellent very creative DIY, Look out Kessler!

[deeper1000]

Really great man.. Thank you