Build a camera boom at less than a grand

posted Nov 21st 2009 3:32pm by
filed under: digital cameras hacks

The folks at The Geek Group built a camera crane for less than $1000. In the video embedded after the break a presenter takes you through the different parts that make up the boom and how it is operated. This feels like something from a Junkyard Wars challenge as most of the parts are scavenged or from an industrial surplus store. Don’t let that sour your opinion, what they’ve ended up with is amazingly functional.

The base of the unit is a rolling tripod used for television cameras from around the 1960′s. The aluminum boom attaches to the base with a few large bearings and features a fine tuning balance system. The camera mount is motorized and can be moved using a joystick or set to scan automatically. It’s nice to see more examples of custom camera mounts. Obviously this isn’t a build for everyone, but as cameras and camera equipment become more readily available it makes high quality video production available for the masses, not just the networks.

Camera crane walkthrough.

Camera crane shot demo.

[Thanks Will]



25 Responses to Build a camera boom at less than a grand

  • The Cheap Vegetable Gardener says:
    November 21, 2009 at 4:29 pm

    Man you just made me miss JunkYard Wars…

    Reply Report comment
  • sarsface says:
    November 21, 2009 at 5:07 pm

    If you want an even cheaper one, check this out.
    http://www.instructables.com/id/16-feet-pan-and-tilt-camera-crane-for-%2460/

    Reply Report comment
  • smartbob says:
    November 21, 2009 at 6:43 pm

    there is no way that is all under $1000 not to mention tools you need to build that in the 1st place. But a very cool project…

    Reply Report comment
  • Andrew says:
    November 21, 2009 at 6:52 pm

    OMG, that guy is full of shit. I work on film sets, cranes only cost 2k for something 12ft. Great you saved $1000 and end up with something half assed where you can’t find parts. WOW. congrats. I’ve seen better made out of lumber that cost $125 that give you the same control and distance.

    Plus, why make it out of a huge heavy metal pipe for a camera that only cost $500 and weights 8 ounce? Clearly this guy doesn’t know how to shot for a good deal.

    Congratz on wasting $1000 and building something completely worthless.

    Reply Report comment
    • mman454 says:
      November 22, 2009 at 6:08 pm

      Hey idiot as a member of the group we often use equipment we have in the lab. The pipe just so happened to be somthing laying around. Also, the stand was donated by one of our sponsors. Seriously let’s not act like a five year old trying to explain why their toy is better than yours.

      Reply Report comment
  • moo says:
    November 21, 2009 at 8:32 pm

    Wow did he say 100k? Guess the actors arnt the only ones making money :)

    Reply Report comment
  • bill hates says:
    November 21, 2009 at 10:32 pm

    LOL Andrew…

    I was gonna say the same thing…
    the So called demo was terrible and only showed a simple movement..

    Reply Report comment
  • napalm says:
    November 21, 2009 at 11:18 pm

    @Andrew

    Alluminum is not heavy, did you see the counterweights? <150lbs, in terms of that much metal, thats light.

    Reply Report comment
  • Jack Sprat says:
    November 22, 2009 at 12:28 am

    The top wire to keep it level is a good idea, but it could be improved. If he uses a wire on the top and bottom he can mechanically control the up and down movement, no need for a joystick and it goes as fast as you want. You could also apply this method to the horizontal direction. Now you just have to worry about zoom and focus. Control the crane with pedals and you’re set.

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  • andrew says:
    November 22, 2009 at 12:30 am

    Seems unnecessarily big for a tiny little camera.

    Reply Report comment
  • Satiagraha says:
    November 22, 2009 at 2:50 am

    @Jack Sprat

    The joystick is for pan and tilt, not arm movement. The parallel arms (cables) would be able to control the position of the camera, but not the orientation.

    Reply Report comment
  • Tom says:
    November 22, 2009 at 5:27 am

    Nice tie :D

    Reply Report comment
  • Heatgap/Ho0d0o says:
    November 22, 2009 at 7:53 am

    @Andrew: In the spirit of free speech, I respect your opinion. I don’t get how building something that is completely functional is worse than buying one already made. For the build experience and fun that goes into thinking it up, I’m sure these guys can say it was well worth it. Worthless, not quite. Over exaggerated maybe…but definitely not worthless.

    Reply Report comment
  • Alchemyguy says:
    November 22, 2009 at 8:12 am

    @Heatgap: Welcome to the interwebs, where if you’re not making hyperbolic statements you’re just not doin it rite.

    Reply Report comment
  • Dan Copeland says:
    November 22, 2009 at 8:28 am

    I built one 2 years ago that extends from 6ft to 25 ft The cost was less then 500 dollars check it out here

    http://www.cdvideo.ca/wordpress/photo-galery/jib-crane/

    DaNc

    Reply Report comment
  • Gripen40k says:
    November 22, 2009 at 9:31 am

    @Dan Copeland

    Holy crap dude, that’s really quite an awesome job you did! Very prof. looking build.

    Reply Report comment
  • MS3FGX says:
    November 22, 2009 at 11:04 am

    Dan’s crane looks a lot better than the one this article links to. There is absolutely no reason for it to be that huge and over-engineered for the tiny cameras they are running on it. They could have done the whole thing cheaper and easier with lighter materials and less complicated mechanics.

    Reply Report comment
  • Dan copeland says:
    November 22, 2009 at 12:39 pm

    My crane is made from a telescoping flag pole cost 150 dollars

    Reply Report comment
  • Dan Copeland says:
    November 22, 2009 at 6:56 pm

    who are you calling an Idiot ??? just wondering because I posted a crane I built??

    Reply Report comment
  • moo says:
    November 22, 2009 at 9:26 pm

    Ooo Dan Copeland just hijaked this post with a better crane thingy . Someone get him! lol

    Reply Report comment
  • Andrew says:
    November 23, 2009 at 10:21 am

    @DAN

    AWESOME! I love it, it honestly looks professional. I bet when you show up on a set people are impressed, and when you mention you builted it, they are floored.

    @Heatgap/Ho0d0o

    I understand where you are coming from. I too have built stuff myself that is far more expensive then going out and buying one. But I don’t brag about it; Especially when there are guys like these who really take DIY to the next level.
    http://homebuiltstabilizers.com/greyjibsncranes.htm

    @mman454
    I understand they had the pipe laying around, possiblily. But they didn’t have the pestisol head laying around. Again its about improving upon the norm, and i still say they went backwards.

    Reply Report comment
  • James says:
    November 23, 2009 at 10:54 am

    @Dan Copeland

    Great job. By any chance, do you have plans on how to make that? This is Hackaday?

    Thanks!

    Reply Report comment
  • Dan CD Video says:
    November 23, 2009 at 11:12 am

    I do not have plans right now but it is easy to figure out The tube is a flag pole that telescopes out I had to make a yoke at the pivot point ( due to the poles telescopes into it) The rest I made using 1/4″ aluminum plate cut on a table saw (carbide blade)

    I am in the process of perfecting hydraulic head as seen on my web site

    http://www.cdvideo.ca/wordpress/fluid-jib-head/

    this will make it easier to control the camera movements pan and tilt

    DaNc

    Reply Report comment
  • low_dawn says:
    November 24, 2009 at 4:56 pm

    Hey everybody, just wanted to give my 2-cent, I’ve worked with professional cranes for about 2 years, in a rental house, specifically SuperTechno http://www.supertechno.com/ and Panther’s Swissjib model http://www.panther.us/cms/en_fe_swissjib.html , both with matching dollies.
    I must say that the biggest issue I see with the Geek Group crane is the bulk of the thing, it seems way to complicated and big for the job, the camera weighs maybe 500 g or so, it just seems like the head and boom is overkill for that, though the scan function could actually be useful for a passive crane, to give the producers something to look at.

    I think Dan is on the right track though, it looks simple, and easy to move between locations.
    The head bears a striking resemblance to professional solutions, which is very impressive, is it your own design as well, and how do you control it?

    I love the way indie filmmakers are pushing the big guys like ARRI, Aaton and the like to really improve their products, in price and quality as well as functions, it’s great!

    oh BTW supertechno has some tech-specs on their site, if you want some inspiration

    That is all…

    Reply Report comment
  • Dan CD Video says:
    November 25, 2009 at 6:49 am

    The one head is a Camera Turret unit that I purchased and is Joystick controlled but the link to my Hydra head is more of a tripod type control see

    http://www.cdvideo.ca/wordpress/fluid-jib-head/

    DaNc

    Reply Report comment

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