Does the camera stay level as it booms up and down? Yes. The Cobra Crane camera cranes uses a cable and pulley parallelogram system which will keep it level as it booms up and down.
How does it tilt the camera? The Cobra Crane mounts on your tripod head, (there is no need to remove the head) and when you tilt the head, the unique pulley and cable system can tilt the camera up to 180 degrees, by simply tilting the tripod head using the tripod handle. Standing behind the tripod you would put your right hand on the back of the unit, for booming & panning, and your left hand on the tripod handle for tilting. This lets you swoop the camera from a low shot to a high shot smoothly and efficiently. You can also keep your eye on a monitor placed on the tripod. You can tilt the camera while the boom arm is either still, or in motion.
This is a unique feature of the Cobra Crane, other camera cranes and camera jibs on the market will not tilt from the rear like this. They only stay leveled and cannot tilt up and down. They would require a pan tilt motor that's over $3000. With the Cobra Crane it is already built in. The Unique Pulley System on the Cobra Crane makes this possible. It can Boom and tilt, tilt and pan and auto level.
Auto Leveling will keep the camera pointed steady to whatever direction you leave it last without holding on to the handle. As an example, if you leave it pointed down, it will stay pointed down as you boom up, down, left, or right. You don't have to continuously hold on to the handle like other systems.
Does it pan? Yes it can boom pan 360 degrees continuously. This sweeping arc through the air makes a much more dramatic pan, than just turning right or left like when on a tripod. The Cobra Crane can do all three moves simultaneously if need be- boom, tilt, and boom pan. It can also be set up to do dutch angles without buying any optional dutch angle accessories. If you want to pan out on the end, we have a remote pan and tilt head available with a long wired remote control, that pans 180 degrees and tilts 30 degrees. Or you can put a tripod head out there and do it the old fashioned way. (its limited to how high you can reach, or how low you can bend. Plus its hard keeping your eye on a monitor).
How do I see what the camera is shooting with the eyepiece so far away? Professional work requires proper monitoring of the image. This is accomplished by running a video wire from the video out jack on the camera, down the Crane arm to a small portable monitor on or near the tripod. Monitor is available and sold separately.
How long does it take to set up Since it mounts directly to your tripods head, it is very fast
What kind of tripod should I use? Any medium to heavy duty sturdy tripod will work.
What is it made of? Its made from super durable high strength lightweight steel.
What kind of weights does it use? Common 1 inch hole barbell discs found at any sporting goods store. You need approximately 2.5 times the weight of your camera in weight discs.
How long does it take to learn to use it? 15 minutes of working it is all the practice you need.
How do I focus and zoom the camera? Its best to pre-focus the shot before shooting. I have a variable speed remotes for any camcorder (Varizoom LANC under the Accessories page). You will need to get an extension cable when using it on the Cobra Crane. LANC controllers are available and sold separately. If you're a little short of funds, pre focus the shot, leave it at a very wide setting, and dolly the crane toward the subject. This is a simple, effective, and relatively goof proof method.
