boom cranes

[Maximus Imagimus]

I was watching a demo movie of one of them spider type of pull behind vehicle, cranes that can lift 200-500 lbs around 50-70 feet in almost any direction. I had always thought the hydrolics would be way to jerky to use as a filming crane, but it was surprisingly smooth during most movments. Now if one used a steadicam and maybe a little software help in post.... maybe. anyone ever try a Genie TZTM-50 or some other boom type crane for camera work?

[Cail Young]

Boom arm lifts (or any hydraulic manlifts) are only smooth in motion - the starts and stops are jerky, and additionally when you're releasing the hydraulic (usually the "down" direction) you have no speed control.

That said, they're a very versatile solution if you're not moving your camera in space.