Bargain Camera (
www.bargain-camera.com ) sent us their new model Proam DVC250 Camera Crane (Jib) to test. The 250 is just a 200 with an extra 4' extention piece to make the 8' jib into a 12' jib.
We're planning a full-blown review within the next few days, but until then I can say that this is a well-made product that seems to work as advertised. It came with a stand that was sturdy enough to handle the full 12', counter-weights and camera. A tripod with the same capabilities would cost at least a couple of hundred dollars.
I used this rig at last Saturday's wedding to hold a static FX1 far above the guests heads from the back of the church. Setup and breakdown was quick and easy and I got a camera view that would be impossible any other way. No balcony and not even a good place to set my 7.5' tripod up. Only a jib could handle this job and the DVC200 (I didn't use the extention) performed admirably.
One of the guests works for a big video outfit (hint: they don't do weddings!) and was impressed by the jib and by our microphone placements, to the point that he asked for a bunch of cards and said he'd refer us business.
We'll put this jib to work in a few days, trying out boom moves, etc. and give you the full run-down in the first of a new series of review articles.
Until then, check it out at:
http://www.bargain-camera.com/store/catalog/ProAm-DVC200-Camera-Crane-Jib-p-16133.html
