Couple of weeks ago I have started building a video jib/crane. I was inspired by Marin's video. 

I have never build something like that. All my creativity was limited in the virtual digital world of computers. 

Estimated costs for the project is 500$. Not including the tripod. 

The jib/crane has 2 setups:

1) about 2 meters extended from the tripod axis. The estimated weigh of the crane is about 7kg balanced without camera load. Each 100gram of camera adds 150-200 gram of balancing weight. 

2) about 3 meters extended from tripod axis. The estimated weigh of the crane is about 9kg balanced without camera load. Each 100gram of camera adds 250-300 gram of balancing weight.

The crane has to axes: horizontal and vertical with adjustable transmission ratio. 

The crane will have a preview monitor and a 15 hours battery module. 

Subscribe or visit the homepage website periodically for more info.

Here is a first impression with the crane I made. There are still many things to improve but the system is already 80% working.

Update: 26 December 2010:

I did some changes to the crane and tested the system for the video monitor  with Canon 550d and kit lens 18-135. The camera is about 1kg with that lens. 

There are some minor changes and modification to apply but basically the crane is ready to shot. The only major problem is that my camcorder is not going to get home from the lab for at least a month.

I also checked the system for the extended  setup without load. The length from the tripod vertical axis is 3 meters. 

Update:17 February 2011:

I took another test before field shooting in my apartment, this time with a camcorder. The footage shot at low light, 1/60 1080p60, slowed down to 1080p30.

The azimuth is controlled by pulling the restricting string of the horizontal movement.