ProAm Taurus Jr. Crane
Manufacturer: ProAm USAWebsite: Click Here
Purchase: Click Here
Description: Camera Crane/Jib
Purchase/Rent: Purchase & Rent
Pricing: $399.00
Official Demo Footage: Click Here
Expected Release: Available Now
Review Issue: #98 (04/14)
Reviewed By: Craig McDaniel
Final Score: 10 (out of 10)
For years, low budget filmmakers have been trying to achieve those beautiful crane shots that Hollywood seems to produce so effortlessly. Most young filmmakers probably never really consider how hard it can be to get such a perfect shot, until they actually try it for themselves.
The truth is Hollywood productions have much more money than you and a good sum of that goes towards high end equipment. Until recently this was the cold hard truth of microfilmmaking in several different areas of production.
Over the past decade there has been an incredible increase in camera, software and gear options for filmmakers working with limited funds. Every so often a company comes out of the woodwork spouting that they have the “latest and greatest” for an insanely low price point. In my experience, most of these claims turn out to be nothing more than promotional hype, obviously hoping to lure in unsuspecting filmmakers who have just the right amount of cash available. Over the past few years, I have been building up my own little arsenal of gear and I was always on the lookout for a small crane or jib that could get the job done without breaking the bank. In my search I eventually found a company called ProAm USA, my first experience with them was a positive one and I have been using their products ever since. When the opportunity to check out the brand new ProAm Taurus Jr presented itself, I couldn’t say no.
[Note:The current ProAm crane in my package is the DVC50/60 which is admittedly one of their more limited cranes, but for the price point (under $200.00) it gets the job done. Both feature a 4ft reach, so size and height wise, it’s similar to the new Taurus Jr. Considering this, I was able to directly compare the two models.]
Ease of Use
You will find operating the Taurus Jr to be a relatively easy process. Keep in mind it does require some counter weights to properly achieve a good stable shot. The amount of weight needed will depend on the camera or package you are using. Whether you are using a tripod or crane stand to support the Taurus Jr, the set-up process is quick and efficient.
I found the connection between the Taurus Jr and the mount to connect very easily. (On a side note regarding this connection, what at first seemed to be a good connection, proved itself to be a little too loose when panning. This was easily fixable with a few extra turns of the connection mount.)
Depth of Options
In direct comparison with the DV50/60 (which is a very basic up/down and side/side rig), the depth of options with the Taurus Jr is an eye-opener. The features ProAm delivers at this price point are a wonderful achievement. One of the great things about the Taurus Jr is that it is designed to hold a camera package of up to 30lbs; this is good news for guys who are never really sure what kind of camera they will be using for each production. Regardless of whether you are using a DSLR or HD Video Camera load, you will most likely be covered. If your camera package requires extra room to fit onto the crane mount, a removable extension plate is provided. Additionally, if you’re like me, you will find the capability to directly attach your tripod head to the extension plate to be really helpful. This feature in combination with the cranes reach and manual tilt handle lends itself to some very interesting shots.
Other options to the Taurus Jr include a separate Pan and Tilt Brake which will give you the ability to control the speed of your panning and tilting. The manual tilt handle can hold up to 10lbs and is accessible with the simple removal of a screw and bolt. A small built in level is included at the base of the mount, which is an often overlooked inclusion with affordable cranes, so it was a nice addition for ProAm to include.
The options for the Taurus Jr aren’t limited to the out of the box features. Visiting
ProAm’s website you can see the additional gear available to customize your rig. These options include (but are not limited to): a Monitor Mounting Bracket, a Bowl adapter camera plate, and both Track and Platform Dolly options for the crane support.
Performance
Overall the design of the Taurus Jr is remarkable. The side loading counterweight mount can also be used as handles; this will allow for a firm hold on the rear side of the crane. A dual aluminum arm design gives added support for a solid hold, while the previously mentioned tilt handle can also serve as added hands-on support for smooth movement.
The Taurus Jr offers a lot of bang for the buck. As with any manually operated crane or jib, the flow and smoothness of the shots relies on the operator just as much as it does the design of the gear. I found the performance to be fully in line with ProAm’s advertising claims, which is a feat that never fails to amaze me.
Here is some on the fly footage I was able to capture at a pretty unique location near my home in Florida. The Taurus Jr was able to handle the location’s variety of level ground while capturing some great shots.
Value
It seemed at first ProAm was going to offer the Taurus Jr at a very low price of $299.00, as it turns out that price point could not be met. The actual release price is $399.00. This is due to
some last minute design changes as well as the upping the load capacity to 30lbs (the original spec was for 20lbs).
One thing to keep in mind is a reliable piece of gear can last you a very long time. There might be cheaper options around and the last minute price change may turn some people off. But this is a piece of gear that offers a good deal of options and is made of quality material, not to mention the extra additions ProAm offers to “pimp out” the rig. With a load capacity of 30lbs and the included extension plate, it’s going to be able to handle a good deal of camera packages for years to come. At the time of this review ProAm offers a 30 day money back guarantee and lifetime warranty. In my opinion there really is no competitor comparison at this price range.
Final Comments
The Taurus Jr may not have all the bells and whistles of a $3K crane, but it’s an amazing bang for your buck for a solid, dependable crane that will last you for years to come—which is why it earned a 10 out of 10 from me.
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Breakdown
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Ease of Use
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10.0 |
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Depth of Options
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10.0 |
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Performance
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10.0 |
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Value vs. Cost
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10.0 |
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Overall Score |
10.0 |
Craig McDaniel
Craig McDaniel has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. Serving in art department, project management, graphic design, screenwriting and directing etc. His work has carried him to the cities of Orlando, Los Angeles and Atlanta. Craig’s resume includes projects with CBS, MTV, VH1, SyFy, Turner Broadcasting, Victoria’s Secret, Coca-Cola and many more. Currently he resides in the St. Augustine Florida area and were he produces and directs local/regional media product, as well as drinking too much red wine.