cheap stationary crane/jib thing?

[brianmanahan]

i need to take some video pointing straight down from about 5 or 6 feet in the air. is there a crane/jib type device that would work for that, or should i look at maybe trying to build my own?

i don't need all the tilt/pan features, this camera just needs to point straight down. i'd either be using a SX40 or a lumix, just cheap cameras.

 

[EOM]

i need to take some video pointing straight down from about 5 or 6 feet in the air. is there a crane/jib type device that would work for that, or should i look at maybe trying to build my own?

i don't need all the tilt/pan features, this camera just needs to point straight down. i'd either be using a SX40 or a lumix, just cheap cameras.

1ft by 1ft of 1/4" plywood with a glory hole for the lens and suspended with twine from a square 2x4 frame?

 

[Syborg1211]

If you're using a small camera, you can try just hand holding a monopod with the camera at the end. You can use timer for shutter or if your camera has the ability to take several photos over a timelapse or burst that's an option too. I'm not sure if your camera would support some sort of wireless remote shutter or a phone app to frame/shutter control.

I've done shots like this with a full frame camera mounted on a tripod, and it was not easy holding that whole rig over a model laid out on a painted picnic table but it got the job done for the one shot.

 

[Belegost]

Just some PVC pipe framework fit togeter, with an endcap that has a tripod mount sized bolt stuck through it? If it's something light you don't need anything real strong.