Camera Jib & Crane Calculator
Calculate counterweight balance requirements, leverage ratios, and fulcrum pivot loads for film jibs and cranes.
Input Parameters
Distance from the central pivot (fulcrum) to the camera mounting head.
Distance from the central pivot to the counterweight barbell bar.
Combined weight of camera, lens, motorized head, matte box, and cables.
Calculation Results
Weight required on the rear bar to achieve neutral balance.
Front to rear leverage multiplier
Grip Engineering: Balancing Jibs and Production Cranes
Camera cranes operate as class-one levers. Achieving neutral balance is vital for smooth operation and grip crew safety. An unbalanced jib places massive torque on brake locks and tripod heads, creating serious hazard risks on set. Always add counterweights gradually as payload is mounted onto the head.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the total load on the crane tripod fulcrum?
The total vertical load on the central fulcrum and tripod equals the front payload weight PLUS the rear counterweight weight PLUS the crane arm's own structural weight. Always ensure your tripod base or heavy-duty pedestal is rated well above this sum.
Explore More Production Calculators
Tools designed for cinematographers, DITs, gaffers, and stage technicians.
Cinema Depth of Field Calculator
Precise depth of field, hyperfocal distance, near limit, and far limit calculations for professional digital cinema cameras, spherical primes, and anamorphic lenses.
Field of View (FoV) & Lens Angle Calculator
Calculate exact horizontal and diagonal angles of view (AOV) and physical framing dimensions for any sensor format and focal length.
Camera Recording Time & Media Calculator
Calculate storage capacity, recording runtime, and hourly data consumption across professional cinema codecs.
Timelapse & Slow Motion Shooting Calculator
Calculate frame counts, intervalometer shooting gaps, and playback runtimes for time manipulation cinematography.
Camera Battery Run Time & Power Calculator
Calculate total rig power draw (Watts) and battery endurance in hours and minutes with built-in safety margins.
Lighting & Photometrics Calculator
Calculate light falloff using the inverse square law, convert Lux to Foot-Candles, and estimate required aperture f-stops.
Production Monitor & Display Viewing Distance
Calculate SMPTE, THX, and human visual acuity viewing distances for color grading suites, broadcast monitors, and video village setups.
LED Video Wall Dimension & Power Calculator
Calculate total pixel resolution, physical dimensions, surface area, and electrical power loads across pixel pitches.
Projector Lumens & Throw Distance Calculator
Calculate required ANSI Lumens output and optical throw distances based on screen size and ambient light conditions.
Need Professional Cinema Equipment in Greece?
BLK Cine Rentals provides ARRI Alexa 35, Sony Venice 2, Cooke / Master Primes, lighting, and camera cranes for international film productions.