The 9.SOLUTIONS C-Pan Arm II is a follow-up to the original C-Pan Arm that was shown way back at NAB 2016.
This product was originally launched in 2021, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancelation of trade shows, it managed to slip through the cracks.
The C-Pan Arm II was designed to be an innovative tool for adding movement to your interviews, location shots, or product videography without laying dolly track or bringing in large jib arms. The C-Pan Arm II can make straight moves on vertical and horizontal axes, as well as inward and outward curved moves.
It supports camera rigs up to 13 lb / 5.89kg when making vertical moves and 17 lb / 7.71kg for horizontal moves. The lightweight arm is easy to carry, mounts on an optional heavy-duty stand, and requires no fluid or ball head tripod.
You can operate the arm horizontally, vertically, or even on a slope/angle to create smooth camera moves. An integrated bubble level helps confirm when the arm is level for horizontal moves, and the included camera plate features a reversible 1/4″-20 – 3/8″-16 tie-down screw. The included counterweights allow you to balance your camera on the arm when offset from the center support.
The C-Pan Arm II is quite unique because it can mechanically move your camera in a variety of different paths: straight pan, outward curve, inward curve, horizontal, vertical, at a sloped angle, or even forward/backward. The center pivot-point design keeps the camera moving in the same plane, avoiding the arc that occurs when using a jib arm to boom or track.
Using a pivot point, the C-Pan Arm II can push in, pull out, or track, and it will automatically correct to keep the camera moving straight. With a toolless adjustment, you can create curved moves, either inward or outward, while the camera mounting plate automatically corrects to keep the camera positioned at the same point throughout the move, keeping your subject centered. For example, if doing a boom up or down or a horizontal track on a subject with the camera pointed at their face, the C-Pan Arm II will automatically compensate to stay centered on your subject’s face without requiring the use of an additional remote/fluid head. You can also insert the included locking pin to disable the camera compensation, keeping the camera level throughout the boom.
The C-Pan Arm II mounts on a tripod/light stand with a 3/8″-16 stud, eliminating the need for a tripod head.
The 9.SOLUTIONS C-Pan Arm II retails for $1,499 USD.
Matthew Allard is a multi-award-winning, ACS accredited freelance Director of Photography with 30 years' experience working in more than 50 countries around the world. He is the Editor of Newsshooter.com and has been writing on the site since 2010. Matthew has won 43 ACS Awards, including four prestigious Golden Tripods. In 2016 he won the Award for Best Cinematography at the 21st Asian Television Awards. Matthew is available to hire as a DP in Japan or for work anywhere else in the world.
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