a camera crane arm has a frame pivotally supporting a central beam section . outer beam sections are attached to and spaced apart from the central beam section . a leveling system is externally attached to the frame and pivotally linked to a camera platform , to maintain the platform in a level orientation , as the crane arm is pivoted up and down , to adjust camera lens height . the crane arm is formed of sections having vertically offset ends , to reduce sagging . the sections have a high moment of inertia but low weight , and can be assembled without force .