What will be the hot jib arm for the HVX-200?

puredrifting

puredrifting

Major Contributor
Hi all:

We need to buy a jib for ourr incoming HVX-200s. I have read so many websites and reviews of jib arms, my eyes and head hurt. I recently completed shoots with the Focus Micro-Jib and the Glidecam 200 jib. Here are some criteria:

1. We would like to spend between $2,000.00 and $4,000.00 TOTAL - this includes all tripod legs, accessories, counterweights, lcd monitors, etc. The whole package

2. Need a 3-5' jib for tabletop, expandable to 9-12' for outdoor shoots

3. Need quality engineering. When I rented the Glidecam jib, frankly, it's a cheap pieece of junque from an engineering standpoint. It's starts an stops are clunky. We need something that is capable of smooth moves

That's it. What would you buy with these criteria and why?

Best,

Dan
 
Dan,
I always recommend the Porta-jib (http://www.porta-jib.com/). I've owned one for about 10 years now and it is still solid as a rock. I've flown everything from a Panavision to a panasonic on it - it'll work with any weight of camera.
They also make a really good case for it that'll absorb any beating.
Regards,
Shane
 
Thanks for the feedback Shane.

I just finished a tabletop shoot today with the Focus Microjib, the third one I have used this arm on. I love this jib, it's great, but it's only a 3' jib, for me, really only useful for tabletop. I don't think the Focus is extendable. I will check out the Porta Jib.

Best,

Dan
 
I have the porta-jib traveler with an extension that I made myself for it to get a long reach. I've used it with the vista pan and tilt remote head with cams as heavy as the SDX900 and love it! I put it on my dolly and do combination moves all the time. I've even set it on my high hat on the dolly for maximum reach out over a swimmer in a pool - awesome footage!

It's not cheap though. around 3,500
the vista remote head is around 2,000

I did a lot of looking before buying mine and decided it wqas the minumum I needed while being maximum I was willing to pay. One thing that sold me was that this is one of the brands most rental companies carry - which means its durable.
 
soarprod said:
Not sure if this is too big but I have heard a lot of good things about this one...
http://www.ezfx.com/
Click to expand...

to put it simply: there's a reason the rental companies use the porta-jib and not the ezfx. and by the time you pay for the extras you're up to the cost of the porta-jib anyways, and porta-jib breaks down better, easier and quicker than anything in the biz.

if you're near hollywood just go by their building and check it out
 
Shane:

Checked ou the PortaJib site, looks pretty good except for one thing. The Focus Microjib that I rented for my shoot yesterday has an has a swiveling cradle (where the fluid head mounts to the end of the arm). This allows me to easily operate the jib from the head from the camera end of the jib and I can set the drag on the swivel to give me another axis to pan the camera as the arm moves.

The PortaJib does not seem to have this feature. In your years of operating, particularly in doing tabletop shoots, have you ever wanted to switch sides to operate the camera from either side or have you ever wished that you could have swiveled the camera back 6" without having to reposition the entire jib arm? I ask this because in doing my tabletop with the Focus yesterday, I used this capacity a lot and it was really handy to have.

Other than that, the Porta Jib looks very good. I am in Burbank so I will take a trip over the hill to Hollywood to check one out in person soon.

Thanks for any input,

Dan
 
BTW,

I rented the Glidecam 200 jib for a trip to Utah to shoot scenic outdoor stuff. Sorry, the Glidecam is a POS. You cannot do a smooth start or stop with that arm, no matter how good you are.

Dan
 
puredrifting said:
Shane:

Checked ou the PortaJib site, looks pretty good except for one thing. The Focus Microjib that I rented for my shoot yesterday has an has a swiveling cradle (where the fluid head mounts to the end of the arm). This allows me to easily operate the jib from the head from the camera end of the jib and I can set the drag on the swivel to give me another axis to pan the camera as the arm moves.

The PortaJib does not seem to have this feature. In your years of operating, particularly in doing tabletop shoots, have you ever wanted to switch sides to operate the camera from either side or have you ever wished that you could have swiveled the camera back 6" without having to reposition the entire jib arm? I ask this because in doing my tabletop with the Focus yesterday, I used this capacity a lot and it was really handy to have.

Other than that, the Porta Jib looks very good. I am in Burbank so I will take a trip over the hill to Hollywood to check one out in person soon.

Thanks for any input,

Dan
Click to expand...
Dan,
It does have a scissor arm which seems to be what you mean:
http://www.porta-jib.com/accessories.htm#scissor.
I was also looking at their freestyler which is an interesting accessory.
http://www.porta-jib.com/free-styler.htm
Regards
Shane.
 
puredrifting said:
Shane:

Checked ou the PortaJib site, looks pretty good except for one thing. The Focus Microjib that I rented for my shoot yesterday has an has a swiveling cradle (where the fluid head mounts to the end of the arm). This allows me to easily operate the jib from the head from the camera end of the jib and I can set the drag on the swivel to give me another axis to pan the camera as the arm moves.

The PortaJib does not seem to have this feature. In your years of operating, particularly in doing tabletop shoots, have you ever wanted to switch sides to operate the camera from either side or have you ever wished that you could have swiveled the camera back 6" without having to reposition the entire jib arm? I ask this because in doing my tabletop with the Focus yesterday, I used this capacity a lot and it was really handy to have.

Other than that, the Porta Jib looks very good. I am in Burbank so I will take a trip over the hill to Hollywood to check one out in person soon.

Thanks for any input,

Dan
Click to expand...

Dude, it totaly does have those features, I do those type of moves all the time. Also the porta jib has the least expensive tripod that durable.
 
I did check out the EZFX site, I have to say, I am impressed. The Porta Jib looks to be built better but is significantly more expensive overall for the options I would need. The demo clips that EZFX has on their website, especially the one that shows their compound move ability with the EZFX handle is pretty impressive.

I agree, the Porta Jib looks to be better made, but it is also probably heavier and more expensive. I guess, as always, it will come down to quality versus price and weight. I wish I knew someone in LA that has the EZFX, then I could check out both in person, which is the real factor that will matter the most.

The scissor arm and freestyler look like exactly what I would want. Only issue is that withthe PortaJib and those two accesories, legs, etc. I am up in the $4,500.00 range, getting a bit high for my budget.

We will have to see. I will report back with more details and questions as I investigate further.

All the best,

Dan
 
Hi:

Still looking, I have had some other expenses come up (new HD monitor, new tripod, etc.) so I am still deciding. I did speak with the owner of Hollywood Microdolly http://www.microdolly.com/micro_3.html

The owner is very knowledgable and has been around as a director. The deciding factor seems to be whether or not you are going to fly with your jib, which I probably will be. The Microdolly is pretty expensive but they have a basket counterweight system that looks perfect for travel, you can use rocks, sand or water which you pick up at your location. Seems a hell of a lot more practical than dragging lead weights around the world through airports.

I am narrowed down to either the PortaJib or the MicroJib. Either seem like a winner, it just boils down to needs. About $5,000.00 to $6,000.00 for each package with alll of the toys.

Best,

Dan
 
Without a doubt - the advanta-jib lite! Noticed some people on the cow site talking about it when I was looking for the web link below

http://forums.creativecow.net/cgi-b...gi?forumid=24&postid=862444&univpostid=862408

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=38477&page=7

http://www.dykortech.com/

I've used both the large crane (advanta-jib) and the smaller crane (advanta-jib lite) for commercials to documentaries. You simply can not beat this crane for what it offers and price point. And no, I don't work for the guy, but I do believe in spreading the word about good stuff, especially from a person who is so great to deal with.
 
I have a 21foot camera crane with remote pan and tilt head, had the thing custom made from a guy that does picture car work. Love it
 
Icarus2005 said:
to put it simply: there's a reason the rental companies use the porta-jib and not the ezfx.
Click to expand...

Having worked in the rental industry for years the reason any product is purchased by the rental houses is customer demand. EZFX, has done a VERY poor job with marketing to professionals. POOR, POOR, POOR.

The reason is simple Porta-Jib is widely available is because they were the best in that size, for many years. That being said, most professional production don't use any cheap jibs, unless there's no alternative. Usually production will hire a professional Jimmy Jib owner-op at the minimum.

I've used both jibs, the Porta-Jib extensively. And if you ever want a higher reach, more stability and a better manual control arm you should use the EZFX. Period. The EZFX also works better with larger cameras than the Porta-Jib, more rigid, more stable. The Porta-Jib is also very confusing to noobs the first time out. Not the most intuitive design. Add the same Porta-Jib accessories and the EZFX is less expensive (far less). The EZFX also doesn't look as "cool".

If you're gonna go the route of buying something like this, the EZFX is more stable and more bang for the buck. Personally I think the people as Losmandy are both more professional and they "get" the equipment business. EZFX may make a better product, but until they fix their company image they are going to have a hard time gaining professional acceptance.

I.
 
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