stefanhuberfilms
Veteran
so this is how the head will look like...
The grey parts represent the Manfrotto leveling half ball. The unit will have a Diameter of 90mm and a height of approx. 50-60mm from the half ball.
anyone?
Affordable Camera Jib Development - what features do YOU need?
- Thread starter stefanhuberfilms
- Start date
so this is how the head will look like...
The grey parts represent the Manfrotto leveling half ball. The unit will have a Diameter of 90mm and a height of approx. 50-60mm from the half ball.
anyone?
stefanhuberfilms
Veteran
Update:
The Jib made it to powder coating manufacturer, i will shoot some photos of the jib on the weekend.
I also finished the calculations of the pan head - it will last for about 1000 years!
furthermore i am thinking of providing the pan head with a flat base and a adding 75mm or 100mm half bowl option to the top of the jib...
stay tuned, photos and more updates coming soon!
The Jib made it to powder coating manufacturer, i will shoot some photos of the jib on the weekend.
I also finished the calculations of the pan head - it will last for about 1000 years!
furthermore i am thinking of providing the pan head with a flat base and a adding 75mm or 100mm half bowl option to the top of the jib...
stay tuned, photos and more updates coming soon!
I wouldn't mind having to buy a half bowl separately. In fact I have a couple of those Manfrotto half bowls already, both sizes. Having the flexibility to match the jib to different sticks is good.
Having said that, no harm in offering them as an option or "bundle" with your jib - there'll always be customers who want the whole kit and kaboodle.
Looking forward to more pics and updates.
Having said that, no harm in offering them as an option or "bundle" with your jib - there'll always be customers who want the whole kit and kaboodle.
Looking forward to more pics and updates.
stefanhuberfilms
Veteran
Thanks for your response Martin!
I'm currently sending out the drawings to different manufacturers, so then i'll kinda see where the price tag will be... If i have time on the weekend i'll go and shoot some photos of the jib - yes, it came back from powder coating yesterday!
I also worked on every single part - price oriented modifications which do not limit its functionality at all. I also worked a bit on the design, since laser-cutting doesn't care about curves and complexity of cuts...
updated Design for now:
you can see the mentioned half bowl (this is the 75mm Version) pretty well here. Calculated weight in steel/aluminium: 13kg/4.5kg (out of CAD, could differ a bit)
Martin, do you see any issues regarding a transport length of 1,7 meters ? would you like to see some kind of bag?
regards
Stefan
I'm currently sending out the drawings to different manufacturers, so then i'll kinda see where the price tag will be... If i have time on the weekend i'll go and shoot some photos of the jib - yes, it came back from powder coating yesterday!
I also worked on every single part - price oriented modifications which do not limit its functionality at all. I also worked a bit on the design, since laser-cutting doesn't care about curves and complexity of cuts...
updated Design for now:
you can see the mentioned half bowl (this is the 75mm Version) pretty well here. Calculated weight in steel/aluminium: 13kg/4.5kg (out of CAD, could differ a bit)
Martin, do you see any issues regarding a transport length of 1,7 meters ? would you like to see some kind of bag?
regards
Stefan
Attachments
Stefan,
1.7 meters would be at the upper limit for me in terms of easy transport. Even dropping 10cm to 1.6 would be an improvement.
A bag would certainly be a good idea in my opinion. Nothing fancy, just a bit of protection for and against other gear, and a way to add some carrying handles.
Which brings me to another point - sharp machined metal edges. Best to try and minimise those in the design stage if you haven't already.
Other thoughts:
I like to keep weight down so I'm a fan of "found" ballast, whether it be filled water-butts or sandbags on location. To that end, how about an L-shaped accessory bracket that attaches over the counter weight column and extends rearward and down, terminating in a hook could be used to suspend such ballast, minimising the need to carry a lot of counterweight. Not to eliminate the need for counterweights entirely - those weights that are carried could then be used to fine tune by adding them to the column as usual, which in turn secures the bracket. Don't know if I've explained that properly - just a thought.
Also, for mounting an external monitor on the jib frame, tapping a few holes as mounting points might be a good plan.
1.7 meters would be at the upper limit for me in terms of easy transport. Even dropping 10cm to 1.6 would be an improvement.
A bag would certainly be a good idea in my opinion. Nothing fancy, just a bit of protection for and against other gear, and a way to add some carrying handles.
Which brings me to another point - sharp machined metal edges. Best to try and minimise those in the design stage if you haven't already.
Other thoughts:
I like to keep weight down so I'm a fan of "found" ballast, whether it be filled water-butts or sandbags on location. To that end, how about an L-shaped accessory bracket that attaches over the counter weight column and extends rearward and down, terminating in a hook could be used to suspend such ballast, minimising the need to carry a lot of counterweight. Not to eliminate the need for counterweights entirely - those weights that are carried could then be used to fine tune by adding them to the column as usual, which in turn secures the bracket. Don't know if I've explained that properly - just a thought.
Also, for mounting an external monitor on the jib frame, tapping a few holes as mounting points might be a good plan.
stefanhuberfilms
Veteran
Thanks again Martin, i also thought of that transport issue, so i will shorten the arm a bit on the side where the weights are that we do not use the 1,2 meters of range... btw: it will be something round 1.35 in the end since the headplate got a little longer
I am looking to find a manufacturer for blank snowboard bags, since the width and length will not extend 160 in the end. Printing the logo on it will be the smallest problem - oh, i don't even have a name for the jib brand i want to sell... any ideas? I don't want to call it something like Huber Cranes or such, something interesting would be good! should we do a little brainstorming here?
The sharp edges are already removed, or covered by caps on the end of each pipe
Could you maybe post a little sketch to explain your thought with the L-Bracket? I have an idea, but dunno if i understood you right
, but adding such a Bracket as accessory is a really good idea!
where would you like to have the 1/4" threads? i though of 1 or two near the top, and one on the back if it is really necessary for an "on the go jib"?
Where do you think is a reasonable price point?
I am looking to find a manufacturer for blank snowboard bags, since the width and length will not extend 160 in the end. Printing the logo on it will be the smallest problem - oh, i don't even have a name for the jib brand i want to sell... any ideas? I don't want to call it something like Huber Cranes or such, something interesting would be good! should we do a little brainstorming here?
The sharp edges are already removed, or covered by caps on the end of each pipe
Could you maybe post a little sketch to explain your thought with the L-Bracket? I have an idea, but dunno if i understood you right
, but adding such a Bracket as accessory is a really good idea!where would you like to have the 1/4" threads? i though of 1 or two near the top, and one on the back if it is really necessary for an "on the go jib"?
Where do you think is a reasonable price point?
stefanhuberfilms
Veteran
This is how i understand your idea could look like: simply mountable under the weight carrying shaft...
stefanhuberfilms
Veteran
i will first see how the half ball assembly for the top of the crane will work out, and then do further decisions where to put the 1/4" threads. What i know so far is that i will put them onto the arm of the jib, so your monitor will pivot with the up and downmovement to provide a nice viewing angle for the operator.
EDIT: btw: i also shortened the jib to achive a transport-length of 1,5 meters
EDIT: btw: i also shortened the jib to achive a transport-length of 1,5 meters
Last edited:
stefanhuberfilms
Veteran
so here is the new prototype with a half bowl head-plate and the pan unit in between the jib and the tripod - what do you think so far?
EDIT: the head plate isn't coated yet, will get the same powder coating as the jib got...
EDIT: the head plate isn't coated yet, will get the same powder coating as the jib got...
BrianMurphy
Veteran
I found this thread very interesting and find that your jib is very much like the Kessler jibs .Sorta like David I owned several jibs, two Kesslers, one fully blown with all the whistles and bells using a manfrotto 528xb and a Camera turret pt20 rather than the Kessler offerings. The others including a knock off of the seven jib, were set up for manual front end operation like yours. My work calls me to travel and thus the jibs did too. The one above went to Barbados, across Canada and to California shooting mostly interior design and big homes. All in all expensive to move and a pain in the ass but sometimes worth if for the shots. I sold all the jibs and last year had the need arise again for a jib to shoot artwork and sculpture in the Arctic, which meant travel in small planes. I had Glideshot make me a modified version of one of their simple jibs that would fit in my Petrol lighting case so it was just under three feet, would give me just enough movement and didn't weigh very much. I used portable camping shower bags as counter weights. It worked well, though still bulky to travel around the Arctic in a small plane.
Though I owned two heavy duty manfrotto heads I always used the Kessler swivel that I think was made from a boat winch and I like the fact that yours has this feature.What I would love to see is the ability to maintain rigid structure but be able to break down the arm to a smaller length so it is easy to transport. The option to attach alternative weights like a cage or hooks would be handy. I believe that keeping the camera light (from my pov ) is essential and therefore less counterweight and a lighter tripod. Using water bags for weight was handy and made fine tuning the jib quite easy, you overweighted it and then drained till it was balanced. So a wide angle lens and nothing else or in the case of servo zoom cameras nothing but a remote zoom/focus control. Lets face it pulling focus with a follow on a jib shot is quite a dance and not one I would do.
Depends on what content you are shooting I know but most of the time the jib shots I see and to be honest use are MOS beauty shots or transitional shots and not dialogue.
Keep up the design work and all the best!
Just my two cents...
Though I owned two heavy duty manfrotto heads I always used the Kessler swivel that I think was made from a boat winch and I like the fact that yours has this feature.What I would love to see is the ability to maintain rigid structure but be able to break down the arm to a smaller length so it is easy to transport. The option to attach alternative weights like a cage or hooks would be handy. I believe that keeping the camera light (from my pov ) is essential and therefore less counterweight and a lighter tripod. Using water bags for weight was handy and made fine tuning the jib quite easy, you overweighted it and then drained till it was balanced. So a wide angle lens and nothing else or in the case of servo zoom cameras nothing but a remote zoom/focus control. Lets face it pulling focus with a follow on a jib shot is quite a dance and not one I would do.
Depends on what content you are shooting I know but most of the time the jib shots I see and to be honest use are MOS beauty shots or transitional shots and not dialogue.
Keep up the design work and all the best!
Just my two cents...
stefanhuberfilms
Veteran
hi brian, thx for your detailed thoughts!
for my notepad, what length would fit your work best?
i ran in the break down issue a while ago and i'm currently stuck with it - looking to find the best solution for both affordability and stability. i will have to build the next prototype from anodized aluminum, combining that with a collapsible design could cause wobble, and thats what i want to avoid - so how to fix the stability issue then?
a travel- and a heavy duty version would make sense, but thats not what i was looking for when i started this thread... i will think of that things in the following time, i'll report back with new thoughts then
Feel free to post your thoughts about that points!
cheeers
for my notepad, what length would fit your work best?
i ran in the break down issue a while ago and i'm currently stuck with it - looking to find the best solution for both affordability and stability. i will have to build the next prototype from anodized aluminum, combining that with a collapsible design could cause wobble, and thats what i want to avoid - so how to fix the stability issue then?
a travel- and a heavy duty version would make sense, but thats not what i was looking for when i started this thread... i will think of that things in the following time, i'll report back with new thoughts then
Feel free to post your thoughts about that points!
cheeers
BrianMurphy
Veteran
Slightly under two meters for travel would work or such that when broken down it fits in a tripod case or smaller. Unlike Europe, over here travel is usually long distance and portability would be awesome. When I was looking for jibs last year I looked a many but compromise forced me to settle for a reduced length. I realize that this thread was based around your current design but one never knows where a designer might go ... All the best
Brian
Brian
stefanhuberfilms
Veteran
Sorry for the late reply guys, have been busy that week... What tripods do you own? Just to figure out the size we are talking about. I'm thinking of increasing the diameters of the pipes to get greater stability for the collapsable version. Thanks for your thoughts!
I'm currently using a Sachtler 75/2 and a Manfrotto 536