Affordable Jibs
- Thread starter kede
- Start date
recordingwhiz
Well-known member
Lots of folks talk up the Kessler cranes, so you might want to start looking there, the Cobra crane is a nice design as well.
Keep in mind that these are only tools and subject to requiring practice in using them successfully.
Even an inexpensive eBay crane can get you great results with some practice, but even the top of the line one will still look amateurish if not used properly, but its not hard to learn the moves and get to know your jib well, its all a matter of practice.
Ive used all 3 of the ones I mentioned, I only own the cheap one, but I can definitely see why the price difference is there as far as build quality and some stability not to mention ease of set-up, it all depends which features you're willing to give up for price. In the end they are all just a stick to raise or lower the camera. none of them will make the shot for you.
One thing I would recommend either way is to not try to use a camera tripod as the stand for the jib, and use a PA speaker stand, by the time you add up the weight of camera, jib, monitor, counter weights, you are going to have a fairly heavy load that will require a substantial tripod or stand which makes for an expensive camera tripod, not to mention the speaker stand is light and made to handle a considerable amount of weight from the get go.
Hope this helps, good luck.
Gerry G
Keep in mind that these are only tools and subject to requiring practice in using them successfully.
Even an inexpensive eBay crane can get you great results with some practice, but even the top of the line one will still look amateurish if not used properly, but its not hard to learn the moves and get to know your jib well, its all a matter of practice.
Ive used all 3 of the ones I mentioned, I only own the cheap one, but I can definitely see why the price difference is there as far as build quality and some stability not to mention ease of set-up, it all depends which features you're willing to give up for price. In the end they are all just a stick to raise or lower the camera. none of them will make the shot for you.
One thing I would recommend either way is to not try to use a camera tripod as the stand for the jib, and use a PA speaker stand, by the time you add up the weight of camera, jib, monitor, counter weights, you are going to have a fairly heavy load that will require a substantial tripod or stand which makes for an expensive camera tripod, not to mention the speaker stand is light and made to handle a considerable amount of weight from the get go.
Hope this helps, good luck.
Gerry G
recordingwhiz
Well-known member
Also, just like stabilizers and shoulder rigs, you cannot judge them by video samples as they really only show you the skill of the operator.
David W. Jones
Veteran
Something else to think about is the payload capacity of the jib, and the payload capacity of the tripod you mount the jib to.
For example... I have a Trovato Tote jib that I regularly use over 50 pounds of ballast to balance the camera.
You would be lible if 90 pounds of jib fell on a bystander because a low capacity tripod collapsed.
All the best!
Dave
For example... I have a Trovato Tote jib that I regularly use over 50 pounds of ballast to balance the camera.
You would be lible if 90 pounds of jib fell on a bystander because a low capacity tripod collapsed.
All the best!
Dave