Ezfx jib VS Advantajib Lite

M

Malcolm Wright

Well-known member
Hi all,

Little intro: as I look back on seven months of being part of this community, I have to pause and tell you guys how appreciative I am that this place exists. Barry, Jarred, but also all the contributing members. It is simply amazing how much great info there is here.

Ok, yes: this is another jib thread!

It is focused on these two models: there seems to be a bit of a buzz around the Avantajib Lite, and I was wondering how folks feel these two jibs compare. Any and all details are welcome.

If I remember correctly, Barry has the Ezfx - and I assume he has seen the Advantajib - Barry, your input would be greatly appreciated!

Since people seem excited about the Advantajib and are talking of upgrading to it, I am wondering what it does that the Ezfx doesn't do, or doesn't do as well.

So far, the only impression on this that I have (and I may well be mistaken), is that there are no pan and tilt controls on the lower end of the Ezfz, which is all fine and well if you have the handle and are not using an extension. With the extension on, it looks like a mechanized head is the only way to execute pans and tilts while craning. Is that right Barry?
The Advantajib lite seems to have controls that allow panning and tilting from the bottom end.

I like the idea and the look of the Ezfx handle and I imagine it provides better control than the pan and tilt controls at the back of the Advantajib, but at least those controls can be used at any height...

Ok, enough rambling. I've probably made a fool of myself anyway - I make way for someone who actually has a clue.

Thanks!
M.
 
Hadn't seen the Advanta. Looks like it's capable of some amazing shots. Also looks like a tedious hassle to set up (at least in comparison to the EZ/FX).

Main reason I got the EZ/FX was because it was better engineered than the GlideCam I had been using, and it sets up practically instantly. Pull it out of the bag, fasten it to the legs, unfold it, and you're done. No cables and wires and extensions and bolting and all that.

But, the handle is (IMO) of quite limited value. Frankly I just don't bother with it most of the time. You can't really operate it just from the handle, because the handle causes you frequently to fight the motion of the arm -- if you're booming one way, and wanting to pan the opposite way, you end up fighting the booming motion to rotate the handle -- and while it's not necessarily difficult, it gets in the way of the smoothness of the shot. So I've got the handle, but I don't use it much.

The Advanta looks like it can get shots the EZ/FX just couldn't get. But it looks a lot more expensive and a lot more hassle to build. I don't know if both companies will be at CineGear or other shows like that, but this would be a good reason to go to a show like that -- so you can put 'em both through their paces and see which you like better.
 
Thanks Barry.
The Advantajib does look like the setup is finicky, at least from what I could see in the video.

Being in Australia with no travel plans to the US on the immediate horizon, this jib business is a pain all around. Not only do I miss opportunities to shop around intelligently, but what I do end up ordering will cost me hundreds more in shipping and duties :)

But hey :)

Thanks for the heads up regarding the handle. Now that you mention it, it makes sense that anything you try to do against the motion of the crane would make smoothness harder to attain.

I'm leaning towards the EZFX because the combination of price and ease of setup is a powerful one, and I'm not in a financial position to be able to justify the extra expense :)

M.
 
Malcolm,
I've been using the EZFX jib with my Beta SX camera for about four years. Love it. Easy set up. Versatile. Solid. I can only imagine using it with the HVX will be an even more enjoyable experience due to the camera's light weight. Like Barry. I have the handle but seldom use it. I'm 6'6" tall so I really don't need the handle to start moves over my head.
Jim
 
While the Advantajib may be more expensive, it basically has a remote head built in, which is a $3300.00 option for the EZFX.

They both look like great jibs.
 
Advanta-jib Experience: Part I

Advanta-jib Experience: Part I

My experience with the EZFX was on a feature three years ago. It was quick to set up. As has been stated, the handle is of little use. It's nice, but not for extremely tall or complicated shots. I was impressed with the workmanship and the ease of use. I was also impressed with the price. I was disappointed that the handle was not easier to use and that some of the shots I thought we would get, we could not (at least not within our time constraints). The monitor vest (I felt) was a joke. As for weight, we were shooting on the Sony F900. One other note: the jib always seemed to be warping with the weight of the F900. It Could have been my imagination.

A few weeks later I was shooting an infomercial with an Intel-a-jib. Our camera was one of the Sony Digi Betacams. Our head was the Varizoom remote pan/tilt head. This was a very cool setup. The Varizoom head slipped several times (something about the small teeth not being able to support the weight of the camera, although I'm sure it's fine with all of the current DV and HDV cameras) We had to do some rigging with rubber bands, etc to tighten up the head so that it would not slip. The controls were easy to get the hang of (although took a little practice). I also appreciate that the joy stick control could be changed according to the way different operators would want to work (i.e. up is down or down is down, etc). This jib seemed MUCH sturdier than the EZFX. Of course, it is also more expensive. I was not entirely enthused about the Varizoom head, but when it worked, it worked great! Still this has remained my favorite small jib configuration to this day... until...

This year... NAB 2006... I only had less than a full day to walk the floor. My head was spinning. I began walking the floor without a plan of attack. The first booth that caught my eye was this funny looking jib with a thick cable evenly wrapped around it's approx. 10' arm. "Oh, another home-made jib", I thought. I've experienced a number of these basement manufactured jibs over the years and most of them SERIOUSLY lack everything a jib should be (I just don't feel good about mentioning names, they are that bad).

This single-tube jib, for whatever reason, just caught my attention. The guys at the booth seemed friendly, so I stopped to ask a few questions. I was watching a few others try it out, but was not entirely sold. Then I took my shot on the Advanta-jib. “Cool, cool. This is cool.” No joystick to muddle with--Just a straight forward pan/tilt handle just like on any tripod. “Interesting!” No batteries, no power for the remote head? “Very cool.”

Then John, the inventor, showed me a quick trick... by keeping the handle pointed in the same direction (no movement from start to finish) you can track a subject without effort through an entire up/down or side-to-side movement. “WOW!!!” This jib just went from pretty darn cool, to WAY AWESOME!!! Now, you can't get too crazy with a jib in middle of the aisles of the Las Vegas Convention Center, but I could tell this jib has a near-instant learning curve.

It took a month or so after NAB, but I finally decided to purchase the Advanta-jib last Friday for an upcoming HVX feature project. My jib was delayed through customs (Dykortech is in Canada, I'm in the U.S.) by only a day. I should receive it today.

I'll be shooting a short with the Advanta-jib this weekend and perhaps I can give a more thorough review of the setup and takedown process. I admit, it does look a bit more complicated than the EZFX, however, not much more complicated than the Intel-a-jib--just complicated in a different way.

PROS:
+ the ingenious pan/tilt handle and intuitive control. Allot more like operating a tripod than playing a video game (not that there's anything wrong with that).
+ No power consumption AT ALL. (For zoom/start/stop I have picked up a Bebob Zoe -- And for focus, of course, a Bebob Foxi).
+ The monitor is atop the fulcrum and moves where you move, so it is always right in front of you (any LCD (perhaps even bigger) monitor may be used).
+ Packs into a single soft case that can lay across the back seat of your car.
+Everything you need (except monitor) for under $3,000 U.S. (wait for the U.S. dollar to go up and it’s even less expensive).

CONS:
- Only good for cameras up to 10 lbs. The HVX with M2, matte box and lens (depending on lens) may be pushing the limit.
- Only good for cameras up to 10 lbs. You can't use a Varicam or F900 here.
- Set up *may* be complicated/lengthy, although I'll let you know my results.

If anyone is in the LA area and you'd like to see this jib in action, shoot me an email and we can meet up for a hands on. I'm also in Utah on occasion.

Side Note: I’ve always wanted to touch a Super Techno Crane. And at NAB this year, I finally did! Now, if only we could all afford the $300k pricetag--plus the remodeling costs to add a Technocrane annex to our homes--THAT’S the jib to envy! By the way, for me, part of the ease of operation found in the Techno Crane comes from the fact that your remote is actually a simulation of a real pan/tilt head. In that respect, I feel like the Dykortech Advanta-jib is a micro-micro-micro version of a Technocrane (of course without Z-axis and telescoping action).

Way to go John and thanks for shipping so fast!

Clark Cooper
Abbey HD
http://www.abbeyhd.com/
 
VariZoom head

VariZoom head

Clark,

This is Tom from VariZoom. What you have described is an improperly balanced camera. There should be no stress on the gears as you described and the way to accomplish that is too balance the camera.

Once balanced the camera should hold any position while disengaged from the gears and motor. In other words to matter where the camera is point 1-12 oclock it should hold that position and not drift up or down as there is no stress to fight.

Please see pdf link and check out horizontal and vertical instructions./

http://www.varizoom.com/new/instructions/vz-mc100.pdf



Please call anytime and ask for Tom.

I will be out all day tomorrow.

888-826-3399

Tom

www.varizoom.com
 
Looking forward to your report part 2

Looking forward to your report part 2

Clark said:
I'll be shooting a short with the Advanta-jib this weekend and perhaps I can give a more thorough review of the setup and takedown process.
Click to expand...
I saw and tried the Advanta-jib Lite at DV Expo in December. The integrated pan/tilt system felt smooth, fluid, and responsive. It also felt natural, as in short learning curve. I eagerly await your hands-on report.

Best,
Christopher
 
Clark,

You must be busy!
I'd love to hear about your experiences with the jib: I'm on the verge of putting in my order - it would be great to hear how you have fared.

I'll send you a PM...

Thanks!

Malcolm
 
Tom,

I'm very impressed with the build quality and overall functionality of our new MC100 (sourced through EZFX).

We're using this with the EZFX, pedestal and 6' extension kit.

On the EZFX, I'll tell you that I've operated Tulips to SuperTechnos and I'm very pleased with the thoughtful design of the jib and the corresponding pedestal.

Hardware is hefty and captive whenever possible. Captive hardware is hardware that doesn't get lost. I put the jib together with no instructions. Okay, I looked at them once to confirm that I was properly installing the extension kit.

We're using these jibs on the new TLC series in Charleston. If anyone wants to stop by the set to see the EXFX with the new Sony XDCam HD, please PM me to arrange in advance.

Cheers,

e
 
I've shot with the advantajib and the advantajib lite a number of times - on commercials, corporates and documentaries. I've stated it a few times on dvxuser - but quite simply, they work great (and I've worked with many cranes in the past - as I was a key grip/dolly grip in one of my previous lives). One thing people have to keep in mind is the fluid head that comes with these things, if you can't operate from the base/bottom of the crane, what's the point (unless you are using a tulip crane or the like where the operator is up on a platform with the camera doing the pans and tilts). The head on the advantajib is very intuitive and works as if you're operating a fluid head mounted on top of your tripod. Though, like any new tool, it takes a bit of getting used to, but at a 1:1 ratio, you can just stand there and do perfect pan, tilt, crane all in one.

As for the set up, I swear the video makes it look like it takes longer and is more tedious then it really is. It takes 10 minutes to set up and you have a perfectly usable crane to do amazing shots - not just a stick that goes up and down.

They also say the 10 lb rating thing on the lite. Seems to me that that is extremely conservative. I've had a big old clunky betacams on the advantajib many times, but on the lite I've only had xl2's and dvx's (fully loaded with mattboxes, uber-batteries, wireless receivers) so far, but I swear there is tons of room (weight) to spare. Perhaps it's a precation not to put too much wieght on the hydrolic hoses that are used to pan/tilt the head/camera, but if your camera is properly balanced (which it always should be), not sure if there would be an issue.
 
I would just add that I have the EZFX Jib and it is rock solid and incredibly easy to setup. It works great with my HVX, even loaded with gear.

I originally purchased it with the EZFX handle, but ended it up returning that part, as it really added very little benefit and was the only part of the setup that was complicated.

Chris
 
I'll post some pics of our EZFX set-up with VariZoom MC100 flying XDCam HD 350s later this weekend.

e
 
This may or may not help this thread, but I've worked with the Advanta-Jib (not the Lite) with the creator of it (John Dykij) on a music video I did.

It's a fascinating device, capable of SO much, and John is an incredible guy so I'm just going to say get the Advanta-Jib...just to support my buddy :)
 
BrandonC said:
I've worked with the Advanta-Jib (not the Lite)
Click to expand...
Just curious, where is the website for the full-sized Advanta-Jib? The Lite is on my planned purchase list, and I'm curious to compare it with the larger version.

Best,
Christopher
 
Just ordered an EZFX

We'll see :) I don't even have the sticks in yet, heh, so it will be a minute - but I'll posta big rant about it once I get it and grope it a bit :)

After weighing my options with a real quote for the cartoni, I looked at the EZFX and decided it was a better investment: easily expanded to greater reach and has the option for a remote head (or to rent one separately).

I still prefer the Advantajib's concept of "amplification" of movement with hydraulics. Machines that amplify human movements are very, very cool.

Ever seen a tugboat driver on a modern tug? They dance with their fingers on big globes. The smallest twitch and the boat moves with them. Should be the same with a jib. For $1k all I really expect is a stick that goes up and down. :)

_a
 
I put through my order for the Advantajib Lite.
As mentioned earlier, I've had no opportunities to test the various models I've been deciding between, so all I had to go by were people's words here on the forum, what I could make of the promotional materials, and my contact with the companies.

EZFX were courteous but slow to respond. I sent them an initial inquiry that went without answer for over a week. I then sent them another inquiry, accidentally from another email account: they then responded fairly rapidly to both messages and a little bit of confusion followed.

John of Dykortech is awesome. Communication with him has been fluid and friendly spanning the whole process of putting together the international order and targetting a narrow delivery window here on my end in Australia. He is looking into fitting my jib with the appropriate extension cable for the HVX remote connectors. Of course I can't say anything meaningful until I get the jib and work with it, but so far, John has lived up to the considerable hype he's received from customers who post here at dvxuser - and then some. He really does go the extra mile.

The EZFX has more comprehensive information on its website: the videos give you more of a feel for the tool than the video on the Dykortech site, but thanks to input from people here, it became apparent that the Advantajib is a more versatile tool, despite setup being somewhat more involved.

Can't wait to get to work with the jib!

M.
 
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