Jib Comparison Matrix

Hi Dan, excelent table! However, you did not add that jibs like the microdolly can have extensions that can make the jib longer/with further reach., which would mean this jib, for example, would go further than the Vance in reach. These, however, cost money- this info as well as the rpice of the extensions and essential extras for these extensions could be very good info for us on the fence of doing a purchase,

This was the only flaw on this excelent table! Good job! (I'm looking seriously into your Jib, by the way- I would just love to see a " narrative setting" shot from highest to lowest point of the jib in action! I'm awaiting Luis excelent review to update and show this :) )

EDIT- Dan, any chance for a "Vancejib Ultimate" ? Something with a similar design (fantastic), but with further reach and more lightweight? Something that would match the microdolly in lightweight and reach? I know this would inflate the price point, but your design seems excelent for guerrila- I imagine having your dolly, weighting, lets say, 6 to 7kg, and reaching 2,2 meters, for 2100US (ok, maybe 2500?)- That would be " it" - The King of the Guerrilla Jibs! :) )
 
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A few errors/omissions on the AdvantaJib Lite:

-Base price is US $1999, not $1800
-A hard case is available for $225

-By showing only the "variable" jibs as having a range of reach, you make an unfair comparison to the AdvantaJib (by listing it's reach only as 48"). The range should be listed as 48-120", or nearly twice as far as your product. Vertical travel would also greatly increase, but I don't have the numbers. Mounted to a Cartoni Focus 101 at minimum height, my 7' AdvantaJib goes to within a few inches of the 9' ceiling of my living room.

Even though you mention in the header above all the "fixed reach cranes" (which is misleading enough to begin with) that "reach can only be changed in fixed increments by adding or removing sections" you nonetheless fail to include those increments in the 'reach' data field. Seems disingenuous, and like many such "comparison tables" offered by manufacturers themselves, it appears to be drawn in such a way as to best serve a promotional agenda. As such, it's more of an advertisement than a true database.
 
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SPZ said:
Hi Dan, excelent table! However, you did not add that jibs like the microdolly can have extensions that can make the jib longer/with further reach., which would mean this jib, for example, would go further than the Vance in reach.


EDIT- Dan, any chance for a "Vancejib Ultimate" ? Something with a similar design (fantastic), but with further reach and more lightweight? Something that would match the microdolly in lightweight and reach? I know this would inflate the price point, but your design seems excelent for guerrila- I imagine having your dolly, weighting, lets say, 6 to 7kg, and reaching 2,2 meters, for 2100US (ok, maybe 2500?)- That would be " it" - The King of the Guerrilla Jibs! :) )
Click to expand...


Hi Sérgio! Thanks! I didn't know about the Microdolly extension. I will get the details add it.

As far as the VanceJib Ultimate, those would be some tough goals to hit, but I like a good challenge. Will see what I can do.
 
Ted Spencer said:
A few errors/omissions on the AdvantaJib Lite:

-Base price is US $1999, not $1800
-A hard case is available for $225
Click to expand...

Hi Ted,
Thanks for the corrections. My AdvantaJib brochure is outdated. I will update those numbers.

-By showing only the "variable" jibs as having a range of reach, you make an unfair comparison to the AdvantaJib (by listing it's reach only as 48"). The range should be listed as 48-120", or nearly twice as far as your product.
Click to expand...

My intent on the reach of the fixed jibs was to try to keep the comparison clean and useful by listing the specs for all the jibs in their shortest mode. This way, you can quickly see who's is lightest, who's carries the heaviest camera, etc. When the length is changed on any of these jibs, it not only changes the 'reach' but also changes: Price, Weight, Capacity, Setup Time, Compacted Dimensions and Counter Weight Required. I think listing all those variables for all the possible lengths would make the matrix unwieldy and LESS useful.

But I do think it's a good idea to at least list the extension lengths available, and I will add those.

As such, it's more of an advertisement than a true database.
Click to expand...

It IS an advertisement to some degree--it's part of my website. But I do want it to be accurate nonetheless.

Also, I separated the extendable jibs from the fixed jibs because, to me, that is a profound difference. It's not appreciated until you have to scrub a jib shot because the fixed jib boom is 6-inches too long for the shooting space. That's what happened to me the first time I used a fixed-length jib, and it's why the VanceJib HAD to be extendable.
 
Hi Dan -

I am assuming you are using the KC-5.5 for the Kessler Crane® comparison in your matrix? If that is the case, you have some incorrect data. Here are some clarifications for you.

Camera capacity = 50 lbs in under-slung position
Reach = 36"
Vertical Travel = 72" (6ft)

And what we consider our "Claims to Fame" = Low Cost, tilt control, multiple accessory options

Best Regards,
Chris
 
Chris Beller said:
Hi Dan -

I am assuming you are using the KC-5.5 for the Kessler Crane® comparison in your matrix? If that is the case, you have some incorrect data. Here are some clarifications for you.

Camera capacity = 50 lbs in under-slung position
Reach = 36"
Vertical Travel = 72" (6ft)

And what we consider our "Claims to Fame" = Low Cost, tilt control, multiple accessory options

Best Regards,
Chris
Click to expand...


Thanks Chris,
I will make the corrections. Do you have a spec for capacity in the normal (non-underslung) mode?
Dan
 
Some EZFX facts...

Some EZFX facts...

EZFX sets up in about 10 minutes in standard mode and about 15 in extended (4 or 6') modes. With counterweights, cable and camera, my top time is 30 minutes from bags to neutral and ready to roll.

From EZFX...

[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Camera capacity: 50 pounds / 23 Kilograms[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Unit weight: 24 lbs / 10.9 Kilograms[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Folded length: 59 inches / 150 cm, 52 inchs / 132 cm with camera platform removed[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Extended length: 88 inches / 223.5 cm[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Arm Length: 4 feet. / 1.22 meters[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Vertical camera movement: 7 feet / 2.13 meters[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Camera height: 10 feet / 3.05 meters on extended JibPod legs (Depends on tripod height)[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]360 degree rotation[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Locking mechanisms for lift and swivel[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Mounts to claw ball or center shafted tripods[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]100mm ball head receptacle standard. (150 mm & 75 mm Claw ball adapters available.)[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Invertible camera platform for UnderSling mode[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]4 Column design for maximum stability and minimum wobble[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Internal bearings and bushings insure incredible smoothness [/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Constructed of high grade aluminum[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Powder coated with a textured black non-reflective finish[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Compatible with the patented EZFX Handle- Pan/Tilt Controller[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Allows 300 degrees of pan control and 125 degree tilt control[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]4.5 feet (1.37 meters) above the operators head[/FONT]


Extended modes:


[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]6 Foot Extension (1.83 meters)
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Camera capacity: 25 pounds / 11.4 Kilograms[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Arm Length: 10 feet / 3.05 meters[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Vertical camera movement: 19 feet / 5.79 meters[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Camera height: 15 feet / 4.57 meters on extended Pedestal[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]360 degree rotation[/FONT]

[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]4 Foot Extension (1.22 meters) [/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Camera capacity: 25 pounds / 11.4 Kilograms[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Arm Length: 8 feet./ 2.44 meters[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Vertical camera movement: 15 feet/ 4.57 meters[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Camera height: 13 feet / 3.96 meters on extended Pedestal[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]360 degree rotation[/FONT]

e
[/FONT]
 
Dan Vance said:
Hi Sérgio! Thanks! I didn't know about the Microdolly extension. I will get the details add it.

As far as the VanceJib Ultimate, those would be some tough goals to hit, but I like a good challenge. Will see what I can do.
Click to expand...

Dan, I'll be first in line to purchase one- That Jib would be unbeatable for anything guerrilla: your current one is just fantastic for the price, but the " Ultimate" would be stretching your design to a " no compromise" status. Go for it!
 
Erik Olson said:
EZFX sets up in about 10 minutes in standard mode and about 15 in extended (4 or 6') modes. With counterweights, cable and camera, my top time is 30 minutes from bags to neutral and ready to roll.
Click to expand...


Thanks Erik,
I've updated the EZFX info in the matrix. Do you have a spec on the counterweights required?

Dan
 
Dan,

~ 35 lbs. for 1/3" cameras on remote head in longest configuration (10' arm length).
~ 60 lbs. for 2/3" cameras on remote head in longest configuration (10' arm length).
~ 80 lbs. for 2/3" cameras on remote head in SuperFX* configuration (16' arm length).

* This configuration not offered by EZFX.

e
 
Hi Dan,

I've been shopping for a jib, and like a lot of what I've seen in yours... In fact it's pretty much come down to yours, or the Seven Jib by Long Valley. The specs seem really similar, any chance you could add that to the table?

Thanks,
Paul
 
Recommendation

Recommendation

I've got an HPX-170 and I'm looking for a servicable jib, maybe 8ft in length. My tripod is a cartoni f100 focus head/miller SOLO 3-stage leg combination. Is there anything out there that works with my tripod? If not--what's the best option for price/weight/performance...?
 
Hi edoran,

The Cartoni f100 has a 100 mm bowl, so if you like what you're reading about the Vance Jib, it would seem to be a good fit for you. It can definitely take the weight for that head/camera combo, and from everything I've read it's a great, flexible little jib.

Paul

edit: just re-read your post, somehow skipped over the 8-foot requirement. At that length you're probably well out of the weight capacity of your Solo legs, although the Cartoni will certainly still work. You're probably looking at something like the EZ FX, which will fit your needs with the extension kit. Comes to about US $2600 with the jib, extension kit, high hat (for your head) and their Jib Pod, a heavy duty tripod.
 
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The Advanta-jib is available as a 7' version for about $2200 US. I have one and it's great. It also can be un-extended to 4', and in either case, it packs into a 4' soft bag. I use it with my Focus 101, and it's fine.

If you were to add the 10' extension, which requires a lot more counterweight, the Focus would probably not hold up when raised beyond its minimum height due to its ~85 lb. maximum capacity.

AFAIK, the Advanta-Jib is still the only one in its price range that includes a remote pan/tilt head.
 
Ted,

I've looked at that jib before, and I've always been wary of hydraulic or mechanical pan/tilt heads. Nothing intrinsically wrong with them, I've just seen a lot of footage with jerky movement (especially start/stops) coming from those systems.

I guess a lot of that could be inexperienced operators, the videos on Advanta-Jib's website look pretty good. At least, as far as motion goes. :laugh:

What's your experience been, with that system?
 
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