Jib cranes

T

TMFilms

Well-known member
So I have read several of the other posts about jibs on here and was going to buy the EZ FX jib but now my available funds for this are a bit less so I was looking at the Glidecam Camcrane 200. The Glidecam seems like a pretty good buy since it can be used at so many different lengths and doesn't use my fluid tripod head like many of the others do, which I really don't want to do. Has anyone here had experience with the Glidecam crane and would you care to share that experience with me?

I was also considering building one like the EZFX for a few hundred dollars but I am not sure I have the time and I am a bit iffy on doing so since I got about $700 into a steadicam build and decided to just buy a Flyer instead.

Also if anyone has one of the Glidecam Jibs or the EZFX that you want to sell feel free to PM me.

Thanks
 
I've got a camcrane 200 and it works just fine. My Sachtler fluid heads work with it no problem.
Dolly_022.jpg

Just ordered another one for at work with the remote controlled pan and tilt unit.
 
What do you think of the construction? Is it pretty sturdy even at the 8' length with not much sway?
 
The jib I'm using is made for bigger film cameras and I'm considering putting sandbags on the camera to weigh it down more. On longer lenses, I really transferred a lot of bumps when operating.

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I love my EXFX jib. It is rock solid and provides smooth jib shots. Yet it is small enough that I can get it in tight places.

photographertubbehind.jpg


Here I am using it in the bathroom.

Chris
 
I have been researching, renting and trying out jibs for about a year. I will be ordering a PortaJib later this year as soon as I can afford it.

The Glidecam is a POS in my opinion, I rented one and took it to Monument Valley, Utah for a big shoot in December. You cannot obtain smooth starts and stops with the Glidecam, it's bushings are too cheap. It's overall construction is cheap, it feels homemade and not in a good way. You get what you pay for.

The EZFX is not bad, you can do some really cool compound and multi-angle moves with it. It's construction is better than the Glidecam by far but not nearly as good as the PortaJib. I like the EZFX and if you baby your gear and take very good care of it and don't rent it out or loan it to friends, it will probably last long enough to justify the purchase. It's considerably cheaper than a comparable PortaJib.

I also rented the Focus MicroJib. VERY sweet tabletop level small jib, I loved it. No good for big moves though and this jib is also pretty costly.

I have heard some good things about the MicroJib but have not found a rentable one yet.

By far, the best bang for the buck is the PortaJib. It is the best constructed and best featured jib under $5,000.00 that I have seen. I will be ordering the full kit in a few months. With all of the accessories and the case, I am looking at about $4,500.00. The PortaJib is built better than the EZFX and will probably last longer IMHO.

Remember, with jibs, you get what you pay for as far as construction quality, steadiness and smoothness. The Kesselers, IntelliJibs, Jony Jibs, Skycranes, etc. are all pretty much lower end prosumer type gear. Not to say you cannot get some good results from them but if you want pro gear that will last 10-20 years, better step up to the PortaJib or something better even.

Best,

Dan
 
At NAB I saw a really well-made jib from Dykortech.

What caught my attention is that it also featured pan-and-tilt, controllable from the operator's end of the jib.

It was well-machined, and functioned smoothly. Even better was the prices quoted. For about half of what you'd spend on some other jibs, you get one that had a reach of 10 feet (raises to 16' atop the tripod). It also seems to be fairly easy to assemble.

Check out the website: www.dykortech.com
 
TMFilms said:
What do you think of the construction? Is it pretty sturdy even at the 8' length with not much sway?
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Its taken all of the abuse I've thrown at it. The arms are tubular steel.

Being so inexpensive, its had a very short ROI. Two days.

I needed something dirt cheap for a shoot and I have acutally been surprised at how well its performed. If I start doing a lot of super long crane work, then I can see making a bigger investment, but most of the stuff I'm doing just needs modest crane up or down from my indiedolly and the camcrane is perfect for that purpose.
 
I spoke with the owner of Hollywood Microdolly last week. I am going over to try out their jib next week. About the same price as the PortaJib but much lighter and smaller.

Their website is worth a look, check out who is using their job and on what types of jobs all over the world. Looks interesting. http://www.microdolly.com/micro_3.html

Not a cheap system, but I stand by the assertion that you get what you pay for.

Dan
 
Some things I saw at NAB:

I think it was portajib, that had dolly track that was one length of rubber hose.

You string it around, not worrying about guage changes because the tripod legs with skater wheels have pivot points that make the legs lock closer or farther apart as the "hose" changes. Think of a snake with half it's body parrallel to itself, but twisted. I ran a pretty smooth complex shot hands-on. I liked the feel a lot. Plus, a coilled up track is easier to store than pieces making up 30' of straight track.

ALSO:

There is a dolly that works by taking two saw-horses (or cases) and sticking a regular ladder across them. The "dolly" about 2'x2' attaches SMOOTHLY to the ladder. It also works on 2x4 wood. I actually moved the dolly over a ladder that turned into a piece of wood and it was very smooth. I saw video of grips that just built big tracks of wood for dolly shots. You can also operate the "Dolly" yourself. Think one man-dolly grip and shooter (sorry local 80!). It's like $3k too. Microdolly system or something... PM if you need to know exactly.
 
DCSensui said:
At NAB I saw a really well-made jib from Dykortech.

What caught my attention is that it also featured pan-and-tilt, controllable from the operator's end of the jib.

It was well-machined, and functioned smoothly. Even better was the prices quoted. For about half of what you'd spend on some other jibs, you get one that had a reach of 10 feet (raises to 16' atop the tripod). It also seems to be fairly easy to assemble.

Check out the website: www.dykortech.com
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That looks amazing. Time for an upgrade! I'm still using a Skycrane I got like 7 years ago.
 
I've been through several jib arm units. I've been using the EXFX jib and love it. I'll never use anything else again! As for having to baby it, well, ours has been through hell and back and it as beat up as it can be. And it still works solid as a rock!
 
BenB said:
I've been through several jib arm units. I've been using the EXFX jib and love it. I'll never use anything else again! As for having to baby it, well, ours has been through hell and back and it as beat up as it can be. And it still works solid as a rock!
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I'll second that. Out of all of the equipment I have nothing is built as solid as the EZFX jib. That thing is a monster.

Chris
 
Craig just noticed the dolly wheels and seat in you pic can you tell me if this is the indie dolly and if so how do you find it?
 
the "rubber track" company is losmandy, the track is $400 for I believe a 20' length, which is 10' of track. certainly convenient.

the "ladder dolly" is camtramsystem.com - seems very cool, but ffing expensive

I'm looking around for a crane, and the only thing I see that's impressive for the price is the dykortech. the footage says it all - it's not just an up/down rig, it's complete.

anyone using one?

anyone putz with one @ nab?

_a
 
oh take it back, it's a 40' which is enough for a 17' run - pretty good, that's a pretty long move
 
Originally Posted by DCSensui
At NAB I saw a really well-made jib from Dykortech.

What caught my attention is that it also featured pan-and-tilt, controllable from the operator's end of the jib.

It was well-machined, and functioned smoothly. Even better was the prices quoted. For about half of what you'd spend on some other jibs, you get one that had a reach of 10 feet (raises to 16' atop the tripod). It also seems to be fairly easy to assemble.

Check out the website: www.dykortech.com
Click to expand...


I saw it being used at the Promax event. Didn't know it was $2K (Canadian). I look forward to trying it. Impressive manual pan and tilt system.

I.
 
I checked out the Dykortech. With all of the toys, it's about $3,800.00 US. Cheaper than the competition but it comes from Canada, not exactly the most convenient if you need help or service. Does look sweet though from their demo video.

Definitely worth checking out, wish I had been at NAB.

Dan
 
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