Portable Camera Jib for $3

C

cam123

Active member
Hi Guys,

I wanna share what I found. Thinking about making a Jib/Crane and found this.

Looks great for simple jib effects.

 
I really want to have a portable Jib but It's hard to find one.
I guess the shake can be easily corrected in post, the jib effect cannot.

Here is what I am thinking.
Get a strong monopod, make a hole in about 3/4 of the length and attach it to the stable tripod.

I guess that would make it very portable.
 
it doesn't look too bad, considering...but I couldn't quit thinking about how expensive that trip over the loose floormat will be
 
I just LOVE being an indie. Stuff like this flat out makes me smile. I'm sure that this isn't good enough to use....but I'm also certain that someone will improve it....and eventually we'll have a $30 crane that is 80% as good as a $500 crane. Make it happen PEEPS! :)

Thanks for sharing!
 
@OutlawsDelejos, I went to Home Depot yesterday looking for a heavy duty paint roller. There are really good ones about $7. Pretty strong If you will ask me.
Go to Lowes or Home Depot. You will find a bunch. Even the rotation is pretty smooth.

I mean strong enough for DSLR. Definitely not for heavy cameras.
 
Here is another Portable Jib I am thinking about making.
I need to find a strong collapsible monopod, drill a hole and put a screw for added stability.

 
cam123 said:
Here is another Portable Jib I am thinking about making.
I need to find a strong collapsible monopod, drill a hole and put a screw for added stability.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I've seen this one (that guy has GREAT ideas!).
I started to experiment with the concept and realized pretty quickly that I needed an autofocus camera or a way to remotely adjust the focus to get the shot I wanted (looking down at the subject during vertical movement). In his example, the camcorder is on autofocus. I wouldn't be able to get that shot without making this much more complicated (remote focus wheel?).
 
In his example, the camcorder is on autofocus. I wouldn't be able to get that shot without making this much more complicated (remote focus wheel?).
Click to expand...
thats one of the handful of primary downfalls of a DSLR as your ONLY camera. no remote lens controls :(
so it makes comprehensive use on a jib confining if not downright impossible - unless you want to pay several thousand dollars for remote follow focus.

though in my uses, id say about 75% of jib shots can be pulled of with auto / infinite focus anyway
 
ive always been a little leery about the whole DIY thing. if you can make something that looks professional or something that looks like youve customized a piece of gear for a unique need, thats groovy!
but in the last nearly 20 years in and around the video biz. i have found that how you are perceived has nearly as much to do with the quality of work you do.

i have this theory that if you show up with pvc and duct tape gear. its going to attract more pvc and duct tape type clients...

i know that sounds horribly snotty. and i dont claim it to be a definite rule. but ive seen several colleagues who always buy the cheapest or cobbled-together gear and they never seem to get beyond that level of client
 
Wow, a paint roller & roller extension for a steadycam & jib. It's ingenious, in a very low-tech, unintelligent way.

If you add a weight below the camera, it would smooth out some of the movement. But adding enough weight would make the whole thing even more unwieldy. If you could attach it to a tripod on a gimbal, you might be able to do some halfway decent jib moves.
 
wgzn said:
i have this theory that if you show up with pvc and duct tape gear. its going to attract more pvc and duct tape type clients...
ive seen several colleagues who always buy the cheapest or cobbled-together gear and they never seem to get beyond that level of client
Click to expand...

I agree. But I think the reasons for this only start with the look of things. It's been my experience that people who are always doing things for the lowest cost possible tend to not be as concerned with the quality of the final result. The same can be said of people who just throw money at their projects, too. They assume that if they simply get the most expensive kit, they'll get the best results.

The truth is, the best results don't lie with the quality of the gear, but the quality of the people using it. Talented, creative people can work wonders with duct tape & PVC, if they have to. But who wants to work that way?
 
wgzn said:
thats one of the handful of primary downfalls of a DSLR as your ONLY camera. no remote lens controls :(
so it makes comprehensive use on a jib confining if not downright impossible - unless you want to pay several thousand dollars for remote follow focus.

though in my uses, id say about 75% of jib shots can be pulled of with auto / infinite focus anyway
Click to expand...

Not necessarily. If you use the Okii follow focus and a LONG USB extension, it's very easy.
 
I'm fairly sure the Okii works with any glass.
Click to expand...
not according to their website. but im not trying to argue with you, i simply have no idea about it. if it works with other than canon, id love to give it a shot. and if it makes dslrs easier to use. thats another plus!
 
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wgzn said:
not according to their website. but im not trying to argue with you, i simply have no idea about it. if it works with other than canon, id love to give it a shot. and if it makes dslrs easier to use. thats another plus!
Click to expand...

Website says USM glass.

I recall Magic Lantern's devs testing some AF functions, and saying lenses like the kit weren't all that functional with it in their tests (lead dev on the 550D version has all vintage glass except for the kit, so testing has been slow) however a good USM lens might work better according to them. Must be something about the lens that makes this more possible... ::shrug::

I'll tell you this much- it sure as heck won't work with my manual focus lenses, which is most of my collection!! ;)

But once you need USM lenses and the price of entry into the Okii, and I'd say at that point you can probably afford a more professional jib!
 
There has been some considerable cleanup in this thread and disciplinary action taken.

I repeat:

DO. NOT. ATTACK. EACH. OTHER.
 
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