Priced right jib for HPX170

S

spskaya

Member
Just wondering. Is there a reasonably priced jib that my hpx170 could fit on. This would be something that I would buy and keep for personal use. Thanx.
 
That all depends on what you mean by 'reasonable priced.'
Personally I think there are quite a few affordable jibs out there - but what's your budget range?
 
ive had the 8' kessler for about 3 years now. works great and really knocks out the clients.

its not going to compete move for move with a $3000, $5000 or more expensive model. but for reliability, ease of use and practicality - it cant be beat.

youre going to need a VERY beefy tripod to support it though. i use mine on a manfrotto 510 head on 3193 legs. kessler also makes a tripod specifically for it. from what ive seen though, i like using a traditional tripod setup

youll also have to factor in an external monitor and mount, lens controls and cases for the rig. which along with tripod will add another $2000 or so to the equation... so very much like 35mm adapter discussions - there is more to it than just the unit itself...

my kit consists of:
8' kessler
510/3193 tripod
smallHD dp1 monitor
manfrotto gooseneck monitor mount
bebob foxi and zoe lens controls
wheeled tripod dolly (because moving the whole rig is a pain in the ass)
2 pelican weapons cases to carry the two crane pieces, weights and tools.
 
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This looks cheap :D

http://lifehacker.com/5498177/build-your-own-camera-crane-for-super-steady-video


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i have found that sometimes your presentation is as important as your product. im all for DIY stuff, but in some cases if you show up to a shoot with some cobbled together rig it will be your first and last time on set.

i find that clients like to feel that you are a viable service-provider. and if you show up with worklights and a broom handle. that might not conjure feelings of comfort...
 
I find that it takes a special kind of person to seemingly willfully ignore a blatantly sarcastic post :D




come on.....I bet that thing would look totally pro if you spray painted it all black ;)
 
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you never know what some people would take as reasonable. just providing a counterpoint to those fellas... ; )
 
And it also depends on what your clients are like. For some of you bigger city pros, you have clients that spend tens (even hundreds) of thousands of dollars on a shoot. Many of us have clients with budgets in the hundreds or low thousands. Especially in rural areas like the midwest. These clients tend to know almost nothing about the technicalities of filmmaking, so a nicely built DIY rig can really blow them out of the water.

Now, take that same rig to a deeper pocket client in the city who's done many shoots and spent the money for real equipment, they aren't going to be so impressed.

But what possible pro would have a client thats spending THAT kind of money and show up with a DIY rig? I always assume that the higher the budget, the better the gear we can rent or provide. And I like working with better gear because it can help make for a smoother process and better product.
 
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