Review of Kessler Pocket Jib Traveler

O

OldCorpse

Rockin the Boat
I found a review of the Kessler Pocket Jib Traveler

Not super enthusiastic. I was seriously considering buying this, and trying to pick between this and the Aviator Travel Jib. I was waiting for a review, and this one gives me pause. I wonder how it would compare head to head with the Aviator... is the Aviator less wobbly? It seems from the construction that both would be about equally wobbly, but who knows. It would be neat if someone with hands-on experience with both could do a comparison. For now, I'm gonna hold off buying. YMMV. Anyone here have the new Kessler and can give feedback?
 
What camera will you be using? I played with the Kessler Pocket Jib Traveler at NAB and I was really impressed! It had a DSLR mounted on it and I didn't notice any wobble. I was operating it from the rear with no problems at all. Also, I read that review and it seemed pretty positive. Not sure what gave you pause, unless you are planning on mounting something other than a DSLR...

I've been using Kessler gear for many years now and I have always been satisfied with their products, prices, and most of all customer support. I admit, I've never used the Aviator, so I can't comment on that product. Good luck with whatever you end up with. They both look like quality products.
 
Well if they are wobbly then you might as well also consider the iFootage M1... Once you master that it will yield similar results.
 
clint lealos said:
The GH3 will kick ass on this jib! The Black Magic all kitted out may be a bit on the heavy side...
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I just mentioned on another thread that I had a little time to set up the Aviator with a GH3/20mm.
I got it specifically for that camera and more specifically for a series of films we're doing over the next couple of years that are all fairly remote, outdoor recreation.
I haven't had any real time other than setting it up and balancing it and seeing how it floats.

I would say zero wobble with the GH3 and a single 2.5 lb weight.
I set it up on a Feisol carbon fiber sticks rated for 20 lbs that weighs less than the Aviator and collapses about as small.
It's part of a two camera back country package and it looks like it will work well.

It will obviously vibrate with little prompting but it will float very effortlessly with no shake and the pan head works well.
Again, early quick impression.
I'm sure it will have al little bounce when it settles but it takes time to get that tweaked right.
 
I'm thinking of using a Canon XF100 on this jib and also read the pauljoy.com review thinking it was slightly less than a recommendation. Being able to see the jib first hand would have been helpful. So, my quandry is the same deciding between one of the several new Travel Jibs on the market. I suspect they'll all have wobble and movement which needs to be tamed with practice.
 
I saw the jib at NAB and was told for best results you should operate it from the camera end not the back end of the jib by the counter weights. I'm assuming this goes for all cameras being used.
 
Erik Naso said:
I saw the jib at NAB and was told for best results you should operate it from the camera end not the back end of the jib by the counter weights. I'm assuming this goes for all cameras being used.
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Thanks, Erik. That's not great to hear. "Best results" is sort of a euphemism. I mean, there is only ONE result that's acceptable, and that's "butter-smooth". You can no more say "better and worse results" than "more pregnant or less pregnant" - there's only pregnant, and only "smooth"... that's the whole function of a jib - smooth movement from start to finish, no wobbles and shaking.

And if you need to move the cam for "best results", that's seriously limiting - you can't make movements over greater span than a person can with body+arm extension, so you can only get smooth results if you move the camera with your own hand?! What if you want to do the classic jib "from high to low" - you are limited by your arm reach.

Pass.
 
I hear yeah. I look at this piece of kit as a solution for traveling super light but still wanting the jib move in your footage. So some compromise must be had. It's very compact and light. Would I buy it as my one and only jib? Nope, but for traveling or hiking might fit the bill.
 
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Erik Naso said:
I hear yeah. I look at this piece of kit as a solution for traveling super light but still wanting the jib move in your footage. So some compromise must be had. It's very compact and light. Would I buy it as my one and only jib? Nope, but for traveling or hiking night fit the bill.
Click to expand...

Well said Erik.
 
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