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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Review: 7 Jib from Long Valley Equipment...

Evin Grant

Evin Grant

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So back in the good old days of under 10Lb DV/P2/HDV cameras one of my favorite ways to add a little production value to a shoot was to break out my trusty Cobra Crane 1+ and execute a nice boom down or orbit on a character or product shot. Enter the Red One...

Now I have all this gorgeous 35mm DOF and DR and more resolution than new year's eve but my little Cobra Crane is woefully under built for such a formidable camera.

The search began for a new Jib arm, for me it needed to fulfill quite a few specific parameters.
1. It had to be able to handle a Red one with accessories and a O'connor 1030s head (30+ Lbs)
2. It needed to have at least a 5ft rise.
3. It needed to be lightweight and small enough to fit in my SUV with the rest of my package and be able to fly-pack in a single hard case.
4. I needed to be able to afford it and have it pay for it's self quickly at $125 rentals.

In the past when I've shot Varicam or F900 shows I've usually rented a Port-a-jib or Microdolly jib and although they do the trick they were missing some of the key points I've mentioned above. Namely the Port-a-jib which always feels like it's going to disintegrate into a thousand pieces as soon as you touch it. Not to mention the price of $2500-$5000.

About the same time I started contemplating a new jib, Doug Underdahl started posting here at Reduser about his Nikon mount. That led me to his company, Long Valley Equipment. And there I discovered the 7 Jib Compact XL. I was cautious because the specs seemed a little too good and the price a little too low. Doug was very helpful over the phone with all my questions and even offered to sell me his personal 7 Jib because he was down to his last new one (Until the next batch) and I was shooting the next week.

I bit the bullet and ordered the new Jib confident that Doug would stand by his product if it didn't work out.

Sufficed to say the Jib is great! The specs, all of which are fo realz':
6.5' of lift (1'-2.5' more than all other in its class) but folds to just 33" in length!
100mm invertible bowl for over or underslung shooting
60 lbs total capacity
Mounts on 100mm bowl or Mitchell base
55" of reach
Built-in tilt lock
Uses standard barbell weights (not included) for counterweight
Radial needle bearing in base for super smooth swings
Quick release rod ends on parallel bar make for super fast set up

I purchased the 7 Jib Compact XL with the Jib Bag, SKB Rolling case and Mitchell Knob for just under $1600.
skbcase.jpg


Here are some BTS photos with Aeryn (#199):
7jib1.jpg

7jib2.jpg

7jib3.jpg


Later tonight I'll post a clip from this shoot. (here's the clip I promised) http://www.4kninjas.net/flicks/jibShot.mov

The biggest problem with using a jib is of course keeping the actor in focus! Now if only Curt would ship me some motors :P

You can find the 7 Jib here:
http://www.longvalleyequip.com
 
I have to second Evin's recommendation. I've been nothing short of ecstatic using the 7-Jib. I rent it about once a year, and every time I tell myself I need to pick one up. It's a total shoot saver. I've had fully loaded s16 packages, and light 35mm packages on it all with no problems.
 
This is great timing! I have just spent the last 24 hours investigating jibs. This one looks perfect!
Also great to know it's working well with RED.

Thanks for the info, much appreciated!

Jim
 
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Cinewalt said:
I've still got my eye on this http://www.ezfx.com/ - partially because I know the guys, but also the price is low and the possible expansion of the jib is pretty cool... I hadn't heard about your setup - curious if anyone has compared both products.
Click to expand...


The EZfx was my other top contender but I've played with them at various shows and never felt they had the "Brick shit house" construction I was looking for in a globe trotting jib. The 7 Jib is definitely built to "Red" standard of bullet proof.
 
This is a jib that I have been seriously considering for the exact reason Evin gives. I've been contemplating the JimmyJib, but with all of the purchasing that is getting ready to take place in a couple of months, it would do my budget well to use the Seven Jib, I love the portability of it. Evin, which tripod is that you are using?
 
Thanks. No, I realize it's not a JimmyJib, or a Techno, but it would work very well for many times I need something this size and a quick and easy setup.
 
Evin Grant said:
The EZfx was my other top contender but I've played with them at various shows and never felt they had the "Brick shit house" construction I was looking for in a globe trotting jib. The 7 Jib is definitely built to "Red" standard of bullet proof.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the review Evin. Doug seems to make high quality stuff.
I will say though, that I disagree with you on your ezfx assessment. I own one, and the only way I would describe it is the "brick shithouse construction". This thing is an absolute tank, so I'm not sure why you felt it wasn't up to the task. I'd take mine anywhere. And I mean that literally, not rhetorically. I actually chose it over the seven. But I think they're pretty evenly matched for the most part. I just liked the ease of upgrade with the ezfx.
 
I've had a 7 Jib for 7 or 8 years now and I love it. Evin, you are right about the solid construction and the super fast set up. I was on a shoot once and the director said he wished he could put the camera "here," indicating a position about 7 feet in the air. I told him that I had a jib in the truck if he wanted me to get it.
"No, we don't have time to set it up."
"We can be rolling the camera in 10 minutes."
"If you can do it in 7 minutes, I'll give you $100 in cash."

The jib was built and the camera was rolling in 5 minutes. That may be the fastest hundred bucks I have ever made.
 
I've got the EZ-Jib also and it is a tank. I would say the Seven would probably fail far sooner under weight then the EZ. However, I would say that if your traveling alot via airplane, the Seven is better since it seems collapse smaller. I can't wait to get my RED in my jib. I am going love it.

Love the shot btw. The only thing I didn't like was how the light hit the pushbar on the door--it looked really fakely lit. However, when you reached the guy, the light was perfect--really frustrating to light (this is why I need to buy a can of dulling spray!)


Matthew
 
The DP at the company I work for was at NAB with me and decided the Vancejib was the best for the money. http://www.cineventions.com Might be worth checking out since he is a picky sob and spent hours looking and testing everything. just seemed built heavier than the others and went way up and also folded up small.
No I dont own shares in the Vancejib company and am not a jib owner myself.
M
 
I have had a Seven jib for about 8 years and it has worked wonderfully for me and had paid for itself many, many times over. Very quick set up and easy to use. Had a decked out BL4S with no problems what so ever.
 
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