Epic on Spyder Jib

[Douglas Underdahl]

Epic on Spyder Jib

Here it is, the footage from our testing of the Epic with Long Valley Equipment's new Spyder Jib.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2d9GdZv_ng

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG8slPPNuY8

As you can see, the Spyder allows you to move the camera in any direction: up, down, side to side, diagonal, or any combination, in a straight line, or curve. The drive system compensates the movement of the counterweights automatically, keeping the camera weightless.

You can move your cam in a straight line, like a slider, or up and down, like a conventional jib, or start out straight, then make a 90 degree turn in the middle of the shot!

It's extremely portable, with it's pin locked folded mode. Great for airline travel.

The Spyder Jib has a payload capacity (camera, accessories, and fluid head) of 15 pounds, which should be great for the new generation of lightweight, compact, full sensor digital video cameras.

These videos show our modification of a gimbal (aka cradle) head which allows you to balance your camera at it's center of gravity. A super head for use with the Spyder Jib. We add silky fluid damping to the pan and tilt, and also install a radial needle bearing to the pan axis so that it is just as smooth in underslung mode as it is in the upright position.

We plan on making a small number of these jibs for beta testers before going into full production.

Hats off to Adam Lubkin and Erich Roland for volunteering their time and Epic cameras for the testing and videos.

PS The Epic is fantastic and I want mine now now now!!!

PPS Redcine-X is the bees knees.

 

[ericyoung]

Very ingenious!!

 

[Jason Diamond]

Nice work, gear seems nicely thought out.

Is it shaky at all with that light of a weight/counterweight?

Jason

 

[Anson Fogel]

Dang it Doug, now I have ANOTHER peice of gear that I want. Selling my belvoed SevenJib? Ouch.

 

[Adam C Lubkin]

Nice work on the videos, Doug. Can't wait to take it out to play and explore the full range of its potential.

 

[Adam C Lubkin]

Nice work, gear seems nicely thought out.

Is it shaky at all with that light of a weight/counterweight?

Jason

Jason, the construction is top-notch and I found it to be very smooth. It allows for a lot of creativity with movement. I'll have to spend more time with it to get a full grasp of what it's capable of and to what degree it can substitute for traditional sliders and jibs, but I'm really looking forward to doing so.

 

[Sanjin Jukic]

Amazing Doug!!!!

Hollywood type of shots with Epic on Spyder Jib.

It's a lightweight and affordable Jib solution.

 

[Robert Berger]

Cool, where can i see some prices and where to buy?

Red One 1265.......waiitng for stage 2 for Epic X
Thanks Robert

 

[Olivier Madar]

Great Doug !!


I am very interested. Keep me informed, please !

 

[jimhare]

But I'll bet Doug's doesn't cost $40k!

This is not new... its based on the Z arm , that was made and used with remote heads in a larger scale.
I thought that was patented?
it has been around for at least 10 years..

http://cgi.ebay.com/Zero-Gravity-Ji...-Jib-Used-/130447345039?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0

 

[Miltos Pilalitos]

While I can see it's usefulness in some occasions, I didn't like the quality of movement in any of the shots in the second video.

 

[Douglas Underdahl]

Tentative (aka subject to change) pricing:

Spyder Jib $2,995
gimbal head $595

see more at

longvalleyequip.com

Thanks
Doug

 

[Kwan Khan]

2,995? Hummmm

 

[Paul Kalbach]

Hey Doug, that's great! Do you think it would be possible to mount the Spyder Jib on a Steadicam Arm post rather than a tripod bowl? If so, what operating limitations would there be if it were handled just on either side of the mount pivot-point (as in the 2nd attached jpeg)? I've been flying my RedOne with my "RedZephyrCam" rig (HandsFree modified Segway) and have been experimenting with flying lighter weight cameras (such as the GoPro) with a quick-and-dirty boom in anticipation of receiving my Epic -X. Would a stripped-down Epic on a Spyder Jib weigh-in at 26 pounds or less (which is the weight capacity of my Steadicam arm)? I would be interested in beta-testing sucha configuration. There's some demos at my site: www.redzephyrcam.com.

 

[Erich Roland]

Looks great Doug!

The 7 jib is by far the easiest jib I've ever used, cant wait to get the Spyder.

 

[Tom Lowe]

To me, one possible interesting use of this jib is for straight, z-axis, push-forward shots, like a technocrane. Does that work, Doug?

 

[Jonathan Stevenson]

While I can see it's usefulness in some occasions, I didn't like the quality of movement in any of the shots in the second video.

Agreed; looks very jerky at times. Seems to work better when the operator isn't holding the camera, but working at the back end.

 

[ericyoung]

While I can see it's usefulness in some occasions, I didn't like the quality of movement in any of the shots in the second video.

Miltos, I think it has a slight handheld feel to it, which is pretty much down to the relatively low mass, and hence inertia, of the stripped down Epic, and possibly the operators in the videos being new to the system. While the jib and counterbalance weights compensate for the downward weight, like a Steadicam arm does, it doesn't have the damping effect of the Steadicam arm springs and the increased inertia of the Steadicam sled. For me, the video feels a lot like what you might get with a DSLR on a lightweight Steadicam Flyer - the low inertia actually makes it harder to get smooth moves. Not impossible, but it takes a light touch and quite a lot of practice to achieve smooth moves in every situation. Also it's high mobility, while a great advantage, also means it's harder to achieve a smooth move in one axis only - there doesn't seem to be any lock-offs so that you can restrict movement to one or maybe two axes - Douglas?

[Edit: Actually, looking at the videos again, I don't think lock-offs are possible on this as it needs all the joints to be free to allow movements to not be restricted to small arcs! So it will be down to very good technique to make this as smooth as a slider]

To me, one possible interesting use of this jib is for straight, z-axis, push-forward shots, like a technocrane. Does that work, Doug?

From the videos, I'd guess you can, but the vertical height of the "Z" at the "pulled back position" would have to be taken into account - ie a straight push in through a small window may be impossible except at the end of the jib's horizontal range, but over to Douglas for a definitive answer. As above, I would think keeping an exact height throughout a push in would be very difficult, as it would on a Steadicam - so not a complete replacement for a slider, or dolly and track, or technocrane.

 

[Douglas Underdahl]

Just like any piece of equipment, results get better with practice.

You can do straight moves as well as arcs, and change your move direction in the middle of the shot.

If you swing the jib on it's base as part of your move, you can do about a 8-9 foot move straight at or away from your subject on the Z axis, push forward or pull back.

Technocranes and Technojibs are larger than the Spyder so the camera will go farther and higher, etc,

Paul - I bet you could mount the Spyder on your Steadicam arm. It weighs about 20 pounds so with a light camera and therefore small counterweights, I think it could happen. How you would operate it . . . . not sure! But you are welcome try one out when I get a few made up.

Erich - thanks for all your help on the shoot.

I think a lot of very creative directors and DPs will think of new ways to use this jib.

 

[Mitch Gross]

Constantine, if this design is under someone else's patent, then that is between Long Valley and the patent holder. It is not any of our business. I guess if you are overly concerned you could bring it to the other manufacturer's attention as a courtesy.

But for all you know Long Valley has a relationship with the patent holder. Or maybe the patent doesn't apply. Or maybe it has expired. Or maybe something else. In the end it is not your issue. Doug doesn't need to answer to you on this matter.

Lastly, if you feel that it appears poorly made or overpriced, then I respectfully state that it is a bit rude to be making such statements on an internet forum such as this. Under $3000 is a very low price for any such piece of professional gear. I believe you are a manufacturer as well -- don't you have something called a Running Rig? If someone attacked your product when you introduced it then I think you would be rightfully upset.