Welcome to our community

Be a part of something great, join today!

Log in
  • 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 :)

Jib/Crane advice for the SCARLET

I have a KC 12, make sure you buy the setup initially for the extra weight (so buy the kc12 which has about 4 upgrades over the kc8, to handle the extra strain). I also back down to the kc8, and you can get a kc8 cable, if you need to put a large pan/tilt at the end (kc12 really can't support a pan/tilt stepper motor head, kc12 can easily switch to kc8 - but you do need to get an kc8 cable though ... is 38$). Cool thing about kessler is they are so responsive, this Sunday i was 16 feet short on a shuttle pod rail overhead shot I needed, I put in the order in on this sunday, and the 4 rails where sent out Monday/yesterday(also just call them, they have great technical phone support).

I don't know much about other 12' jibs, so can't give any real comparison.

btw real cool thing about kc12 that i use, is they have a rail system that you can use in conjunction with the jib, it's called k-flex. It allows mixed jib/dolly shots(i.e. you can have a 12 foot jib shot, moving along a 20 foot long dolly), you do need a stable floor to do this(i.e. wood or concrete, if you have the 12 foot jib on the dolly). If you get the k-flex for mixed jib/dolly shots (it uses the same tripod as the kc12), make sure to get the "idle arm" - it makes things roll smoother.
 
If you go with the KC12, I would recommend that you get the K-pod as well. That thing is built like a tank. I also use it as a tripod for my fully rigged Scarlet but you'd need an extra accessory to use it as a tripod. If you use the KC12 with Scarlet (even stripped down), you'll need a ton of counter weights.

Also as Patrick said, you can use the K-pod with their flexible tracks. I've used the 5' Kessler jib a lot on their flexible tracks and it worked pretty well. I have yet to try that configuration with Scarlet though. Soon.
 
KC12 is great. I've dropped it on a Long Valley Eq dolly/track and had no issues. Lightweight, packs small and easy set-up. As others have said, get a good, solid HD tripod (not necessarily Kesslers). I bought up from a KC5/8, so it is configurable in several lengths. They also make an 18 foot version. I have not tried it, but you have to purchase a lot of new heavy duty versions of existing components on the 12/8, so decide early whether you want to go that route and buy once.
 
Daniel Peters said:
It says it supports 14kilo, the Scarlet with monitor and battery mount should be about 4kg???
Click to expand...

Keep in mind that you don't have to factor in the weight of the monitor unless you planned to put it up on the end of the jib.
 
We have the ABC Mini Crane 520. 15ft, about a 10lb max payload (at 15ft) takes about 80lbs to balance the scarlet with side handle only (50lbs at 9ft). It will also set up as 9ft and 6ft for smaller operation. It is very light weight can get thrown in a backpack and taken into some pretty remote locations (we had it in the arctic circle on a climbing expedition!)

Here are some post with pics of it in use. In the 1st link it is set up at 15ft, second link is 9ft:
http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?77473-4K-3K-2K-Snowboarding-on-Scarlet-X-30-sec-tease
http://www.reduser.net/forum/showth...Ski-amp-Nightlife-shot-on-Scarlet-amp-Leica-R

-Dane
 
Make sure what you buy from Kessler is exactly what you want. If you purchase and try to return they are very strict about their 20% restock charge. Any scratches of signs of use will result in this charge. I bought a PocketJib which IMHO is not up for the task of carrying a Epic (too much play and twist between components) and requires the camera a weight to be removed if you want to adjust the boom arm length. As soon as you slide the boom arm out and tighten the thumb screws you will leave witness marks in the soft powder coat finish. That fact cost me freight both ways and a 20% restock charge. I support how Eric markets to the small operator - but will say this is the first time in the 100's of purchases I have made over the years of camera gear that I have experienced such a strict restocking policy. I'm looking at Lebec now - saw them at NAB and they have an elegant design that has much better fit and finish than the Kessler products.

http://www.libecsales.com/products/swift_jib/overview.html
 
I've used a Porta-Jib Traveller with my Epic; it was rock solid, but heavy and pricey.

EZFX has a good reputation.

Varizoom Quickjib is what I would spend my money on if I were buying.
 
Steve Das said:
..Cinevate has special intro. price....
http://blog.planet5d.com/2012/04/freshdv-and-nextwavedv-nab-2012-cinevate/
http://blog.planet5d.com/2012/04/cinevate-nab-promotional-sale/
http://www.longvalleyequip.com/sevenjib.php
Click to expand...

We'll have a really slick video online shortly in the form of BTS on a Scarlet shoot using the Jib. Part of our design rationale was to have a single tube to not just protect the inner components and remove pinch points, but also to be extremely solid, thus eliminating any sway from heavier cameras/setups. I'll post the video as soon as it's available :p
 
No oen regrets buying Kessler - far less wobble (by that I mean none) than most other designs.
 
Port-a-jib. Durable as a rock and decent set-up time. Sure it's heavy, do you want a jib that isn't? For lighter, get the job done cheaper but with a bit less precision, EX-FX is great.

Z-jibs are awesome. Anything cooler or newer than these I'm not cool or new enough to know. Just don't buy the one that advertises counterweight as a bucket you put rocks or water in.... are you really hiking your jib up a mountain...
 
Michael Panfeld said:
I don't always hike my jib up a mountain. But when I do, my counterweights are Dos Equis.
Click to expand...


Love it!

I have a cheap Cobra Crane + that is longer but will flex under a heavier camera, and a Trovato Tote jib that you can top mount or undersling up to 75lbs.
 
I've just bought a kessler pocket jib to use for a dslr rig for a portable option. i lugged it across 5 countries now, about a dozen shoot days. i like the build quality, the weight, but i have a few problems with it.

i really can't use it past half extension as it wobbles. this is with a 7kg dslr/2 monitors/ff/box. its ok if operating the jib from the back, but i usually use it from the front with the head. i really think the figures these companies come up with saying they will support certain amounts aren't saying the real weight that the jibs should hold with stability. maybe I'm being harsh it being a cheap lightweight jib- my only other experience is with jimmy jibs which are far more solid (but wouldn't be able to air travel easily).

the other thing i that annoys me about this jib is that the 100mm bowl plate is mounted very high on the jib. there is no way to move the plate lower, unlike the other kessler jibs that i think allow the whole jib to be turned upside down. so she you want to get low you are the height of about 8-9 inches, add that to the head height and the lowest is still very high off the ground. i know there are different add on solutions like a underhung bracket, but it would have been nice if this was considered in the design. many other jibs have lower mounting options.

kessler are coming out with a more sturdier version of their pocket jib, so this maybe the solution i am after. check that one out as a scarlet/epic is too heavy for this jib imo.

paul
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top