Hi guys,

I'm looking for a portable jib (needs to be able to fit in old 3-series beemer), and I've stumbled across the Glideshot jibs: products_camerajib (http://glideshot.com/products_camerajib.html)

I've heard lots of great reviews for their 4' jib, and it certainly looks like a great option for basic jib movements.

But ideally I'd prefer to have some tilting control, and their 5' tilting jib seems like the sort of thing I want - I haven't been able to find any reviews or feedback on their tilting version though, so I was wondering if anyone is familiar with them and could comment on how they perform?

Cheers

Never heard of them, but have a used and abused a lot of jibs. I'd worry about failure with extended use. Hard to make something that lasts and sell it for $150. Materials look thin and Home Depot sourced (not that that's always a bad thing). If it's for very casual use, it may do the job. The design is pretty standard for what you get in that range.

Reviews on their 4' mini-jib are all very positive in regards to build quality and smoothness, so I'm not too worried about that.

My original thought was towards the Kessler Crane KC-Lite, which has the option to use both an 8' and an additional 5.5' length (which would be more manageable indoors. But for $200, I think this is probably a decent way to get started (assuming their tilting model works as well as their regular 4' model does).

I really am quite taken by the notion of basically a 2 minute setup time (throw it on the tripod, clip on your camera, pop some weights on the back), that speed and ease to setup vertical shots would see me use a fair few more of them I suspect.

I have been using the 4 foot Glideshot for about a year. It is a great value and built a little better than I thought it would be. No problems in use except a little side to side wobble on closeup shots. I think you would find this in most single arm jibs. This can be mitigated with a finer touch. Mine quick connects to a Davis/Sanford heavy duty tripod via Manfrotto 501PL plate and 577 quick connect adaptor. I replaced the 501PL mounting screw with a bolt and nut to attach to the Glideshot . You MUST have a tripod that can handle the weight. Mine is rated for 35 lbs. and is very sturdy. Plan on counter weight of about 3 x the weight of your camera. So if you have a 5lb. cam then 15 lbs. of counter weight. I wouldn't use a camera weighing much more than this with the Glideshot. If you are mostly using the jib inside or on flat surfaces get a dolly kit for your tripod which would really help in various setups. To fine tune balance I use a Super Clamp that I can move back and forth along the rail. I use my camera remote control to start/stop the camera so as to not introduce any unwanted movement.

Thanks kindly for the review Mark. How do you find the lack of a tilting function on the 4' jib?

Part of me thinks it should be a necessity for vertical jib/crane movements, but the other part of me thinks that for speed and simplicity's sake, perhaps a simple up-and-down little jib is the way to go for starters - and that I should simply rent proper cranes when I need proper cranes.

I have a small non-fluid head on the jib that I use to get the desired angle. As far as being able to tilt or pan in addition to the normal jib movements, I don't have a need for it. Plus this jib is probably too lightweight for it to work optimally with a decent head which would add more weight. When I was looking to buy a jib, I really wanted to just try one out to see if it fit my shooting style. The Glideshot fit that purpose. For the type work I do and with the camera I have, I can't see the benefit of sinking a lot of money in a high-end jib.

Howdy, Bob Jones here... Not supposed to advertise here... Maybe I'll get away with it one time. That being said and reading of your dilemma in terms of a small vehicle... You may want to check out the Skycrane 4'X4'-8' jib. Transports easily in a small vehicle... I can testify to that.
SKYCRANE (http://web.me.com/skycrane/Camera_Support_Systems/SKYCRANE.html)

Mark, here are some photos of my rig. Another good thing about a short jib is you can use your camera LCD screen for framing. BTW the first time I used it I was hanging out over a small waterfall. It was a little scary.

Reviews on their 4' mini-jib are all very positive in regards to build quality and smoothness, so I'm not too worried about that.

My original thought was towards the Kessler Crane KC-Lite, which has the option to use both an 8' and an additional 5.5' length (which would be more manageable indoors. But for $200, I think this is probably a decent way to get started (assuming their tilting model works as well as their regular 4' model does).


FWIW, I own 5 jibs and the Kessler is my least favorite of them. I don't hate it, I just don't love it. I'd probably roll the dice on the first one you were looking at before buying another.