advantajib reviews/testimonials?
 

I've been looking into the advantajib lite, but am still hesitant about the purchase. The combination of tiny undetailed photos on the website and endorsements that never follow through with photos/videos is just weird. I dunno. maybe advantajib owners cant post because they are all so busy getting paid to use their jibs. hehe. The only video samples i've found are on the advantajib website, where no moves are ever shown starting or stopping... and some youtube footage of a phone sex commercial where the jib moves are quite jerky and awkward.

Are there any advantajib detailed reviews out there? Any owners with some real world operation feedback and/or examples? Thanks!

cheers!
-a

advanta-jib
 

thought i'd add advanta-jib since people might search for that instead of "advantajib".

Anybody here own one of these?

thanks

I purchased one in December last year but have not had much chance to use it yet as my project was delayed. I would be happy to send you picutres and answer questions.

I recently acquired one and will post my comments a little later (bottom line: I like it a lot), but in the meantime, have you seen this thread?

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=68413

inquisi-jib
 

Hey Guys,
Thanks for responding.

I had looked over that other thread awhile back, thanks for reminding me.

The main questions i have are:

1. Is the jib actually smooth and controllable, or just reasonably controllable "for the size" "for the weight" or "for the price"?

2. Can you smoothly stop/start movements?

3. can you lock down the crane and use it for fixed shots where you might be on the front end adjusting focus w/o jiggling the whole crane?

4. can the camera tilt/pan be worked from the front?

5. Does the advantajib look/feel like pro gear to you?
5a. are the various connectors bearings or just bolts-in-holes?

6. I'd think the 4 foot would get the most use... do you use the 7 and 10 foot extensions much?

7. do you have any issues with the pan cable slipping?

8. realistically, how long do you think it would take to change from 4 foot mode to 10 foot mode w/ tail extension?

9. are there any reasons you are ever reluctant to pull the advantajib out of the truck?

10. is it possible to slap a bowl head onto the front instead of the hydraulic one?

11. have you had any issues w/ the hydraulics?

12. would you buy again?

13. how is the learning curve? On a shoot would you hand it over to the camera operator or suggest they let someone already experienced use it?

14. got video of any shots you've made w/ it that you are particularly proud of?

Any answers to any of these questions would be greatly appreciated.

If you have any pix, i'd love to see some closeups of the ends and middle bits. If there is anything else that comes to mind about it, i'd love to hear your feedback.

thanks!
-andrew

==>1. Is the jib actually smooth and controllable, or just reasonably controllable "for the size" "for the weight" or "for the price"?

Yes but like everything else that comes with practice and how well you balance the jib. Just as an example, my 10 year old son is getting very good which his movements from start to stop.

==>2. Can you smoothly stop/start movements?

Yes with practice and proper balancing.

==>3. can you lock down the crane and use it for fixed shots where you might be on the front end adjusting focus w/o jiggling the whole crane?

There is lock on the jib but I don't think it is designed for the purpose you are interested in as it just keeps it from titling for safety reasons if you need to walk away from it.

==>4. can the camera tilt/pan be worked from the front?

Yes you can tilt/pan the camera from the front but I don't think it was designed for that.

==>5. Does the advantajib look/feel like pro gear to you?

Yes very much so

==>5a. are the various connectors bearings or just bolts-in-holes?

There are bearing where there needs to be. Everything appears to be very well designed. As a matter of fact I had mine upgraded to handle a 15lb cameras (different front bearing and additional spring)

==>6. I'd think the 4 foot would get the most use... do you use the 7 and 10 foot extensions much?

I purchased both extensions along with the tail. I currently only have the 4' version setup but don't see any issues with adding the extensions and you never know when you might need them.

==>7. do you have any issues with the pan cable slipping?

Not that I have noticed. I did have a cable come loose from its aluminum swage but in talking with John it was easily resolved. I had the tension on the cable to tight.

==>8. realistically, how long do you think it would take to change from 4 foot mode to 10 foot mode w/ tail extension?

About 10 minutes and maybe shorter with more practice

==>9. are there any reasons you are ever reluctant to pull the advantajib out of the truck?

None. Every time someone sees it, there is lots of interest and questions.

==>10. is it possible to slap a bowl head onto the front instead of the hydraulic one?

No

==>11. have you had any issues w/ the hydraulics?

No

==>12. would you buy again?

Yes, in a minute

==>13. how is the learning curve? On a shoot would you hand it over to the camera operator or suggest they let someone already experienced use it?

If you are comfortable with using a fluid head this will be second nature as all the moves are the same. I would not have a problem with letting some operate it provided they understand that it is not a toy and that you could easily hurt someone if they walked under it while lowering the jib and did not see them.

==>14. got video of any shots you've made w/ it that you are particularly proud of?

Not yet but I can assure you that the footage you saw on YouTube does not do the jib justice. With practice comes smooth starts & stops.


==>If you have any pix, i'd love to see some closeups of the ends and middle bits.

I will try to get some pictures tomorrow and post them.

Make sure to check out the under slung head

Just have to say that John was great in responding to all my questions and wish everyone treated their potential customer in the same fashion.

[QUOTE=Hart Boyd;827138]==>
Hart Boyd,

There are bearing where there needs to be. Everything appears to be very well designed. As a matter of fact I had mine upgraded to handle a 15lb cameras (different front bearing and additional spring)

My Jib is on the way to India. Like to know what was the 15lbs upgrade deal.How much did it cost for you. Is it possible to mount Sony DSR 400 camera on it.

Thanks

Here is the information that I received from John himself about the upgrade.

"The upgrade consists of an extra 4 coil spring for the opposite side of the head ($25) and a stronger head bearing ($60).

The pulley bearing on the rear under the pan handle has to be strong to withstand abusive users so we had to beef it up. The front bearing is still the original style to keep the cost down, but for the 15 pound upgrade we use the rear style heavy duty bearing for the front too to handle the extra strain.

The 15lb is good for dv cameras with extras like a lens adapter and cine lens. It's really not meant for ENG style cameras because they are very top heavy which makes operating the jib tilt awkward."

As John stated is is not meant for an ENG style camera as in the Sony DSR 400.

Pictures as requested. Let me know if you would like any others.

Awesome!
 

Hart,

Thanks immensely for the reply and especially the photos. Thats really really fantastic. I was worried the reason there were no large photos was because it looked bad up close or something. Your post sold me!

If you ever have a chance to post a pic of the section where the jib mounts on the tripod, that would be great. However, i plan on buying, so if you dont get around to it, i'll just photograph my own and look at those.

Thanks again! You rock!
-Andrew

Glad I could help. Here you go.

Hi Hart. Could u post some overall photos of the entire crane? Looks like a nice option since it has pan tilt functions over the rest. The price point reasonable if it works well :)

I will try to take some tomorrow. My sits on a Bogen 528XB tripod with a Bogen 3067 dolly under that. Do you have something in mind that you would like to see?

Here is an overall picture of the 7' jib on the tripod & dolly. The underslung head is attached with no camera mounted or weights.

my advantajib is on its way. might be here next week. woo.

Hey Hart,

Your setup seems to have a manfrotto pan handle on the crane, but all the official photos have just a metal bar instead. Did you swap out the bar for your pan handle or did it come with that pan/tilt bar?

thanks!
-andrew

Andrew you have a good eye.

Yes I swapped out the pan handle from the original one as the Bogen handle is telescopic. I purchased the short handle with the jib but prefer the Bogen as I don't have to take time to switch handles for tight situations but instead flip a knob extend the handle and lock it down.

I also switched out some of the finger screws with Delta 1" Diamond Knobs (1/4-20x1/2" & 1/4-20x3/4") as to make adjustments easier and they did not hurt my fingers to turn. I could not get the monitor mount the hold it's position and just decided to switch them all out.

I also added a Bogen Quick Release Adapter to the underslung head to make camera install/removal quicker and easier. It is the same plate that the jib comes with but the underslung head attaches to it so a second adapter mounted on the underslund head allows my camera to mount in either position without having to remove the adapter plate from the camera.

Do you know where I might find the Bogen handle for sale separately? A bit of searching hasn't come up with anything so far. Thanks.

Doh. Wish i had noticed it sooner. I also paid $25 for the short unanodized silver rod. Could have picked up a professional looking pan handle for the same price. doh! John should include one of them instead. Really makes a difference in the appearance of the machine.


Ted, i dont know which model hart has, but here are a slew of solo handles:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/3...cessories.html

Mine was left over from a old tripod so I did not have to purchase it. I looked on B&H Photo's web site and they have several telescopic handles but none by Bogen. Sorry I can't offer any more help.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...arch&Q=*&bhs=t

Re: advantajib reviews/testimonials?
 

dang! such an old thread.

im looking into this setup right now. i currently have a Kessler 12' with their Revolution head. although its a very nicely made rig im not real happy with the whole electric head concept anymore. not intuitve enough for me. ive gotten some wonderful footage but getting a high percentage keepers is tough when your trying to do very specific-timed moves.

here is an example with my kessler

the Advanta looks interesting to me at least in "concept". it seems like i could get successful shots quicker with the Advanta. what do you owners think. is the concept of the hand lever over-hped? wish i could test one out in person.

the few reviews ive seen say thats its nearly as intuitive to work as a fluid video head on a tripod. almost seems to good to be true but hey im very curious right now.

so even though this thread promised footage...it never showed up. anyone of you original poster care to comment or throw up some of your clips?

also, how long to erect this thing? thats one of my major gripes about the Kessler 12'. its cool once its up but i hate putting up and taking down. also not a one man operation.

thanks
david

Re: advantajib reviews/testimonials?
 

I'll bump this thread as I've been interested as well. Seems like a great idea for a reasonable price. But not even the advanta-jib guys are responding. Bummer.

Re: advantajib reviews/testimonials?
 

Whoah. a VERY old thread.

Sorry i never posted videos. Most of what i've used it for are single shots within a larger production. The most complex and smooth stuff I shot was live event coverage, my favorite was having the jib mounted on a platform over the chutes at a rodeo. I got a bunch of really dynamic and fluid shots from down at the rider's eye level then shooting up 15 feet above as the gates opened. Unfortunately I don't have footage of that.

This isn't the best example as the director ignored the stable shots and picked the most frantic and "rock n roll" shots but all the jib shots are the advantajib:
and the jib shots from this are advantajib, but again... rock n roll and only tiny spatterings of jib motion
I've gotten amazing shots from my advantajib. It takes some training to get used to, but i reckon the direct pan and hydraulic tilt is one of the most intuitive ways you can control a remote head. Sorry I don't have any links to videos showing that.