Kessler vs. VariZoom at DVinfo.net

Chet Kenisell · September 13th, 2014, 05:31 PM

I am in the market for a new Jib for my Canon XA25 to get exterior retail establishing shots. Customer walking into store all the way up to the building signage. However, I have never used one and I am pretty much lost. I don't even have a tripod, so I am looking for a complete system. The current plan is to set the camera on Auto (so that I don't have to get camera controls and set focus) and run an HD-SDI cable down the jib to an Atomos Samurai Blade monitor/recorder.

Here's what I don't understand: How can a person get nice establishing sweeping shots without a head that will pan? I have seen the jibs where the person uses a fluid head under the camera at the end of the jib and they can control the camera by standing or walking by the camera, but you are limited to the highest your arm can reach. However, I cannot afford these expensive motorized heads (right now).

So, I have a few options:

VariZoom SOLO JIB with Slider Dolly (I don't think a motorized head can be mounted to this)
VariZoom QuickJib (Actually, I think it's out of my price range. But I live in Austin, which is the home of VariZoom Headquarters, and perhaps they rent?)
Kessler Pocket Jib or Pocket Jib Traveler
Get something like the VariZoom SOLO Jib and make a modification or add some kind of lever that allows me to mechanically pan the camera on a fluid head with some drag/resistance.

Any recommendations? Are there others that I should be looking at?

September 13th, 2014, 05:31 PM	#1
Chet Kenisell Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 42	Kessler vs. VariZoom I am in the market for a new Jib for my Canon XA25 to get exterior retail establishing shots. Customer walking into store all the way up to the building signage. However, I have never used one and I am pretty much lost. I don't even have a tripod, so I am looking for a complete system. The current plan is to set the camera on Auto (so that I don't have to get camera controls and set focus) and run an HD-SDI cable down the jib to an Atomos Samurai Blade monitor/recorder. Here's what I don't understand: How can a person get nice establishing sweeping shots without a head that will pan? I have seen the jibs where the person uses a fluid head under the camera at the end of the jib and they can control the camera by standing or walking by the camera, but you are limited to the highest your arm can reach. However, I cannot afford these expensive motorized heads (right now). So, I have a few options: VariZoom SOLO JIB with Slider Dolly (I don't think a motorized head can be mounted to this) VariZoom QuickJib (Actually, I think it's out of my price range. But I live in Austin, which is the home of VariZoom Headquarters, and perhaps they rent?) Kessler Pocket Jib or Pocket Jib Traveler Get something like the VariZoom SOLO Jib and make a modification or add some kind of lever that allows me to mechanically pan the camera on a fluid head with some drag/resistance. Any recommendations? Are there others that I should be looking at? __________________ Chet