FAQ

• Can I mount an external monitor to the jib?

  Yes! There is a 1/4" 20 mounting port on each side of the bottom bracket. You can easily mount your video monitor to either side of the jib with any standard articulating arm or 1/4 20 goose-neck.

  Last updated: Wed, Jun 13 2012 11:18 am EDT
• Will the jib work with a C300 / FS100 / Epic / (insert your camera's name).

  The Aviator will work with nearly any camera provided the camera side load doesn't exceed 6lbs.

  As long as your total weight for the camera side of the jib is under 6lbs. you should be good. Keep in mind it may be under the weight limit with one lens, but over with another. So if you try using it with a 70-200 2.8 for example, you may go over the limit. Though it is unlikely you would want to jib with that lens, anyway. Traditionally most jib shots are done with a fairly wide lens.

  The only hiccup is on some cameras (the C300, FS100, and Epic probably all fall into this category) is the back of the camera sticks out behind the top bracket (because of the position of the 1/4 20 mount on the bottom of the camera. In this case, if the camera is mounted directly to the bracket you will lose some of the movement at the bottom of the swing (the back of the camera will make contact with the top pole of the jib before it has reached the bottom of the swing. You may lose about 6 inches of lift at the bottom, but I'm not sure until I can get hold of one and try it. But don't worry. There is a simple solution. If you have enough weight head room you can add a spacer or even better, a lightweight fluid head.

  I have much better fluid heads, but I often use the Velbon PH-368 Vel-Flo 9 Mini-Pro. Because it weighs so lightweight.The Velbon is almost all plastic. It makes a weird cracking noise if you tighten it too much, but it hasn't fallen apart on me yet. It's incredibly lightweight. They say it's rated to hold 10lbs.

  It lifts the camera up off of the bracket enough that you shouldn't lose any of the vertical lift. So if your camera is shaped more like a traditional video camera and less like a DSLR, weigh it and make sure you have enough room to add a small head (some are as light weight as a couple ounces) and still be under 6lbs. and you should be good!

  Last updated: Wed, Jun 20 2012 7:35 am EDT
• What is different about the carbon fiber jib? How much less does it weigh?

  We don't have the final numbers on it yet, but we expect the carbon fiber jib to be between 10 to 20% lighter. Carbon fiber also has unbeatable vibration dampening properties, and it looks and feels extra, extra nice!

  Last updated: Sun, Jun 17 2012 1:25 pm EDT
• I need the jib for a shoot I'm doing on a specific date. Will I receive it by then?

  There are so many factors involved with shipping times that I can't give exact dates or say if anyone will get theirs by a specific date until we get closer to shipping. I will keep backers updated with detailed updates as the project moves along. I want to get these to everyone as fast as possible. Thanks for your support!

  Last updated: Sun, Jun 17 2012 1:28 pm EDT
• How did you make that timelaspe?

  I'm hoping to do a detailed how to video on this at some point after the Kickstarter closes, but here's a link to the article that inspired my set up. They use the same motor I did. It's basically an $18 hobby motor that runs off of a single AA battery. http://www.diyphotography.net/using-a-motorized-yoyo-as-a-panning-slider

  Last updated: Fri, Jun 22 2012 5:16 pm EDT
• What tripod do you recommend?

  What kind of tripod I recommend is hard to say. It really depends on how you plan to shoot. If you are mountain climbing, traveling on planes, or going solo, usually size and weight are most important. In that case I'd go with the 3Legged Thing Eric. Super lightweight and folds up really small. If you want something at a lower price point the 3Legged Thing X4a Jack may suit you better.

  I also like using it with video tripods because the leveling ball base makes it super easy to level. They tend to be larger and heavier, though. But if space and weight aren't as important, like when shooting in urban environments where you are going from car to location, a video tripod like the Manfrotto 536 may be more your style. I've been using the 536 for some time. It's almost 30" long, and weighs over 7lbs, but it'll go up to over 6 and half feet high and it is rock solid. If you go with a ball head tripod you'll want to add a half ball leveler that screws into the bottom of the jib. They aren't expensive. Just make sure it's the right size for the ball tripod you are using.

  Finding the right tripod that works for every situation is almost impossible. Some are sturdy, but not small or light. Some are lightweight, but big. And quality, sturdy, lightweight, compact tripods are also not inexpensive. I've found that my best return on investment is to get the nicest one I can afford rather than buy a bunch of cheep ones that are never quite right. And if you can afford it, get a small lightweight one for when you need it and a solid big one for when you don't have to worry about size and weight.

  That said, any tripod rated to hold more than 16 lbs. should work. So feel free to experiment, try out the jib with your friends tripods, just be careful, and have fun!

  Last updated: Fri, Jun 22 2012 5:16 pm EDT