Frequently Asked Questions
What are you building, a telescope?
No, it’s a camera crane which allows the camera to fly through space and make very beautiful shots.
How much space does the jib need?
It is based on the length of the tail, and the tail corresponds to the length out front you build. Up to 15 feet has a 3 foot tail; from 15 to 24 feet has a 6 foot tail; and the 30 footer has an 8 foot tail. Now you have to think about the swing you want. For a 360 degree swing, think of the tail size as the radius of the circle. So that would mean you would need at least a 6 X 6 foot area for the shortest tail. Consequently the 6 foot tail would need a 12 foot square space and the 8 foot tail would need 16 X 16. Lesser swings would need correspondingly smaller footprints, but it’s a good rule of thumb to allow for the full 360 degrees.
That’s a lot of weight back there. It must take a lot of strength to move.
Yes, there can be a lot of counterweight, upwards of 350 pounds depending on the size. Simple physics dictates that the longer the front reach is, the more counterweight is needed on the tail. And no, it does not take a lot of strength to move the arm. Once the counterbalance is optimized, it floats with ease.
OK, so how did you get that here? What do you have, a huge truck?
It travels nicely in a minivan. That’s all you need.
What about flying? Can you take that in an airplane?
You can if you want to. But you have to think about excess baggage and weight restrictions, not to mention the physical labor involved. I opt for shipping companies to do the work. That’s what they’re good at.
What about the weights? How did you get them here?
I can either buy them here, or borrow/rent them from a gym or other Jimmy Jib owner in the area. I never ship them. It costs more to ship than it does to buy them outright. And of course when I work locally they can go right in the van with the rest of the jib.
Too bad there are no portable weights you can fill with water.
A thoughtful idea, but the mass of water is a lot less than the mass of lead. If they were filled with water, you would need way too many of them.
What kind of cameras can be put on it?
Any portable camera that you could otherwise put on your shoulder or hand-hold. 16 and 35 millimeter film; broadcast, prosumer, and consumer video cameras are all fine. The maximum safe weight for the camera is 50-75 pounds.
Have you ever hit anyone on the head with that?
Yes, twice. Once was a bald guy who I came down on with my Model III’s dagger with no tennis ball protection. The other was an annoying AP who kept walking under the arm during my shots. This was kind of a purposeful accident. In either case, no one died. And I should mention that I have bumped my head on the arm and the weights many times.
Do you have insurance?!?
Yes, wouldn’t be without it. I have a hefty liability policy, and I also require clients to include me on their policies if the shoots pose some hazards.
What is that, a canon?
No. It is a weapon of mass destruction.
No, it’s a camera crane which allows the camera to fly through space and make very beautiful shots.
How much space does the jib need?
It is based on the length of the tail, and the tail corresponds to the length out front you build. Up to 15 feet has a 3 foot tail; from 15 to 24 feet has a 6 foot tail; and the 30 footer has an 8 foot tail. Now you have to think about the swing you want. For a 360 degree swing, think of the tail size as the radius of the circle. So that would mean you would need at least a 6 X 6 foot area for the shortest tail. Consequently the 6 foot tail would need a 12 foot square space and the 8 foot tail would need 16 X 16. Lesser swings would need correspondingly smaller footprints, but it’s a good rule of thumb to allow for the full 360 degrees.
That’s a lot of weight back there. It must take a lot of strength to move.
Yes, there can be a lot of counterweight, upwards of 350 pounds depending on the size. Simple physics dictates that the longer the front reach is, the more counterweight is needed on the tail. And no, it does not take a lot of strength to move the arm. Once the counterbalance is optimized, it floats with ease.
OK, so how did you get that here? What do you have, a huge truck?
It travels nicely in a minivan. That’s all you need.
What about flying? Can you take that in an airplane?
You can if you want to. But you have to think about excess baggage and weight restrictions, not to mention the physical labor involved. I opt for shipping companies to do the work. That’s what they’re good at.
What about the weights? How did you get them here?
I can either buy them here, or borrow/rent them from a gym or other Jimmy Jib owner in the area. I never ship them. It costs more to ship than it does to buy them outright. And of course when I work locally they can go right in the van with the rest of the jib.
Too bad there are no portable weights you can fill with water.
A thoughtful idea, but the mass of water is a lot less than the mass of lead. If they were filled with water, you would need way too many of them.
What kind of cameras can be put on it?
Any portable camera that you could otherwise put on your shoulder or hand-hold. 16 and 35 millimeter film; broadcast, prosumer, and consumer video cameras are all fine. The maximum safe weight for the camera is 50-75 pounds.
Have you ever hit anyone on the head with that?
Yes, twice. Once was a bald guy who I came down on with my Model III’s dagger with no tennis ball protection. The other was an annoying AP who kept walking under the arm during my shots. This was kind of a purposeful accident. In either case, no one died. And I should mention that I have bumped my head on the arm and the weights many times.
Do you have insurance?!?
Yes, wouldn’t be without it. I have a hefty liability policy, and I also require clients to include me on their policies if the shoots pose some hazards.
What is that, a canon?
No. It is a weapon of mass destruction.
