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Question: How smooth is the fluid pan base? I want to be able to use this to get lateral, slider-like shots.
Document: So I wasn't expecting much from this, especially for the price, but it's a really fun toy for weddings and other shoots that I do. It does take a few minutes to set up, so you're not going to be using this for anything real fast action. BUT, you don't want to use something like this too much in any production anyway.That said, it's very good quality -- for the price.
This is a surprisingly well made product for the price. It has thrust bearings at all pivot points. The pan base is very smooth, although you'll need a fairly rigid tripod as there is no way to adjust the drag which is quite stiff. I'm using the Dolica LX600B502DS with good results. The quality of materials and workmanship appear to be very good. It's also very compact and light weight, which is probably the best part.
I'm a beginner, let me say that from the start. I didn't want to spend a lot of money on a jib as I learn how to best use my gear. Recently purchased the Cannon Rebel EOS T5i and wanted to use it mostly for making short &#34;corp style&#34; sizzle reels. This jib made a huge difference in my work. Very light weight and once you get the hang of it makes some great moves.
I received a quick response from ephotoinc stating that it was the total length. If I would have believed that answer to be correct, I wouldn't have even purchased the product as (again based on the pictures) that would have meant the actual reach of this jib was only about two feet. Well, it turns out my intuition was correct. For the record, this jib extends to a total of six foot with a reach from the pan base to the camera mount of 37 inches.
If you want to know more about how it works or what you can do with it, just check out some of the reviews and promotional video's of that product available on youtube. Like the aviator, this jib has a long threaded rod that screws into the rear end for attaching plate weights. I'm flying a canon HF-100 with a Raynox wide angle adapter lens, counter balanced with a 2 1/2 lb weight plate.
I've been most successful using ceramic tiles or smooth stones. It doesn't take a lot to balance the jib because of the size of my camera. There is a screw off knob on the end where you could use 2 lbs weights as an option. I've not tried that yet but believe it would only add for a much smoother jib move. NOTE: This is a video jib and not designed to be used with a standard camera tripod.
You probably ought to recheck if you do a bunch of takes because it's easy to twist it out of level. The other thing is sometimes it's hard to get it straight when you don't have each tube fully extended. I find that it &#34;bows&#34; a little when I extend it all the way out, so I usually back it into the tubes about 1&#34;.
I like the product! It is just what I needed to give me that look that my corporate clientele is looking for.
I unscrewed the bolt at the end and tightly secured the weight to the end of the boom. It makes a nice round handle to hold onto and no more jiggle to my shots. I've taken some pictures of my modification but see no way of displaying them here unfortunately.
I mean, there is, but no convenient way. The quick release it comes with is OK, but again -- not for heavy cameras. Honestly, I'd be hesitant to mount a Canon 5D or something like that on this, but for mirrorless cameras and lighter cameras like that ...no problemo.The other final issue is that getting it level and perfectly straight CAN be a bit of a pain. The tubes, by design, twist a little.
Answer: When I tested it out, I don't remember the pan base having that much friction. Part of that is because even with a fluid head, when you are turning a 4ft jib, the leverage is a lot more than if you were just turning a camera on it. I would say that the smoothness will mostly be based on how steady your hand is and how balanced you have it.