Heavy Duty Remote Head For Jimmy Jib

Dear all

What 2-axis remote-head do you use when shooting with a 35mm or RED and a heavy zoom like the Angenieux 24-290 on a Jimmy Jib.. The Mini Remote head which is, I believe, the standard head with this crane doesn't take that weight properly.

Thanks again for all your input,

Markus Huersch
director of photography
EU based, Switzerland
CH mobile + 4179 208 5116
www.markushuersch.com

>> what 2-axis remote-head do you use when shooting with a 35mm or RED and a heavy zoom like >>the Angenieux 24-290 on a Jimmy Jib..

What about taking the right tool for the job?

Jimmy jib is for eng-style cameras. Yes they show you a Panavision camera on their Triangle head on the website, but I have seen them fail with a Arri 3 and a prime lens.

The 24-290 needs a stable platform: the Jimmy Jib or alike are not, never, no good for that! And when things break ,and that could very well happen if you put a payload of 35 kg or more on this head can you explain the insurance why you mounted this camera en lens, worth 3 to 4 times as much as the whole crane, on an undersized head and crane?

In my opinion: Minimal a Foxy crane or GF-8 crane with a proper remote head: Cam-remote, Power pod 2000 and similar!

Rob van Gelder
Head of Maintenance Lighthouse Film Service
Bangkok, Thailand

Steadicam and operator

Rob is right - Jimmy Jib provides engineering notes on the maximum safe payload weight at different builds - even if you put a heavier head on it, the arm itself is only rated for certain weights. I keep a copy with my Jimmy Jib at all times, even though it only goes out with 2 knowledgeable operators - just in case they don't happen to remember what the loads are at a length they don't usually use.

I've used Jimmy Jibs with Red, but only at appropriate lengths and never with a big heavy zoom like an Optimo 24-290.

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George Hupka
Director/DP
Saskatoon, Canada
Listmum, Cinematography Mailing List

>> what 2-axis remote-head do you use when shooting with a 35mm or RED and a heavy zoom like >>the Angenieux 24-290 on a Jimmy Jib..

>> What about taking the right tool for the job?

I have used the jimmy jib successfully with similar load, but the head was the weak part. I need a crane which can be set up quickly and easy in the jungle and on boats and that moves easily from one spot to the other. The jimmy jib has the right specs except for the load. I can strap down the camera to minimum and go for a another, lightweight lens and bring the weight down to 13kg/28lbs without compromising the shots to much.

My client wants’ to buy the crane since we're in a remote area without any rental options..but a Powerpod 2000 is too expensive..catch 22...

Have you got alternative systems or alternative heads to mount on the Jimmy jib in mind which are in a similar price range?

Thanks a lot.

Best regards, Markus

Markus Huersch
director of photography
EU based, Switzerland
CH mobile + 4179 208 5116
www.markushuersch.com

If using a 24-290...I don't think cheap quick and easy should be part of the goal...I would think...good, safe, and solid makes more sense. I've sent 17-102's up on a Power Pod on a Giraffe...standing directly under it,

I wouldn't want anything less solid. I've seen, and heard of way too many Crane horror stories that I think there are many other places to try and save money, or work out logistics...than cheaping out on a solid support system for whatever you are flying. My 2 cents.

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Steve Halle
NFB
Montreal, Canada

Hi Markus,

While I can see the need for a lightweight crane in the Jungle, I must advice you against such a set.

From experience - I was with the Jean-Jacques Annaud movie "2 brothers", in the jungle of Cambodia. We started with an ABC crane specially bought for this project. But the crane and the head was not good enough for the Panavised F900 + Panazooms and Preston controls. Every movement of the head shakes the whole arm and bounces the image..... It can support but that is all you can say about it.

In no time (screaming director) we got the GF-8 with Scorpio 2/3 axis in the jungle and never saw that ABC crane again.

Fast forward to today: Working at this rental company in Bangkok we recently bought a CamMate crane with the original L-shaped head. It has a max. payload of around 15 kg. This worked well on the last Scorpion King III movie they shot in Thailand, in hills and jungle etc. Shooting with RedMX and short Angenieux zoom this is possible.

I know from the CamMate forum that they -on request- make a heavy duty head which is supported on 2 sides in the tilt axis and have seen a picture with BL4 with 1000 ft mag and a 25-250 + 6.6"x6.6" mattebox and it seem to work well. With such a load the length of the arm will be limited of course.

Anyway, I would choose a CamMate anytime over a Jimmy Jib, they have stellar customer service and we are here on the other side of the world!

Rob van Gelder
Head of Maintenance
Lighthouse Film Service
Bangkok, Thailand
Steadicam/operator