Review Rollei Mini Jib M1 for a new application

[Kodiak Qc]

•
This very questionable picture from the internet illustrates the crane
or jib I just bought (without tripod) to use mainly with my silver softlight
reflector with or without grid!

Anyone working with that tool knows how critical the positioning is in
regard of given techniques. The model moves just a bit and he or she
is out of the effect zone. My sons use to control that reflector in order
not to kill the rhythm of the shooting in progress but I have to change
my strategy since for the last shoots none of the two was available.

This is a video crane/jib that I had the idea to adapt to use this new way.
This must be the best idea I had in 2016 so far. Conrad Electronics has
it in its online catalogue for 849 € but I got it from Rollei in Hamburg for
300 € shipped!!!

This is not meant for heavy equipment but my Profoto D1, B1 or B2
with the attached reflector are just fine as long as the jib is not fully ex-
tended (2 meters)

​

http://www.rollei.com/products/tripods/video-tripods-video-accessories/rollei-mini-crane-m1,p100249

 

[Phil V]

That looks cool, but I was scratching my head to think where I'd seen something similar and realised....


You should have had a word with @Garry Edwards

About this

 

[Kodiak Qc]

•
I visited the given link and this the direction I wished I would not
have to go… the telescopic crane is the main feature!

This Rollei is CF and, complete in its case, comes to less than 2 kg!
Moreover, it is assembled /and back in its case in seconds, most
practical for on location works where it will be used as much as in
studio.

Monday afternoon will be the first location for the jib that I setup on a
Manfrotto Master stand… we shall see. For the time, I just make sure
that I explore and master the different ways to use it.

 

[Garry Edwards]

Mini Jibs are in fact designed for use with video cameras, allowing the camera to be raised/lowered smoothly, whilst maintaining exactly the same angle on the camera, they certainly aren't designed for use with lights but why not? An ingenious idea.

We now have one, for video use, it's made of steel, much heavier and hasn't got Rollie printed on it, it was much cheaper too
It's fitted to my ancient Manfrotto tripod - some TP members will have seen it, it looks like it was made from scaffold poles and weighs a ton - perfect for supporting the mini jib

 

[Kodiak Qc]

Mini Jibs are…

The 30mm ∅ — 6 CF plies telescopic tubes are suggested for
a maximum payload of 5 kilos. This weight does not include the
counterweight to be used. That may bring the maximum total
load to some +/- 11kg.

None of my Profoto heads exceed 3 kg and adding any of my
Profoto modifiers will take the payload to under 4kg for the reflec-
tors and, with the larger soft box, well under the recommended
maximum payload. Mind you, in general, the indestructibility of
the Profoto studio soft boxes comes with a tad more weight ex-
cept for the OCF components that are much lighter and not so big
since they are designed for on location works.

 

[Garry Edwards]

Let's hope you're right about the SWL, if you're not and it all comes crashing down then you'll find out whether your Profoto studio softboxes really are indestructible...

 

[Kodiak Qc]

the SWL

What is SWL?

Last year, my son dropped a D1 (1000 w/s) fitted with the 5 foot Octa
from some a balcony at 11 or 12 feet. The thing bounced twice, rolled
a bit and stopped on the grass… I had a chill!!! After inspection, the Octa
was a bit dirty, the D1 suffered very minor scratches and dirt on the handle
but has been working well since.

I don't (and don't want to) know what if it had fallen on a paved driveway!

 

[Garry Edwards]

SWL = safe working load

 

[Kodiak Qc]

SWL = safe working load

•
Thanks for that!
I knew of RWP = Recommended Working Payload ;-)

I checked, of course, the respective weights of the great I was
hoping to use before I purchased the jib.

Now in the studio, it handles smoothly and I fell confident with it.