You can modify the Studio 1 "Super" Jib Arm to make it REALLY SUPER for those wonderful sweeping vista shots that you see so often in big productions.

As originally configured, the Superjib does work OKAY, but it only extends your camera literally 4'4", from the point where the camera would be normally mounted on the tripod, to where it is extended with the jib arm. The ENTIRE thing is around 6' long- but ONLY 4'4" extends from tripod head to camera. So, the company's description and photos are misleading.

I invented a way to EXTEND the crane arm an additional four feet to an 8'4" extended length and it works PERFECTLY.

This modification allows you to choose EITHER the original 4'4" extension OR the 8'8" extended modification providing you save the original pulley cable that comes with the unit and make a separate new pully cable one for the longer setup.

Cut a piece of steel conduit tubing 1 1/8" diameter and 5 1/2 feet long that fits snuggly over the original anodized extension tubes. Any little bit of wiggle can be resolved by tightly wrapping a bit of electrical or duct tape over the inner anodized tube where the extension overlaps. Carefully drill new set screw holes by which you can affix the conduit tubing over the original tubes. >>>MAKE SURE that the holes on the extension tube allow the camera mounting end to lie in the original plane when assembled, i.e. parallel to the ground.<<< You may allow a very very slight angle to allow for camera weight which will tip the camera mounting end plate ever so slightly to one side.

(Above) At the upper end, the extension merely overlaps two inches, and I used the originally supplied screw threaded holes already in the anodized section and drilled corresponding holes in the extension tube through which I then tightened the allen wrench set screws.

(Above) I slipped the extension tube over the original lower anodized section, and then a drilled two small holes through both tubes. Using a thread cutting tap I then slightly enlarged and tapped the appropriate sized THREADS in the original lower anodized section holes and and used the appropriate set screw to attach the lower end of the extension tube, which overlaps the original for about 18 inches. In the photo I used the supplied knob-screw for one hole, and a new allen socket set screw for the other. The third red hole in the photo was not needed.

All of the set screws can be removed for easy disassembly. Remember to take your allen wrench with your jib arm!

You then need to make a new cable that stretches over the pulleys which keep the camera aligned with the tripod head. For this I used STRONG 1/8" diameter braided steel cable, looped and secured the loops at either end with hammerable grommets, and then a steel spring attached between the loops to keep proper tension on the cable when in place on the jib arm and pulleys. I coated the portion of the cable that contacts the pulleys with "Plastic Dip" brand coating to prevent the cable from slipping. The original cable is platic coated- and you might be able to find STRONG plastic coated cable- if not, do what I did.

The extension use is optional providing you save the original pulley cable used in the shorter 4'4" length original configuration.

I modified the handles by inserting steel tubing for reinforcement, and then place counterweights inside the handles, then screw them together. The weights are simple barbell lifting weights with 1" diameter holes in the center. Depending on the camera you use, and whether or not you use the extension will determine the best amount of counter weight. I use two 10 pound discs using a DVX100 and the extension tube.

Voila! My Super jib arm is now REALLY super, and creates an actual 8'4" extension- like a REAL crane and jib arm.

This works PERFECTLY for GL1, GL2, DVX100 or lighter cameras. The crane is good for cameras up to 6 pounds. You will need a VERY sturdy tripod and head for the extended system, a cheap aluminum/plastic tripod will not do at all.

You will also need a remote monitor to see what your camera is seeing, connected to the camera by an A/V cord. Get either a $25 black and white mini TV (battery operated) with external monitor inputs (got mine at Target), or a portable DVD player with external inputs. The DVX100 will show the letterboxed 16:9 ratio in a plain old portable TV. The Canons' electronic 16:9 will only show the proper ratio in a DVD player with a widescreen playback ability, and a plain TV monitor will squash the image. You can use the camera's remote to turn it on and off, or use a zoom remote with the appropriate extension cable to connect to the camera.

Please note that in the photos above, the tripod legs are not extended, but they can be fully extended for raising the camera even higher, provided it is a strudy heavy duty tripod. You will REALLY need to tighten the knob than screws into the base of the jib to keep the whole thing from swinging loose on the base, and an small vise grip works well for this.

(The woman in the photos was a complete stranger walking on the other side of the street when I asked her to help be in the picture. She obviously had her frontal lobes cooperative circuits clicked on at the time, because although we had never met before, she was totally helpful. See the website for more brain info.)