Review: IMORDEN 6.5ft Mini Carbon Fiber Jib Arm

The jib shot adds great production value to your film/video, and typically they are large and expensive. Lately though these smaller and less expensive jibs have entered the market. I own a similar one of these and was offered this new one in exchange for my honest review. Here are my thoughts on it thus far:

-Pleasantly lightweight due to Carbon fiber
-Packs down very small, could fit into a large backpack or suitcase (around 32" long)
-Overall built quality is good, but had some nicks/scratches out of the box
-Section locks are thick and good feeling, but the rubber over them is small and loose
-Weight bar has a nice screw system for making fine adjustments, but end handle is a little annoying to attach/detach
-Quick release plate is decent, the lock screw does not have a stopper and can come out if unscrewed too much
-Thickness and rigidity of the poles feels very nice for this weight class, not much bending under load
-Extensions have no alignment, you need to ensure the brackets are strait when tightening the section locks or it will be crooked
-Bowl attachment is great, but keep in mind the total weight capacity includes whatever fluid head you put on there.
-The top of the main pillar should have some nylon washer in it to prevent grinding, needs to be kept fairly loose to be fluid.
-The carrying case is nice, but should be an inch longer (tight fit, and not in a good way)
-No bubble level on the camera bracket, really should be one.
-Not much competition in this price range for carbon fiber

Size/Weight
The carbon fiber is the main feature, its rigid, lightweight, and handles weight well. Size wise you can't ask for better, it packs down small enough to barely be a consideration to throw into the trunk.

Build quality
Looks very nice overall, though the weights were not in their section holders in the case and i suspect they are the reason for the nicks and scratches on part of the item. The quick release plate is a good addition, but wish they would have made it larger and more thought out. It's a drop in arca swiss style, but the lock knob doesn't have a stopper, so if you turn it just a few too many times it will come out along with the two springs. The weight bar is rather nice, i like the two nuts with oversized threading, it allows you to finely adjust the position of the weights. The rear handle is less desirable, its a typical screw and i would much prefer a clamp or pin style way of attaching it.

Flex and load capacity
When loaded up, the poles do flex some, but not a concerning amount. The advertised load capacity is 4kg, but the included weights won't support nearly that much. It's up to your judgement how much camera to put on it, but i will likely keep it for smaller cameras such as DSLRs, anything larger and i want a big beefy jib.

Quirks
One of the main issues with pole style jibs is that many do not have an alignment means of keeping them strait. An I beam or channel bar inherently does not twist around itself, but poles of course do. Higher end pole models add in various means to keep the poles aligned strait, but this model does not. It's not a huge deal, but when extending/retracting the seconds, you just need to ensure the camera bracket end is still pointed strait up and down and not tilted. They really should have included a bubble level for this.

The top bracket for the main pole on the tripod end has a beefy metal bracket encasing the pole, and that's nice. However, if you tighten the knobs on that section, it presses that bracket's metal up against the pillar's metal, causing a grinding sound/feel. It seems like there should have been some simple nylon washers between there. In any case, you just need to keep those knobs a bit looser and the grinding goes away.

All in all i like it, but hope the manufacturer takes my list into consideration and updates it. It's a nice base, and wouldn't take much of an overhaul to get it to be great.

By 

Darren Levine

TOP 100 REVIEWER

View it on amazon: http://amzn.to/1Qd6mXo

IMORDEN 11"/28cm Articulating Magic Friction Arm for Hot Shoe Mounts Work with DSLR Camera Rig (Electronics)

               

















I received this product really fast, like within two days. As you can see in the photos I set it up on my Imorden 48in slider (that I love oh so much). I attached the arm to my Canon 70D w/a 70-300mm Lens attached, and on the articulating arm I attached my Zoom HN4 recorder which really helps when there's no one or a stand available to hold it for me. I tested the sound and it didn't pick up the noise from the slider because the slider is so smooth (Love that). I was also able to manipulate articulating arm so that I could aim the recorder in any position to pick up sound where I wanted to pick up. For this review I took the pix to simply give you a few ideas as to how the arm can be used (although the product description does show you).



I was also able to use it for my light (which can also sit directly on the tripod of course. I also added a picture of the Pico dolly skate that had already come with an articulating arm, but, had forgotten that I had it. So, I went and pulled it out to see if it was the same thing, and initially I thought it was (for a while to be honest), and I was like "aww man, I ordered the same thing I already had." It looked exactly the same and I thought it was, so I said to my self "only thing is, the one that I already had was a lil stiff, like it needed a lil oiling or something." It wasn't too bad, but bad enough to cause a lot of jerking when trying to reposition it w/the equipment attached. Never-the-less, I carried on and decided to take a picture of the two side by side to see if it was the same size (that's when I realized IMORDEN, had its name written on their product and the other didn't, and I was able to distinguish the two. I mean I knew one was smoother, and the other wasn't (once I saw the one with the name was the smooth one, it made me even more impressed with IMORDEN, because I've ordered two items from them for the first time and both were fantastic.They've found a new customer here. I know that I will look up their name for specific items first, before checking other companies.



However, to have two of the exact same products from two different companies really increased my faith in IMORDENS products because I actually had something that looks and acts just alike, but didn't perform quite the same. I'M A BELIEVER IN IMORDEN PRODUCTS even more-so now.
In my photos, you'll see different positioning of the arm, as well as side by side comparison of two different articulating arms, also the different ways to use it.



since I never added a photo of the 48inch slider on my previous review of it, I thought that I'd make it part of this 11inch Articulating arm as well. Oh yeah, notice on the picture of the slider how I have my camera with attachment sitting at the end with a 70-300 lens, and there isn't even a shake from imbalance or anything. I'm sorry, this isn't about the slider, but you guys have no idea how I'm impressed I am with this thing, and for the price I paid I just can't keep it to myself, lol!. It was just such a pleasant surprise because I took a risk on buying it and it didn't have many reviews to really feel safe. However, I must say the reviews that were there were all FIVE STARS. This lil thing gets a FIVE STAR as well, especially after comparing it to the one I forgot I even had.

Had I known that I had one already, I would've ordered something else to add to my video/photography equipment. But, on the other hand, this one feels so much smoother and one twist of the knob, and everything is tightened into position at once (once you put it into the position you want), I love that part as well (I 4got to mention).

Sorry so long guys, next time I'll keep it short, precise and to the point. ;-D 

  

By Dawn Garvin

IMORDEN Customer 

Many thanks Dawn Garvin for sharing the experience of using IMORDEN magic arm! 

                                                                  from IMORDEN

More about the products:

IMORDEN 11" Magic Arm http://amzn.to/1l5O2DY

IMORDEN 48" Middle Camera Slider http://amzn.to/1RrTJX3

Wild West Inspired Tomahawk in 4k

This is a very awesome video and special tomahawk made by Matt Cornelius.

All the smooth footage was done with a Imorden 40" Slider.

Shot on Panasonic GH4 with f/1.7. 20mm lens.

Imorden 40" Slider buy click link below.

http://amzn.to/1jgKe29  

For more info. on tomahawk, check it on Instagram: www.instagram.com/matcornelius

★★★★★ IMORDEN Carbon Fiber S-40c Handheld Camera Stabilizer for lightwei...

UPDATE: I originally tested this by putting my Canon 70D with my Sigma 17-50mm lens on it. My camera setup was way too heavy and even after a ton of adjustments (and even attempting to add more weight to counterbalance it), the camera was still too top-heavy. And I hadn't even put a shotgun mic on my camera. But after putting my GoPro on this stabilizer, I found this was (or at least "should be") its intended use; lightweight DSLR cameras or small cameras (e.g. GoPro). See my video review for sample, side-by-side footage. 

Hope this saves you some time buying and then having to return it after you found out your camera is too heavy. 

🎬 Video Review 🎬

✏️ Plus Bonus Top 5 Beau Thoughts: 

1⃣ Most important bit of advice in my humble bearded opinion: This will NOT work on a heavier DSLR, such as a Canon 60D, 70D, 7D, 5D, etc. These heavier bodies (or if you have a heavy lens) will make this stabilizer top heavy. If you have a Rebel camera (e.g. T4i, T5i, etc) or a GoPro, this glidecam will work perfectly. Note for GoPro use: You’ll need an attachment to fit your GoPro on here, such as this: [[ASIN:B00HRSBTNA Black Tripod Mount Adapter for Gopro Hero 3+/3/2/1 Three Pack]]
2⃣ Easy to setup—right out of the canvas bag, I had it going in less than 5 minutes. 
3⃣ Expandable, telescoping pole zips this into a fairly compact unit (and expands at the flick of a lever). 
4⃣ Extremely smooth gimbal. This I believe is the biggest selling point. You cannot replicate the quality of this gimbal in a DIY project by buying materials from Home Depot (believe me, I’ve tried). 
5⃣ An excellent bang for your buck. Surprised that this thing is listed for under $100. 

Hope this is helpful! Note the company sent me this product to demonstrate on video and offer my personal opinion. I don't work for them, nor am I paid anything that might sway my personal opinion of this product's performance.

📍 Bottom line: would I recommend this product to one of my friends? 
👍 Yes, absolutely, but only if you have a) a lightweight DSLR (e.g. T5i) or a GoPro. Overall, it's an excellent bang for your buck and honestly should cost a lot more for the quality you receive. 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Q...

★
☆
Original review from Beau Chevassus, Knok Studio (Media for non-profits), http://www.knok.tv 
From Beau Chevassus: http://smile.amazon.com/gp/profile/A1...

★★Imorden 40" Camera Slider Review and Demo ★★

Here is a quick run and gun review I done of the Imorden 40" slider. This thing is pretty impressive to say the least! I am very happy for what I got for the price. If you have any questions let me know.

Link: http://www.amazon.com/IMORDEN-Middle-...

Features 
1. Length: 40" - Max load 15lbs. 
2. Includes 3/8" and 1/4" Mounting screw . 
3. Quick, Smooth and Precise. Easy to setup with carrying case. 
4. Can not only get straight horizontal shots, but also can sloped on a tripod, vertically put on a tripod, used as a crane on a tripod. 
or even attached on two tripods for professional photography. 
5. Camera could shooting from different angle in filming by this slider. 
6. its eagle-claw feet design makes the slider more antiskid and stable while filming. 

Package List: 
-1 x 40 Inch Medium Camera Slider. 
-1 x Carrying Bag 
-1 x L-shape Hexagon Wrench 


By Matt Cornelius

My New Imorden DSLR Video Slider

Setup and Recommendations:

Imorden Slider 40" http://amzn.to/1LlbLvi
Fluid Video Head http://amzn.to/1LQLkfH
Dolica Proline Tripods 2x http://amzn.to/1LQLdAY
Imorden Jib and Crane Carbon Fiber http://amzn.to/1LlbMPP


By Roberto Blake 

IMORDEN Middle Dslr Camera Slider

Introduction

IMORDEN camera sliders are one of the most suitable camera slider which would provide stability to your video shooting and these camera sliders are suitable for any type of camera or video recorder. The video slider will let you shoot the most stable video without having an impact on the quality but in fact the slider could be the reason to give the top quality video recording results.

Features

·        It is one of the best camera sliders with the availability of adjustable legs and the bubble level will provide the finest adjustment for the video shoot.

·         When applied to any video camera or cam recorder it just changes the visual to a top quality camera and it could also be used for any kind of photography or video recording equipment.

·         There are 4 bearings present at the top plate of this camera slider which works with two chrome coated shaft.

·         The shaft is actually the stainless steel shaft which is in the rail and it could prevent the rust and will make the camera smooth by the prevention of corrosion too.

·         The rubber feet of this Dslr slider are non-skid and will play a vital role in increasing the friction between the slider and the ground which will result in making it more stable.

·         The camera slider can be attached flipped over two tripod stands whereas it could be positioned over a tripod stand quite easily.

·         The maximum load it is able to carry is 15 lbs.

·         This remarkable camera slider also includes 3/8 and 1/4 screw holes.

·         The whole thing is made up of top quality Aluminum and it also comes with a carrying bag.

Functions & Operations

The camera sliders are the easiest to use, you just need to attach your gadget to the slider with the use of thread adapter however the two different sized thread adapters can be used for different sized gadgets.

 The difference between Middle camera slider and Pro camera slider is that the middle slider is much lighter in weight as compared to the professional camera slider and another big difference is that is the legs of each camera slider, Professional camera slider has more flexible legs. The spider legs will provide the most leveled and stable camera shoot environment if you are working in the normal world circumstances, at normal areas, the areas where the ground is leveled and there are no ups and downs in the surface of the ground.

Thanks for reading,

IMORDEN