8 Best Camera Jibs for Filmmaking in 2024

Camera jibs and cranes to film panoramic scenes without shakiness.

Use one of these camera jibs and cranes to capture 360° scenes and completely control the process of shooting panoramic or bird’s eye view videos. Such systems combined with DSLR tripods allow you to eliminate the shakiness and preserve the great quality of the image and video.

There are several factors to consider, such as weight capacity, fluid motion, counterbalance, drag adjustment, and locks before buying the camera crane or jib. You want a jib that can support the weight of your DSLR camera, accessories, and equipment within your budget.

One of the first things to consider is the length of the camera jib. While longer jibs can provide more impressive shots, they can also be more challenging to operate and require a larger crew to set up. On the other hand, shorter jibs might limit your range of motion, but they are more compact and easier to transport.

Dimensions: 12 ft total length | Weight: ‎27.8 pounds | Material: CNC machined aluminum | Max. load: 8 lbs | Camera mounting screw: 1/4"

This camera jib is incredibly lightweight, making it easy to transport along with the camera backpack and set up, even for beginners. It can reach 12 feet with the 4-foot extension, allowing for sweeping, cinematic shots that will take your audience's breath away.

Another great feature of this camera jib crane is its automatic tilt control, which keeps the camera level no matter how you move it. This feature can also be switched to manual mode for even more creative control. It's also versatile enough to be used for wedding videos, commercials, music videos, and sporting events.

Dimensions: 3.1 x 7.5 x 60.2 inches | Weight: 1.46 pounds | Material: Aluminum, plastic, rubber, steel | Max. load: 8kg/17.6 lbs | Camera mounting screw: 1/4"- 20 Thread

The Joby Action Jib Kit camera crane is an excellent option for those, who are going to do videography professionally. The jib works great with any action video camera including Contour, GoPro and Sony.

Being easy to assemble and disassemble, this portable camera jib comes with a compact bag, making it a perfect option for traveling videographers.

Joby Action Jib Kit has a removable and adjustable pole clamp. Due to three modular aluminum extension poles with a painter's pole threading, it is possible to customize the length of the pole.

Dimensions: From 6 to 10 ft in length | Weight: ‎20 pounds | Material: Aluminum and steel | Max. load: Up to 55 lb | Camera mounting screw: 75mm and 100mm fluid heads

ProAim 10' Wave-2 Plus features a dual-rail design that offers enhanced strength and stability for sweeping movements, and comes with a quick no-tool setup system. This means you can get it up and running in no time, and take it on the go with ease.

This jib camera crane is designed to mount cameras of various sizes and use it with budget tripods up to 4 inches in diameter.

It includes a gold motorized pan/tilt head with a remote controller, which makes it easy to control the jib's pan and tilt axes. The ProAim 10' Wave-2 Plus lightweight design makes it perfect for mobile filming, and its high strength-to-weight ratio ensures that it's durable and can withstand extreme weather conditions.

Dimensions: 52 x 40 x 12.5 inches | Weight: ‎92.59 lbs | Material: Aluminum | Max. load: Up to 33lb | Camera mounting screw: For wide variety of cameras

Filmmakers use ProAim 18ft camera jib to create dramatic and smooth sweeping shots through vertical and horizontal movements over a large distance. The jib also has a balancing system that uses an adjustable counterweight mechanism, so you can change the jib’s ratio between the fulcrum and the camera or rig to suit the specific application.

The camera crane can be used with a corresponding remote head, which provides remote pan/tilt and focus control. This allows you to use different framing options, such as bird’s-eye or top-down shots, which are not possible when using just a video tripod.

You can attach a wide variety of cameras to the jib, including Sony, Samsung, Canon, and Panasonic.

Dimensions: 39.5 x 8.2 x 5 inches | Weight: 5.94 pounds | Material: Carbon fiber | Max. load: 15kg/33lbs | Camera mounting screw: 3/8-1/4"

IFOOTAGE M1-III comes with 2 types of quick release plates that allow you to easily connect with 75mm fluid ball head and different cameras such as wide-angle lens camera, telephoto lens camera, micro-single camera and more.

Due to the built-in pan head, you can connect the camera jib crane with a tripod without a half ball. If you want to connect IFOOTAGE M1-III to monitor, support arm, etc., you can use 1/4 and 3/8 thread heads.

Dimensions: 24ft maximum length | Weight: ‎203 pounds | Material: Aluminum and steel | Max. load: Up to 55lbs | Camera mounting screw: 1/4''

One of the main advantages of the Proaim Wave-5P 24ft jib is its versatility. It can be used for both vertical and horizontal shots along with tripods for heavy lenses and can be adjusted to different lengths. Another great feature of the ProAim Wave-5P jib is its dual rail design, which makes it stronger and more stable than other jibs on the market.

Its toolless setup design, the motor with variable speeds, and compatibility with most motorized heads make it a versatile and valuable addition to any videographer's equipment. However, before using this camera jib, you must ensure the arm is balanced and level.

Dimensions: 9ft maximum length | Weight: ‎Not specified | Material: Aluminum | Max. load: Up to 18 pounds | Camera mounting screw: 1/4''

ProAim 9ft Mini is a lightweight and versatile camera jib that can be used to shoot a variety of video and film projects. It's easy to set up and can be folded up for transportation when not in use, making it perfect for on-the-go videographers.

The jib features a patented dual-rail design that allows for sweeping cinematic movements, expanding creative flexibility. It's easy to mount on any tripod or head, with the use of a 1/4” and 3/8” thread. It also has a heavy-duty stand that is strong enough to support the jib when fully loaded and weighed.

Dimensions: 12.8 to 16.4 feet in length | Weight: ‎ 15.62 pounds | Material: Carbon fiber | Max. load: Up to 22lbs | Camera mounting screw: 3/8-1/4"

The Teris JQ50-III Carbon Fiber Mini Jib really has surpassed my expectations in being an excellent addition to my video production undertakings. The 22 lb carrying capacity and the impressive 15' extension have so far been giving me flexibility in shooting cinematic shots from different angles, hence taking my work to the next level.

I especially like the thoughtful design elements, like the 1/4"- 3/8" tripod mount threads, which make it highly adoptable in various accessories. A total of three 1/4"-20 threaded holes on the sides used for mounting monitors and other accessories is a nice touch.

The dual stabilization cable has been it controlled any shaking potential and allowed this to make certain my shots came across consistently smooth and professional. The counterweight rod for standard weight plates makes it a snap to balance the camera setup and adds to a no-hassle shooting experience.

To choose the best camera jib, it is necessary to consider a few essential aspects that will help you make the right choice.

Size. Since camera jibs vary in size, you should compare the vertical and horizontal reach of the jib while considering the type of video material you are going to shoot.

Weight capacity. Each camera jib has a different weight capacity. Some models can hold only up to 8lbs, while others can load the cinema cameras weighing 44lbs. Before choosing the camera jib, consider your camera weight along with all additional accessories and gear you usually use in your work.

Pricing. Camera jibs are available in a wide price ranges. High-quality camera cranes or jibs may cost more than $1000. However, if you don't need additional features to capture videos with your vlogging camera, you may choose a more affordable option.

Portability. Carefully study the assembly required for camera jib you are going to buy. Find out whether the device is easy to disassemble to quickly relocate it if necessary. In case your work requires portability, it is necessary to determine the overall weight of a camera jib and whether you can break it down into parts to carry in the bag.

Ease of use. You should understand how to properly use a camera jib or crane. It is not recommended to use a crane on the fluid head, as this will result in wear and stress on moving parts. Better go for a duty cycle of about 50% or less.

Stability of the crane system. To balance the system, the weight on the left should equal the weight on the right. Since both weights are the same distance from the pivot point, then you should use equal weight.

However, camera jib or crane systems usually require the camera to be further from the pivot. That is why it is necessary to compensate for insufficient weight by adding additional weight to the shorter side.