Finally got a proper tripod.

ushere wrote on 1/11/2007, 9:44 PM

on ya tail bob.....

jaegersing wrote on 1/11/2007, 10:12 PM

Hi Grazie.

"I found the one I have on my Miller SOLO DS10 is indispensable for confirming whether I'm going nutz or not when I'm out and about."

And what was the verdict?

Sorry mate. Happy New Year!

Richard

ushere wrote on 1/11/2007, 10:16 PM

gotta be sane with a solo / ds10.

leslie

teaktart wrote on 1/12/2007, 12:17 AM

Unforetunately, I think the closest city with a sophisticated camera/photo supply inventory is over 100miles away...So hands-on trying out hasn't been an easy thing to do.
Kinda ironic considering I'm only about 45miles from Silicon Valley...
Teaktart

DJPadre wrote on 1/12/2007, 1:39 AM

weve got a 501 as a secondary head used by freelance shooters, and ive set upa big fat assed rubber band on the pan handle... literally jsut knot it on teh handle wnd leave a bit hanging..
now when u pull the band it in either direction, the rubber band will act as a shock absorber.. eventually with practice u can remove the rubber band, but to start with, it will work a treat and give next to fluid head results...

DJPadre wrote on 1/12/2007, 1:45 AM

one thign i couldnt handle with teh miller Solo DS10 is that the legs once extended require you to continualy screw and screw and screw and screw until it locks into place... i love teh system dont get me wrong, and yes for over 2grand u can get a ds10 head with the solo legs, but if u need to set up quicksmart, u can forget it.. not the most efficient for run and gun

farss wrote on 1/12/2007, 2:43 AM

Man,
you're doing it wrong. Even fumbly old me can do it with two flicks of the wrist. And it's the only tripod I can rig with one hand.
Great for gun and run cause you can keep the camera in one hand while in you rig the sticks. With all the other tripods I'm always getting fowled up with the spreaders.

DJPadre wrote on 1/12/2007, 6:17 AM

i guess im just used to the clip locks.. lol

Laurence wrote on 1/12/2007, 8:36 AM

In any case, for the really low budget crowd that includes me, A Sony HVR-A1 mounted on a mid low range Manfrotto tripod with the 501c head is a dirt cheap way to get stunning video.

JohnnyRoy wrote on 1/12/2007, 10:06 AM

> A Sony HVR-A1 mounted on a mid low range Manfrotto tripod with the 501c head is a dirt cheap way to get stunning video.

I'm using my 501 with my HVR-A1 and it's really a great match. It even worked very well with my Z1U. There is a little resistance at the beginning of pans but overall for the money it's a great tripod. I've since bought a mattebox, rails, and follow focus for my Z1 so I also got a Sachtler DV6-SB and obviously the difference between an $1800 DV6-SB and the $325 501 is night and day but that's what you would expect 5x at the price. Tripods really are a "you get what you pay for" investment but the 501 is still outstanding in that price range.

~jr

Tech Diver wrote on 1/12/2007, 11:23 AM

I completely agree that you get what you pay for. Over the years I have purchased various video tripods for about $300-$400 (new). I have not been satisfied with any of them. However, this past Fall I bought a Bogen 3181 with a Gitzo 1380 head for just over $800 (used). I finally have a tripod that really does the job correctly - ultra smooth movment and excellent ballance. It was worth every penny.

Grazie wrote on 1/12/2007, 11:39 AM

Who said you could getta Rails and Matte Box AND a follow?? - jr?? Hmmm!!??? You didn;t ask MY permission?

JohnnyRoy wrote on 1/12/2007, 1:38 PM

> Who said you could getta Rails and Matte Box AND a follow?? - jr?? Hmmm!!??? You didn;t ask MY permission?

Santa Claus. ;-)

Next time we're on Skype I'll show you.

~jr

Grazie wrote on 1/12/2007, 1:42 PM

Far TOO jealous!! - Green Envious Screen of Death!

Serena wrote on 1/12/2007, 3:51 PM

Doesn't everyone have a Chrosziel on their camera? I've not tried the follow-focus because I thought the focus ring not accurately repeatable -- wrong?

DJPadre wrote on 1/12/2007, 5:38 PM

"the 501 is still outstanding in that price range."

flip i upside down and u hold the neck with teh camera upside then go for a run.. the lowe cenre of gravity and the shear weight of teh head acts a psuedo low profile glidecam... works a treat ;)

also to get super smooth pans on a 501, try my rubber band trick.. trust me it works.. ;)

JohnnyRoy wrote on 1/12/2007, 7:18 PM

> I've not tried the follow-focus because I thought the focus ring not accurately repeatable -- wrong?

Well at least the follow-focus allows you to use grease marks to get you in the ball park. It feels pretty accurate to me but I haven't had a lot of time with as I just got it. If you're just doing a rack focus and have the time to set it up, the shot transition on the Z1 beats everything and it's built in.

~jr

farss wrote on 1/12/2007, 10:03 PM

Doesn't the lens on the Z1 breathe a bit?
Still from what I read you've got to spend some serious money to get a zoom that doesn't.

Grazie wrote on 1/12/2007, 11:11 PM

Doesn't everyone have a Chrosziel on their camera?

( Lol . . !!! Nice one S!)

Well, not this "everyone", anyway. Real sorry to disappoint you, Serena. More's the pity. Now, IF you are offering me one Serena? I'm not "proud". I do "Hand-me-downs"? 2nd-hand?

Presently I'll have to make do with my Kestrel bellows matte box - no rails - no follow focus ( would be neat though! ).

Serena wrote on 1/13/2007, 5:20 AM

Grazie, I understand very well. I thought for some time before spending the money and considered alternatives (like making a matt box). In the end it was cheaper to buy than build (time is money, and all that). Also with HDV there really isn't any cheap alternative because of the size of filter needed (4 x 4). And of course with the rails I can add follow-focus! No immediate plans yet on that one!

farss wrote on 1/13/2007, 5:30 AM

I'm told one of the WA adaptor options for the V1 has a lens hood with a filter holder. If this is correct I take my hat off to Sony. Would it now be too much to ask for this feature to be incorporated in every lens hood. It's only a plastic molding after all.
Or is it because the V1 has an odd thread size.

Bob.

craftech wrote on 1/13/2007, 6:16 AM

Unforetunately, I think the closest city with a sophisticated camera/photo supply inventory is over 100miles away...So hands-on trying out hasn't been an easy thing to do.
Kinda ironic considering I'm only about 45miles from Silicon Valley...
Teaktart
============
I bought the Bogen/Manfrotto 3221WN-501 Video Kit a few years ago. I like it very much. If I need extra weight I just hang a weight from the center which is something you can do with almost any tripod. The bag was upgraded to a padded one for me by Central Camera at no additional cost. The Best Things is also a good place to deal with. For $345 it seems like it would be a good choice for you. I had a cheaper Velbon tripod before that.

John

craftech wrote on 1/13/2007, 8:14 PM

This seems interesting:

Manfrotto has a fluid "foot" monopod that got a good writeup in Videomaker. It is the Manfrotto 560B. For someone on the go it seems ideal. B&H has it for $148.95. Also available in the UK.

John

teaktart wrote on 1/13/2007, 8:43 PM

Craftech,

That looks to be the ideal configuration of tripod for me. Thanks for the info.
6+lbs and a good fluid head sound like a good way to go and be portable and the price is much more within my reach.

One constant consideration for me is to keep everything as small and lightweight and portable as possible while shooting for great quality audio/video. I just got a Canon HV10 as a second HD cam and it goes everywhere with me and I'm getting a lot of wonderful unexpected footage because I DO have it with me all the time.

I've been "catching" a series of gorgeous sunsets over the ocean here in Monterey Bay, CA the past couple of weeks. I'm intrigued with 'time lapse' sunsets which I have been playing with by having my camera shoot 45min+ and then coming back to Vegas and speedling it up. Its on occassions like that that a good tripod would also be useful. By keeping a lot of camera gear in my car in a locked storage box, I still run the risk of being ripped off. Therefore, top-of-the-line quality gear would not be suitable to drag with me everywhere, too much to worry about.
I also want to keep the works light for air travel as I always want to carry all my gear with me, I do not trust the baggage dept....

Thanks again for the lead...
Eileen