tripod for very fast shooting?

Laurence wrote on 12/4/2006, 3:11 PM

I would like to improve my work by using a tripod more often. I still hate dealing with tripods though. What would be a super light, super quick, super transportable tripod/fluid head combo for adding a little stability to run-and-gun style shooting?

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Comments

farss wrote on 12/6/2006, 12:56 AM

Anyway as Hoges would say:

That's NOT a tripod, THIS IS a tripod.

I've seen a photo of one twice as high as this.

PeterWright wrote on 12/6/2006, 5:32 AM

The worst thing about monopods is you can't walk away and leave them there ...... without having to buy a new camera.

rmack350 wrote on 12/6/2006, 9:14 AM

In 15 years working as a grip/dolly grip/electrician I never saw anyone use a monopod. But then again, I never saw anyone working alone ;-).

The thing about not being able to walk away from a camera is the biggest issue. Not being able to shoot a lock-off is another. In general, people would shoot hand-held rather than fuss with a monopod. I think they all felt that it just got in the way and held you down in hand-held shots.

Now, in the tripod realm, the nicest location sticks I ever saw were carbon fiber with an above ground spreader. The higher spreader has the advantage of being easy to reach and it doesn't get in the way on uneven ground or stairs. They looked a lot like what I see on the miller DV 420 legs, and maybe that's what they were.

Generally, everyone I worked with was shooting with a much larger camera than most people here are using, so heavier sticks really made sense. The Solo, with it's single-tube legs and ring locks just wouldn't be ideal with a heavier camera.

Fluid heads here in the bay area were largely Sachtler and Vinten. Miller was uncommon and Manfrotto wasn't a consideration (but I get the impression that Manfrotto has made big strides over the last 6 years).

As a dolly grip (chapman or fisher), it was pretty obvious that you needed a fluid head with a 100mm ball (or 150mm) since there weren't many mitchell to 75 or 50 mm adapter plates around. Either that or you get the smaller head and be prepared to just buy yourself an adapter if you ever need it. Or rent a head with the dolly. I doubt that more than one or two of this forum's users will ever find themselves in such a situation. I think that most users here are not full-time professional shooters, they're producer/editors who sometimes shoot and aren't likely to get themselves into elaborate setups.

Even so, when picking a head I'd definitely lean towards getting a ball head of some sort (with a level on it, preferably lighted) and also make sure that a matching mitchell to ball adapter at least exists. I'd also look for more than just two levels of drag. If cost was an issue I'd probably opt to wait or get a loan. It's just that important.

Rob Mack