Replacing my 503hdv at DVinfo.net

Steven Davis · December 20th, 2009, 11:09 AM

Well, I give up. My 503hdv has got to go. I am thinking of going with a different brand like Cartoni for my long shots. I put a sony z1u on it, mic and some other accessories.

I went to BH this past December, but their head displays had broken demos, so I never got a touch and feel that made me comfortable.

Can anyone recommend a head that is similar to the 503 but could handle long shots better?

Paul Kellett · December 20th, 2009, 11:30 AM

Steven, get a Vinten Vision 3AS, it fits on the 525 legs perfectly.
I ditched my 503hdv head cos it's crap and fitted a vision 3 as head, it is so much better.
I can't recommend the vinten head enough.
I have to say that the manfrotto 525 legs aren't that bad, not any wind up that i've noticed.

Paul.

Steven Davis · December 20th, 2009, 11:39 AM

I'll do some research on it.

Steven Davis · December 20th, 2009, 11:45 AM

Hey Paul is it this one? Vinten | V4043-0001 Vision 3AS Fluid Head (Black) | V4043-0001

Paul Kellett · December 20th, 2009, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Davis

Hey Paul is it this one? Vinten | V4043-0001 Vision 3AS Fluid Head (Black) | V4043-0001

Yes that's the head.

You might want to read this review, from this site.

Vinten Vision 3 AS Tripod (1 of 4) at DVInfo.net

This head really is that good, from what i can gather there's noting else to touch it in this price range.

Paul.

Steven Davis · December 20th, 2009, 06:44 PM

Nice review, head looks nice. Darn shame I live where I do, no touch and feel.

Peter Harman · December 22nd, 2009, 02:31 AM

Steven

Pass me your contact details and ill get a loan system out to you so you can try before you buy.

Peter Harman
Product Manager, Vinten.

Rich Strang · December 22nd, 2009, 09:18 AM

I need a new head too! It's the Cartoni Focus or the Vinten 3AS. The Cartoni seems like a safe call- I think I want the Vinten but I'm worried about weight. I use a Z5 and I often don't even put the mike on it so it's barly 5lbs. Sounds like that can be a problem on the Vinten since you can't change springs anymore. The camera can be a few pounds heavier when its got memory unit, wide lens, mike. etc but that not usually the case so I'd like a full range of adjustment. I'd also love to keep this head for quite a while (The largest camera that I think I would ever own is an EX3 or XL - 10lbs at the most)
I can't try before I but either
Any soothing words out there for my concerns?

Paul Kellett · December 22nd, 2009, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich Strang

Sounds like that can be a problem on the Vinten since you can't change springs anymore.

Wrong, the spring is very easy to change,(less than 1 minute) just not meant to be changed by end users.
I'm sure that Peter Harman will advise you on what spring to have.

See my previous post about what Peter did for me.

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/tripod-s...legs-fits.html

Paul.

Peter Harman · December 22nd, 2009, 02:13 PM

Rich

Pass me your details and ill get our US team to contact you in January with a V3AS loaner. If there is anyone else reading this thread and would like to try the new Vision AS, contact me directly and ill pass your details on to our customer services teams that covers your area.

Peter Harman
Product Manager, Vinten

Richard D. George · December 25th, 2009, 01:06 PM

Sachtler FSB is the way to go. I have Canon gear, but a Sony Z1U should work with an FSB-6. Some with Sony EX cameras move up to the FSB-8.

You will be astounded at the difference in pans and tilts.

Steven Davis · January 15th, 2010, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Kellett

Steven, get a Vinten Vision 3AS, it fits on the 525 legs perfectly.
I ditched my 503hdv head cos it's crap and fitted a vision 3 as head, it is so much better.
I can't recommend the vinten head enough.
I have to say that the manfrotto 525 legs aren't that bad, not any wind up that i've noticed.

Paul.

Hey Paul, I have a demo kit that comes with the Vinten legs. The main difference is that these legs don't have a center raise bar. Sooooo, I'm not sure if I want the legs or not. Any thoughts? I like my Bogen sticks.

Paul Kellett · January 16th, 2010, 06:34 AM

What do you mean by a centre raise bar ?
Will the Vinten head fit on your Bogen sticks ?
My Vision 3as head i still on my Manfrotto/Bogen legs, working great.

Paul.

Steven Davis · January 16th, 2010, 10:05 AM

My bogen sticks have a crank that raises the center pole Manfrotto 3246 - 3246 W/O HEAD BLACK

I'm wondering what I would lose by putting the V head on the sticks. The V sticks have a spot for the center balance adjustment, I would lose that with the bogen tripod.

Update: So far so good on the action, it's miles from my 503dv. These sticks are probably high enough, although the feet are set for a spreader which I wouldn't need. I however run this camera on a dolly most of the time, so I'll have to toy with it a little. Also, I'll have to check into extension wands to see if V has those.

Steven Davis · January 22nd, 2010, 05:14 PM

Well, the Vinten Vision 3AS is a nice head, and it's probably something I will purchase. My sticks don't work on it, so I might keep the Vinten sticks as well. Although, the trouble with this is, I will lose a middle shaft raise and if the addon feet don't fit my 'round hole' dolly I will have to get a dolly that will work with the flat feet. And that's more $$$$

Soooooo, I'll be adding Vinten to my gear which is all Bogen.

I ended up buying the kit. Thank Vinten. Good stuff.

December 20th, 2009, 11:09 AM	#1
Steven Davis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,065	Replacing my 503hdv Well, I give up. My 503hdv has got to go. I am thinking of going with a different brand like Cartoni for my long shots. I put a sony z1u on it, mic and some other accessories. I went to BH this past December, but their head displays had broken demos, so I never got a touch and feel that made me comfortable. Can anyone recommend a head that is similar to the 503 but could handle long shots better? __________________ What happens if I push the 'Red' button?

December 20th, 2009, 11:30 AM	#2
Paul Kellett Trustee Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bristol UK Posts: 1,273	Steven, get a Vinten Vision 3AS, it fits on the 525 legs perfectly. I ditched my 503hdv head cos it's crap and fitted a vision 3 as head, it is so much better. I can't recommend the vinten head enough. I have to say that the manfrotto 525 legs aren't that bad, not any wind up that i've noticed. Paul. __________________ Round 2 GH5,FZ2000

December 20th, 2009, 11:39 AM	#3
Steven Davis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,065	Thanks Paul I'll do some research on it. __________________ What happens if I push the 'Red' button?

December 20th, 2009, 11:45 AM	#4
Steven Davis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,065	Hey Paul is it this one? Vinten \| V4043-0001 Vision 3AS Fluid Head (Black) \| V4043-0001 __________________ What happens if I push the 'Red' button?

December 20th, 2009, 06:44 PM	#6
Steven Davis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,065	Nice review, head looks nice. Darn shame I live where I do, no touch and feel. __________________ What happens if I push the 'Red' button?

December 22nd, 2009, 02:31 AM	#7
Peter Harman Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: UK Posts: 73	Steven Pass me your contact details and ill get a loan system out to you so you can try before you buy. Peter Harman Product Manager, Vinten.

December 22nd, 2009, 09:18 AM	#8
Rich Strang New Boot Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico Posts: 9	Same Boat I need a new head too! It's the Cartoni Focus or the Vinten 3AS. The Cartoni seems like a safe call- I think I want the Vinten but I'm worried about weight. I use a Z5 and I often don't even put the mike on it so it's barly 5lbs. Sounds like that can be a problem on the Vinten since you can't change springs anymore. The camera can be a few pounds heavier when its got memory unit, wide lens, mike. etc but that not usually the case so I'd like a full range of adjustment. I'd also love to keep this head for quite a while (The largest camera that I think I would ever own is an EX3 or XL - 10lbs at the most) I can't try before I but either Any soothing words out there for my concerns?

December 22nd, 2009, 02:13 PM	#10
Peter Harman Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: UK Posts: 73	Rich Pass me your details and ill get our US team to contact you in January with a V3AS loaner. If there is anyone else reading this thread and would like to try the new Vision AS, contact me directly and ill pass your details on to our customer services teams that covers your area. Peter Harman Product Manager, Vinten

December 25th, 2009, 01:06 PM	#11
Richard D. George Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 351	Sachtler FSB is the way to go. I have Canon gear, but a Sony Z1U should work with an FSB-6. Some with Sony EX cameras move up to the FSB-8. You will be astounded at the difference in pans and tilts.

January 16th, 2010, 06:34 AM	#13
Paul Kellett Trustee Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bristol UK Posts: 1,273	What do you mean by a centre raise bar ? Will the Vinten head fit on your Bogen sticks ? My Vision 3as head i still on my Manfrotto/Bogen legs, working great. Paul. __________________ Round 2 GH5,FZ2000

January 16th, 2010, 10:05 AM	#14
Steven Davis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,065	My bogen sticks have a crank that raises the center pole Manfrotto 3246 - 3246 W/O HEAD BLACK I'm wondering what I would lose by putting the V head on the sticks. The V sticks have a spot for the center balance adjustment, I would lose that with the bogen tripod. Update: So far so good on the action, it's miles from my 503dv. These sticks are probably high enough, although the feet are set for a spreader which I wouldn't need. I however run this camera on a dolly most of the time, so I'll have to toy with it a little. Also, I'll have to check into extension wands to see if V has those. __________________ What happens if I push the 'Red' button? Last edited by Steven Davis; January 16th, 2010 at 11:00 AM. Reason: Updating my review

January 22nd, 2010, 05:14 PM	#15
Steven Davis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,065	Verdict Well, the Vinten Vision 3AS is a nice head, and it's probably something I will purchase. My sticks don't work on it, so I might keep the Vinten sticks as well. Although, the trouble with this is, I will lose a middle shaft raise and if the addon feet don't fit my 'round hole' dolly I will have to get a dolly that will work with the flat feet. And that's more $$$$ Soooooo, I'll be adding Vinten to my gear which is all Bogen. I ended up buying the kit. Thank Vinten. Good stuff. __________________ What happens if I push the 'Red' button? Last edited by Steven Davis; January 22nd, 2010 at 06:16 PM.