Hi

Does anyone know if there is a tripod plate available like the canon xh-xl or sony bcast versions for the ex-1. All I see is a tiny plate with 4 screws.

Chuck

Typically your tripod would come w/ a plate, that would fit this or any other camera.

Keith

I was looking for the setup that comes with other cameras. Canon and Sony both use a similar plate that mounts on the tripod and its adapter and includes a shoe that stays on the cam.

Makes for easy dismount/mount.

Chuck

Yes, that's correct. The quick release plate is matched to the pan tilt head and fits any camera using a 1/4 inch whitworth (20 tpi) screw. Most modern heads have quick release facilities built in (e.g. Miller), but you can buy a separate assembly (e.g. Manfrotto) for older heads.

With the EX1 what are people doing for a Tripod plate / bracket to be able to mount this camera on Pro Tripods?

I am in EU - Europe land so any suggestions in this part of the world would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

With the EX1 what are people doing for a Tripod plate / bracket to be able to mount this camera on Pro Tripods?

I am in EU - Europe land so any suggestions in this part of the world would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Hi Simon

Every tripod has a different plate. You just use the plate that comes with your tripod and screw it on.

Hi Phil,

When we had the EX-1 for testing last week we had problems using the Vinten Tripods that the Digi Betacam SX uses since the SX has it's own V-Plate attached which locks in nice and firm but the EX-1 doesn't have this so I assume one needs to purchase this.

For example if you look at the link below you'll see the actual Tripod Plate and I am talking about and also there's the V-plate next to it to attach to the actual camera. In this case the EX-1.

http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/public/view_item_cat.php?catalogue_number=jvc_ka-551u

My question is where might I get hold of one of these for the EX-1

Hope I am making sense.

Simon

I have been looking for the same... canon uses the v type plate as well.

very stabile and a positive lock when mounting.

Chuck

Simon,

Because the EX1 is not a shoulder mount camera this type of tripod adapter will not work with it. The plate you are referencing has two points of contact, one on the front of the camera and one on the back. The EX1 is simply not long enough the accommodate both these points. Nor does it have the rear plate built in like every other large form factor camera.

You could try a number of Quick release adapters similar to this one.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5563-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_394_394_Rapid_Connect_4.html

Which would mount to the sliding plate on your Vinten.

Hi Chris,

Thanks for you reply.

Just is the company I'm doing some work for have a whole series of Vinten Tripods that use for the DigiBeta's and was hoping there was or is a small V-Plate that can be screwed into the base of the EX-1 that could lock into their current Tripod setups.

That might be a great thing to add to a set of rods. The plate I use for my JVC requires 9.5" between mounting points so in theory you could get that on a set of 12" rods. Could be a money maker.

But that plate is not stable without both mounting points.

Hi guys,

Are you looking for something like this? A plate that you can mount under the PMW-EX1, so that you mount it on a Sony VCT-U14 or VCT-14 tripod adapter. Take a look at the link below.

Press Shooter ST-1 (http://www.protechweb.jp/products/tri_adp/st1/index.html)

Hope this helps!

Fantastic, Thank you

Ivan that looks like a winner.

Do you know any dealers that are supplying this?

No, I don't know any dealers. Sorry guys!

But what I can make of it, is that the price of this little plate is 19,740 Japanese Yen. That's would be about 175 US Dollar. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Maybe they are selling it online? My Japanese is not so well. Hopefully is someone from B & H photo video reading this! ;-) Looks like it can be used with lots of those smaller camcorders.

Google gives me this link of an eBay seller. He only has 3 pieces of them left for $185 buy now price.

eBay seller (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130144552504)

This is the quick release and plate system that I use on my heavy duty tripod when I am using the small camera instead of the shoulder camera. It uses the same plate that came with the Bogen 503.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/241139-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_577_577_Quick_Release_Adapter.html

I don't use the 503 much anymore unless I am hiking in a good distance.

all tripods have a basic plate. The vintens with the vc14u sony plate are no exception. look underneath the sony plate and there is the standard sony plate. You can screw that onto the underside of the ex1 and you can then use the vinten tripod

Hi,

I have just been reading up on the z7 and apparently it has two mounting holes on the bottom for mounting the tripod plate - I assume they are two threaded holes giving a firmer connection - this is great feature in my opinion.

What about the X1 does it have two threaded holes? Or just one threaded and one non- threaded hole (like most sony cams)?

thanks.

One threaded hole (1/4-20) and one non-threaded registration hole.

thank you.

I have Sony PMW-EX1 so that's the weight class I'm working with.

It's nearly impossible for me to find Tripod/Head reviews anywhere so I toss it open to my trusted colleagues. I'm posting here rather than EX1 forum because I hope get a broader response than just EX1 users.

Manfrotto 503HDV vs Sachtler FSB6 (or comparable) should give you an idea of my price range to.

With no reviews to read and sales people who can only describe Sachtler as "better" in some abstract sense (and "better" might simply mean more commission) I turn to you.

So what are your experiences with either both positive and negative?

Have you considered the Vinten Vision 3? There are a lot of threads here about it.

Hi Daniel:

I could be mistaken but the Vision 3 is a Bogen 503. It's at least the same castings and look, not sure about the internals. That's what disappoints me about the new Vintens, all of their low end are basically re-badged Bogens.

There is no comparison between a Bogen and a Sachtler. The Sachtler is a true fluid head, has multiple levels of counterbalance tension. I own a Bogen 501, have shot with the 503 for years and also own a Sachtler DV-6SB. If you can afford the Sachtler, get it. If not, the Bogen is the consolation prize ;-( If you can't pay for a Sachtler, at least step up to a Cartoni Focus, it's better than a Bogen and probably the best under $1,000.00 head.

Good luck,

Dan

I just looked at the Sachtler FSB-6 at a show. I was extremely impressed. This is the head I mean. It comes with several different legs. The Carbon Fiber legs are very nice:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?shs=Sachtler+FSB-6+fluid+head&ci=0&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=RootPage.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t

I have a Cartoni and a Gitzo. The first thing I noticed about the Sachtler is that you can tighten and loosen the locking screws, and nothing moves, unlike many tripods that jump a little, no matter how careful you are.

I was told that this head is a replacement of the DV heads sold previously by Sachtler. The Vitec sales people said they very much like this head and did not like the ones that have been discontinued.

It works perfectly, and much better than the Bogen (or even the Cartoni) in ways that can't really be described.

For HDV, and any telephoto shots, the benefits of the Sacthler are significant. And as tripods go, the price on the FSb-6 (with legs... you only save about $200 by not getting the legs) is reasonable.

I have been looking at every head I can for the past few years. For HDV this Sachtler is the first I've seen at a midlevel/high price that is worth it. (I think there are a large number of under $1000 heads that are not worth their price and new users quickly discover, to their dismay, their limitations.)

I could be mistaken but the Vision 3 is a Bogen 503. It's at least the same castings and look, not sure about the internals. That's what disappoints me about the new Vintens, all of their low end are basically re-badged Bogens.
Dan

The Vision 3 is actually a true Vinten, not a re-badged Bogen. The models that have the similar castings are the "Pro" series. The Vision series are quite nice fluid heads (I've used an older Vision 10, and it truly was lovely).

I got the Sachtler FSB-6 with 2 Stage Carbon Fiber Speed Lock Legs. Very nice system and just a bit less expensive than the DV 6SB

http://www.sachtler.com/index.php?id=1716&exp_mode=product&exp_pid=585&exp_cid=109

The Sachtler will kick the Manfrottos behind six days to sunday.

get it.

Had a Vision 3 before moving to something a bit bigger and it was really nice - very similar to the bigger ones I have now - a HUGE improvement on the manfrotto 503/513 types. I've still got a couple of those in the store - superficially you think they are not too bad till your realise the extra force you have to apply to start a movement isn't the same on 'real' heads.

Craig, Have you even been able to see the FSB-6? I tried B&H but they don't have one on the floor and don't seem to sell the head by itself.

I, too, am reluctant to buy without seeing the darn thing!

They do have the DV 6SB with the same carbon fiber legs on the floor. The significant differences are the horizontal and vertical adjustments go from 0 to 3 instead of 0 to 5 so the adjustment is a little bit coarser. The DV 6SB also has "Touch & Go" plate and can hold a heavier camera. Price difference is about $300 at B&H.

I checked the Sachtler site before I bought so I knew the differences.

FSB6
http://www.sachtler.com/index.php?id=1716&exp_pid=539&exp_cid=34&exp_mode=product&exp_flag=tech_facts

DVSB6
http://www.sachtler.com/index.php?id=1716&exp_pid=300&exp_cid=34&exp_mode=product&exp_flag=tech_facts

FSB6
Weight 2 kg / 4.4 lb
Payload 1 - 6 kg / 2.2 - 13.2 lb
Sliding range - plate 120 mm / 4.7 in
Counterbalance in 10 steps
Grades of drag 3 each horizontal and vertical + 0
Tilt range +90/-70°
Temperature range -40° to +60° C / -40 to +140° F
Camera fitting Sideload plate S
Tripod/Pedestal fitting 75 mm bowl, integrated flat base fitting
Pan bar(s) 1, Type DV 75
Level self-illuminating Touch Bubble
Batteries Level 1x CR2032


DV6SB
Weight 2.4 kg / 5.3 lb
Payload 1 - 9 kg / 2.2 - 20 lb
Sliding range - plate 60 mm / 2.4 in
Counterbalance in 10 steps
Grades of drag 5 each horizontal and vertical + 0
Tilt range +90/-75°
Temperature range -40° to +60° C / -40 to +140° F
Camera fitting Touch & Go® Plate DV
Tripod/Pedestal fitting 75 mm bowl, integrated flat base fitting
Pan bar(s) 1, Type DV 75
Level self-illuminating Touch Bubble
Batteries Level 1 x CR2032

Bob, I just post it one DV-6SB with Speed Lock on CF legs at the "classified" forum. Spanking new.

Laszlo

Re the 503HDV - I have the Vinten Pro6-HDV which is the same head, different sticks. It's a rebranded 503HDV head with a genuine set of Vinten poziloc alloy legs.

Of course, if you go for the Manfrotto version you probably won't get quite as good legs, but the comments re. the head will still hold up.

I too am looking for a new tripod for my EX1 and the Sachtler FSB-6 looks to be a perfect match (the Cartoni and Miller look nice, and I've also considered a Libec LS38M), but does this tripod system really weigh only 8.6 lbs?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/498209-REG/Sachtler_0472_0472_FSB_6_Aluminum_Tripod.html

I've also noticed that Sachtler offers two different types of mid-level spreaders (one higher than the other). What are the practical applications for each type? I'm used to working with a ground spreader, but everyone here seems to prefer mid-level.

And one stage vs two. My current tripod is single stage and quick to set-up. Any opinions here? It would be a shame to get just the right head but the wrong sticks!

If you can afford the sacthler setup/head, then go with that...it will be a different world compared with manfrotto.

I went from a Libec 950 to sacthler dv6 for my Z1, it's hard to describe how good the sacthler is....you have to try....no more jerky movements when the temperature drops well below freezing. A nice and warm showroom is one thing, snow, dust, dirt and the real world is another thing.....

Of course there are more economical setups, Libec do have some pretty good alternatives(i prefer them over manfrotto) and Cartoni is always an option.

Perhaps I should clarify my earlier question. I'm about to order the FSB-6 system and debating between the 1-stage and 2-stage versions. Other than collapsing to a shorter height, what practical pros/cons, if any, does 2-stage offer over single? Sorry if my request is a bit elementary.

Good question. I got the Carbon Fiber SpeedLock legs which is 2 stage only.

SpeedLock Carbon 2 Stage
http://www.sachtler.com/index.php?id=1716&exp_mode=product&exp_pid=7&exp_cid=32

Single stage description doesn't say much but for me I don't want to deal with twist lock or bending down to extend legs.

If you can afford the sacthler setup/head, then go with that...it will be a different world compared with manfrotto.

I went from a Libec 950 to sacthler dv6 for my Z1, it's hard to describe how good the sacthler is....you have to try....no more jerky movements when the temperature drops well below freezing.

Again.... I have one spanking new DV6 SB on sale with top notch CF legs with "SpeedLock".
I'm surprised nobody want it.

Laszlo

If you want the best of both worlds, get the DV6SB head, and pair it with a set of Gitzo carbon fiber legs. The Gitzo legs let you put the camera nearly on the ground and still use the head normally.

It's too bad you don't get more of a price break when you buy the head by itself.

I am looking at a new tripod. It might be nice to have some remote capabilities also. Any suggestions?

Choose a tripod based on what you shoot not the camera. As a personal note I like and use Manfrotto - good old Italian over-engineering. One thing I would always get is a leveling ball and thought I don't have one a motor pan would be nice.

i use a miller solo carbon fibre ds20. amazing tripod and it goes incredibly low too.

i use a miller solo carbon fibre ds20. amazing tripod and it goes incredibly low too.

Phil (love your stuff, BTW),

Would the ds20 still be a good choice for the EX1 without the added weight of 35mm adapters, lenses, rails, etc? The naked camera weighs-in at 6 lbs and the Miller is rated for 10/20 lbs.

The other option I'm considering is the Sachtler FSB-6. The problem with this is when (and if) I ever step up to the next level, the Sachtler won't handle the extra weight (13 lb max).

How much does your well accessorised rig weigh?

I weighed my EX with a Letus and a Nikon 80-200 at 15 lbs without matte box or follow focus so it could go up from there. I don't think a DV6 would be heavy enough for that .

I'm looking at a Miller Arrow 20, Sachtler 15 or 18. Pricey though. But at least I'll stop having clients complain about shakiness on the 200mm interviews.

Anybody have any experience with the Cartoni Focus?

I have it, with Miller legs (i sold the A304 legs that came with it)

Nice for the money, but three issues:

100mm ball is nice, but necessitates bigger legs than are one might want - my miller carbon fibres are great, but I would have liked to get the smaller ones, which have a 75mm bowl.

When you finish a pan, and let go of the handle, the head reverses slightly. This is only an issue with long lenses, and is OK for an experienced operator, but it's not a trait you'd find on an O'Connor (which costs 8 times as much, by the way)

The pan bar is a bit flimsy and flexible for my taste.

But all in all, it's an excellent match for the EX1 - it balances and counterbalances perfectly.

I have the Focus and have used it for 2 years with the HVX200- same size as EX. It's a nice unit, and unlike Eric, I like the legs and the 100mm ball. I would never get 75mm. However for me it is not heavy enough for use of the lens at extreme telephoto,. It just isn't stable if I try to do a slight adjust on the longer lenses.

Likewise I like the 35mm adapters and that adds alot of weight - too much for the Focus. That's why I mentioned below that I am planning to upgrade.

Hi,

I have the manfrotto kit with 501HDV,525PKIT.
It is not that heavy and the 501 head is quite smooth, even if not as good as a real head, a lot pricier.
The 501 HDV have a "back force" which is just right for the EX1 alone.
I think it won't work with the whole set (ie : follow focus, 35mm adapter...).

Got it from ebay at 480€.

I have a Sachtler DV8....probably 4 years old.....don't know if its the same now. I think Sachtler makes great heads. I am on the second set of legs, some carbon ones which are nice and light but cannot go that low which is annoying. The Miller Solos are nice because of how low they can go.

Phil (love your stuff, BTW),

Would the ds20 still be a good choice for the EX1 without the added weight of 35mm adapters, lenses, rails, etc? The naked camera weighs-in at 6 lbs and the Miller is rated for 10/20 lbs.

The other option I'm considering is the Sachtler FSB-6. The problem with this is when (and if) I ever step up to the next level, the Sachtler won't handle the extra weight (13 lb max).

How much does your well accessorised rig weigh?

yes it's perfect. I used it on my religion shoot with a naked ex1 and it's great. although it says 10/20lbs Miler say using a 7lbs Ex1 is perfect with it and it gives you the ability to use a DOF adaptor in the future on it

i have a focus if anyone wants to buy it off me!