David Beisner
August 1st, 2008, 08:15 AM
Ok, I've got a problem. Hired at work to do promo videos for my organization. They asked me to recommend equipment for purchase, I did. Recommended the Libec LS-38 tripod since I'd read it was a very sturdy tripod with no shake, etc.
But, for some reason, they decided to buy me the Bogen 055XDB sticks instead with a Bogen 501HDV head. The head is fine--not the best, but it'll work for me. The sticks however, are slightly glorified still photography sticks (B&H's website even recommends them for still photography!!).
My problem is this--the legs are so unstable with my XH-A1, wireless receivers, and big battery on them, that even when I'm not touching the tripod at all, they shake pretty badly. I just shot my first footage with the sticks (I just got this equipment last week and I've been using a steadicam till today), brought it back and previewed it on my 42" HD display. It's so shaky that it's pretty much completely unusable. Worse then a "vibrating arm" shake you get at the end of a long day of hand held. Obviously its most noticeable when I'm zoomed tight on something which I'm having to do a lot of for this job.
Short of asking them to get me new sticks, what's the best way to get around this problem? Should I try turning the OIS back on (yes, it was off!!) and see if that will correct for the shake? I've always read never to use the OIS when you're on sticks.
I'm really tempted to just tell them to buy me the Libec because even though the 501HDV is a great little head, it's just not a smooth as I'd like. Tried doing some pan and tilt shots with it today and the movement was very jerky, despite my best efforts to keep it smooth. But, they went for this one 'cause they didn't want to spend the extra $300 for the Libec, so now if I ask them to get the Libec, they're probably gonna pitch a fit.
Any help would be appreciated.
But, for some reason, they decided to buy me the Bogen 055XDB sticks instead with a Bogen 501HDV head. The head is fine--not the best, but it'll work for me. The sticks however, are slightly glorified still photography sticks (B&H's website even recommends them for still photography!!).
My problem is this--the legs are so unstable with my XH-A1, wireless receivers, and big battery on them, that even when I'm not touching the tripod at all, they shake pretty badly. I just shot my first footage with the sticks (I just got this equipment last week and I've been using a steadicam till today), brought it back and previewed it on my 42" HD display. It's so shaky that it's pretty much completely unusable. Worse then a "vibrating arm" shake you get at the end of a long day of hand held. Obviously its most noticeable when I'm zoomed tight on something which I'm having to do a lot of for this job.
Short of asking them to get me new sticks, what's the best way to get around this problem? Should I try turning the OIS back on (yes, it was off!!) and see if that will correct for the shake? I've always read never to use the OIS when you're on sticks.
I'm really tempted to just tell them to buy me the Libec because even though the 501HDV is a great little head, it's just not a smooth as I'd like. Tried doing some pan and tilt shots with it today and the movement was very jerky, despite my best efforts to keep it smooth. But, they went for this one 'cause they didn't want to spend the extra $300 for the Libec, so now if I ask them to get the Libec, they're probably gonna pitch a fit.
Any help would be appreciated.