Hi all,

I am going to use my new EX3 mostly with long still telephoto lenses -50-300, 300, 400 and even 500 for wildlife filmmaking.

I currently use the Vinten Vision 3 but I am not crazy about it.
Does anyone have a suggestion for a really fantastic fluid head up to 3 grand ?

Thanks !!

Ofer Levy, nature photographer
Sydney-Australia
http://www.oferlevyphotography.com

Zero Gravity head is something to look into and it's not expensive. Very interesting design, especially for nature work.

Try Miller. Australian made too :)

http://www.miller.com.au/

is always a good choice! Try the DS20 Solo.

Hi all,

I am going to use my new EX3 mostly with long still telephoto lenses -50-300, 300, 400 and even 500 for wildlife filmmaking.


How are you attaching the still lenses to the EX3? I'm looking for a solution to do that.

to attach a stills lens to the ex1/3 you are going to need an adaptor. Look for comments on the differences between the adaptors and you can go from there!

to attach a stills lens to the ex1/3 you are going to need an adaptor. Look for comments on the differences between the adaptors and you can go from there!

I have serached the forums and also started a thread, but the only advise so far is a Nikon to 1/2" adapter and then use the supplied adapter with EX3. I emailed Schnieder who makes this adapter and asked if it was a good solution, they repsoneded it was not recomended by them. So I'm back to 0.

Maybee I should quit using this thread, it was not the intention to hijack the thread.

If someone wants to respond to this you can use this thread: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=126485

I consider getting the Miller Arrow 25 fluid head to use with my Sony PMW EX3 as I use very long telephoto lenses.

Does anyone have an experience with this fluid head ? It goes for 2600$ or so - any other fluid heads I should consider in this price range ?

Thanks in advance !

Ofer Levy
Sydney
http://www.oferlevyphotography.com

Can't say I tested the "tortional rigidity" of the tripod, but I have tested the Arrow 25 briefly in a shop ( not on a job , and I loved it. There are a number of other people on these forums that have praised it.
You only have 5 presets for drag and spring tension unlike Sachtler with about 12 by now, but i don't think anyone uses more than 5 anyway. Only problem is that the lowest spring setting is still a bit strong for an Ex-1 with no accessories or a 35mm adapter.

I think it is very well made though and uses the same "innards " as Sachtler.

By the way, I seem, to remember the objectivity of that particular reviewer being questioned a few times on other forums ( maybe he was biased toward Sony?), but that's only a vague memory and hearsay at best - he may be absolutely straight up.

Lenny Levy

Thanks for that Leonard ! If you go through the review I am sure you will agree it looks a bit unbalanced.

In my opinion, he is just a bit forthright in his style. I don't detect any Sony bias - read his review of the EX3, for example! He's not exactly complimentary about the build quality and other features.

He just seems to expect the gear sent his way to be good. Very good. He's coming from the broadcast side, where equipment cost tens of thousands if not more.

I do wonder sometimes about the bad reviews - surely Miller and Cartoni couldn't be that bad? In the case of the tripod reviews, I wonder if he just got a "lemon" that could be easily fixed or replaced under warranty.

I should point out that I have no connection at all with him. I've learned a lot from his website and magazine over the years. But like anything else, you're reading someone's opinion, and other people's opinions will differ.

Thanks for your comment Mike. I would love to hear a more serious review of someone who really owns and uses the Arrow 25.

There are very positive things there about the Arrow 25 with an HVX200.

Thanks Lenny,

I think I have seen and heard enough to get the Arrow 25 so I have ordered one. I have actually tested it with a 3000mm lens (effective) and was VERY impressed with the smooth, vibration free, pan and tilt. Obviously it can only work like this if you use a rubber band to pull the handle rather than touching it.

Cheers !!

Ofer

I want to spend less than $1600 on both a good head and tripod for the EX3. I will be travelling over seas in the winter and so I want something fairly portable, yet rugged.
I also like shooting nature footage so I need something I can sling over the shoulder.

Currenly I have a Manfrotto 503 with Manfrotto 475 legs.

Right now I am looking at the "Soom" by Sachtler but it may be too heavy for travel.
Anyone have any experience with the soom?

Thanks! Larry

I want to spend less than $1600 on both a good head and tripod for the EX3. I will be travelling over seas in the winter and so I want something fairly portable, yet rugged.
I also like shooting nature footage so I need something I can sling over the shoulder.

Currenly I have a Manfrotto 503 with Manfrotto 475 legs.

Right now I am looking at the "Soom" by Sachtler but it may be too heavy for travel.
Anyone have any experience with the soom?

Thanks! Larry

You can't go wrong with the Miller! I have it and it is true, firm and rugged.

Dean, which model of the Miller brand do you recommend?

I like the Sachtler FSB-6 with carbon fiber sticks.

Got a good look at a Miller 10 last week used with EX-3. Very sturdy, excellent fluid head and very lightweight.

Dean, which model of the Miller brand do you recommend?

DS 20 solo at B&H or Adorama
Just want to add that I've had the 503 for years and the difference between the miller and the 503 is night and day!

Thanks Ned and Dean....I'll check both out. Light wieght and sturdy are good things. Yeah, Dean, I am ready for the upgrade from the 503 to something like the Miller or Sachtler. I'll let you know what I end up with.

Larry

I am a doc maker, so spending 10 minutes messing with a tripod like the Soom is impossible, plus it's too heavy to just sling on your shoulder and forget about. I was disapointed in this tripod - just too much for me.

For travel and hiking in rough terrain you cannot beat the Miller Solo Carbon Fiber legs. Fast set up, very strong and lightweight. Also can go very low or high. I film is some tough places and these legs are a joy to use.
I would use the DS-20 head for the EX-3 which is exactly my set-up.

I've had a DS-20 for ten years, still great.

I believe I'm sold on the Miller DV20 system. I really like the stick design for the work that I do and it seems the DS-20 is a smaller footprint than the Sachtler, which I need for travel.

Any Miller DS-20/Solo CF owners carried on their tripod in the soft case?

Hello, im considering to purchase a Sachtler Tripod System, can anyone know where this tripod systems are manufacted?

Sachtler is a brand produced by:
Camera Dynamics GmbH
Erfurter Straße 16

85386 Eching

Deutschland
Telefon: (+49) 89 321 58 200
Telefax: (+49) 89 321 58 227
contact@sachtler.de

It is a subsidiary of the Vitec Group plc, based out of the Kingston upon Thames, UK. They also own Bogen, Gitzo, Manfrotto, OConnor and Vinten brands of camera support systems as well as Kata, Petrol and Anton Bauer, plus a whole lot more...

George/

Sachtler is a brand produced by:
Camera Dynamics GmbH
Erfurter Straße 16

85386 Eching

Deutschland
Telefon: (+49) 89 321 58 200
Telefax: (+49) 89 321 58 227
contact@sachtler.de

It is a subsidiary of the Vitec Group plc, based out of the Kingston upon Thames, UK. They also own Bogen, Gitzo, Manfrotto, OConnor and Vinten brands of camera support systems as well as Kata, Petrol and Anton Bauer, plus a whole lot more...

George/

And it has just been announced that Vitek group has purchased Litepanels.

They do seem to have a hand in just about everything... Not necessarily bad, of course.

George/

Allesandro, I just had a chance to try out a Sachtler system (#0475) for two weeks. I loved the head: sachtler: Fluid heads (http://www.sachtler.us/index.php?id=1109&exp_pid=539&exp_cid=34&exp_mode=product&exp_flag=downloads)
Compared to my present Manfrotto 503HDV, it was a dream to use.

The carbon fiber legs:
sachtler: Fluid heads (http://www.sachtler.us/index.php?id=1109&exp_mode=product&exp_pid=7&exp_cid=38)
were also very nice; very compact and lightweight. They were "okay", but they weren't as rigid at full extension as I would have liked. The other thing I found a little worrisome was the locking mechanism that Sachtler uses to lock the lower part of the legs. The big red flip lever that clamps the upper leg sections also turns a shaft that locks the lower leg sections. It worked okay for me for the two weeks I had it, but on the day I returned the Sachtler, one of those shafts fell apart. I may have gotten a poorly assembled unit, but it sure didn't inspire any confidence in the legs.

Has anybody else with this #0475 system combo had a similar experience? If not, please let me know as I really like the system but that leg lock mechanism didn't inspire any long-term confidence in me. I may still buy the system, but I'd sure like to know if anybody else has had this happen to them.

Miller.

Easy fast set-up's. Superb fluid movement. No gimmicks.

Miller.

Easy fast set-up's. Superb fluid movement. No gimmicks.

Sorry to say but all of our Miller DS10 heads are failing. The Solo legs are great.
Both the pan and tilt drag controls just don't work or become sticky with a metal grinding sound. Also the rosette for the pan handle grinds off. They should be machined stainless not diecast.

Miller tell me they have a new design DS range coming.

I believe I'm sold on the Miller DV20 system. I really like the stick design for the work that I do and it seems the DS-20 is a smaller footprint than the Sachtler, which I need for travel.

Any Miller DS-20/Solo CF owners carried on their tripod in the soft case?

The case is okay - it is mildly reinforced around the area that the head sits to offer a modicum of protection against knocks. It's really designed for handheld use though. That said, the legs themselves come with a heavy-duty reinforced and padded strap for run&gun production or, I suspect, mild hiking. Haven't tried it like this yet for balance, but have no qualms about comfort (nice strap) or weight.

Been using mine the past couple of days on a ENG-style shoot in southern Trinidad. Light, extremely sturdy and well built, no 'springback' and the carbon fibre legs are as smooth as butter but seem stiffer than I'd expect aluminium to be. Very pleased with the fit and finish overall (aside from the lurid yellow mini lever and plate release). The head has given a very smooth response so far, easily the equal of a Vinten I used on a shoot a couple of weeks ago. Used a friend's DVX100B, loaded with a Litepanels Miniplus head and battery and a Sennheiser G100 receiver. No problem.

The head is fine but the legs are great. With a camera loaded up for feature use, I use my bigger tripod though.

Jus.

Hi

I've only had my EX3 a short time and went for a country drive / filming, on a fairly windy day recently.

I use a Manfrotto 055CLB tripod and Manfrotto 501 head.

I found that the EX3 is a good sized wind catcher.

Lots of camera shake and I don't think my combination of Tripod and Head does this camera justice.

Without spending thousands of dollars, what do people find is an acceptable combination for this camera

Cheers

Michael

Ps. I'm not sure if this is the correct forum for this question, so apologies in advance

Michael I use the EX1 with some extra gear like Zacuto shoulder rig, shot gun, all on the tripod at the same time. Gitzo 1380 head and Gitzo carbon legs. Been using this rig for 18 months and love it for my run and gun style.

I had that same Gitzo package a few years ago. It's the best tripod/head there is for the money, I think.

I agree Bill I tried about 15 different options and the Gitzo seemed to be the smoothest. Also the springs give you 6 options from 2-23 lbs. I tend to go one above the recommended load of my gear. The drag is very smooth and loads of adjustment. Also came with a nice bag.

Not sure what I will buy next for a bigger camera. I recommend testing what every you can at a rental house or a store like B&H. It changed my mind to have the first hand experience.

Forgot to mention very fast to level.

I have recently purchased a PMW EX3, my current tripod for my old camera is a manfrotto 128RC head with a 190D set of legs. I really like how the legs work on this tripod, but i think the head is too small and weak (4Kg load) to handle my new camera and i dare not try. I don't know about the legs, but i assume they have a larger load capacity.

I wasn't even aware you could remove a tripod head, so i don't even know if this is feasible.

Even though the camera is large, it only has one screw point. How should i go about gearing up for this camera without spending too much. I can't spend into the K's (AU) for a tripod though.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm fairly new to this forum and to the complexities of tripods, any help would be greatly appreciated :)

thanks so much

Glynn

Sigh, here we go again.

OK, some preliminary light reading:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/tripod-sticks-heads/84267-tripod-suggestions-canon-xh-a1.html

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/tripod-sticks-heads/76961-jvc-gy-hd100-tripod-mount.html

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/tripod-sticks-heads/114350-ex1-tripod-selection.html

DV Info Net Review: Vinten FiberTec Video Tripod by Chris Soucy, Part 1 of 5 (http://www.dvinfo.net/articles/camsupport/fibertec1.php)


Now, back to that "I can't spend into the K's" comment.

How much have you just lashed out on the cam?

With all the bells, whistles, bits and bob's?

How much do you have left over for a support system?

Please don't say $500, cos' if you do, you're in fairy land territory (IMPO).

Just so I don't come across as ALL negative:

IMPO you need a tripod (100 mm bowl preferably) that can hold at least 25 Kg's and a matching 100 Ball head capable of holding up to 10 Kg with continuously variable couterbalancing from go to whoa.

The Sachtler DSB6 (and up) range seem to be some of the few that ticks all the boxes.

Don't think you'll get one of those for $500.

Do some reading and tell us what you think.


CS

thanks for the info!

If you have a little cash look second hand a "proper" tripods like old Sachtler Panorama 7+7, Video 18, Ronford F4 etc. On Ebay and BBlist you can get these for between £500 and £1000, and the difference between them and the Manfrotto junk is night and day.
Steve

Chris is right about the Sachtler DV6-SB. It cost me an arm and a leg (GB£1600 - about AUS$3000), it's the bare minimum for "pro" work, I'd say.

I love mine so much I could eat it!

I have a Miller DS20 for my EX3. Outstanding unit, Australian too.

How about the Manfrotto HDV 503 and the 535 MPro? What is the actual downside to having this sort of "junk" compared to other brands? Is it that they can't hold 35mm adapters or?

A good tripod will last you your entire career, so it's worth investing in a decent one. Things to looks for are height adjustability, a good leveling bowl, adjustable drag on tilt and pan, smooth tilt and pan, easy lock offs, suitable tilt spring rate to match your camera weight, strength and build quality, not being too light, a good range of accessories such as spreaders, wheels, dollies. These things you just don't get with cheaper models.

How about the Manfrotto HDV 503 and the 535 MPro? What is the actual downside to having this sort of "junk" compared to other brands? Is it that they can't hold 35mm adapters or?

There are 2 main differences; firstly the counterbalance on pro heads tends to work much better, and secondly it's the movement, as the expensive heads use proper fluid modules whereas the cheaper ones are just fine silicon grease (so in fact they are not "fluid" heads at all but friction heads, they used to be called "fluid-effect" heads). If you compare a Ronford Baker to a Manfrotto you'd know immediately!
Steve

We are about to buy 2 Tripods for our 2 EX3 Camera's.

Obviously there are many options out there.

we are looking at the Sachtler FSB – 6 MD

in your opinion is this large enough or should we go slightly larger?

any help and suggestions of other options would be of great help.

Thank you.

i am very happy with my miller ds20 on 2 stage cf solo legs. very quick & easy to setup, close & carry around. balances well with my oversized ex3 camera.

We're using the Sachtler DV12 head with the ENG 2 CF legs.

miller ds20 on 2 stage cf solo legs

Hi Guys,

I'm about to take the plunge as well :)

So you think a Satchler DV 6 isn't heavy enough? I'm hoping to load mine with a matte box, ST-7 shoulder mount and an Anton Bauer battery...

J

I've been using the Gitzo 1380 head with Sachtler 75 sticks. Very,very smooth head, not too heavy. It comes with 6 interchangable springs so I have used it with a 25lb cam in a pinch. The pan and tilt locks are the only weakness. They work, but you really have to crank them down sometimes.

I would suggest trying out as many as you can. Some of the lighter weights just can not pan or tilt smoothly. The Miller Solo is also a good choice.