Better late than never. This is for those that don't drop into the Camera Support Forums.

Vinten Launches Vision blue at IBC2010 at DVInfo.net (http://www.dvinfo.net/news/vinten-launches-vision-blue-at-ibc2010.html)

My review of same here: Review: Vinten Vision Blue at DVInfo.net (http://www.dvinfo.net/article/production/camsupport/review-vinten-vision-blue.html)



CS

Great review Chris!

I bought the 3AS a few months ago for DvSLR use - and it rocks. The Vinten Blue looks like it would be the right choice today.

Sorry the review looks a bit scrappy, not DVinfo's usual slick presentation.

CH was attempting to format it for publication from his hotel room in NY at the time and totally broke his software in the process.

He's promised to get back and finish the job as and when.

I took the view that as this unit was, in the main, aimed at the Pro with low weight/ COG camcorders but also both amateurs and semi - pro's, I needed to give it the "warts and all" treatment.

"Nosetone Leftun turned" was the result.

For the price, I still can't quite believe what an excellent system Vinten have delivered.

Dying to see what the B&H street price is.

Thanks again guys.


CS

Once I clean up the lousy formatting I did on Chris's
excellent review, it'll become a feature article on the
home page. It's at the top of the to-do list.

at B & H, or will be shortly, at any rate.

Now we know what the "street" price is going to be.

Vinten VISION BLUE SYSTEM FLOOR SPREADER VB-AP2F - B&H Photo


and

Vinten VISION BLUE SYSTEM MID-LEVEL SPREADER VB-AP2M - B&H Photo


CS

Seems similar to the Libec RS250 I have just bought. Have you looked at both?

Ron Evans

Funny that (and well spotted!).

Part of the design spec for the VB was to take on the RS250 straight out of the box.

Never actually seen one (a Libec) in the flesh but having read the specs I'd say the VB has the edge, with continuously adjustable pan and tilt drag as opposed to the 2 step of the RS250.

Like to get a chance to put 'em toe to toe sometime.

What do you think of the Libec? (Now, that's gotta be the dumbest question of the week!).


CS

I like it so far. Of course it is a big improvement over the Manfrotto 503 I was using. It is a few hundred dollars cheaper too so the continuously variable pan and tilt does cost something. Balancing too is lovely compared to the Manfrotto. Camera really does stay where its placed. Camera is a Sony NX5U. Getting older I was starting to see a little shake in the video using the Manfrotto that has gone completely with the RS250 even on full telephoto range. So for me it has lived up to the marketing info as far as start and stop motion shake. It would be interesting to know if the same is true for the Vinten VB. This is my first tripod of this class so have no knowledge of high end product at all as most of my tripods have been moving up in the Manfrotto range to the 503.

Ron Evans

I have the Vision 3AS on my 'soon to buy' list for use with my EX1R. Should I consider the Vision Blue instead? The most that I attach to the camera are two Sennheiser receivers, a shotgun mic and a LED light.

If you check out the list of cameras that will work with VB, you'll see I have noted the EX1 as "bare", based on the information Vinten provided.

The addition of two receivers with cableing, shotgun with something like a Rycote Softie and mount, and a light, all "up top" could easilly push the rig over the top of the VB's counterbalance abilities.

The best thing I can suggest is to fire a mail to Peter.Harman@VitecGroup.com and see if he can arrange a test drive of both heads, as that's really the only test that will answer the question.

He's a pretty cool dude and if it can be done, he'll do it.


CS

Just checked and by my reckoning it'll have to be at the Camera Dynamics faclity in Burbank, which is 300 miles away from you. Bummer.

Let's see what rabbit Peter can pull out of the hat.

Don't forget to test the camera/ head combo's both bare and fully pimped, you don't want any nasty suprises.

Chris,


Thanks for the review. Would the Vision Blue be a good choice for DSLR's (7D, t2i) users? I've been through a Monfrotto 503HDV, which was built like a tank, but I never got the smoothness I thought it should have. After trying several other intermediate rigs, I've resorted to the smooth-cheap Velbon 607 and editing out the start and ending of pans!

Can the Blue give me very professional pans and tilts like a Sachler or 3AS if I keep it in its weight range? Any issues with being "to light"?