Greetings to all;

I just finished un-boxing my new Vision Blue tripod. As I sit typing, it's next to me begging to be taken out and played with. I have to say, the little 'blue button' has been pushed more times than I'd like to admit. The bubble level is so cool, illuminated, very brightly I might add, by the 'Vision Blue' LED. It makes me smile. Since this is my first 'real' video tripod, getting use to it's idiosyncrasies will take a little time, but every tripod I've owned over the years required getting comfortable with it's 'manual of arms'. I won't try to 'review' the tripod, Chris Soucy has already done a great job of that, he doesn't need my hackneyed attempts muddying the water.

However, I will give you my first impressions. The very first thing I noticed after opening the box is the padded tripod case. I removed the tripod and head, surprisingly didn't immediately start playing with the tripod and head, rather, I spent the first 5-minutes inspecting the padded case. The more I look at it, the more impressed I am at the 'build quality'. To me this says a lot about the quality of the overall system. If Vinten is willing to make the extra effort to provide a very functional and well-made padded case, then chances are, they will spend the time and effort making the fluid head and sticks as good, or better.

I finally got around to looking at the tripod and head, for a 'small form factor camera tripod', the first word that comes to mind is substantial'. Once a camera is attached you'll know you've got a solid piece of equipment in your hands, and at the end of the day, I'm sure you'll know you've done a day's work. Fully extended, the tripod is taller then I am (6'). It seems steady and solid, but I'm only in my Living Room, so I certainly am not stressing the design, yet.

Overall, I'm very pleased with with my purchase, and thankful to all the help provided by the members of DVinfo.

Regards,

J.

Congrats on the new purchase. The Vision blue is one of the tripods I'm interested in. Can I ask what camera you'll be using this with. I'm looking at the Sony FS100 to go along with it, but worry the camera might be too heavy once loaded with all the suport gear.

Edit

I just answered my own question by reading your other thread.

Congratulations James .. one thing you might consider doing.

Once you establish your 'comfortable' tripod working height, use a non permanent marker to mark the position of the length of each leg. That makes it quicker and easier to set up the rig.

After a period of using it, go over or revise those marks with a permanent marker.

Cheers.

Hi Jeff

I've done the calculations and the standard configuration of the NEX-FS100EK i.e. lens, body, eyecup, handle, battery etc is 2.76kg and I've estimated that the CofG will be about 65mm so it should balance perfectly through the full range of tilt. When you start adding things like a Matte box, light etc. it will raise the mass and affect the CofG so it may well fall outside the perfect balance range of Vision blue and up into the range of Vision 3AS. I suggest that you work out the maximum weight and estimate the CofG affect before you part with your hard earned cash. As much as id like you to own a Vision blue, you need to own something that you are completely happy with. You can always try it before you decide. Happy to help if I can.

Jeff Troiano...you got your answer from the 'horses mouth', so to speak. Mr. Harmon is the expert in these cases.

To answer your question, I'll be using my new VB with a Sony HXR-NX5U.

Regards,

J.

One thing that people seem to overlook is the minimum payload for a tripod. If your tripod is rated 2kg-9kg (4-18lbs), then if your camera is 1kg or 2 lbs, you're going to have a hard time balancing it.

I've said this until I'm (Vision) blue in the face before. People getting Libec LS38 tripods, rated 4kg/8lbs plus, and using them with tiny cameras. Some people even think the "return to the horizontal" is a positive feature!

Aaaaagh!

I count myself lucky that my NX70 just tips the lower weight range of the Vision Blue, otherwise my life would be a lot less happy.

Mike...Yup! I had to consider the 'minimum' of the VB is 2.1kg (4.62lb).

Regards,

J.

Another thing... I'm nor sure I subscribe to the "favourite height" idea for a tripod. I think each shot should be planned first, and the tripod raised to the appropriate height, not using the same height for every shot.

Sometimes I shoot really low, sometimes really high... of course, sometimes that won't matter, or you won't have time for it, depending on your use.

Mike...in a former life (stills photog) I rarely, if ever, used the same set-up, unless in a studio portrait scenario, and even then, all people are not the same size.

I think, by the time I reach the 'upper limits' of the Vision Blue, it will be time for a larger pan/tilt/tripod system.

In my experience (I sound like a 'boot Ensign', don't I?), at least for 'stills', I try not to extend the tripod to it's full extension. I found, no matter how good the tripod system is, it introduces a slight tremor to the image. I don't know if that translates to video capture, but with stills, especially landscapes, the slight 'softness' imparted to the image was noticeable and clients want crisp as crackers for image reproduction.

Just my $0.02, YMMV.

J.

James,

The VB's Poziloc legs are excellent at full extension, and should be able to withstand anything you can throw at it (within reason). They're certainly more stable than any Libec or similarly-priced Sachtler or Manfrotto, in my opinion.

If you flip the switch in the spreader and go "extra high", you do lose a bit of stability (as pointed out in Mr Soucy's reivew), but it has got me out of a hole a few times when I just needed the extra few inches.

That's the major difference between these sorts of tripods and more basic video or stills tripods, the stability is so much more important, because you're not just setting up a shot and standing back, it has to withstant pans/tilts and a bit of abuse.

Mike...it's a 'bold new world' for me, so I'll give a try.

Thanks,

J.

James.................

Just put it through the wringer and see what comes out the other side, don't hold back, that's a Pro support system you have there, give it heaps.

No quarter, my friend, it's a tool, nothing more. Hammer it till the pips squeak (if they ever do) and report back.


CS

Chris...no worries, mate! I've got an old Gitzo G1325 Mk. II CF (a real one, made in France), that has been up and down the Smokey Mountains a few times and looks it. Heh, heh! Of course, I was a younger man back then.

BTW, I took the little 'rubber booties' off the VB because they get in the way, as you pointed out in your review. My only concern is the soil in FL has a high salinity value, so I'll have to be sure to rinse off the 'ground spikes' well after using.

Regards,

J.

Another thing... I'm nor sure I subscribe to the "favourite height" idea for a tripod. I think each shot should be planned first, and the tripod raised to the appropriate height, not using the same height for every shot.

Sometimes I shoot really low, sometimes really high... of course, sometimes that won't matter, or you won't have time for it, depending on your use.

Mike that's right .. there's many uses for tripod height cues, the comfortable working height is for quick run and gun setups. If you find another height used regularly, mark that one.

Shooting to a script or storyboard, the tripod heights can be decided and marked in rehearsals and plotted on the script. Saves time and guesswork.

Cheers.

Allan... excellent point. I'm 'thinking' like a 'stills photog', this will take a little time to re-program. If you're creating a small film or an advertising spot, you want repeatable set-ups. It makes sense to 'document', even 'story board' your planned shoot. Of course, have enough latitude in the 'plan' to embrace the 'happy accidents'.

J.

James, the spikes are Stainless Steel and should stand up to that good old Florida soil.

I actually like the rubber booties on the VB Poziloc legs. They are great for me on hard surfaces, even tended grass etc. I only take them off if I am on uneven natural surfaces, such as grass, hilltops, mud etc.

We don't go down to the beach too often here, hypothermia isn't fun!

Mr. Harman...thank you for the input. I love the VB kit, you and the design team have done a wonderful job of answering the 'small form-factor' community with the VisionBlue.

Warmest best regards,

J.

..the spikes are Stainless Steel .

Ahah, would I be a Grinch if I asked whether they were 316 or plain vanilla 304?

I suspect the former, as mine haven't joined all the 304 (BBQ's, table top heaters etc) dotted about the place and reduced themselves to small piles of mixed ferric oxide and Chromium - we live no more than 2 km from a 20 km stretch of beach which collects the full force of the Antarctic swell/ prevaling Southerly winds, gives a whole new meaning to the term "old salt"!


CS

Chris...what a great place you Kiwi's live in! I would love to come visit, but I'm afraid I'd have to be forced to leave. Heh, heh!

If the ground spikes haven't corroded into nothingness in that environment, then Mr. Harman and his Design Team did a good job specifying proper materials. 'Courses for horses.'

My HRX-NX5 and Atomos Samurai are coming sometime in November, I'm getting a little antsy!

Regards,

J.

Received my Vision Blue today.

Was going to go with a Miller DS10 - good old Aussie engineering, and a friend had one I thought was awesome. I was convinced to go the Vinten route by posts on here and Chris's review. This feels like a step beyond.

I have limited experience with his DS10 but this feels much more solid, with more adjustment.

Mine has a floor spreader, as I was able to get that model cheap on ebay from a very helpful seller, and I think that'll come in use a lot for the corporate indoor stuff I do. I really like the floor spreader when setting up the tripod at minimum height with the spreader out at full extension. I'm looking forward to using it just that way in my car at some point, shooting with the tailgate open.

Mucked around with it a little, trying to get it setup (and failing, but it's ok - I suspect it'd be easier with a touch more weight). Putting it to work in a 2 day conference next week - looking forward to getting to put it to work properly!

Thanks for the help from everyone on here, it has helped immensely.