Justin,
I, too, looked at the Sachtler DV8 as well as a Vinten Vision. I really wasn't thrilled with the Vision, which I thought would be in the lead. The DV8, however, was a very nice rig indeed. In the end, however, I decided that the fine drag settings of the DV8 would be a bit of overkill for my consistent load and general needs. The Miller's drag adjustments work just fine for my purposes.

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You are some crazy rich bastards. I just want a rig that feels comfortable in my hand (yes, I know what you're thinking). The main problem I have with my current one is that to pan and tilt with any smoothness, I have to loosen it to its maximum looseness (I'm sure there's a better way to say that), and then when I try to pan or tilt into a shot and hold it still, it of course shakes because it's super loose and I'm hunched over looking in the viewfinder. Now tell me, do I need to learn tripod xen, or is it really the rig?

I'm 23, working part time as a master controller, and don't see myself side by side with Lucas or Spielberg (or even Smithee) any time soon.

The Manfrotto 501 or 503 will certainly be much better than what you have and will probably meet your needs just fine. Of course, a little Zen never hurts, either. Go for it!

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Okay, what I'm now trying to find out is, is the 501 or 503 head compatible ith my sticks? I have the 3001n sticks, if anyone knows what they are (I promise they're real). It would be much cheaper to just buy a new head (150 or so for the 501, 250 for the 503. Someone help me!

Well, the 3001 sticks are pretty small actually... you can put a 501 head on them and it'll work, but it'll look kinda funny.

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Well if I cared how things looked, then I wouldn't go to my gigs in a pink thong with white fringe. Now, do those sticks support the head sufficiently? I don't mind spending more, I just don't want to do anything unnecessary.

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Also, I've been holding the pan arm on my tripod with one hand, while holding the other on the zoom rocker, making me hunch over to look into the viewfinder. I guess what you guys were saying is that it's better to set up two pan handles and an external monitor to make the setup emulate a studio camera. Perhaps this is why I don't feel at one with my tripod.

More importantly, you need a lens controller to clamp onto your tripod pan handle. When you can run zoom and focus etc. this way, it's much better than hunching over the camera. I prefer a VariZoom but any controller is better than none at all.

If the setup you are using is "ENG style" and the two-handled setup "Studio style", here's another alternative which you could call "EFP style": using a rear zoom control only (Chris recommends the VariZoom); this will allow you to use your left hand to work focus as needed. Since your body is still bracing the camera to a certain degree and your leverage is on both the front and back of the camera, this may help smooth out more stickiness present in the head than in the two-handled setup.

I will also echo the sentiment that you get what you pay for in a head. A solid performer of a head should allow you to move the camera with graceful, fluid strokes, gently letting you glide your moves to a stop and start up again without any bumps and sticking. Given enough skill, many inadequacies in a head can be minimized but the last thing you want to put your energy into is having to fight your shooting platform.

Lest you think the heads listed here are highway robbery--being an O'Connor fan, I have the 1060 which costs about the same as an XL1 but is worth every penny to me, and compatible with the quick release plate on my 2575 which goes out with me on film jobs.Now THAT particular head with its accessories cost in the five figures (zounds!)--but it is pretty much the last word in fluid heads! With either head, 0% of my mental energy goes into dealing with the head once the pan, tilt and counterweight is dialed in. And thus, grasshopper, you truly become one with the camera.

Thank you, Charles. Looks like Justin and I are now relieved of our informal titles of "...some crazy rich bastards" <g>. You now da man!

Yeah but--it's all about the sub-rentals and the business deductions, baby! I only buy these horrifically expensive things to rent 'em back to to production (well, I admit the DV gear is more of a hobby. How pathetic is that--the guy shoots for a living and then shoots for a hobby. I gotta get a life!)

And if you REALLY want to talk outrageous pricetags--I was fairly close to picking up an Arrihead this year. For those unfamiliar, that's a brand of geared head with the handwheels you see on behind the scenes footage from features, etc. That little puppy would have set me back some $30K, oucharooni! Decided against that one...

The trick these days is to own gear that can work on with format, since the industry is being shaken up so badly by the digital cameras. No-one wants to invest in the HD cameras since they are so obviously going to be outdated in a heartbeat, and everyone's trying to sell off their older film rigs as their future is limited. But regardless of format, we'll always need to mount them on something to shoot--hence my attraction to heads, Steadicams, remote heads etc.

Way off subject. Sorry.

love,

Crazy Rich Bastard

p.s. whoops, don't even know what I own--it's the O'Connor 1030, not 1060 as I mentioned before. They also have a DV model that only costs $2500 (!)

Charles, we could give you a custom title of "Crazy Rich Bastard" to replace "Major Player" but it would violate my decency standards. The rich part, not the bastard.

Ken, Chris, Charles -

I think the term is "camera poor". Or more importantly in the next year, "rapidly depreciating camera rich".

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Yes, well, I am all kinds of poor, so the less I spend right now the better. I am thinking in film (albeit highly independent and ones you may never ever ever ever see or even hear of) terms when I try to figure out my tripod setup. I would like at this point not to spend more than 500. When Tarentino gives me a call, then maybe I'll spend a little more.

Those of you thinking about purchasing a Miller, let me know. Firstly, I believe they are cheaper in Canada, and secondly, I can arrange a good price straight from the Canadian distributor. (That's because they love my business and the business I send their way.) My e-mail is: granit@imag.net (Vancouver).

Oh, and I don't take any "cuts." I'll just arrange things between them and you. (Frank, don't you have a life?)

One more thing..., Manfrotto products (Bogan in the US) are also cheaper up here. Yup. I can get you a deal on the 501 or 503 head, legs, etc, as well.

Not to rain on your parade, Frank, but wouldn't the shipping charges from up there kind of negate any sort of lower price? I know that stuff going up to Canada is slammed hard, isn't it the same way coming down?

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Yeah, what he said. Other than that, let me know these sweet Canadian deals.

Shipping costs are a tad more. Still, the Canadian distributer gets the Miller line directly from Australia and has a lower price structure than the US distributer. With Manfrotto it's the same scene. And, the distributer up here has high volume sales to the Vancouver film industry, so prices are not as bloated (as in the US). I just thought I'd throw you penny pinchers an option.

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Well, I am a certified penny pincher, and would like to know your price on a 501 or 503 head based rig, from manfrotto/bogen

Tell me exactly what you want, and I'll get you a price from Leo's Photo. If you don't know what you want, I'll suggest a set of legs and head. What video cam do you have?

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Canon XL1s, good sir. I guess quote me a price on a bogen/manfrotto 503 head-based rig, and on a 501 head-based rig as well. I'm open to suggestions, as well. Keep in mind, I'm not ready to buy at this time, and may not be for some time. So please don't go through too much trouble.

XL-1, okay. I would go for the 503 head. Your looking for legs too, right, when you say "rig."

You shouldn't consider the 501 for your cam.

I'll select some legs, then, and post you the price for each in a couple of days or so.

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Well, someone above had said that the 501 suited them just fine. I 'll defer to your judgement however.
Yes I do mean legs and head when I say rig.


Since we're at it, do those lower Canada prices apply to all video equipment? I want to get the 16x manual lens for the XL1s. The lowest I've found it for here is $1500.

Manfrotto and Miller products are usually cheaper, not lenses nor cams. We get shafted up here with cam prices and some US made products (like Porta-Brace).

The 501 head would be okay, but the 503 would be ideal.

Thanks anyway. Like I said, if you want, quote me price on a 503 head based tripod.

I suggest the Manfrotto 351 MV-B video legs with the Bogen 503 head. You will also need a spreader, which is inexpensive. There are 2 spreaders available, a mid-level, for outdoors, and the other for indoors: on flooring, carpet etc. I'll convert the prices for you on Monday, and compare them with say the B&H (total) price. I Think it's cheaper by about 18%. But with Miller, They are about 40% cheaper over here at Leo's (Vancouver), compared with a good USA price.

Much appreciated good sir. Like I said before, I won't be able to buy it for a while, so if this is any inconvenience to you, I order you to cease your blasted inquiries immediately!

You don't have to buy anything. I'm just suggesting what to buy for the XL-1 (in way of a tripod and head), and trying to find out the best place to buy it from, whether in Canada, or the USA. Manfrotto is a good option, good bang for the buck. Besides, I'm sure other members may find this information useful. And I do wnat to find out for myself, where to get the best deal on Manfrottos (if I were an American). I already know that Millers are a heck of a lot cheaper here, then there. Take care.

Groovy. Just wanted to be clear.

You said the Miller was 40 percent cheaper than in the US? Let me know if there's a good price on a miller tripod, as well.

Just contact www.leoscamera.com

They are also the distributer.

Do they have prices on the site? I looked, and just found specs on the gear.

Just e-mail or phone them.

Most sites that list prices are usually not up to date anyways, or they put list prices up and you have phone them or e-mail them for the actual prices. This includes places like B&H and Video Direct...Camera World etc. That's how the game is played.

Oy.

Camera World of Oregon has been recently "assimilated" by Ritz Camera. Don't know what that does to their previously good reputation, though. However the Camera World we knew has ceased to exist and is now just an asteroid belt.

That's news for me, Chris. Lot of guys I know take the fast train from Vancouver, British Columbia (or drive) down to Portland, just to visit and buy from Camera World!! It was a good place. I too hope it remains so.

Tripods for Canon XLS-1?
 

My question regards tripods. I was wondering what the best tripods for the Canon XLS are?

I've seen Canon offers a product called the Steady-Stick. It supplies support when shooting to give you that rock solid shot. It can broken down in size to allow for easy transportation. To anyone who has used this, is this as good as a tripod?

Any help on this topic is appreciated. Also indicate where I could purchase any of the products in the post.

If you do a search on TRIPODS you will find hundreds of posts on the subject. Tripods range from around $80 to several thousands and it all depends on what you want to do and the budget you have.

I've never used the Steady Stick so can't help you there, but Bogan/Manfrotto make some affordable quality tripods/fluid heads that are perfect for the XL

I bought a SteadyStick about two years ago and I love it. It is meant to be used when you want your handheld shots to look as if they were shot from a tripod. It is not a stabilization device such as a SteadiCam, again it is not meant to be used when running or walking around.

It allows you to shoot handheld all day long without fatigue, while keeping your shots steady like a tripod would. It does not replace a tripod however. I would keep a tripod close by (in the production vehicle or with an assistant) in case you find your shot requires a tripod.

The newest model allows you to take the camera off of the stick and mount immediately to your tripod. A very handy feature.

- don

When I was at NAB 2 years ago, I tried every
single tripod I could find ... dozens of them.

I bought a vinten vision 3 from B&H. About
$2K.

I also liked Sachtler and Libtec.

FWIW, I have a Bogen 3140 Combo Kit
and destest it (sorry to say;).