Lightweight tripod / fluid head combination for low level use at DVinfo.net

Alastair Traill · April 30th, 2009, 08:16 PM

I have an in interest in natural history recording and a portable tripod set-up can be very useful. This combination weighs just under 2 kg and can be used from ground level to about 60 cm. The tubes telescope into one another for storage and transport. As the head mounts to the side the tilt axis can be aligned with the camera’s centre of gravity. Thus no balance springs are required making it possible to reduce the weight and size of the fluid head. Side mounting makes it possible to use the camera very close to the ground as shown. It can also be used in a more normal mode. The pan/tilt handle is the thin white nylon rod, the flexibilty of the rod is a vital aid to smooth pans in such a light set-up. A potential drawback of this design is that panning changes the distance between camera and subject, the effect being more important the closer the subject distance. Even though I can use the full focal length of the PD 150 at 15 cm I have not been bothered by this effect.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/attachmen...1&d=1241143393

Denis OKeefe · April 30th, 2009, 09:23 PM

These tripod heads are interesting, I've used the varizoom ZG, but yours are much smaller, apparently without sacrificing anything. Are these commercially available, or are you making them in your own shop?

April 30th, 2009, 08:16 PM	#1
Alastair Traill Major Player Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 626	Lightweight tripod / fluid head combination for low level use I have an in interest in natural history recording and a portable tripod set-up can be very useful. This combination weighs just under 2 kg and can be used from ground level to about 60 cm. The tubes telescope into one another for storage and transport. As the head mounts to the side the tilt axis can be aligned with the camera’s centre of gravity. Thus no balance springs are required making it possible to reduce the weight and size of the fluid head. Side mounting makes it possible to use the camera very close to the ground as shown. It can also be used in a more normal mode. The pan/tilt handle is the thin white nylon rod, the flexibilty of the rod is a vital aid to smooth pans in such a light set-up. A potential drawback of this design is that panning changes the distance between camera and subject, the effect being more important the closer the subject distance. Even though I can use the full focal length of the PD 150 at 15 cm I have not been bothered by this effect. http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/attachmen...1&d=1241143393 Attached Thumbnails

April 30th, 2009, 09:23 PM	#2
Denis OKeefe Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wayne, PA Posts: 207	nice work Alistair These tripod heads are interesting, I've used the varizoom ZG, but yours are much smaller, apparently without sacrificing anything. Are these commercially available, or are you making them in your own shop?