Tripod for Sony EX3 at DVinfo.net

Ofer Levy · August 2nd, 2008, 08:20 AM

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

Dean Harrington · August 2nd, 2008, 04:02 PM

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

David C. Williams · August 2nd, 2008, 06:09 PM

Try Miller. Australian made too :)

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

Dean Harrington · August 3rd, 2008, 02:04 AM

is always a good choice! Try the DS20 Solo.

Marten Dalfors · August 3rd, 2008, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ofer Levy

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.

Dean Harrington · August 3rd, 2008, 02:52 AM

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!

Marten Dalfors · August 3rd, 2008, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean Harrington

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

Ofer Levy · August 12th, 2008, 02:36 AM

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

Leonard Levy · August 12th, 2008, 09:15 PM

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

Ofer Levy · August 12th, 2008, 10:51 PM

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

Mike Beckett · August 13th, 2008, 01:50 AM

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.

Ofer Levy · August 13th, 2008, 03:14 AM

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

Leonard Levy · August 13th, 2008, 06:39 PM

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

Ofer Levy · August 14th, 2008, 05:19 AM

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

Larry Huntington · August 21st, 2008, 03:10 PM

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

August 2nd, 2008, 08:20 AM	#1
Ofer Levy Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sydney-Australia Posts: 443	Tripod for Sony EX3 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

August 2nd, 2008, 04:02 PM	#2
Dean Harrington Major Player Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tokyo Posts: 898	varizoom ... Zero Gravity head is something to look into and it's not expensive. Very interesting design, especially for nature work.

August 3rd, 2008, 02:04 AM	#4
Dean Harrington Major Player Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tokyo Posts: 898	Miller ... is always a good choice! Try the DS20 Solo.

August 3rd, 2008, 02:52 AM	#6
Dean Harrington Major Player Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tokyo Posts: 898	35mm adaptors ... 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!

August 12th, 2008, 02:36 AM	#8
Ofer Levy Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sydney-Australia Posts: 443	Miller Arrow 25 for the EX3 ? 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

August 2nd, 2008, 06:09 PM	#3
David C. Williams Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: melb.vic.au Posts: 447	Try Miller. Australian made too :) http://www.miller.com.au/

August 12th, 2008, 09:15 PM	#9
Leonard Levy Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: USA Posts: 1,684	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 Last edited by Leonard Levy; August 12th, 2008 at 10:53 PM.

August 12th, 2008, 10:51 PM	#10
Ofer Levy Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sydney-Australia Posts: 443	Thanks for that Leonard ! If you go through the review I am sure you will agree it looks a bit unbalanced.

August 13th, 2008, 01:50 AM	#11
Mike Beckett Trustee Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 1,569	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. __________________ Irish Railway Videos on Youtube

August 13th, 2008, 03:14 AM	#12
Ofer Levy Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sydney-Australia Posts: 443	Thanks for your comment Mike. I would love to hear a more serious review of someone who really owns and uses the Arrow 25.

August 13th, 2008, 06:39 PM	#13
Leonard Levy Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: USA Posts: 1,684	There are very positive things there about the Arrow 25 with an HVX200.

August 14th, 2008, 05:19 AM	#14
Ofer Levy Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sydney-Australia Posts: 443	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

August 21st, 2008, 03:10 PM	#15
Larry Huntington Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Grass Valley, California Posts: 350	Recommendations for Tripod/head for EX3? 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