Midrange tripod

Jay Gladwell · July 25th, 2002, 12:13 PM

LOL

You're right Jeff! Here in Florida I've left a few pounds of flesh on a tripod here and there. I've often wondered why they don't make more camera equipment white, to reflect the heat. The only thing I can come with is they use black to reduce light reflection.

Jeff Donald · July 25th, 2002, 12:19 PM

I do a lot of outdoor, wildlife work and thats why I sold my Sachtler and bought the Vinten, they are light grey. I miss my Sachtler, for the money, they are the best in my book.

Jeff

Jay Gladwell · July 25th, 2002, 12:47 PM

I forgot to mention, with the advent of burnt hands, I have resorted to carrying a white towel in my tripod case (it's wrapped in it actually). When in the sun and not shooting, I drape the towel over the camera and tripod to keep the sun and heat away from both. My hands sure do appreciate it.

Josh Bass · July 25th, 2002, 01:43 PM

Good tip about the black. Ours was grey. Perhaps you're right. . .when I was doing those pans, I tried to apply a consistent amount or pressure to the pan arm, letting the fluid drag be my resistance. When I looked at it on a TV, the pan would be smooth, then speed up for like half a second, then back to smooth, etc. It was very consistent, though. . .every so many seconds my speed would change like clockwork. Maybe it was my weight shifting? Any tips for wider than 90 degree pans? I did a 180 and it sucked.

Jay Gladwell · July 25th, 2002, 01:51 PM

You're right, anything beyond 90 degrees is very difficult, at least it is for me if I'm glued to the view finder tripping over the tripod legs. When time permits, I usually rehearse pans and tilts and adjust my stance accordingly--still nothing is guaranteed.

I guess if one had a monitor and watched it while panning, it wouldn't be such an issue. Like my barber says, "Cutting hair would be a breeze if ears were removable." ;o)

Josh Bass · July 25th, 2002, 02:48 PM

Yeah, I have a camera mountable monitor, but it goes with the camera! In other words, when it gets beyond a certain point, I can't look into it, either.

But at least I know it's not just me. Does anyone know a place in Houston that stocks a lot of tripods that I could try? I won't buy from them, because of my overwhelming love for Chris Hurd (I'll buy from ZGC), so I need a place that won't harass me too much. I know of Industrial Audio & Video, and Visual Interactive Dynamics. I'd rather not rent a tripod either. I'd just like to try some out with my camera in a showroom or something.

Paul Sedillo · July 25th, 2002, 05:09 PM

Josh,

The only place that I know of is the Camer supply place on Richmond. There is also the Camera Co-Op on Shepard and Richmond. Your best bet is to go to ZGC or "gasp" --- don't read this Chris --- B&H. Those are about the only places that I would go.

Ah! I just thought of another Houston place that will have tripods. Try TexCam of Houston (http://www.texcam.com/). They should be able to meet your needs.

Ken Tanaka · July 25th, 2002, 09:26 PM

My 2-cents. Vintens, Sachtlers and O'Connors are excellent tripods/heads. But they've really earned their reputations enduring more abuse, and supporting much heavier loads, than most amatuer and semi-pro videographers would ever subject their gear to.

I spent several months searching for a good tripod for field use (I have a separate rig for indoor/studio work) and empathize with anyone else on such a mission. Ultimately I selected a Miller DS-10 system with a mid-level spreader (ground spreaders are an unnecessary pain). In brief, the DS-10 offered the best combination of weight, head quality, and general design for my XL1s. (It was actually designed specifically with the XL1 in mind, according to Miller.) It even comes with a nicely designed carrying case and features a shoulder strap on both the case and the tripod. So, for you XL1/1s shooters I heartily recommend looking at the DS-10. Miller has even recently lowered its price...of course AFTER I bought mine.

Josh Bass · July 25th, 2002, 09:28 PM

Thanks for the advice fellers. And this DS10 . . .what's its current price?

Frank Granovski · July 25th, 2002, 09:51 PM

O'Connors are the best!

Ken Tanaka · July 25th, 2002, 11:14 PM

Josh: The DS-10 will currently run about US$1,100, down from US$1,600.

Frank: No contest that O'Connors certainly have a stellar reputation for both performance and service. But spending US$3,200-US$10,000 for systems designed to support 18-65lbs would be absurd overkill for the class of cameras that most of us work with. The right tool for the right job.

Josh Bass · July 26th, 2002, 03:51 PM

That DV-4 Sachtler is listed at $850 or so in my B&H catalogue, and there's a miller listed at a similar price. . .which means I can probably get a better price from ZGC.

Frank Granovski · July 26th, 2002, 07:25 PM

Ken,

Yeah I know---costly! But sometimes you can find great deals on e-bay. Anyways, that's why I suggest Manfrottos and Millers---and to buy them in Canada. Cheap!

Josh Bass · July 26th, 2002, 08:00 PM

Canada eh? Perhaps that's something to think aboot.

Frank Granovski · July 26th, 2002, 11:30 PM

For some reason the Manfrottos (Bogens) are cheaper here. And The Australian made Millers are even cheaper, like about 40%, when compared with what they go for in the USA. Just check my site for connections:

www.dvfreak.com

(I hope I'm not out of line here, Chris.)

July 25th, 2002, 01:43 PM	#19
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Good tip about the black. Ours was grey. Perhaps you're right. . .when I was doing those pans, I tried to apply a consistent amount or pressure to the pan arm, letting the fluid drag be my resistance. When I looked at it on a TV, the pan would be smooth, then speed up for like half a second, then back to smooth, etc. It was very consistent, though. . .every so many seconds my speed would change like clockwork. Maybe it was my weight shifting? Any tips for wider than 90 degree pans? I did a 180 and it sucked. __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

July 25th, 2002, 02:48 PM	#21
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Yeah, I have a camera mountable monitor, but it goes with the camera! In other words, when it gets beyond a certain point, I can't look into it, either. But at least I know it's not just me. Does anyone know a place in Houston that stocks a lot of tripods that I could try? I won't buy from them, because of my overwhelming love for Chris Hurd (I'll buy from ZGC), so I need a place that won't harass me too much. I know of Industrial Audio & Video, and Visual Interactive Dynamics. I'd rather not rent a tripod either. I'd just like to try some out with my camera in a showroom or something. __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

July 25th, 2002, 05:09 PM	#22
Paul Sedillo Major Player Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 607	Josh, The only place that I know of is the Camer supply place on Richmond. There is also the Camera Co-Op on Shepard and Richmond. Your best bet is to go to ZGC or "gasp" --- don't read this Chris --- B&H. Those are about the only places that I would go. Ah! I just thought of another Houston place that will have tripods. Try TexCam of Houston (http://www.texcam.com/). They should be able to meet your needs. __________________ Paul Sedillo Image::Studio http://www.image-studio.com Houston, Texas

July 25th, 2002, 09:26 PM	#23
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	My 2-cents. Vintens, Sachtlers and O'Connors are excellent tripods/heads. But they've really earned their reputations enduring more abuse, and supporting much heavier loads, than most amatuer and semi-pro videographers would ever subject their gear to. I spent several months searching for a good tripod for field use (I have a separate rig for indoor/studio work) and empathize with anyone else on such a mission. Ultimately I selected a Miller DS-10 system with a mid-level spreader (ground spreaders are an unnecessary pain). In brief, the DS-10 offered the best combination of weight, head quality, and general design for my XL1s. (It was actually designed specifically with the XL1 in mind, according to Miller.) It even comes with a nicely designed carrying case and features a shoulder strap on both the case and the tripod. So, for you XL1/1s shooters I heartily recommend looking at the DS-10. Miller has even recently lowered its price...of course AFTER I bought mine. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

July 25th, 2002, 09:28 PM	#24
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Thanks for the advice fellers. And this DS10 . . .what's its current price? __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

July 25th, 2002, 12:13 PM	#16
Jay Gladwell Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,244	LOL You're right Jeff! Here in Florida I've left a few pounds of flesh on a tripod here and there. I've often wondered why they don't make more camera equipment white, to reflect the heat. The only thing I can come with is they use black to reduce light reflection.

July 25th, 2002, 12:19 PM	#17
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	I do a lot of outdoor, wildlife work and thats why I sold my Sachtler and bought the Vinten, they are light grey. I miss my Sachtler, for the money, they are the best in my book. Jeff

July 25th, 2002, 12:47 PM	#18
Jay Gladwell Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,244	I forgot to mention, with the advent of burnt hands, I have resorted to carrying a white towel in my tripod case (it's wrapped in it actually). When in the sun and not shooting, I drape the towel over the camera and tripod to keep the sun and heat away from both. My hands sure do appreciate it.

July 25th, 2002, 01:51 PM	#20
Jay Gladwell Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,244	You're right, anything beyond 90 degrees is very difficult, at least it is for me if I'm glued to the view finder tripping over the tripod legs. When time permits, I usually rehearse pans and tilts and adjust my stance accordingly--still nothing is guaranteed. I guess if one had a monitor and watched it while panning, it wouldn't be such an issue. Like my barber says, "Cutting hair would be a breeze if ears were removable." ;o)

July 25th, 2002, 09:51 PM	#25
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	O'Connors are the best!

July 25th, 2002, 11:14 PM	#26
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Josh: The DS-10 will currently run about US$1,100, down from US$1,600. Frank: No contest that O'Connors certainly have a stellar reputation for both performance and service. But spending US$3,200-US$10,000 for systems designed to support 18-65lbs would be absurd overkill for the class of cameras that most of us work with. The right tool for the right job. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

July 26th, 2002, 03:51 PM	#27
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	That DV-4 Sachtler is listed at $850 or so in my B&H catalogue, and there's a miller listed at a similar price. . .which means I can probably get a better price from ZGC. __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

July 26th, 2002, 07:25 PM	#28
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Ken, Yeah I know---costly! But sometimes you can find great deals on e-bay. Anyways, that's why I suggest Manfrottos and Millers---and to buy them in Canada. Cheap!

July 26th, 2002, 08:00 PM	#29
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Canada eh? Perhaps that's something to think aboot. __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

July 26th, 2002, 11:30 PM	#30
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	For some reason the Manfrottos (Bogens) are cheaper here. And The Australian made Millers are even cheaper, like about 40%, when compared with what they go for in the USA. Just check my site for connections: www.dvfreak.com (I hope I'm not out of line here, Chris.)