Reccomendations for Tripod - Xl-1s+mini35/teleprompter at DVinfo.net

Dave Frank · October 28th, 2004, 10:30 AM

Hi, I am currently in need of a tripod system to use with my Xl-1s. At the moment I have a mini35 system which attaches to it. I won't have it for much longer, but it is still an issue now. I also sometimes have shoots which involve a teleprompter. In both these situations, I need a much sturdier tripod. Right now I am just borrowing a friends set of sticks. He has a Bogen 501 head on it. The 501 just doesn't cut it. My camera doesn't fall, but I am always worried about it. It seems to creep.

I would like to put together a set of legs and a head. I don't care about brands that much. I do know that I trust Bogen, Vinten, and Miller though.

I am trying to spend under a grand for the pair. Right now I am looking at Vinten legs(3775-3 ENG Aluminum 1-Stage Pozi-Loc) and the Bogen head (505 Multi-Spring Pro Video Head).

Any suggestions? Thanks!

Ken Tanaka · October 28th, 2004, 11:46 AM

For the type of variable loads you indicated I would strongly consider a Vinten Vision 3. You can buy different counterbalance springs relatively inexpensively to accommodate extreme load changes.

Dave Frank · October 28th, 2004, 12:59 PM

I would love to get the Vision 3, but the price is just really high. $1000 for just a head is pushing it for me. You mentioned it can use interchangeable springs. On B+H I saw it listed for 950 for no springs and 970 for the head and the strongest spring. So why not get it with spring 10 for 20 bucks more? It can hold 22lbs. But anyway, it is a little pricey. Any other good alternatives. If there really aren't I guess I will have to fork over the $.

Ken Tanaka · October 28th, 2004, 02:05 PM

A Sachtler DV-6 would be a somewhat less-expensive, and less flexible, alternative.

Dave Frank · October 28th, 2004, 06:14 PM

The Sachtler DV-6 is actually much more expensive. About 500 bucks more, according to B+H.

Ken Tanaka · October 28th, 2004, 08:27 PM

No, not actually, although the price spread is less than I thought. The DV-6 can be had for around $1,700, the Vision 3 for $1,850. (I had a price of around $2,200 in mind for the latter, but forgot that I got the carbon fiber legs for mine, which bumped the price quite a bit.)

Truly good support for the loads you describe will run at least $1,200-$1,300 new. Keep you eye on our classifieds section and on eBay for used deals, as good rigs do come up for sale occasionally.

Mike Rehmus · October 28th, 2004, 09:40 PM

I just bought an OConnor 35A tripod and 515 head for $600 on ebay. Missing about $400 worth of parts but all are available from OConnor. OConnor sells essentially the same units under slightly different names for about $4700 today.

The whole package works very well with my DSR-300 which with softbox light is about as weighty as the rig you want to support.

These types of bargains are available. At the same time there was a Vinten Vision 3 that went for around $1400 but it was virtually new.

Jacques Mersereau · October 31st, 2004, 06:56 PM

You mean you have the PS technik adapter and the Vinten is TOO expensive?
Come on brother! ;0

Buy it once and never look back.

Dave Frank · October 31st, 2004, 08:04 PM

Ya, but I am selling my mini35 in a month. It was an investment in which I plan to get a nice return. :)

Ed Liew · November 3rd, 2004, 07:44 PM

hi dave,
i saw a listing of vinten vision 3 tripod with a few counter balance springs on ebay just a few day ago. pretty good price and from the pics, look clean. maybe you can check it out.

ed

Dave Frank · November 3rd, 2004, 10:26 PM

Thanks Ed, I guess ebay is the place.

October 28th, 2004, 10:30 AM	#1
Dave Frank Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 244	Reccomendations for Tripod - Xl-1s+mini35/teleprompter Hi, I am currently in need of a tripod system to use with my Xl-1s. At the moment I have a mini35 system which attaches to it. I won't have it for much longer, but it is still an issue now. I also sometimes have shoots which involve a teleprompter. In both these situations, I need a much sturdier tripod. Right now I am just borrowing a friends set of sticks. He has a Bogen 501 head on it. The 501 just doesn't cut it. My camera doesn't fall, but I am always worried about it. It seems to creep. I would like to put together a set of legs and a head. I don't care about brands that much. I do know that I trust Bogen, Vinten, and Miller though. I am trying to spend under a grand for the pair. Right now I am looking at Vinten legs(3775-3 ENG Aluminum 1-Stage Pozi-Loc) and the Bogen head (505 Multi-Spring Pro Video Head). Any suggestions? Thanks! __________________ http://www.sleeptightmovie.com

October 28th, 2004, 11:46 AM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	For the type of variable loads you indicated I would strongly consider a Vinten Vision 3. You can buy different counterbalance springs relatively inexpensively to accommodate extreme load changes. __________________ 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

October 28th, 2004, 12:59 PM	#3
Dave Frank Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 244	I would love to get the Vision 3, but the price is just really high. $1000 for just a head is pushing it for me. You mentioned it can use interchangeable springs. On B+H I saw it listed for 950 for no springs and 970 for the head and the strongest spring. So why not get it with spring 10 for 20 bucks more? It can hold 22lbs. But anyway, it is a little pricey. Any other good alternatives. If there really aren't I guess I will have to fork over the $. __________________ http://www.sleeptightmovie.com

October 28th, 2004, 02:05 PM	#4
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	A Sachtler DV-6 would be a somewhat less-expensive, and less flexible, alternative. __________________ 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

October 28th, 2004, 06:14 PM	#5
Dave Frank Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 244	The Sachtler DV-6 is actually much more expensive. About 500 bucks more, according to B+H. __________________ http://www.sleeptightmovie.com

October 28th, 2004, 08:27 PM	#6
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	No, not actually, although the price spread is less than I thought. The DV-6 can be had for around $1,700, the Vision 3 for $1,850. (I had a price of around $2,200 in mind for the latter, but forgot that I got the carbon fiber legs for mine, which bumped the price quite a bit.) Truly good support for the loads you describe will run at least $1,200-$1,300 new. Keep you eye on our classifieds section and on eBay for used deals, as good rigs do come up for sale occasionally. __________________ 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

October 28th, 2004, 09:40 PM	#7
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	I just bought an OConnor 35A tripod and 515 head for $600 on ebay. Missing about $400 worth of parts but all are available from OConnor. OConnor sells essentially the same units under slightly different names for about $4700 today. The whole package works very well with my DSR-300 which with softbox light is about as weighty as the rig you want to support. These types of bargains are available. At the same time there was a Vinten Vision 3 that went for around $1400 but it was virtually new. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

October 31st, 2004, 06:56 PM	#8
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	You mean you have the PS technik adapter and the Vinten is TOO expensive? Come on brother! ;0 Buy it once and never look back. __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager

October 31st, 2004, 08:04 PM	#9
Dave Frank Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 244	Ya, but I am selling my mini35 in a month. It was an investment in which I plan to get a nice return. :) __________________ http://www.sleeptightmovie.com

November 3rd, 2004, 07:44 PM	#10
Ed Liew Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Malaysia Posts: 226	hi dave, i saw a listing of vinten vision 3 tripod with a few counter balance springs on ebay just a few day ago. pretty good price and from the pics, look clean. maybe you can check it out. ed

November 3rd, 2004, 10:26 PM	#11
Dave Frank Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 244	Thanks Ed, I guess ebay is the place. __________________ http://www.sleeptightmovie.com