tripod with measurements at DVinfo.net

Stefan Day · August 1st, 2005, 11:17 PM

Im looking for tripods that will have measurements on them for returning to EXACT position lock-offs for return-later time lapses.

Any leads?

Stephanie Wilson · August 1st, 2005, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stefan Day

Im looking for tripods that will have measurements on them for returning to EXACT position lock-offs for return-later time lapses.

Any leads?

Stefan,

Could you please clarify your question? I'm sure there are many here who would like to help, but who don't understand what you are asking.

Please clarify your post and resend.

Thanks,

Steph

Dan Selakovich · August 2nd, 2005, 08:23 AM

I agree with Steph. It's a little unclear about what you are trying to do. If you're talking about setting up a shot, taking it down and returning the next day and want the exact same angle, that's near impossible.

Dan
www.DVcameraRigs.com

Frank Feijen · August 2nd, 2005, 02:09 PM

I know that this isn't an answer to your question but have you tought of this option:

Take a monitor along with you. Put something transparent over it, and draw the most significant lines on it (horizon, buildings, etc).

Also try to have certain keypoints (cupboard, streetlight, ets) in the corners of your viewfinder.

On the nex shoot, try to align everything as good as possible. This has given the best results so far.

K. Forman · August 2nd, 2005, 02:17 PM

He's looking for a tripod that has measuring tics on it, so that he can set the height and tilt the same. If nobody can recommend one, you may be able to do the same to an existing tripod, using an engraving pen and ruler.

Patrick King · August 2nd, 2005, 02:23 PM

Another option for a standard tripod might be to deploy the legs to maximum deflection, all the way to the physical stops (either first stage or second stage). That would produce a height exactly the same as the previous setup if placed on exactly the same level surface.

Stefan Day · August 10th, 2005, 10:15 AM

All your suggestions have been very helpful.

Yes, I was looking for a tripod with measurement 'ticks' so that I could strike the shot, and return the next day to get the exact same shot, angle, etc.... so that over the course of month I could capture the flow of plantlife, an area's erosion, etc.

The idea of putting a transparancy over the monitor was a GREAT idea. I actually thought of that too in the days since I last posted this. I was thinking about making little squares that would fit over my XL2's LCD.. since carrying a monitor and power out to my locations of interest is QUITE impracticle.

Making my own tickmarks on the tripod may be a helping thing.. yet,, not 'PERFECT' for measurement.. .. so if anyone has heard of a tripod with measurement 'ticks' I would be much abliged.

Steven Davis · August 10th, 2005, 10:56 AM

Since I'm kinda ghetto, you could to some success, take one of those white paint pens, preferably something latex and mark your heights and hinges. I like the engraving pen idea too, but I'd have to get a machine shop to do that, I'd destry my pod for sure.

Allen Brodsky · August 10th, 2005, 12:39 PM

Stefan,
The Sony PD170s, among other Sony cams, allow you to superimpose a still image over what you are taping. The image has to be on a Memory Stick, inserted in the cam. If the XL2 has a similar feature, you might be able to create a still reference image of some sort for use in aligning your shots every day.

Stefan Day · August 19th, 2005, 01:34 PM

interesting. Is there anyone out there in the XL2 world that knows how to do this? superimpose an image from the memory card over top of the viewfinder. Even if that works though, the process would still require a bit of time and 'finness' .. Im still hunting for the 'sticks with ticks'.

August 1st, 2005, 11:17 PM	#1
Stefan Day Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Location: Rhinebeck, New York Posts: 57	tripod with measurements Im looking for tripods that will have measurements on them for returning to EXACT position lock-offs for return-later time lapses. Any leads? __________________ wooohoooo! let's make some movie!

August 2nd, 2005, 02:17 PM	#5
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	He's looking for a tripod that has measuring tics on it, so that he can set the height and tilt the same. If nobody can recommend one, you may be able to do the same to an existing tripod, using an engraving pen and ruler. __________________ www.SmokeWagonLeather.us

August 2nd, 2005, 02:23 PM	#6
Patrick King Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Enterprise, AL Posts: 857	Another option for a standard tripod might be to deploy the legs to maximum deflection, all the way to the physical stops (either first stage or second stage). That would produce a height exactly the same as the previous setup if placed on exactly the same level surface. __________________ Fear No Weevil!

August 10th, 2005, 10:15 AM	#7
Stefan Day Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Location: Rhinebeck, New York Posts: 57	All your suggestions have been very helpful. Yes, I was looking for a tripod with measurement 'ticks' so that I could strike the shot, and return the next day to get the exact same shot, angle, etc.... so that over the course of month I could capture the flow of plantlife, an area's erosion, etc. The idea of putting a transparancy over the monitor was a GREAT idea. I actually thought of that too in the days since I last posted this. I was thinking about making little squares that would fit over my XL2's LCD.. since carrying a monitor and power out to my locations of interest is QUITE impracticle. Making my own tickmarks on the tripod may be a helping thing.. yet,, not 'PERFECT' for measurement.. .. so if anyone has heard of a tripod with measurement 'ticks' I would be much abliged. __________________ wooohoooo! let's make some movie!

August 10th, 2005, 10:56 AM	#8
Steven Davis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,065	Since I'm kinda ghetto, you could to some success, take one of those white paint pens, preferably something latex and mark your heights and hinges. I like the engraving pen idea too, but I'd have to get a machine shop to do that, I'd destry my pod for sure. __________________ What happens if I push the 'Red' button?

August 2nd, 2005, 08:23 AM	#3
Dan Selakovich Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 220	I agree with Steph. It's a little unclear about what you are trying to do. If you're talking about setting up a shot, taking it down and returning the next day and want the exact same angle, that's near impossible. Dan www.DVcameraRigs.com

August 2nd, 2005, 02:09 PM	#4
Frank Feijen Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Brussels - Belgium Posts: 36	I know that this isn't an answer to your question but have you tought of this option: Take a monitor along with you. Put something transparent over it, and draw the most significant lines on it (horizon, buildings, etc). Also try to have certain keypoints (cupboard, streetlight, ets) in the corners of your viewfinder. On the nex shoot, try to align everything as good as possible. This has given the best results so far.

August 10th, 2005, 12:39 PM	#9
Allen Brodsky Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Eatontown, NJ Posts: 118	Stefan, The Sony PD170s, among other Sony cams, allow you to superimpose a still image over what you are taping. The image has to be on a Memory Stick, inserted in the cam. If the XL2 has a similar feature, you might be able to create a still reference image of some sort for use in aligning your shots every day.

August 19th, 2005, 01:34 PM	#10
Stefan Day Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Location: Rhinebeck, New York Posts: 57	interesting. Is there anyone out there in the XL2 world that knows how to do this? superimpose an image from the memory card over top of the viewfinder. Even if that works though, the process would still require a bit of time and 'finness' .. Im still hunting for the 'sticks with ticks'. __________________ wooohoooo! let's make some movie!