Tripod for Canon XL1s at DVinfo.net

David Chavarria · January 30th, 2003, 04:20 PM

What kind of tripod does anyone use? I've looked at some but don't know if it will work with the XL1s, not knowing if the attachement is different or not. One would think that there's a standard, but I'm not certain of that.
I've also wanted to get an attachment to be able to roll a tripod, but don't know if it's worth it. It's really only for one specific shot, I could probably use it for a couple other kind of shots too...

Bill Ravens · January 30th, 2003, 04:48 PM

I'm using a Manfrotto 3246 with a 501 head...I LOVE it!!
Very stable, nice silky panning, quick release platform...and not too heavy.

Simon Plissi · January 30th, 2003, 06:42 PM

I'm very pleased with my Cartoni Action Pro. Very quick and easy to set up with no annoying, fiddly bits. Nice padded case too.

Nathan Gifford · January 31st, 2003, 11:07 AM

I'm using the 503 head. One other item well worth getting is half ball leveler. It costs about $80 USD and makes leveling a snap.

Steve Leone · February 9th, 2003, 09:28 AM

I just bought a bogen/manfrotto 3283B-501......surprisingly nice for a modest $550....2 stage sticks with 75 mm ball reciever and bottom spreader, which is my preference, 501 head, which is good to about 11 lbs...very smooth action...only downside: fluid drag but no dial in counter balance. But for a low weight setup like an XL-1 or PD150 its probably overkill, and wont be a problem. This kit is being discontinued, so whatever is out there, thats all there is. I guess Bogen is going with the new ART series, which is Carbon Fibre....very nice sticks, for under a grand, also worth looking at, but obviously, way more costly than the aluminum 3283 series. the kit included the head, sticks, spreader, sliding quick release camera plate, 75mm ball adapter and a decent padded case....at B&H...they still have a bunch of them in inventory....I did a lot of looking, and for under $600, this was the best deal by far......sticks were better than Libecs in my estimation, or the Daiwas for that matter.....more torsional rigidity, so you can crank up the drag on a windy day with impunity.....

Derrick Begin · February 9th, 2003, 06:30 PM

David,

I use the same as Bill. It works very well and is solid.

I added a Bogen autodolly, recently.

Cheers!

Derrick

Dylan Couper · February 10th, 2003, 12:08 AM

I've used both the Manfrotto 501 head, and the 503 head. The 503 head is worth the extra money, IMHO.

John Threat · February 11th, 2003, 05:02 AM

I rock the 510 Bogen head with the 3190 Chrome sticks,

Robert J. Wolff · February 14th, 2003, 08:39 AM

I have been using the Bogen/Manfrotto ARTS fiber TP, with the 516 head.

Quite sturdy, but light.

Expensive. But worth it. Especially when using it with a long lens.

Matt Betea · February 17th, 2003, 01:06 AM

Robert-
how do you find the 516 head working? it seems like a nice head and with some decent sticks, won't break the bank either. i'm just wondering about the counterbalancing on it. i've heard that a head that can support too much weight is just as bad as one that can't support enough. what kind of setup(camera+accessories) do you use with this? thank you and look forward to your response.

matt

Alex Portugal · February 17th, 2003, 01:13 AM

I use the Bogen 3246 and 501 and feel great with it's results.

Derrick what Bogan auto dolly and how is it workin for you?

February 17th, 2003, 11:35 PM

I use a Libec 50 - Libec is Japan's top video tripod designer - they have done a horrible job of marketing in the U.S., but I love the 50 with the XL1s. The stix are solid enough not to transfer torque from the head - this can cause a 'spring-back' on crappy systems - something to watch out for...

Frank Granovski · February 17th, 2003, 11:47 PM

There's always used O'Connors around. E-bay is a good place to look but just be damn careful who you deal with.

Robert J. Wolff · February 23rd, 2003, 08:39 AM

Sorry to get back to you so late, Matt. I just returned from 2 days at @ -38?F. The performance of the head is more than satisfactory. Approaching the level of the much higher priced heads of the TV nets.

The ballance system works perfectly with the XL-1s, with either the 16:1 or my long lens. I am using the 100-400mm Canon lens on the head with a Plong plate for extra ballance leverage, on my Bogen/Manfrotto ARTS fiber TP. The Plong plate gives me that added "edge", when shoting on steep terain. Attached to the system are the usual multible battery pack, for extended recording. Plus, an RF Mike, and, the usual filter'(s).

For the most part, I do not use lights in wildlife taping, unless the subject is quite close. Experimenting with them back at my residence for ballance, I can use the long lense + a light with no problem.

The ARTS TP mentioned above, in combination with the 516, is the best outfit that I have had the pleasure to use, in a bunch of years. Reasonably light, compared to other combo's that I have used. Obviously, a great consern, when traveling in off road conditions on snowshoes.

Robert J. Wolff · February 23rd, 2003, 08:52 AM

Opps! Sorry, Matt. I forgot to answer you on the subject of how much the head can take. My best guestimate for my equipment, (listed in my previous message), is a total weight with winter "clothes" on the camera, of 14+ lbs. The centering spring is fixed at 16.5 lbs. The 516 is good for weights up to 22 Lbs, according to Bogen.

I would guess that I am looking at a total weight of around 20 lbs. with lights.

That's the best that I can say, untill I do some in doors shoots.

January 30th, 2003, 04:20 PM	#1
David Chavarria New Boot Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas Posts: 10	Tripod for Canon XL1s What kind of tripod does anyone use? I've looked at some but don't know if it will work with the XL1s, not knowing if the attachement is different or not. One would think that there's a standard, but I'm not certain of that. I've also wanted to get an attachment to be able to roll a tripod, but don't know if it's worth it. It's really only for one specific shot, I could probably use it for a couple other kind of shots too...

January 31st, 2003, 11:07 AM	#4
Nathan Gifford Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tickfaw, LA Posts: 1,217	I'm using the 503 head. One other item well worth getting is half ball leveler. It costs about $80 USD and makes leveling a snap. __________________ Nathan Gifford Southern Cyclist Magazine & Productions For quick answers try our Search! To see me and Rob Lohman click here

February 9th, 2003, 09:28 AM	#5
Steve Leone Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 116	re: tripod/head I just bought a bogen/manfrotto 3283B-501......surprisingly nice for a modest $550....2 stage sticks with 75 mm ball reciever and bottom spreader, which is my preference, 501 head, which is good to about 11 lbs...very smooth action...only downside: fluid drag but no dial in counter balance. But for a low weight setup like an XL-1 or PD150 its probably overkill, and wont be a problem. This kit is being discontinued, so whatever is out there, thats all there is. I guess Bogen is going with the new ART series, which is Carbon Fibre....very nice sticks, for under a grand, also worth looking at, but obviously, way more costly than the aluminum 3283 series. the kit included the head, sticks, spreader, sliding quick release camera plate, 75mm ball adapter and a decent padded case....at B&H...they still have a bunch of them in inventory....I did a lot of looking, and for under $600, this was the best deal by far......sticks were better than Libecs in my estimation, or the Daiwas for that matter.....more torsional rigidity, so you can crank up the drag on a windy day with impunity..... __________________ Omens carry only as much weight as we choose to assign them.

February 9th, 2003, 06:30 PM	#6
Derrick Begin Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New York Posts: 329	*** * 3246 and the 501 * *** David, I use the same as Bill. It works very well and is solid. I added a Bogen autodolly, recently. Cheers! Derrick

February 14th, 2003, 08:39 AM	#9
Robert J. Wolff Major Player Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Adirondacks of New York Posts: 210	Tripod for Canon XL-1s I have been using the Bogen/Manfrotto ARTS fiber TP, with the 516 head. Quite sturdy, but light. Expensive. But worth it. Especially when using it with a long lens. __________________ Himself

January 30th, 2003, 04:48 PM	#2
Bill Ravens Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: santa fe, nm Posts: 3,264 Images: 10	I'm using a Manfrotto 3246 with a 501 head...I LOVE it!! Very stable, nice silky panning, quick release platform...and not too heavy.

January 30th, 2003, 06:42 PM	#3
Simon Plissi Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 105	I'm very pleased with my Cartoni Action Pro. Very quick and easy to set up with no annoying, fiddly bits. Nice padded case too.

February 10th, 2003, 12:08 AM	#7
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	I've used both the Manfrotto 501 head, and the 503 head. The 503 head is worth the extra money, IMHO.

February 11th, 2003, 05:02 AM	#8
John Threat Major Player Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New York Posts: 322	I rock the 510 Bogen head with the 3190 Chrome sticks,

February 17th, 2003, 01:06 AM	#10
Matt Betea Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: detroit, mi Posts: 187	Robert- how do you find the 516 head working? it seems like a nice head and with some decent sticks, won't break the bank either. i'm just wondering about the counterbalancing on it. i've heard that a head that can support too much weight is just as bad as one that can't support enough. what kind of setup(camera+accessories) do you use with this? thank you and look forward to your response. matt

February 17th, 2003, 01:13 AM	#11
Alex Portugal New Boot Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Brooklyn NY Posts: 22	I use the Bogen 3246 and 501 and feel great with it's results. Derrick what Bogan auto dolly and how is it workin for you? __________________ You Are What You Produce

February 17th, 2003, 11:35 PM	#12
Guest Posts: n/a	I use a Libec 50 - Libec is Japan's top video tripod designer - they have done a horrible job of marketing in the U.S., but I love the 50 with the XL1s. The stix are solid enough not to transfer torque from the head - this can cause a 'spring-back' on crappy systems - something to watch out for...

February 17th, 2003, 11:47 PM	#13
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	There's always used O'Connors around. E-bay is a good place to look but just be damn careful who you deal with.

February 23rd, 2003, 08:39 AM	#14
Robert J. Wolff Major Player Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Adirondacks of New York Posts: 210	516 Head Sorry to get back to you so late, Matt. I just returned from 2 days at @ -38?F. The performance of the head is more than satisfactory. Approaching the level of the much higher priced heads of the TV nets. The ballance system works perfectly with the XL-1s, with either the 16:1 or my long lens. I am using the 100-400mm Canon lens on the head with a Plong plate for extra ballance leverage, on my Bogen/Manfrotto ARTS fiber TP. The Plong plate gives me that added "edge", when shoting on steep terain. Attached to the system are the usual multible battery pack, for extended recording. Plus, an RF Mike, and, the usual filter'(s). For the most part, I do not use lights in wildlife taping, unless the subject is quite close. Experimenting with them back at my residence for ballance, I can use the long lense + a light with no problem. The ARTS TP mentioned above, in combination with the 516, is the best outfit that I have had the pleasure to use, in a bunch of years. Reasonably light, compared to other combo's that I have used. Obviously, a great consern, when traveling in off road conditions on snowshoes. __________________ Himself

February 23rd, 2003, 08:52 AM	#15
Robert J. Wolff Major Player Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Adirondacks of New York Posts: 210	516 Head Opps! Sorry, Matt. I forgot to answer you on the subject of how much the head can take. My best guestimate for my equipment, (listed in my previous message), is a total weight with winter "clothes" on the camera, of 14+ lbs. The centering spring is fixed at 16.5 lbs. The 516 is good for weights up to 22 Lbs, according to Bogen. I would guess that I am looking at a total weight of around 20 lbs. with lights. That's the best that I can say, untill I do some in doors shoots. __________________ Himself