Tripod recommendations for the Canon XL2

Allan Legarth Nielsen · September 29th, 2005, 10:39 AM

I have the 501, and I have no problems with it, works fantastic for my XL2.

Mike Teutsch · September 29th, 2005, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allan Legarth Nielsen

I have the 501, and I have no problems with it, works fantastic for my XL2.

Try tilting it forward more than a few degrees! The 503 is a minimum.

Mike

Ty Ford · September 29th, 2005, 04:13 PM

503 and what>

525 MVB or 542ART

Regards,

Ty

Cal Johnson · September 29th, 2005, 08:36 PM

If you can afford it, the Miller Arrow 30 is a terrific tripod head. I was at NAB 2005 and tried pretty much every tripod out there, and the Miller was by far the best, and by far the most expensive. One thing that always bugs me is watching people "test" tripod heads for fulid action by doing big, sweeping pans back and forth as they say "wow, that's smooth!". IMHO the best way to torture test a tripod and just see how much bang for you're buck you're getting is to zoom in on a subject and see if you can smoothly make very minor corrections, both panning and tilting. The weight of the camera is also a factor, as heavier camera's can be a little bit easier to control and therefore have smoother motion. This makes performance all that more critical when selecting a tripod for a camera such as the XL2, since it only weighs about 6 pounds.
I use a Bogen 501 with my XL2, and it just isn't able to handle doing small corrections smoothly. There is almost always a little "jerk" off the start as the friction plates break loose from each other. The moment my bank account fills enough to afford the Miller Arrow 30, I'll drain it without hesitation.

Ty Ford · October 1st, 2005, 07:52 PM

How about a Sachtler 2 or 4?

Seems I am running into them lately.

Ty

Matt Irwin · October 2nd, 2005, 02:40 PM

Sachtlers are nice if you're willing to shell out a few thousand dollars. If I'm not mistaken, the O'Connor Ultimade DV head is cheaper than the cheapest Sachtler.

I own a Manfrotto 519 for DV work and I love it. It's very smooth, compact and has a max payload of 22 lbs- more than enough for an XL2. As mentioned above, the Cartoni Focus is excellent, and I've heard a lot of praise for the Vinten Vison 3 as well.

Bob Safay · October 6th, 2005, 08:31 AM

Go with the 503. It is GREAT. I have the 503 with the Bogen 3046 legs. A little on the heavy side but really ROCK solid. Bob

Meryem Ersoz · October 6th, 2005, 08:55 AM

i find that i need two tripods for my XL2, a self-transported, field tripod that i can carry and a studio/auto-transported tripod. so i would say that an answer to your question depends on how you plan to use your tripod and head.

for studio use, i am really loving the 516 (3246 legs), also in the field with EF adapter and 35mm lenses. but i can't carry all that junk unaided, so it limits the locations i can shoot. for field use (hiking, that is), i make do with a 701rc2 head and 3001Pro legs, which, if you don't extend them, are sturdy enough. it is about as light as i think it is possible to go with an XL2 on a real tripod. for quality footage, i think the 516 is a fantastic buy. if you plan to use EOS lenses, i think it pays to go larger than the 503.

the 516 has a longer mounting plate, than some of the other suggestions, which helps if you add large lenses or a lot of accessories, to center and balance the camera.

Dennis Kane · October 14th, 2005, 10:24 AM

Hi Ty
I just returned from Africa with my new Sony HD A1 and I took the audio book I bought from you for reference. It worked, got some fanatastic audio. Regarding a tripod/leg system; my experience with long lenses is stability and smoothness are crutial. Light weight is also a concern for me because I often fly in small planes with weight limitations.The system I brought with me to Zambia let me down, so I am on the hunt . The Bogen 503 is a fluid head (very important) the 501 is not a fluid head, and a good set of carbon legs (lighweight) would make a good package. Personally I am looking now at the Miller Solo dv 5 because of its light weight and smooth head. If anyone has any personal experience with this product, I am all ears.
dkane

Ty Ford · October 14th, 2005, 10:46 AM

Hi Dennis,

I'm so glad the "Audio Bootcamp Field Guide" proved helpful. Was there anything in particular you found helpful, or anything you think could use more clarification?

I was in NY for the Audio Engineers Convention last weekend. The Javits Center is about four blocks from B&H. I met one of B&H's audio guys at the show and he said they had tripod on the floor at B&H.

I went over at lunch and satisfied myself that the Sachtler DV6 2D was the one that worked for me. 19 LB capacity, 5 drags, mid spreader, lighted bubble, goes down to 20". I ordered it for about $1700+ from a local house.

Thanks again for your (and everyone's) guidance on this. I really appreciate it.

Ty Ford

Dan Selakovich · October 15th, 2005, 08:58 AM

You didn't mention how much you have to spend, but I have to mirror what most everyone else is saying: the 503 is VERY much a better head than the 501!!

Dan
www.DVcameraRigs.com

Ty Ford · October 15th, 2005, 07:22 PM

Um, that would be me saying, "I ordered it for about $1700+ from a local house."

The DV 4 was about $1000, but it lacked in several important areas.

Ty

Dan Selakovich · October 15th, 2005, 08:17 PM

Sorry Ty. I'm old and slow. You can certainly move up the food chain then! Have you taken a look at the Panther line of heads? Yikes!

Dan

Ty Ford · October 16th, 2005, 05:29 AM

This past summer, before I bought the XL2, I was on a shoot with a guy who had a very nice JVC camera and some sort of tripod. I asked him about the tripod. He said, "Well, it lists for $8K, but I got a DEAL on it for on $6k."

After they brought me the smelling salts and my head cleared.........

The Panther...no, can't say I have. Am I in store for another nose bleed?

Regards,

Ty Ford

Camren Cheline · January 7th, 2006, 12:39 PM

Hey, I'm looking for a tripod for my XL2. I've focused on Bogen/Manfrotto and Sachtler. I just want what works best. I've heard the Bogen called "Bogus." I've used them for years and have liked them. But, is there something out there that works particularly well for the XL2. I'm lost in so many leg and head models and not sure what the right combo is for just a good trusty tripod that holds your basic accessories. What have you guys found?

September 29th, 2005, 04:13 PM	#48
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	503 and what> 525 MVB or 542ART Regards, Ty __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

September 29th, 2005, 08:36 PM	#49
Cal Johnson Major Player Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 180	best tripod to get for XL2... If you can afford it, the Miller Arrow 30 is a terrific tripod head. I was at NAB 2005 and tried pretty much every tripod out there, and the Miller was by far the best, and by far the most expensive. One thing that always bugs me is watching people "test" tripod heads for fulid action by doing big, sweeping pans back and forth as they say "wow, that's smooth!". IMHO the best way to torture test a tripod and just see how much bang for you're buck you're getting is to zoom in on a subject and see if you can smoothly make very minor corrections, both panning and tilting. The weight of the camera is also a factor, as heavier camera's can be a little bit easier to control and therefore have smoother motion. This makes performance all that more critical when selecting a tripod for a camera such as the XL2, since it only weighs about 6 pounds. I use a Bogen 501 with my XL2, and it just isn't able to handle doing small corrections smoothly. There is almost always a little "jerk" off the start as the friction plates break loose from each other. The moment my bank account fills enough to afford the Miller Arrow 30, I'll drain it without hesitation.

October 1st, 2005, 07:52 PM	#50
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	How about a Sachtler 2 or 4? Seems I am running into them lately. Ty __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

October 2nd, 2005, 02:40 PM	#51
Matt Irwin Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 327	Sachtlers are nice if you're willing to shell out a few thousand dollars. If I'm not mistaken, the O'Connor Ultimade DV head is cheaper than the cheapest Sachtler. I own a Manfrotto 519 for DV work and I love it. It's very smooth, compact and has a max payload of 22 lbs- more than enough for an XL2. As mentioned above, the Cartoni Focus is excellent, and I've heard a lot of praise for the Vinten Vison 3 as well. __________________ Matt Irwin DP / matt.irwincine.com

October 14th, 2005, 10:46 AM	#55
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	Hi Dennis, I'm so glad the "Audio Bootcamp Field Guide" proved helpful. Was there anything in particular you found helpful, or anything you think could use more clarification? I was in NY for the Audio Engineers Convention last weekend. The Javits Center is about four blocks from B&H. I met one of B&H's audio guys at the show and he said they had tripod on the floor at B&H. I went over at lunch and satisfied myself that the Sachtler DV6 2D was the one that worked for me. 19 LB capacity, 5 drags, mid spreader, lighted bubble, goes down to 20". I ordered it for about $1700+ from a local house. Thanks again for your (and everyone's) guidance on this. I really appreciate it. Ty Ford __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

September 29th, 2005, 10:39 AM	#46
Allan Legarth Nielsen New Boot Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Denmark Posts: 10	I have the 501, and I have no problems with it, works fantastic for my XL2.

October 6th, 2005, 08:31 AM	#52
Bob Safay Trustee Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,558	Go with the 503. It is GREAT. I have the 503 with the Bogen 3046 legs. A little on the heavy side but really ROCK solid. Bob

October 6th, 2005, 08:55 AM	#53
Meryem Ersoz Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 3,015	i find that i need two tripods for my XL2, a self-transported, field tripod that i can carry and a studio/auto-transported tripod. so i would say that an answer to your question depends on how you plan to use your tripod and head. for studio use, i am really loving the 516 (3246 legs), also in the field with EF adapter and 35mm lenses. but i can't carry all that junk unaided, so it limits the locations i can shoot. for field use (hiking, that is), i make do with a 701rc2 head and 3001Pro legs, which, if you don't extend them, are sturdy enough. it is about as light as i think it is possible to go with an XL2 on a real tripod. for quality footage, i think the 516 is a fantastic buy. if you plan to use EOS lenses, i think it pays to go larger than the 503. the 516 has a longer mounting plate, than some of the other suggestions, which helps if you add large lenses or a lot of accessories, to center and balance the camera.

October 14th, 2005, 10:24 AM	#54
Dennis Kane Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: san francisco, ca Posts: 106	Hi Ty I just returned from Africa with my new Sony HD A1 and I took the audio book I bought from you for reference. It worked, got some fanatastic audio. Regarding a tripod/leg system; my experience with long lenses is stability and smoothness are crutial. Light weight is also a concern for me because I often fly in small planes with weight limitations.The system I brought with me to Zambia let me down, so I am on the hunt . The Bogen 503 is a fluid head (very important) the 501 is not a fluid head, and a good set of carbon legs (lighweight) would make a good package. Personally I am looking now at the Miller Solo dv 5 because of its light weight and smooth head. If anyone has any personal experience with this product, I am all ears. dkane

October 15th, 2005, 08:58 AM	#56
Dan Selakovich Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 220	You didn't mention how much you have to spend, but I have to mirror what most everyone else is saying: the 503 is VERY much a better head than the 501!! Dan www.DVcameraRigs.com

October 15th, 2005, 07:22 PM	#57
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	Um, that would be me saying, "I ordered it for about $1700+ from a local house." The DV 4 was about $1000, but it lacked in several important areas. Ty __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

October 15th, 2005, 08:17 PM	#58
Dan Selakovich Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 220	Sorry Ty. I'm old and slow. You can certainly move up the food chain then! Have you taken a look at the Panther line of heads? Yikes! Dan

October 16th, 2005, 05:29 AM	#59
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	This past summer, before I bought the XL2, I was on a shoot with a guy who had a very nice JVC camera and some sort of tripod. I asked him about the tripod. He said, "Well, it lists for $8K, but I got a DEAL on it for on $6k." After they brought me the smelling salts and my head cleared......... The Panther...no, can't say I have. Am I in store for another nose bleed? Regards, Ty Ford __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

January 7th, 2006, 12:39 PM	#60
Camren Cheline New Boot Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 17	XL2 tripod Hey, I'm looking for a tripod for my XL2. I've focused on Bogen/Manfrotto and Sachtler. I just want what works best. I've heard the Bogen called "Bogus." I've used them for years and have liked them. But, is there something out there that works particularly well for the XL2. I'm lost in so many leg and head models and not sure what the right combo is for just a good trusty tripod that holds your basic accessories. What have you guys found?