Tripod recommendations for the Canon XL2 at DVinfo.net

Christopher Go · August 25th, 2004, 02:49 AM

I would like to match my Miller DS-10 tripod with a Canon XL2 and 16X Manual lens, along with a Chrosziel mattebox (clamp on or otherwise).

Do you guys think that this may be asking too much of the DS-10 or should I be considering an upgrade to the DS-20?

Nick Reed · August 28th, 2004, 12:51 AM

How much does your setup weigh? The DS10 has an internal spring counterbalance for 10 pounds.

Evan Fisher · September 14th, 2004, 10:06 AM

My new XL2 is on it's way (I'll have it Thursday & I am soooo excited) and I will be in need of a new tripod and head (the tripod doesn't need to be new but I imagine a new head should be?). Monopod as well. The tripod will be used for commercial (low budget) and event production. I blew the bulk of my budget on the camera so I want to pick up most of my other gear used. ie. lights, sticks, maybe lenses (if they are in good shape) but I'll check the appropriate forums for that stuff.

I'm looking for advice on products that have worked for people and what they may recommend for this camera or the XL1(s) as it is so new.

Thanks.

Evan Fisher · September 16th, 2004, 12:55 PM

OK, No response at all.

Well, I've been out looking and there are many great tripods out there many of which are overkill and way expensive.

Is anyone out there using the Libec LS-35? Some people are selling the LS-22 as part of a package with the camera but that seems like too minimal a tripod especially once you add batteries, lights, hoods...

These seem like a good bang for the buck but no salesman is going to convince me. Does anyone out there have some real world experience with this product?

Ken Tanaka · September 16th, 2004, 03:48 PM

What's your budget?

Evan Fisher · September 16th, 2004, 04:51 PM

I'd like to get the best product for the lowest amount of money. I am not opposed to buying a good used tripod.

At the most, I'd pay up to 450 for used and up to 650 for new (which is about what these Libec units cost).

Ken Tanaka · September 16th, 2004, 05:04 PM

My suggestion: Look for a used Miller DS-10 or DV-10 (Solo) rig. You may be able to find one in the $600-$700 range.

For your consideration, and as I've said so often: A truly high-quality head and sticks will serve you far better for far longer in a far wider range of conditions than an inexpensive rig employing marginal manufacturing and materials. A good support rig will also long outlive your camera, and its grandchildren and maybe its great-grandchildren. It's a longer-term investment than a camera.

Good luck in your search!

Jacques Mersereau · September 17th, 2004, 06:10 PM

A new report on Miller DS-5 tripod.

One of my colleagues purchased a Miller DS-5 about a year and
a half ago. He came into our gear check out facility yesterday and asked
about a tripod. I asked why he wasn't using his Miller.

The leg set knobs have ALL cracked and are now broken off rendering the
tripod useless. He has to send it back and wait for repair . . . ugh.

My guess is that Miller used crummy plastic.

A bummer considering he paid close to a grand for it.

Ken Tanaka · September 17th, 2004, 08:56 PM

That's -very- surprising, Jacques, for two reasons. First, to the extent I can determine, the plastic used on my DS-10's leg locks is basically the same as on my Sachtler and Vinten. It is not a brittle materia, more like a polyethylene / nylon material. Second, it's hard to imagine applying enough force to my DS-10's leg lock knobs to ever break them, even when they're very cold. They snap right into a full-lock position.

<shrug>

Jacques Mersereau · September 18th, 2004, 03:10 PM

He has the DS-5, so there is the possibility Miller used different
parts than the 10. How long have you owned yours?

Ken Tanaka · September 18th, 2004, 04:23 PM

Coming up on 3 years.

Jacques Mersereau · September 18th, 2004, 05:06 PM

Maybe Miller went with cheaper parts a year after you bought yours.
It's been known to happen ;|

George R. Rivers III · December 24th, 2004, 07:46 AM

I have a pretty good boom, but I need a head for the camera(XL2)
I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions.

Jeffrey Thayer · December 26th, 2004, 11:12 AM

I have an XL-2 with an MCE digital drive system attached underneath. Looking for suggestions for a reasonably priced tripod that will support/balance both. Thank you.

Rob Lohman · December 29th, 2004, 05:09 AM

Please take a time to look around this forum and do a search on
head (you can limit the search to just this forum). Heads (and sticks)
have been discussed at great lengths already.

Thank you.

August 25th, 2004, 02:49 AM	#1
Christopher Go Major Player Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 429	Tripod recommendations for the Canon XL2 I would like to match my Miller DS-10 tripod with a Canon XL2 and 16X Manual lens, along with a Chrosziel mattebox (clamp on or otherwise). Do you guys think that this may be asking too much of the DS-10 or should I be considering an upgrade to the DS-20?

September 14th, 2004, 10:06 AM	#3
Evan Fisher Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Los Angeles, Ca. Posts: 137	New XL2. Need advice on Tripods and Heads My new XL2 is on it's way (I'll have it Thursday & I am soooo excited) and I will be in need of a new tripod and head (the tripod doesn't need to be new but I imagine a new head should be?). Monopod as well. The tripod will be used for commercial (low budget) and event production. I blew the bulk of my budget on the camera so I want to pick up most of my other gear used. ie. lights, sticks, maybe lenses (if they are in good shape) but I'll check the appropriate forums for that stuff. I'm looking for advice on products that have worked for people and what they may recommend for this camera or the XL1(s) as it is so new. Thanks.

September 16th, 2004, 12:55 PM	#4
Evan Fisher Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Los Angeles, Ca. Posts: 137	OK, No response at all. Well, I've been out looking and there are many great tripods out there many of which are overkill and way expensive. Is anyone out there using the Libec LS-35? Some people are selling the LS-22 as part of a package with the camera but that seems like too minimal a tripod especially once you add batteries, lights, hoods... These seem like a good bang for the buck but no salesman is going to convince me. Does anyone out there have some real world experience with this product? __________________ Fisher Media Productions

September 16th, 2004, 03:48 PM	#5
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	What's your budget? __________________ 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

September 16th, 2004, 04:51 PM	#6
Evan Fisher Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Los Angeles, Ca. Posts: 137	I'd like to get the best product for the lowest amount of money. I am not opposed to buying a good used tripod. At the most, I'd pay up to 450 for used and up to 650 for new (which is about what these Libec units cost). __________________ Fisher Media Productions

August 28th, 2004, 12:51 AM	#2
Nick Reed Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 78	How much does your setup weigh? The DS10 has an internal spring counterbalance for 10 pounds.

September 16th, 2004, 05:04 PM	#7
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	My suggestion: Look for a used Miller DS-10 or DV-10 (Solo) rig. You may be able to find one in the $600-$700 range. For your consideration, and as I've said so often: A truly high-quality head and sticks will serve you far better for far longer in a far wider range of conditions than an inexpensive rig employing marginal manufacturing and materials. A good support rig will also long outlive your camera, and its grandchildren and maybe its great-grandchildren. It's a longer-term investment than a camera. Good luck in your search! __________________ 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

September 17th, 2004, 06:10 PM	#8
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	A new report on Miller DS-5 tripod. One of my colleagues purchased a Miller DS-5 about a year and a half ago. He came into our gear check out facility yesterday and asked about a tripod. I asked why he wasn't using his Miller. The leg set knobs have ALL cracked and are now broken off rendering the tripod useless. He has to send it back and wait for repair . . . ugh. My guess is that Miller used crummy plastic. A bummer considering he paid close to a grand for it. __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager

September 17th, 2004, 08:56 PM	#9
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	That's -very- surprising, Jacques, for two reasons. First, to the extent I can determine, the plastic used on my DS-10's leg locks is basically the same as on my Sachtler and Vinten. It is not a brittle materia, more like a polyethylene / nylon material. Second, it's hard to imagine applying enough force to my DS-10's leg lock knobs to ever break them, even when they're very cold. They snap right into a full-lock position. <shrug> __________________ 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

September 18th, 2004, 03:10 PM	#10
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	He has the DS-5, so there is the possibility Miller used different parts than the 10. How long have you owned yours? __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager

September 18th, 2004, 04:23 PM	#11
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Coming up on 3 years. __________________ 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

September 18th, 2004, 05:06 PM	#12
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	Maybe Miller went with cheaper parts a year after you bought yours. It's been known to happen ;\| __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager

December 24th, 2004, 07:46 AM	#13
George R. Rivers III New Boot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Charleston, South Carolina Posts: 8	Give some head suggestions I have a pretty good boom, but I need a head for the camera(XL2) I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. __________________ -gRiv3 _______________________________________ George R. Rivers III Writer - Director - Multimedia Producer Palmetto Moon Studios (410)686-6264 gRivers@PalmettoMoonStudios.com www.PalmettoMoonStudios.com

December 26th, 2004, 11:12 AM	#14
Jeffrey Thayer New Boot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Charlotte, Vermont Posts: 6	Looking for Reasonably Priced Tripod for XL2 I have an XL-2 with an MCE digital drive system attached underneath. Looking for suggestions for a reasonably priced tripod that will support/balance both. Thank you. __________________ Jeffrey Thayer ReGenesis Productions

December 29th, 2004, 05:09 AM	#15
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Please take a time to look around this forum and do a search on head (you can limit the search to just this forum). Heads (and sticks) have been discussed at great lengths already. Thank you. __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors