Pan and Track at DVinfo.net

Marc Young · December 20th, 2006, 10:03 PM

Is there an inexpensive solution to tracking a moving object and panning the camera so the center of the subject is always the same relative to some point in the viewfinder? The motorized panning heads seem too cheap, and the Varizoom VZ-MC100 is too expensive. Some on this board have recommended fluid heads, but I'll have to admit that my hand is not as steady as a pro cameraman's when the subject is distant and the zoom is at its maximum setting. My camera is the Canon XH-A1.

Manfrotto makes a 2 panning bar head (516) but this appears to be huge and may not be appropriate for the camera. It also ties up two hands, so how do I operate the remote to start/stop footage, zoom, etc.? Anyway, do two bars help tracking or not?

December 20th, 2006, 10:03 PM	#1
Marc Young Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 112	Pan and Track Is there an inexpensive solution to tracking a moving object and panning the camera so the center of the subject is always the same relative to some point in the viewfinder? The motorized panning heads seem too cheap, and the Varizoom VZ-MC100 is too expensive. Some on this board have recommended fluid heads, but I'll have to admit that my hand is not as steady as a pro cameraman's when the subject is distant and the zoom is at its maximum setting. My camera is the Canon XH-A1. Manfrotto makes a 2 panning bar head (516) but this appears to be huge and may not be appropriate for the camera. It also ties up two hands, so how do I operate the remote to start/stop footage, zoom, etc.? Anyway, do two bars help tracking or not?