Tripod suggestions for Canon XH A1

Chris Sinista · January 20th, 2007, 09:44 PM

what is the take on the bogen 701 rc

Allen Mitts · January 21st, 2007, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Sinista

what is the take on the bogen 701 rc

Click on the 'Search' link above, type in "701" (without quotes) and you'll find about 20 links referencing the 701 on this board.

Here's an example (an older thread, but lots of info): http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...&highlight=701

I own and use a 701RCII and Manfrotto 756B legs with a small, consumer type DV cam (Sony TRV38) and it performs well enough for my non-commercial applications.

Hope this helps...

Allen

Eric Stemen · February 13th, 2007, 02:02 PM

the 701 head is not bad. It is way better than not having a fluid head.

The 501 is better though. You can adjust the friction on the 501 more and i think it feels a little smoother.

I have used both with a vx-2000 with the big battery and both will give acceptable results.

If weight, portability is a big issue or if what your doing is just for personal use I think the 701 will be find for you.

Terence Murphy · February 13th, 2007, 04:36 PM

I have two 701RC2 heads that I use with a VX2100 to film dog sports. With experience, you can develop a light touch to make the head work well for pans, but its harder to get smooth movement if you need a diagonal (more so if you're zoomed in, of course). Its not bad for the price, as long as you recognize its limits.

For me I'm mostly set up on the field and don't need to tilt. But if you're filming from the top of the bleachers you'll need more combinations of movements and may find yourself wishing you had gotten a more expensive head. Also, I'd say the VX2100 is at about the limit weight-wise for this head. Mine holds the camera level just fine, but if you're looking down on the field its hard to tweak it so it doesn't sag. An XH A1 might be a little much.

Keep in mind that heads last a long time. Maybe see if you can find a local users group where you might be able to hit people up to try their equipment and see what you like before investing the cash.

-Terence

Peter Rhalter · February 13th, 2007, 08:38 PM

The Gitzo G2180 head is worth looking at for $250. It is very small, very light and quite smooth in my experience. That leaves you $150 for legs.

Best wishes,
Peter
______________________
http://www.parkfilms.com

Josh Chesarek · February 13th, 2007, 09:21 PM

If you start looking more seriously @ the Bogen route you might want to look locally :p

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=86460

:)

(noticed the threads while looking @ new posts :)

Jaron Berman · February 13th, 2007, 09:44 PM

In that price range, most heads you'll find will be flat-base heads. It's a HUGE time saver to have a leveling ball, so you don't have to be absolutely perfect when setting the heights of your legs. Bogen makes a nice, inexpensive set of legs that incorporates a column and system to level flat-base heads. The number is 756B and it comes in kits with a few different heads. Its a cheap way to get decent lightweight legs that level a cheap head.

Alternatively, the Libec LS-22 is just barely in your range, and while its overall capacity is lower than the 501, it's a fair bit smoother, and it's a true fluid head (from what users say) with a 75mm leveling ball, whereas the 501 is a lubricated friction system. That's not to say you can't get good results with the 501 - it just takes a lot of patience and delicacy. The 501 will be a lot more durable in terms of throwing it around and putting it in checked-baggage. But the Ls-22 system is smoother, I have tried both. Unless money is no object, any tripod system will be some balance between features, performance, durability and personal preference. You could spend $400 or $4000 (seriously!) on a tripod for your exact camera, but in the end if you get great results, it doesn't matter what you spent - nobody will look at your footage and say "hey that pan looked like a bogen 501 head, but your tilt was more O'connor 1030b-ish." If you practice with your own kit to the point where you're comfortable, it'll be smooth enough to be invisible.

Richard Kane · February 17th, 2007, 02:26 PM

Bought the a1 love in it
mostly a photograher here just starting to get into video
any recommendations for an all purpose
tripod and head
not to heavy?

Anthony Leong · February 17th, 2007, 03:14 PM

Congrats on your new Canon A1, but if you've any tripod questions then post it here. http://dvinfo.net/conf/forumdisplay.php?f=118

Also, I use the Libec LS-38 which is a very nice tripod and not very expensive.

Barry Richard · February 18th, 2007, 12:09 AM

deleted message

Laszlo Horvath · February 21st, 2007, 11:54 AM

I looking for a good tripod system for the Canon A1. I will use most of the time inside, but my first big project (two weeks in the forest, making hunting video) will be outside.
I looking these two system:

Cartoni F101 Focus
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation

or
Sachtler DV-2IISL
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation

The Schactler's leg is Carbon Fiber, but both has a same weight. In the forest I think I need a light system. Also, I wonder if I can add spike feet to these legs.
Or some cheaper Bogen system is enough?
Any recommendation?

Thanks: Laszlo

Geoff Dills · February 21st, 2007, 12:03 PM

I've owned two Sachtler systems and loved them both, but I just sold both of them as I'm moving to smaller form cameras and after doing a lot of looking around, the Gitzo system at http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation
is the best value in my not so humble opinion. It works with loads from 2 to 22 pounds, but I've seen it loaded with a Sony F900 (a beast) with no problems. It uses different springs you can swap to allow a variety of different weights to be used, so no matter how much stuff you load on the cam you are not going to overload it. At 9.5 pounds, and a shoulder strap included, you could easily carry this anywhere. And while the stock handle which tightens the head is too long to lower the sticks as far down as they go, Bogen will send you a replacement knob which WILL allow you to go as low as you can (forgot buying baby legs).

Laszlo Horvath · February 21st, 2007, 12:12 PM

Thanks I have two of this Gitzo system, but it's way too heavy in the forest.

Raymond Toussaint · February 22nd, 2007, 07:03 AM

If you use the Sachtler 6SB head there is no need to buy the extra C.O.G. DV-2 plate, to bring the A1 in balance. You can use the standard camera plate that is standard with the head, change the pin setting and attach it to the XH-A1. (I know that you need the extra DV plate $ for use with the Sony V1).

Ian Henderson · February 23rd, 2007, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Strongfield

So, The 503 is a good deal and its pretty easy to get over the limitation of the 503.

How do you get around the limitations? I was looking for a tripod for a soon-to-be-purchased A1, and the 501/525 combo is accessible here. But sounds like that may not be a good bet?

February 13th, 2007, 09:21 PM	#51
Josh Chesarek Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Winter Park, FL Posts: 978	If you start looking more seriously @ the Bogen route you might want to look locally :p http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=86460 :) (noticed the threads while looking @ new posts :) __________________ Simple Thought Productions - Life @ 30,000 Words per second

February 17th, 2007, 02:26 PM	#53
Richard Kane Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: chicago, il Posts: 65	newbe tripod question for a1 Bought the a1 love in it mostly a photograher here just starting to get into video any recommendations for an all purpose tripod and head not to heavy?

February 18th, 2007, 12:09 AM	#55
Barry Richard Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 60	deleted message Last edited by Barry Richard; February 18th, 2007 at 02:15 AM.

February 21st, 2007, 11:54 AM	#56
Laszlo Horvath Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: LaSalle Ontario Canada Posts: 289 Images: 5	Tripod for Canon A1 I looking for a good tripod system for the Canon A1. I will use most of the time inside, but my first big project (two weeks in the forest, making hunting video) will be outside. I looking these two system: Cartoni F101 Focus http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation or Sachtler DV-2IISL http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation The Schactler's leg is Carbon Fiber, but both has a same weight. In the forest I think I need a light system. Also, I wonder if I can add spike feet to these legs. Or some cheaper Bogen system is enough? Any recommendation? Thanks: Laszlo

February 22nd, 2007, 07:03 AM	#59
Raymond Toussaint Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 173	If you use the Sachtler 6SB head there is no need to buy the extra C.O.G. DV-2 plate, to bring the A1 in balance. You can use the standard camera plate that is standard with the head, change the pin setting and attach it to the XH-A1. (I know that you need the extra DV plate $ for use with the Sony V1). Attached Thumbnails

January 20th, 2007, 09:44 PM	#46
Chris Sinista Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pasadena CA Posts: 59	what is the take on the bogen 701 rc

February 13th, 2007, 02:02 PM	#48
Eric Stemen Major Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 378	the 701 head is not bad. It is way better than not having a fluid head. The 501 is better though. You can adjust the friction on the 501 more and i think it feels a little smoother. I have used both with a vx-2000 with the big battery and both will give acceptable results. If weight, portability is a big issue or if what your doing is just for personal use I think the 701 will be find for you.

February 13th, 2007, 04:36 PM	#49
Terence Murphy Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 161	I have two 701RC2 heads that I use with a VX2100 to film dog sports. With experience, you can develop a light touch to make the head work well for pans, but its harder to get smooth movement if you need a diagonal (more so if you're zoomed in, of course). Its not bad for the price, as long as you recognize its limits. For me I'm mostly set up on the field and don't need to tilt. But if you're filming from the top of the bleachers you'll need more combinations of movements and may find yourself wishing you had gotten a more expensive head. Also, I'd say the VX2100 is at about the limit weight-wise for this head. Mine holds the camera level just fine, but if you're looking down on the field its hard to tweak it so it doesn't sag. An XH A1 might be a little much. Keep in mind that heads last a long time. Maybe see if you can find a local users group where you might be able to hit people up to try their equipment and see what you like before investing the cash. -Terence

February 13th, 2007, 08:38 PM	#50
Peter Rhalter Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 192	The Gitzo G2180 head is worth looking at for $250. It is very small, very light and quite smooth in my experience. That leaves you $150 for legs. Best wishes, Peter ______________________ http://www.parkfilms.com

February 13th, 2007, 09:44 PM	#52
Jaron Berman Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 439	In that price range, most heads you'll find will be flat-base heads. It's a HUGE time saver to have a leveling ball, so you don't have to be absolutely perfect when setting the heights of your legs. Bogen makes a nice, inexpensive set of legs that incorporates a column and system to level flat-base heads. The number is 756B and it comes in kits with a few different heads. Its a cheap way to get decent lightweight legs that level a cheap head. Alternatively, the Libec LS-22 is just barely in your range, and while its overall capacity is lower than the 501, it's a fair bit smoother, and it's a true fluid head (from what users say) with a 75mm leveling ball, whereas the 501 is a lubricated friction system. That's not to say you can't get good results with the 501 - it just takes a lot of patience and delicacy. The 501 will be a lot more durable in terms of throwing it around and putting it in checked-baggage. But the Ls-22 system is smoother, I have tried both. Unless money is no object, any tripod system will be some balance between features, performance, durability and personal preference. You could spend $400 or $4000 (seriously!) on a tripod for your exact camera, but in the end if you get great results, it doesn't matter what you spent - nobody will look at your footage and say "hey that pan looked like a bogen 501 head, but your tilt was more O'connor 1030b-ish." If you practice with your own kit to the point where you're comfortable, it'll be smooth enough to be invisible.

February 17th, 2007, 03:14 PM	#54
Anthony Leong Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: United States Posts: 93	Congrats on your new Canon A1, but if you've any tripod questions then post it here. http://dvinfo.net/conf/forumdisplay.php?f=118 Also, I use the Libec LS-38 which is a very nice tripod and not very expensive.

February 21st, 2007, 12:03 PM	#57
Geoff Dills Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 85	I've owned two Sachtler systems and loved them both, but I just sold both of them as I'm moving to smaller form cameras and after doing a lot of looking around, the Gitzo system at http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation is the best value in my not so humble opinion. It works with loads from 2 to 22 pounds, but I've seen it loaded with a Sony F900 (a beast) with no problems. It uses different springs you can swap to allow a variety of different weights to be used, so no matter how much stuff you load on the cam you are not going to overload it. At 9.5 pounds, and a shoulder strap included, you could easily carry this anywhere. And while the stock handle which tightens the head is too long to lower the sticks as far down as they go, Bogen will send you a replacement knob which WILL allow you to go as low as you can (forgot buying baby legs).

February 21st, 2007, 12:12 PM	#58
Laszlo Horvath Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: LaSalle Ontario Canada Posts: 289 Images: 5	Thanks I have two of this Gitzo system, but it's way too heavy in the forest.