Tripod suggestions for Canon XH A1 at DVinfo.net

Daniel Monahan · November 16th, 2006, 12:46 PM

Any recommendations for a lightweight tripod/head setup for the A1?

My next doc will require me to do a lot of hiking and I want to get a setup that will be light on my back but deliver smooth performance when panning across a beautiful landscape.

Thanks

Henry Cho · November 16th, 2006, 03:16 PM

unfortunately, you will almost always sacrifice some stability for portability. i would recommend a tripod kit with a half ball as this will make shooting level shots much easier, regardless of terrain. this kit, coming in at less than 9 lbs, looks like it might suit you...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

Bill Pryor · November 16th, 2006, 03:26 PM

I second that--make sure you get a ball leveling head. That recommendation looks like a pretty good deal for the money. The only negative I see is the maximum height is just under 6'.

Nick Weeks · November 16th, 2006, 04:06 PM

I have that same kit, great set, but yes, you are limited by the height. I don't have the A1 yet, but I've used it with my VX2100 and Canon XL1s. The bowl leveling is excellent. Very quick to adjust, and the whole unit is pretty light.

The flip style connectors on the legs are much better than the screw type. You can extend and contract the legs in seconds. That working in conjunction with the quick bowl adjustment is absolutely perfect. Plus with the 503 head being a true fluid head it's very smooth.

A little bit of overkill for my VX2100, but it still works great nonetheless.

Frank Brocato · November 16th, 2006, 04:10 PM

Daniel
I have the A1 mounted to the exact set up Henry suggested, and I love it. The A1 is heavier than my older GL2 that it replaced, and I find that the 503 head works much better with the extra weight. I do a lot of trips to Africa and into the Sierra Mountains in California and the adjustable half ball head has worked great. I also love the fact that you can get some very low angle shots with this tripod. I don't know how long your hikes will be but as long as your not planing an "over night" this set up should work great.
For extended trips I have found that I can get some very decent shots if I just take my time with a monopod.

Jason Strongfield · November 16th, 2006, 04:20 PM

The 503 is not a true fluid head. But you can use some tricks to make it work very well. I say this is the minimum tripod head that you should look at.

Nick Weeks · November 16th, 2006, 05:40 PM

I was under the impression it was the 501 head that was not fluid.

Jason Strongfield · November 16th, 2006, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Weeks

I was under the impression it was the 501 head that was not fluid.

Zoom to medium and then start panning on the 503, you will see a "sticky" start. Pan and then stop, you will see the "Rebound" (you dont even have to zoom to medium to see the above effects on the 503). The 503 is not a true fluid head, dont feel bad as even the popular Cartoni focus suffers from the later "rebound" problem.

I think, the cheapest true starter fluid heads are the Sachtler DV6 and Vinten Vision 3

The bogen 526 is a true fluid head but again, with that price range it is better to go Sachtler or Vinten.

P/S: Another Downer, The Sachtler DV6 and Vinten Vison 3 at ~$2000 are made in Costa Rica

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

Nick Weeks · November 16th, 2006, 08:00 PM

Wow, definitely.... at that price the 503 is a great value for now! I have noticed exactly what you're talking about with my 503, I just figured I was doing something wrong

Wade Hanchey · November 16th, 2006, 08:28 PM

Any opinions on the Libec LS-22? B&H has it with the T-58 legs and a free ZC-3DV zoom control for $400.

Jason Michael Holly · November 17th, 2006, 08:52 AM

I am looking for a very solid head for my XHA1, keeping in mind that sometimes I will be using the Go35Pro adaptor on it, adding some weight. Yesterday, I was looking at the Bogen line at B+H and it seems like the 501 and 503 are both very sturdy, does anyone use either? What are you currently using with your XH, and how has it performed thus far?

** Sorry, just noticed another thread below, ok to delete.

Greg Rothschild · November 19th, 2006, 11:05 PM

Wade-
Brian at Zotz told me the LS-38 (or 55 even) was a good match for the XH-A1.

Would getting an even bigger tripod/head be problematic? Aside from the cost and weight issues, would something along the lines of the Miller DS25 be ok?

Bill Pryor · November 21st, 2006, 08:51 AM

How much was the 38 from Zotz?

Greg Rothschild · November 21st, 2006, 08:57 AM

$690 for the LS-38M and $900 for the LS-55M.

Bill Pryor · November 21st, 2006, 01:26 PM

I just ordered the Libec-22 with mid level spreaders from Zotz Digita. The price is cheap enough to make me nervous ($440) but I thought I'd try it out.

November 16th, 2006, 12:46 PM	#1
Daniel Monahan New Boot Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Carlsbad, CA Posts: 24	Tripod for XH-A1 Any recommendations for a lightweight tripod/head setup for the A1? My next doc will require me to do a lot of hiking and I want to get a setup that will be light on my back but deliver smooth performance when panning across a beautiful landscape. Thanks

November 17th, 2006, 08:52 AM	#11
Jason Michael Holly Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Poconos, PA Posts: 25	XH Tripod Discussion I am looking for a very solid head for my XHA1, keeping in mind that sometimes I will be using the Go35Pro adaptor on it, adding some weight. Yesterday, I was looking at the Bogen line at B+H and it seems like the 501 and 503 are both very sturdy, does anyone use either? What are you currently using with your XH, and how has it performed thus far? ** Sorry, just noticed another thread below, ok to delete.

November 19th, 2006, 11:05 PM	#12
Greg Rothschild Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Los Angeles, Ca Posts: 120	Wade- Brian at Zotz told me the LS-38 (or 55 even) was a good match for the XH-A1. Would getting an even bigger tripod/head be problematic? Aside from the cost and weight issues, would something along the lines of the Miller DS25 be ok? __________________ Greg Rothschild Photography http://www.gregrothschild.com

November 21st, 2006, 08:57 AM	#14
Greg Rothschild Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Los Angeles, Ca Posts: 120	$690 for the LS-38M and $900 for the LS-55M. __________________ Greg Rothschild Photography http://www.gregrothschild.com

November 16th, 2006, 03:16 PM	#2
Henry Cho Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 516	unfortunately, you will almost always sacrifice some stability for portability. i would recommend a tripod kit with a half ball as this will make shooting level shots much easier, regardless of terrain. this kit, coming in at less than 9 lbs, looks like it might suit you... http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

November 16th, 2006, 03:26 PM	#3
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	I second that--make sure you get a ball leveling head. That recommendation looks like a pretty good deal for the money. The only negative I see is the maximum height is just under 6'.

November 16th, 2006, 04:06 PM	#4
Nick Weeks Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL USA Posts: 722	I have that same kit, great set, but yes, you are limited by the height. I don't have the A1 yet, but I've used it with my VX2100 and Canon XL1s. The bowl leveling is excellent. Very quick to adjust, and the whole unit is pretty light. The flip style connectors on the legs are much better than the screw type. You can extend and contract the legs in seconds. That working in conjunction with the quick bowl adjustment is absolutely perfect. Plus with the 503 head being a true fluid head it's very smooth. A little bit of overkill for my VX2100, but it still works great nonetheless.

November 16th, 2006, 04:10 PM	#5
Frank Brocato Tourist Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 4	Daniel I have the A1 mounted to the exact set up Henry suggested, and I love it. The A1 is heavier than my older GL2 that it replaced, and I find that the 503 head works much better with the extra weight. I do a lot of trips to Africa and into the Sierra Mountains in California and the adjustable half ball head has worked great. I also love the fact that you can get some very low angle shots with this tripod. I don't know how long your hikes will be but as long as your not planing an "over night" this set up should work great. For extended trips I have found that I can get some very decent shots if I just take my time with a monopod.

November 16th, 2006, 04:20 PM	#6
Jason Strongfield Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: USA Posts: 195	The 503 is not a true fluid head. But you can use some tricks to make it work very well. I say this is the minimum tripod head that you should look at.

November 16th, 2006, 05:40 PM	#7
Nick Weeks Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL USA Posts: 722	I was under the impression it was the 501 head that was not fluid.

November 16th, 2006, 08:00 PM	#9
Nick Weeks Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL USA Posts: 722	Wow, definitely.... at that price the 503 is a great value for now! I have noticed exactly what you're talking about with my 503, I just figured I was doing something wrong

November 16th, 2006, 08:28 PM	#10
Wade Hanchey Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 117	Any opinions on the Libec LS-22? B&H has it with the T-58 legs and a free ZC-3DV zoom control for $400.

November 21st, 2006, 08:51 AM	#13
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	How much was the 38 from Zotz?

November 21st, 2006, 01:26 PM	#15
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	I just ordered the Libec-22 with mid level spreaders from Zotz Digita. The price is cheap enough to make me nervous ($440) but I thought I'd try it out.