Not sure how to dial-in my head at DVinfo.net

Deke Ryland · January 23rd, 2007, 08:10 AM

Hey guys, as a long time photographer, I am not so new to tripods, but as a newcomer to videography, I am pretty much entirely new to tripod heads, especially the fluid-type.

I have a Canon XH A1 and a Bogen/Manfrotto Tripod with the Bogen 503 head. It feels great, but for slow panning and tilting, I am bit unsure how I should go about getting it dialed in for the most smooth and shake-free movement.

It seems that there is a benefit as far as hand shakiness, to adding a lot of friction to the head, but for small movements, that friction is far less superior to a more fluid/softer friction that can allow me to make very tiny adjustments.

I am looking for some guidance on what a general rule of thumb is for how much friction to apply to the head in normal shooting conditions. I have no clue as to how much friction is too much or too little. Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Rainer Hoffmann · January 23rd, 2007, 09:14 AM

Deke, there is very recent thread covering just that:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=84103

Have a look.

January 23rd, 2007, 08:10 AM	#1
Deke Ryland Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Washington, USA Posts: 213	Not sure how to dial-in my head Hey guys, as a long time photographer, I am not so new to tripods, but as a newcomer to videography, I am pretty much entirely new to tripod heads, especially the fluid-type. I have a Canon XH A1 and a Bogen/Manfrotto Tripod with the Bogen 503 head. It feels great, but for slow panning and tilting, I am bit unsure how I should go about getting it dialed in for the most smooth and shake-free movement. It seems that there is a benefit as far as hand shakiness, to adding a lot of friction to the head, but for small movements, that friction is far less superior to a more fluid/softer friction that can allow me to make very tiny adjustments. I am looking for some guidance on what a general rule of thumb is for how much friction to apply to the head in normal shooting conditions. I have no clue as to how much friction is too much or too little. Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

January 23rd, 2007, 09:14 AM	#2
Rainer Hoffmann Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Syke, Germany Posts: 249	Deke, there is very recent thread covering just that: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=84103 Have a look. __________________ Keep rolling Rainer