Light weight tripod and head for Canon HV20? (also HV10)

Gert Kracht · June 10th, 2007, 06:51 AM

I found a monopod last week. The Manfrotto 680B. It does have a nice big plate on top and fits under the A1, EOS400D and 20D.

And it has a reasonable price too..

(picture included)

Boyd Ostroff · June 10th, 2007, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Sipe

Okay, hopefully this is the right place and I can get the right answers here.

Hi Eric. Actually the correct place would be in our tripod forum, especially because you are considering multiple uses. I've moved your thread there, but left a temporary re-direct in the original forum.

Eric Sipe · June 10th, 2007, 09:49 AM

Seems like a great and reasonably priced monopod, i guess the only thing it "lacks" is its release plate but for 60 bucks or so, it seems perfect.

Now for a tripod! =)

Jonathan Schwartz · June 10th, 2007, 08:43 PM

Eric,

Give the Manfrotto 560B monopod a look. It will serve two purposes 1) good for photo (the head unscrews revealing your camera mounting screw) and 2) good for video. I use this monopod for filming wedding receptions and concerts where I can have a cameraman on stage but be unobtrusive. For my camera set up I removed the supplied head and attached my bogen 503 fluid head to the monopod. Works great!

Jonathan Schwartz
CA Video Productions

Doug Davis · June 10th, 2007, 11:10 PM

I am curious about a good tripod / head in the sub $1k range for the A1 too... Any thoughts?

James Blunt · June 15th, 2007, 10:14 PM

Hello, I just got a HV20 and will be doing mostly scenic shots with it with some zoom. I was wondering what tripods and heads you guys would suggest would be the best in the price range listed? There seems to be some pretty good deals on Bogen and Manfrotto stuff on eBay, I could probably pick up a $400 - $600 setup used for my price range. Do you think this would be my best bet? What specific models should I be looking for?

A few people are suggesting the Velbon DV-7000, as far as new stuff goes, is there anything better than this in my price range?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ith_2_Way.html

Thanks for your help.

Joseph Hutson · June 15th, 2007, 10:18 PM

I have had problems on eBay, while still being very cautious. Read fine print seveal times over. I hope you have a better experience than I have.
Congrats on your new purchase. I hope to buy an HVR-Z1U very soon.

Dale Guthormsen · June 15th, 2007, 11:16 PM

i HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT THESE, b&h YOU CAN GET A VINTEN VISION 3 FOR UNDER A GRAND!!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...arch&Q=*&bhs=t

Doug Davis · June 16th, 2007, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale Guthormsen

i HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT THESE, b&h YOU CAN GET A VINTEN VISION 3 FOR UNDER A GRAND!!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...arch&Q=*&bhs=t

Are these good? I mean, I know Vinten has a reputation but I am curious how well it work with the weight of the A1...?

Chris Soucy · June 16th, 2007, 01:59 PM

If that question was about the Vinten Vision 3 (I didn't check the url) then, yes, it's good.

Mine turned up two days ago along with a Manfrotto 528XB 'pod. It's is a combination that I can only describe as awesome.

The head is smooth, relaxed, massive (by comparison with a Manfrotto 503) and solid. The quick release plate is much more substantial and, with the recommended #2 spring, it balances my A1 with ME67, Rycote Softie, Rycote CCA adapter and Sennheiser G2 receiver an absolute treat.

It goes where you want, stops when you stop and just stays put. You can put it at any angle of tilt, once the camera is balanced, with absolutely zero drag set, and it will stay there forever. In short, compared to my 503, there is NO comparison (this IS NOT to put the 503 down - for what it cost, it's not a bad head).

Matched with a Manfrotto 528XB 'pod (what a BEAST!) it is utterly mind blowing.

I knew I had equipment problems once I upped to HD, but it wasn't till I had that set up running the other day that I realised just how bad my problems were.

Don't try this combination unless you're ready to bin whatever it is you're using now - 'cos that's exactly what you will want to do!

(It's even made me realise I'm a better videographer than I thought - getting what I did with what I was using before - sheer sorcery!)

Cheers,

Chris

Peter Moretti · June 25th, 2007, 05:35 AM

I'm looking at the HV20 and would like to pickup a Sachtler DV6SB will Miller legs, but the camera is too light for this head.

I've considered the DV1 (much cheaper, not nearly as good) which is designed for small camcorders. But if I add a 35mm adapter, FF, rails, mattebox, etc, my rig becomes too heavy for the DV1.

So, I'm wondering if it makes sense to somehow add weight to a small camera to get it to work with the bigger video heads like Sachtler's DV6SB or Vintens' Vision 3? Anyone try this?

Thanks much as always.

Daniel Wang · June 25th, 2007, 02:54 PM

I'm not sure why you would want a tripod that outclasses your camera, unless you plan on making major upgrades that would fit the class of the tripod, which in all would be a good idea but I have seen people with the full intention of upgrading from there DVX100 to a Varicam, end up sticking with the DVX and regret spending so much on a Sachtler HotPod. I would just get whatever matches what you plan on using at the time and maybe make room for a minor upgrade.

But I'll give you what I experienced anyway. I mounted a micro-CCU cam, think CCTV/security camera with a VF mounted to it - onto the standard Bogen 3066 head I use. I loosesned friction to the lowest, and everything was either very resitant to movement, or fluid, slow. I'm not sure if the models you are looking at have counterbalance springs, but the solution would be to have a spring that matches your camera, possible the least resistand, and then have the interchangeable spring that matches your camera - keeping your camera as only what you need.

To just add weight, mount your receivers to the camera, use a battery pack for a light maybe. If you had the MultiRig (DvTec), or any other handheld stabilizer that allows you to mount to the tripod while the camera was still attached to the rig - that would add considerable weight.

Peter Moretti · June 27th, 2007, 01:17 AM

Yes, I do fall into the trap of thinking I'll upgrade some day soon, just not now. I really think an HV20 is good enough for the first phase of my documentary, which is talking head interviews. An extra $2.5K on an XH-A1 just doesn't seem justified to me. Esp. when the image difference is pretty minimal under good lighting. I also like the idea of using a small camera.

That said, I add an adapter, mic, xlr adapter, and I'm overweight for the DV1.

Peter Ralph · June 27th, 2007, 07:51 AM

David Lynch added 80 pounds deadweight to a Vx2000 when shooting playstation ads for sony.

Bill Mecca · June 27th, 2007, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Ralph

David Lynch added 80 pounds deadweight to a Vx2000 when shooting playstation ads for sony.

So, that's what happened to that little Associate Producer. LOL

sorry I just couldn't resist.

June 10th, 2007, 06:51 AM	#16
Gert Kracht Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ens, The Netherlands Posts: 198	I found a monopod last week. The Manfrotto 680B. It does have a nice big plate on top and fits under the A1, EOS400D and 20D. And it has a reasonable price too.. (picture included) Attached Thumbnails __________________ http://www.hdvinfo.nl The Dutch forum and website about HDV & Canon XH-A1

June 10th, 2007, 08:43 PM	#19
Jonathan Schwartz Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ocean Springs, MS Posts: 211	Monopod Suggestion Eric, Give the Manfrotto 560B monopod a look. It will serve two purposes 1) good for photo (the head unscrews revealing your camera mounting screw) and 2) good for video. I use this monopod for filming wedding receptions and concerts where I can have a cameraman on stage but be unobtrusive. For my camera set up I removed the supplied head and attached my bogen 503 fluid head to the monopod. Works great! Jonathan Schwartz CA Video Productions

June 15th, 2007, 10:14 PM	#21
James Blunt New Boot Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 18	Tripod and head in the $100 - $200 range Hello, I just got a HV20 and will be doing mostly scenic shots with it with some zoom. I was wondering what tripods and heads you guys would suggest would be the best in the price range listed? There seems to be some pretty good deals on Bogen and Manfrotto stuff on eBay, I could probably pick up a $400 - $600 setup used for my price range. Do you think this would be my best bet? What specific models should I be looking for? A few people are suggesting the Velbon DV-7000, as far as new stuff goes, is there anything better than this in my price range? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ith_2_Way.html Thanks for your help.

June 15th, 2007, 10:18 PM	#22
Joseph Hutson Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Claremore, Oklahoma Posts: 131	Be Careful!!! I have had problems on eBay, while still being very cautious. Read fine print seveal times over. I hope you have a better experience than I have. Congrats on your new purchase. I hope to buy an HVR-Z1U very soon.

June 15th, 2007, 11:16 PM	#23
Dale Guthormsen Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 3,048	i HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT THESE, b&h YOU CAN GET A VINTEN VISION 3 FOR UNDER A GRAND!! http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...arch&Q=*&bhs=t __________________ DATS ALL FOLKS Dale W. Guthormsen

June 10th, 2007, 09:49 AM	#18
Eric Sipe Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lakewood, CA Posts: 42	Seems like a great and reasonably priced monopod, i guess the only thing it "lacks" is its release plate but for 60 bucks or so, it seems perfect. Now for a tripod! =)

June 10th, 2007, 11:10 PM	#20
Doug Davis Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Birmingham Alabama Posts: 259	I am curious about a good tripod / head in the sub $1k range for the A1 too... Any thoughts?

June 16th, 2007, 01:59 PM	#25
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,689 Images: 18	Hi Doug...... If that question was about the Vinten Vision 3 (I didn't check the url) then, yes, it's good. Mine turned up two days ago along with a Manfrotto 528XB 'pod. It's is a combination that I can only describe as awesome. The head is smooth, relaxed, massive (by comparison with a Manfrotto 503) and solid. The quick release plate is much more substantial and, with the recommended #2 spring, it balances my A1 with ME67, Rycote Softie, Rycote CCA adapter and Sennheiser G2 receiver an absolute treat. It goes where you want, stops when you stop and just stays put. You can put it at any angle of tilt, once the camera is balanced, with absolutely zero drag set, and it will stay there forever. In short, compared to my 503, there is NO comparison (this IS NOT to put the 503 down - for what it cost, it's not a bad head). Matched with a Manfrotto 528XB 'pod (what a BEAST!) it is utterly mind blowing. I knew I had equipment problems once I upped to HD, but it wasn't till I had that set up running the other day that I realised just how bad my problems were. Don't try this combination unless you're ready to bin whatever it is you're using now - 'cos that's exactly what you will want to do! (It's even made me realise I'm a better videographer than I thought - getting what I did with what I was using before - sheer sorcery!) Cheers, Chris

June 25th, 2007, 05:35 AM	#26
Peter Moretti Trustee Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sherman Oaks, CA Posts: 1,259	Increase Weight of a Small Camcorder? I'm looking at the HV20 and would like to pickup a Sachtler DV6SB will Miller legs, but the camera is too light for this head. I've considered the DV1 (much cheaper, not nearly as good) which is designed for small camcorders. But if I add a 35mm adapter, FF, rails, mattebox, etc, my rig becomes too heavy for the DV1. So, I'm wondering if it makes sense to somehow add weight to a small camera to get it to work with the bigger video heads like Sachtler's DV6SB or Vintens' Vision 3? Anyone try this? Thanks much as always.

June 25th, 2007, 02:54 PM	#27
Daniel Wang Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 113	I'm not sure why you would want a tripod that outclasses your camera, unless you plan on making major upgrades that would fit the class of the tripod, which in all would be a good idea but I have seen people with the full intention of upgrading from there DVX100 to a Varicam, end up sticking with the DVX and regret spending so much on a Sachtler HotPod. I would just get whatever matches what you plan on using at the time and maybe make room for a minor upgrade. But I'll give you what I experienced anyway. I mounted a micro-CCU cam, think CCTV/security camera with a VF mounted to it - onto the standard Bogen 3066 head I use. I loosesned friction to the lowest, and everything was either very resitant to movement, or fluid, slow. I'm not sure if the models you are looking at have counterbalance springs, but the solution would be to have a spring that matches your camera, possible the least resistand, and then have the interchangeable spring that matches your camera - keeping your camera as only what you need. To just add weight, mount your receivers to the camera, use a battery pack for a light maybe. If you had the MultiRig (DvTec), or any other handheld stabilizer that allows you to mount to the tripod while the camera was still attached to the rig - that would add considerable weight.

June 27th, 2007, 01:17 AM	#28
Peter Moretti Trustee Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sherman Oaks, CA Posts: 1,259	Yes, I do fall into the trap of thinking I'll upgrade some day soon, just not now. I really think an HV20 is good enough for the first phase of my documentary, which is talking head interviews. An extra $2.5K on an XH-A1 just doesn't seem justified to me. Esp. when the image difference is pretty minimal under good lighting. I also like the idea of using a small camera. That said, I add an adapter, mic, xlr adapter, and I'm overweight for the DV1.

June 27th, 2007, 07:51 AM	#29
Peter Ralph Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Denver/Vail Colorado Posts: 254	David Lynch added 80 pounds deadweight to a Vx2000 when shooting playstation ads for sony.