Tripods and fluid heads

Tripod adapter that automatically follows with pan and tilt

AKED — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:11:00 +0000

Hi,

I have a question.

I have come across a product that is quite fascinating.

You can see it here:

The website

http://www.swivl.com/about/

Some videos with and about it

It is a tripod adapter, that has a sender and a receiver.
Where ever the sender moves, the receiver follows.
Panning and tilting.

So if you do not have a cameraman but move in front of the camera, this is ideal.

The problem is, that it omly works with smartphones, preferably IPhones and light point and shoot cameras up to 6 ounces.

So my question is:
Does anybody know of a similar product, that would work with a GH2 ?

Thanks in advance and happy new year.

Low budget fluid head+tripod ?

chouonrow — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:45:44 +0000

Hi guys, i would like to know your recommendations to buy a very low budget fluid head+tripod, or if i can attach something cheap to this poor tripod which I have: http://www.fotoboom.com/pagina2.php?id=17987&comienzo=0
I think I must buy a new one tripod, but my budget is so low :\
what do you think guys?

Light weight tripod and video head for hiking

ricker — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:27:17 +0000

Hi everyone, I'm about to buy myself a GH2, probably with an olympus 45mm (or there abouts) and a 12mm noktor hyperprime (once their released). I plan on using this to shoot random nature stuff, and just fun videos when I go hiking with friends. I'll also end up using it for work, where I edit training videos for nursing staff, in care homes (very niche).

So, as I plan on walking alot with this camera, I'm also 6'4 so will require something tall. I want to invest in a light weight tripod and head.

So far i'm moving towards: Head: Manfrotto 701HDV Tripod: 055CXPRO4 (or maybe 3), the PRO4 has 3 extension points, which means it packs up to 54.5cm and max height of 170cm, compared to PRO3's 65cm and max of 175cm. Both of these are fully carbon fibre tubing with magnesium castings. or maybe the 055CXV3 which is has aluminum center pole, and castings

I live in Australia, and with shipping this bundle is probably looking at around $600-$650 US

So I'd like to know, if i'm heading down the right track on this one? One thing i'm wary of is how do I level the camera other than using the legs? I'm sure i've seen somewhere that you can get an inbetween attachment that allows levelling?

How durable is carbon fibre, when its strapped to the outside of a hike pack, and takes hits on surrounding foilage, maybe crushed by a pack sometimes?

Are these options the best for me? (I reckon I will down the track, get a glide shooter sd) And as far as I can tell, this tripod and head should be good for that?

Anyway, if anyone can help me with my decision, i'd most appreciate it!

Manfrotto 561BHDV-1 Fluid Video Monopod with Head. Any good?

jimtreats — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 11:29:40 +0000

I've just seen this covered here at the linked camera blog from another topic

http://oliviatech.com/tips-on-shooting-with-a-monopod

I really like the look of this one and wondered if anyone had any opinions or experience with this model or alternatives.

I've brought a Sachtler fluid head tripod and do love it but its absolutely massive and heavy. This monopod looks like it could be useful for a lot of effects and if ever the fluid head starts to disappoint for steadier slower pans i can switch to the Sachtler.

What do people think?

Cheers

Which tripod to get for my needs?

Gabel — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 13:19:53 +0000

So, I've recently upgraded my whole rig from a Canon 7D to a GH2. Now it's time for the tripod, stepping up from my Manfrotto 501.
I'm somebody who shoots mostly tripod-mounted and a good tripod is very important for me.

The rig I'm using is a GH2, with old Nikon AI-primes, a TrusMT follow focus and matte-box and a SmallHD DP4, all mounted to a Gini Rig with just the rods (I remove the shoulder pad and handles when on sticks I should add).
This is my base rig. I need a tripod that is good and will handle this. However, I want some future proofing too. Right now, I rarely shoot with a barebones kit and if I do, it's never any jobs, so my demands for this is smaller.
But as I'm shelling out a bit on it, I don't want something that I'll have to get rid of once I upgrade my camera. It won't need to handle a RED or an Alexa, but I'd like something that at the most could take an F3 with Compact Primes, using the same setup for the rig.

I'm also adding a Kessler Crane KC8 crane. So I will be mounting the head on top it.
I live in Sweden and will order from the UK or Germany (if you find any of these cheaper, let me know!)

My alternatives:
E-Image 7083
(£525)
http://www.proav.co.uk/E-image-EI-7083-AA-Video-Tripod-Kit/p26789.aspx
Pros: The cheapest of them all, 100mm, the legs can take a crane. Handles the most weight (13kg/26lbs), supposedly great quality for the price.
Cons: Still an "off-brand", so I'm not 100% about it, not much less than a Vinten, current rig might be too light!

Vinten Vision Blue
(£610)
http://www.proav.co.uk/Vinten-Vision-Blue-Tripod-System/p29084.aspx
Pros: A real Vinten that is supposed to deliver anything one could expect from that. Pretty cheap too!
Cons: Smallest weight range at 2kgs to 5kgs (4lbs to 10lbs) and don't know if it could handle a larger camera and screws to adjust the tripod!

And then there's Sachtler. They have some kits over at Creativevideo with the ENG 75/2 D legs, which I saw and they didn't impress me. I need some legs that are a bit sturdier. So I thought, why do I need their legs? I could get a nice head and then pick up a decent set of legs (E-Image or Libec) over at ProAV anyway (suggestions here are welcome)!

Sachtler CineDSLR
(£506 for the head)
http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/index.php?t=product/sachtler_cine_dslr_head
Pros: Designed for my needs, could balance up to 9.7 kgs (20lbs!), so it should work! Oh and it's a Sachtler.
Cons: Ehm... Legs might be worse? Still haven't seen it with a bigger camera.

Sachtler FSB6
(£589 for the head)
http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/index.php?t=product/sachtler_0407
Pros: It's a Sachtler. Alternative to the CineDSLR.
Cons: Don't know if it's better or worse than the CineDSLR. The most expensive of the bunch.

Other suggestions are welcome!

A cheap suction mount tripod holder

stoney — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:18:15 +0000

Anyone used either of these?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Suction-Mount-Tripod-Holder-Car-Window-Camera-2-75-Inch-Suction-Cup-/160666239914?pt=US_Tripods&hash=item25687443aa#ht_1415wt_1335

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Suction-Cup-Mount-Flexible-Tripod-Holder-Camera-DV-GPS-Webcam-/190588582416?pt=US_Tripods&hash=item2c5ff6fa10#ht_500wt_1335

I got 14-140 and just wanna create a timelapse using the 2 fps MJPEG hack for driving around a town.

DIY Jib/Crane

csaapi — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 09:38:49 +0000

hi all,

I'm Arpad from Hungary, and I just making a DIY camera crane. I hope I'll have time to make photos about it this weekend and will post to here.
But now I have some questions about it. I'm already ready with it, only want to mod the tripod mount. Now I'm using it on a 501HDV head with the QR plate, but I want to put it only on the center columns, but I need some kind of panning bearing.
Have you got any idea what can I put on it. I dont want to put on those Lazy Susan bearings, I dont like too much them.
I want something like this: http://www.proamcranes.com/shop/images/D/bearing_mount.jpg

thanks
csaapi

Ryecote H4N & Tascam Shock Mount & Windshields

driftwood — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 09:15:00 +0000

Vitaliy, Is there any chance of getting a deal with Ryecote on this? Has anyone got one/used one? Please report.

I dislike my Libec LS-22dv

brianluce — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 05:17:06 +0000

I'm tired of my tripod. Check out the play in it totally locked down. This is the unit Libec suggested I get when I told them the GH2 specs. I think it blows. Maybe I can keep the legs and change the head. Any suggestions for a head?

Btw, fyi, Sachtler has a DSLR tripod now, and it's only around $600.

Tripod advice for a 12 lbs. 600mm lens?

thepalalias — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 12:56:51 +0000

Next month Canon is sending me a 600mm L series lens with a 2X converter for evaluation purposes to expand the telephoto end of our operations and I plan to post my findings on my website. However, I normally use a setup designed for much lighter lenses (like the 70-200mm f2.8 or 100-400mm L) and would like to hit the ground running here.

Does anyone have advice on what additional tripod to buy/rent during the two weeks I evaluate the lens to get the most out of it? Any additional considerations as compared to lighter lenses like the ones mentioned?

On an another note, does anyone have anything in particular they would like shot/evaluated/compared during those two weeks, accessible within the greater Los Angeles/SGV area?

504HD head with CT-740x legs

GOODEMPIRE — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:19:07 +0000

Hi. I got an issue with my improvised tripod setup. I decided to save on carbon fiber legs and ordered a CT-7402 from E-Image. I thought that because both the head (Manfrotto 504HD) and the tripod have 75mm bowls in their specs they should match each other. In reality I somehow can't use my Manfrotto head in any other position other than strictly vertical — the screw-on locker at the bottom doesn't want any angles or tilts. I don't know if anyone experienced the similar problem, but maybe you guys can help me to find a solution. The proper carbon fiber legs cost over 800 at BnH and I really like both the CT-7402 and 504HD (even though original reviews were rather critical). I'd appreciate any thoughts. Thank you.

New Sachtler Tripod system for DSLR's and low budgets.

brianluce — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 05:48:23 +0000

This might be a nice rig. $730.
http://www.sachtler.com/us/ace.html

Looks like not very good deal. Cheap head and flimsy legs.

Cartoni Alfa Tripod. Coutnerbalance is off?

Gabel — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:41:27 +0000

So I picked up a Cartoni Alfa the other day, for a steal at under $150. Pretty nice tripod I thought, so might as well try it.
But now there is an issue... The counterbalance doesn't work properly.
Normally one would but the tripod at level and then turn on the counterbalance, thus "locking" the head in place. But the balance won't lock here! Instead it locks at an angle, about 15º pointing downwards or forwards. This is the same without a camera or with a different camera, with the whole counterbalance being "shifted"

Does anybody know what this could be caused by and if there is something I could do to fix it?

Cheap and light tripod with video head

LongJohnSilver — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 12:06:38 +0000

For my GH1

Impossible request?

Fast way to mount camera to tripod?

tonalt — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 07:54:45 +0000

This is my first post here and I'm beginner with video stuff. But I got my WF717 tripod and find it very tricky to mount camera to it with the screw that came with the tripod.

I saw here a link to a screw that has half sector "wing" that turns 90 degrees up so it's much easier to handle without screwdriver. Anyone knows link to that product or knows better (but not too expensive) solution to my problem?

Affordable tripod/head

evero — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 09:05:46 +0000

Many good advices on affordable equip on this forum. Would like to start a topic on affordable tripod/tripod heads :)
As far as I know, it's hard to do any bargains, mostly you get what you pay for. Also your choice is depending on type of use and weight of the rig.

Still, I'd like to hear what you use, and possibly an affordable tripod/head recommendations for typical GH2 rig with cage, FF, and some accessories.

So far, I've mostly been using Libec tripod, LS38 (around $600) http://www.libecsales.com/products/ls/ls-38-2a.html

Ebay metal QR plates

zcream — Thu, 26 May 2011 04:57:06 +0000

Can anyone recommend a cheap-ish metal QR system off ebay ? Needed this for a number of DIY projects.

Want to buy 15-20 so price is obviously an issue. Hopefully there is something for about 20 bucks or so per set of QR plate and base :-)

What Kind of Quick Release Plate do I Need for a Stabilizer?

Toronto — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 09:30:13 +0000

Hi, I have this old glidecam (probably 25 years old) that someone gave me and I need to get some sort of quickrelease plate system for it but I have no idea on what kind of quick release plate kit I would need. Here is a photo of it.

http://www.glidecam.com/product-1000-pro.php

There are all kinds of various quick release plates on ebay but some seem to be only half of a kit, different sizes, too big, too small, etc.

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=quick+release+plate&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p4340.m570

If you look at the photo, the sliding plate at the top of the glidecam only has a few centimeters of space between the base plate, so the bottom part has to be thin enough to fit inside the 2 plate areas but I have no idea how to differentiate between something that will work and something that won't and I don't have money to experiment buying various ones, I would like to get one that will work the first time.

If anyone can help me please check out ebay or elsewhere and send me a few links of plate kits (both the piece that will be permanent attaching from underneath the top plate of the stabilizer, and the piece that will then attach onto that first piece, then the 3rd piece or second piece that is permanently screwed into the camera that has some sort of switch function that would be easy to get to under a GH1 so that the camera can be easily attached and removed to the first or second piece without anything needing to be retightened after balancing every time you want to take off, put back on, take off, put back on.

Thanks very much.

What tripods are we using with our lightweight GH2

GOODEMPIRE — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 22:31:35 +0000

I discovered this detachable column Altapro with a pistol grip. It really rocks. It gives you every angle and dimension possible. I don't see anything else even close to that on the market. Or am I wrong?