tripod, shotgun and wireless suggestions for ENG type kit

W

walnutcrunch

Well-known member
We shoot pretty lightweight out and about in the world in rapidly changing situations where we need to act pretty quickly. We're out in the great wide a lot so lightweight makes a difference when you are a hike from the car.

We currently have a cheapo sony wireless and shotgun and need to upgrade them both.

We also need a fairly lightweight tripod.

That said we only shoot 1-2 days a week and we are an in house production unit so we aren't charging out our gear on a day rate.

We don't have a limitless budget (purchasing the camera chewed a lot of that up) but I want to buy in at solid quality, but lowest price to get solid quality. Basically reliable equipment without the unnecessary (for us) bells and whistles. For instance we have the Canon 2x, because of the support we get on it, and that extender for wildlife. We have Dionic 90's and the right dual charger because they make the most sense on that camera but at the same time are a relatively basic part of that line.

Reliable, medium use quality for the lowest price is what I'm after.

Any advice?
 
People will differ on this topic A LOT. I got a great deal on a Miller DV25 head on single stage sticks. New I think they were about $3800, paid 1/4 of that, and totally pristine, basically unused. (/singing) "And I found it on eBay...." (/end singing) Plenty of support for HPX, teleprompter, etc etc.


Shotgun... I'd find (you know where) a used Sennheiser 416. Hook to a wireless rig of your choice. I'm using an AudioTechnica 1800, wish I could afford some Lectrosonics. Don't forget a decent "dead cat" (windmuff) and/or blimp since you're outside. (The AT 1800 may be just fine for your work, since you're out in the sticks shooting, right?)
 
We are out on the boats and by rivers and near the shore on the edge of a major urban center.

Unfortunately I can't go the ebay route. I think someone would have my head if I happened to get scammed.

I was trying to remember the standard sennheiser for a camera. Thanks

the wireless lav kit is the hard part. I've worked with enough sound guys to know that anything under the 5000 dollar boxes of magic they carry around are useless, but I'm sure there is something available that's less than that that will fit nicely on the the camera.
 
A set of Lectrosonics wireless should run about $2500 I think (give or take). Those are pretty much the standard by which others are judged. Add another $400 for a Sanken COS-11 lav. Or try the AT1800 for $800.... a good vendor will take it back if you're not happy.
As for the tripod, you obviously want the best damn fluid head you can afford, certainly at the expense of a cheap pair of sticks. Remember, a good tripod will outlast the HPX, and the next camera, and the next....
 
What he said but be careful buying a used fluid head. A lot of them have abused beyond belief. Sticks are probably ok but try out the head if you can. Everybody has a preference. Some like Sachtler some Oconner some miller

Also learn how to care for your head! Many dont know that Sachtler for instance recommends running through the drag settings every time you use the head.

Microphone? you probably can't afford the mic that will bring a smile to your sound guys lips. Say Schoeps very softly.
 
For wireless I second the Sennheiser G2.
But change out the me2 with some countryman lav or mke2.
For boom sound, don´t buy the ME66 (read the audio section for why...).
Go with a Sennheiser mkh416 or a Sanken CS-3e.
They are over 1K but will still serve you when your HPX will hardly be remembered...
For tripod, a lot of HVX users use the Cartoni Focus, maybe it has a bigger brother with the same price/value features...?
 
We just picked up 2 of the Evolution kits a couple months back. And I have to say for $500, they are really nice units.

I was initially a little nervous about the lack of true diversity, but so far we have experienced no problems and for the most part, pristine audio.

As for the ME66, we also purchased 2 of those, but sent them back as they were too long for an on-board mic.

Manfrotto gets a pretty bad rap, but I must also second the 526 rig if you are on a budget. I have one of those plus a $3700 Vinten 8 setup as well. I use the manfrotto rig pretty much only in the studio, but I would have no problem recommending that setup. After spending the money on the Vinten, I am really surprised at how well the 526 rig actually does perform at less than half the price.

-Brad
 
For a tripod I love my Vinten Vision 8. It's been to heck and back and is incredibly durable and sturdy. For wireless audio I use a pair or Lectrosonics water proof transmiters and the 400 series receivers. For a shotgun the ME66 Sennheiser is great. I constantly receive positive comments about the quality of the audio thanks to this microphone. All of my audio feeds through a Sound Devices 302 field mixer.

I hope this info helps.
Jim
 
Great advice all. It seems the G2 wireless is a good way to go. I like the idea of getting a mic like the countryman for it. I don't know a lot about those mics, but a solid lav would make a huge difference for us.

Is anyone else finding the me66 too long for the 500?

How can the vinten vison 8 have a weight of only 12 pounds? Everything else, including other carbon fibre tripods seems to be in the 21-22 pound range.

That's a huge difference, with not a huge price. At double and a bit the price of the bogen, that 8 pounds would make a huge difference to our work that would validate spending more. Is that 12 pound number right?
 
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If you really don´t want to spent that much on the shotgun, you might want to consider the Rode NTG2.
You will find a lot of good comments on this mic in the audio section, especially compared to the ME66.
You can also get the G2 with the additional SKP 100 transmiter, and thus can use the NTG2 as a wireless reporter mic for run´n gun interviews...
On camera mics are really only good as a worst-case back up...
 
The Vinten is definitely in the 12 pound area. It's one of the reasons I bought it since we spend a great deal of our time out in the middle of no where as well. The carbon fiber legs are great and very light. It's once you add the head that the weight jumps up to 12 pounds. But strapped to your back it really is quite light.
Jim
 
I can attest for the portability of the Vinten sticks and with that you'll have very smooth movements and a "tripod for life".

The Miller Arrow 25 (or 40) are a bit cheaper, a bit heavier but I tested a few days ago and was very impressed.

If you like to consider a cheaper shotgun you can test the Audio Technica AT 4073A. For about $500 it's a great run and gun mic. I got one for my HVX and I've been using since... Also got some nice comments from Sound Designers about my audio.
 
I like Vinten for ENG because they're built well and can take a beating. Not crazy about Vinten's movement. It's good but not great (O'Connor or High End Sachtler 20 or above). More durable than a Sachtler. I own a Miller 25 which I love. I think it's the smoothest out there in it's price range. Used mostly for fiction and videos. Hasn't been ENG tested, but I think it would do well as it's quick to set up and adjust and the build is awesome (3 year warranty). It's a bit heavier than the Vinten 8.

Test them if you can. I'm very disappointed with the new generation of Sachtlers (DV 12 and Below). They feel and act toy like. Panther's worth a look. Very smooth and really built like a tank. All metal.

What I find missing in a lot of heads is decent tilt resistance. That's crucial for slow tilt ups (buildings, etc) on long lenses. Vinten doesn't have enough for me. My Miller at 5 definitely can handle it. Sachtler 25 is great too.

When you test your tripod, put on your longest lens and pan/tilt from point a to B at a variety of speeds and see if it comes to a firm stop. Also, Pan and just as you stop, let go of the handle. A good head will have no blacklash or settling movement in the opposite direction. The backlash is endemic in the entire Bogen line as well as the Cartoni Focus/Laser heads. It makes landing spot on a mark zoomed all the way in more challenging than it needs to be. Vinten does not suffer from this.

Another test, Pan/Tilt quickly and real fluid movement starts with a stronger resistance that tapers off. This resistance curve is crucial for those delicate or silky smooth moves. O'Connor has perfected this (as well as the high price). This is why I can't deal with friction based resisance heads (Vinten, Manfrotto, Some Cartonis, Gitzo).

Other things to look for: Check out the tightening nobs and Rosettes. Bogen Rosettes are notorious for stripping the teeth. The metal is too soft. Cartoni focus brass thread dismounts and the arm flexes from the plastic housing. Look out for flex. Lock everything down, grab the arm and give it a little pull. See if there's unwanted flex. Flex really shows and compromises control when you have a full load and your tilting down.
 
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If u are considering a mic that can double as a shot gun & mounted mic, Rode NTG-1 is a good decent mic for a very affordable price. I made the mistake of getting NTG-2 Its is a little to long for mounting on the camera. I'm using the Miller Arrow 25 with sprinter legs. The Sprinter legs are great for one -man operation because the operator can easily reach the all the levers without having to bend down to reach the lower stage, great for ENG. I have a manfrotto 502, Sachter DV 2 & a Miller 20 as well. I have absolutely given up the manfrotto, too many failures over the years. Sachter & Miller are equally good but the Miller is definitely more affordable.
 
Any of the top brand tripods which can take the weight. I find tripod heads a very personal choice, may need to try them.

For wireless I use
Sony WRT 822
WRR 861
Sanken Cos 11 Lav

For shotgun I use
AT - ATM57 only available in japan - Really like this mic in a big auditorium / convention style setting. Especially for two man crews where we can only use one mic. Cuts out enough ambience to capture the dialogue clearly but doesnt cut it to the extreme a cs3 can.
Sanken CS3e

For Indoor I use
Octava MK012 (can order from Sound room - good bunch) for a small dead sounding room(especially good where the environment is very controlled like with sound blankets) or with a wider brighter room I go back to my CS3.

Field Mixer

I use a protech from Japan but the sound devices 302 is pretty popular

Boom
Just got my VdB this week. Bloody long and bloody light - I was recommended this boom by a very experienced sound guy.

Are these the best choices. Maybe not. But they are the choices I made. A lot of my sound choices were from the pros that grace us in the audio forum or people I work with. They work well for me. and I am NOT a sound guy.
 
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