accessories

K

kyle_noad100

Active member
i know this is a DXV Hardware forum, and for asking this i fully understand that i will probably get strung up and thrown to the lions, but...

Im about to order my new XL2, and at the same time i also want to order a tripod. My price limit for a tripod is about 150-200 pounds(about $280-$370). Im am not sure what tripod would be the best in this price range or near to it, and thought the good people of DVXuser could help out.

While im at it, why do tripods range in price so much, after all(as far as im aware), they are 3 legs with a camcorder mount, and some of the more expenceive ones provide dampening for smoother camera movement im guessing. Because some of the tripods ive seen are over a grand, and some are less than 100. What is the differnce?

Thanks.

p.s...any other accessory ideas that i should buy welcome.
 
Re: accessories

What are you using this tripod for? What kind of filming are you going to be doing? There are some excellent posts on here that explain why tripods are so expensive and what you should look for in a tripod. But first, you have to know what it is you are going to be doing. I think a good tripod is one of the most essential things you can have (accessories wise). If your footage sucks, you had better have a really good story! Thats why I am holding out on buying one. I need to save more money! One I often hear recommended is the Bogen 503 or 501 head with 525 sticks. I don't think you will get that setup for your price range, but shop around, look for used equipment. Also, you are getting an XL2 right? I'm not trying to put you down (as I am no where near where I need to be knowledge wise), but why are you opting for the XL2? Chances are if you don't know anything about tripods then you may not be very knowledgeable about the camera itself. My advice would be to head over to the "Latest DVX News/Articles" thread and read Jarred Land's watch the video provided comparing the DVX and XL2. You would save alot of money buying the Dvx in which you could buy a good tripod and (in my opinion) have a better looking picture! To each his own. Good luck either way and I hope this helped. Tim.

btw: Here is the link to that video:
http://www.dvxuser.com/cgi-bin/DVX2/YaBB.pl?board=nws;action=display;num=1100114077
 
Re: accessories

Thanks for the reply.
ive opted for the XL2 is for several reasons.
firstly the 20x optical zoom to me would be useful. I also, im my humble opinion, prefer the look(from what i have seen) of the XL2, and i have watched just about every video on the internet that i can find for these cameras. I have also visited my local camera store in the UK and tried out both camera, and prefer the larger size of the XL2. I find that with a bigger camera i am able to produce more steady shots and feels nicer to hold. Dont get me wrong the DVX looks like an excelent camera, especially concidering its age, but i just feel that the XL2 would be better for my needs. One thing that does slighty concern me about the XL2 is the viewfinder. It would have been nice to have a high resolutiion black and white viewfinder, or a flip out high resolution TFT screen. Idealy i would like a high resolution viewfinder to fucus the shots, and a colour flip out screen to help compose the shots. bu then, i cant have everything.
From the 'rocky comparrison video', my opinion both cameras have their strong and weak points. To my eye the XL2 looks sharper, but on certain shots the DVX have more rich colour. All this is hard to tell from the small sized video for both, and think that it would have been nice to have the same video, but full sized shots for both videos.

just my opinion.
 
Re: accessories

If the xl2 will be better for your needs than go for it :). I was just making sure you have seen what is out there so you can make an educated decision. Both cameras are obviously extremely great prosumer cameras, but back to the tripod, I would save up and invest in good one. tim.
 
Re: accessories

I am willing to spend more on a tripod, because i see your point, that im spening 3000 pounds on a camera so why ruin it with a crappy tripod. I know little about tripods, so call me ignorant, but i cant see what the difference would be between a 200 pound tripod and a 2000 pound tripod. Please inlighten me.
I have been looking at my accounts, and i can stretch to 350-400 pounds give or take a little. As i say i have little knowlege about tripods. I will be using the tripod on both smooth and roughf ground, indoors and out. So my ultimate question being, are there any tripods that stand out from the rest for the XL2 within the new, revisisted price range.
As you may or may not have noticed my prices are in Pounds sterling as im in the UK, and im sorry for that.
Also, am i going to have to purchase a tripod mount for the camera which i have seen being sold, or is this just for a quick release function?
sorry about all the questions, but your help is appreciated.
Kyle.
 
Re: accessories

Kyle, first check out this thread on buying a tripod (click on the underlined link)

Go for the Bogen combo discussed here. Otherwise, very good models to consider in the $800 to $1000 US range also include the Miller DS-10 for the XL2, DS-5 for the AG-DVX100A, Sachtler System DV 4 II, or Cartoni Action Pro System. Compare their features to decide on what you're looking for.

If you really have the money, I'd go for a Vinten.
 
Re: accessories

Just remembered, Libec also makes very good models at a more modest cost, around $600.

In the end, remember that a tripod will last you from rig to rig if cared for properly, meaning you may have the tripod longer than you would a DV camcorder - especially with HDV coming out next year, who knows what you'll be working with then ;D
 
Re: accessories

Thanks for all your help, its been very useful in helping to make my purchase. :)
Any other information is always welcome, but from what ive read the Bogen 503 seems like a pretty good tripod.
I know this may seem like a stupid question as you live in the USA, but do you know of any good retailers for tripods and other accessories for camcorders in the UK?
Many thanks.
kyle.
 
Re: accessories

Not sure...B&H photo ships overseas, but I'm sure you could do w/o all the shipping costs!
 
Re: accessories

Don't forget to buy extra batteries and a UV filter as well. And don't skimp on the filter!
 
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