how are you going to accesorize your HVX?

Just in case, anybody is interested...

There is an underwater housing for the HVX200

http://www.mediasub.com/Video_e.htm

Mediasub mailed me, that the BUW8 housing will be the housing for the HVX200 just with new remote-control but they will need first a camera to modify the existing remote-control. This housing is about 3-5 times cheaper than DVX100-housings AND still has better features AND is much lighter, because it's made of carbon-fibre - the much better choice than metal... It's a modern housing with many new features that can't be gotten with 3-5 years old housings.
 
ooh thanks cici,

i can imagine asking my photography scuba friends to take my camera down for me. since they do underwater photography do i trust them to take care of my camera. until i get off my ass and learn how to dive.
 
@contentlab

if your friends have experience with underwater videography - why not? - If they don't - well then it's still enough for some shaky impressions to share. Don't forget: every breath makes your body go upwards together with the housing and every breath out makes you dive for several decimeters - so videographers learn to breath or more: NOT breath in a way that their buoyancy control is perfect: they don't move a single inch upwards/downwards or with the current. And THAT's what's most difficult. At least it can be learned! Once you dive - and once you dive with a camera - you can't imagine going down WITHOUT it anymore. What if you see a whaleshark? What if you see a spanish dancer? A moonfish? And you don't have your camera?! - A nightmare for UW-videographers. You think: "ok - I have been diving this place dozens of times - I just want to have a relaxed dive here now without my camera for one time" - And either THEN you see an amazing nudibranch - or the last moment you say to yorself: "Aaah! Forget it! I just can't leave my buddy (camera) here!" and you take the camera.... and don't see anything special of course ;)
 
To get back on the tripods, I put Sachtler on top of anything else. I've worked with Vinten and Cartoni at school, and I have a Sachtler now. Imo they move better then anything out there. Vinten and Cartoni heads (or at least the ones I used) needed a bit of time to speed up at the start of a camera move and the same to slow down. A Sachtler head handles this much better. Maybe a detail to others but I want my camera to sit on the best possible head even if there pricy.
 
Well, all of the tripods I used had years of students trying to kill them behind them. So they probably were a bit more worn out then stuff one owns themselve. The cartoni I don't remember what it was. All I know was that was a georgeous looking cine-tripod with an ARRI on top of it. The Vintens where all pro 5 series. I'm comparing them to my own sachtler video 18. It's a second hand, so there's some wear and tear aswell. But a completely abused sachtler DV1 at the place i work still moved better then the vintens I worked with. Again, none were new heads. But they were in good working condition. Well, most of them :)
 
OliverM said:
The Vintens where all pro 5 series. I'm comparing them to my own sachtler video 18.
Click to expand...
To be fair, the Vinten Pro5 is actually a rebranded version of the Bogen 503 (Vinten and Bogen are both owned by Vitec Group). If you need further confirmation of this, look at the pictures of each head. They are identical!

The Bogen 503 is a $259 head. On the other hand, the Sachtler Video 18 is a $4499 head!

Now, that's not to say there aren't some big differences in the ways heads are designed and built. Vinten DOES take a very different approach than other manufactures and they do feel different. Cartoni has a design similiar to the O'Conner method, which you may not like. And, that's fine. That's personal preference... And, that's okay.

It just kills me when people say, "brand X isn't very good" when they're comparing one single experience with " brand X" lowest product line to "brand Z" higher end product line. At least where I live, which is down the road from Adrian's Apple Orchard, we try to compare good apples to good apples.

Just trying to help clear this up. :thumbsup:
 
I would agree that Sachtler is the king of the hill when it comes to heads... but, while at NAB I took some time to play with as much as I could and I really liked the feel of the new Miller switchables, specifically the DS20... now, I've not had experience with Miller since an old Super-8 unit twenty years ago... how do they take abuse?

I can't borrow my friends Sachtler forever, and the Bolgen 501 combo I have is really only good for rough positioning the camera... diagonal movements are very jerky...

Jim Arthurs
 
I, too, am looking for a tripod to support the HVX200, and I'd appreciate some feedback.

For sticks, I plan to go with the Bogen 542ART for the combination of light weight and fast set-up time. Can anyone comment on how stiff these legs are?

For the fluid head, I've been comparing reviews and posts on the several models in the $1,000 range (e.g. Bogen 519, Miller DS20, etc.). Everyone has a favorite, but there's no consensus. I think I've decided on the Vinten Vision 3 because people seem happy with the movement and it can be balanced for a wide range of camera weights with a relatively inexpensive spring change-out. (I forsee changing the spring as I trick out the HVX200 or rent a 2/3" chip camera.) Can anyone comment on the movement or durability of this Vinten? Is my thinking on this correct, or am I making too big a deal of balancing a range of weights?

Thanks,
Jeremy
 
holy crap! $4500 heads!!

ok maybe sachtler isn't in my budget (yes i understand that is the high end) but thanks for all this tripod feedback.

perhaps i should restate my question. what kind of tripod/head would you folks suggest that fits these requirements
*$800-1500 - obviously my boss would prefer the cheaper one but i want to build in some wiggle room. but if you have good ideas for the low end of my budget even better since that is more likely what i'll be able to get approval on.

* is somewhat lightweight because i'd like to hike with it and the HVX to take some cool off the path nature shots.i understand i can't get the lightest set of sticks because that will cost more than $2k i'm guessing, but what are the lighter options in my budget range?

* i would imagine that i want 2 stage. if i understand it correctly 2 stage sticks give you more height range and the advantage of being a bit more copact when folded up which comes in handy when hiking with them on your back.

* i don't think i need cinestyle drag options on the head though the most advanced level would be nice. i'm just looking for something that does feel cheap. Barry's recommendation of a bogen 3066 in some other thread keeps coming to mind because he said it would give the camera good stability against slight wind shake and swapping P2 cards without disturbing the camera.

and i know i need to find some good local dealers to just try a bunch of different stick and head combos at. does anyone have recommendations for places in the San Fran/San Jose area? I used to live in LA and know where to go for such service but up here there aren't camera houses every other block. The local camera shop has a decent stick selection but not video heads other than the very basic and cheapest feeling.

thanks for all your input.
 
cici said:
@contentlab

if your friends have experience with underwater videography - why not? - If they don't - well then it's still enough for some shaky impressions to share. Don't forget: every breath makes your body go upwards together with the housing and every breath out makes you dive for several decimeters - so videographers learn to breath or more: NOT breath in a way that their buoyancy control is perfect: they don't move a single inch upwards/downwards or with the current. And THAT's what's most difficult. At least it can be learned! Once you dive - and once you dive with a camera - you can't imagine going down WITHOUT it anymore. What if you see a whaleshark? What if you see a spanish dancer? A moonfish? And you don't have your camera?! - A nightmare for UW-videographers. You think: "ok - I have been diving this place dozens of times - I just want to have a relaxed dive here now without my camera for one time" - And either THEN you see an amazing nudibranch - or the last moment you say to yorself: "Aaah! Forget it! I just can't leave my buddy (camera) here!" and you take the camera.... and don't see anything special of course ;)
Click to expand...

ha, i know what you mean about leaving the camera and that is when you see a dozen awesome things. thanks for the dive stability tips. i've seen my friends pics of nudibranches and those things are definitely cool looking.
 
Let's be very clear about something here, I make a lot of posts on this board because I have a lot of opinions. This is especially true of my thoughts on tripod heads.

I also demo'd the Miller DS10 and DS20 during a comparison with Vinten 3 and Cartoni Focus heads in April. This was actually the number #1 reason I went to NAB this year. I was in the market for killer camera support that would last me a long time. I was on a 3-week shoot earlier in the year that used the Vision 3 and I was sold. That tripod rocked, but then I discovered the Cartoni Focus. I went with the Focus because from what I saw, the performance rivaled the Sachtler and O'Conner heads that cost 3x as much in terms of fluid motion, wide range of adjustability in drag controls, and it even had the same counterbalance range as Vinten (2-22lbs.) except you never have to change a spring! The entire range is accessible right out of the box. Cartoni as a brand has a lack luster reputation for reliability, but this thing feels pretty solid and is soooo smooth. You just have to feel it to believe it. With care, this thing should should last a lifetime. It's interesting to note that this head will not work well with the Bogen ART legs because of the size/shape of locking cup prohibits the legs from closing all the way with this head. There are several posts on DVInfo about this from a pretty disenfrachised user.

Anyone considering a large tripod investment should weigh the benefits of a 100mm bowl vs. the 75mm bowl as outfitted on most lower end DV heads. The 75mm bowl makes it difficult to mount a jib, pedestal, or high hat because those things are generally designed for 100mm (or larger) bowls. Going with a 100mm bowl costs a little more, but provides a lot of flexibility for the future -- which is a good thing if you ever foresee moving beyond tripod shots.

All that said, the Vinten Vision 3 is a superb unit that is both durable and smooth. But, you consider it is a 75mm bowl. Then, you add the cost of little things, like a mid-level speader is $634. A telescopic pan bar is $239. You need $260 in springs to access the entire counterbalance range in two pound increments. It's not hard to see you're paying a huge premium for things that come standard with Cartoni. Ultimately, it comes down to a preference. I can't tell you what you like. But, I can tell you these heads all feel very different from each other.
 
Brian,

Thanks for the tip on the Cartoni Focus. I'll definitely try it before making a purchase. The pan in the demo movie (that you posted elsewhere on the web) looked pretty darn smooth.

--Jeremy
 
contentlab said:
* is somewhat lightweight because i'd like to hike with it and the HVX to take some cool off the path nature shots.i understand i can't get the lightest set of sticks because that will cost more than $2k i'm guessing, but what are the lighter options in my budget range?
Click to expand...


You might want to check out Gitzo tripods for a lightweight, mobile tripod within the budget you mentioned (www.gitzo.com). At NAB this year I checked out two Gitzo tripods that could be good tripods for mobile, ENG-style production with the HVX200. On many productions I hike a lot with cameras, so light weight, good fluid head action, and easy setup/takedown are what I'm after. I checked out the Gitzo carbon fiber legs (Mountaineer 1325V, 1348, 1548). They're real lightweight and seemed to be very strong. For sheer lightness, with good head action, the G2380 head impressed me - 1.4kg, variable pan & tilt, but no level ball. For a lot of backcountry hiking a camera backpack for the HVX with a Gitzo 1325V sticks/G2380 head would be hard to beat. For a combination better suited to overall ENG-style production, but still pretty light, a Gitzo 1348 sticks/G1380 head looked like a good ticket. The G1380 head has a leveling ball, and a wide variety of springs, so you could fine-tune it to the HVX's weight in various configurations. Gitzo also has head adapters so any manufacturers 75mm-100mm ball can adapt to their sticks.

Both of those sticks/head combos are within your budget - between $1250 and $1600. I have no connection whatsoever with Gitzo - just passing on my impressions of how their product would be for mobile production with an HVX200.

In a long career of shooting I've used tripods from every manufacturer. I love Sachler, but they are very expensive. For sports and travel shooting, where there was a lot of rapid panning and tilting, Sachler and Vinten are hard to beat - solid, with smooth heads.

For my mobile shooting HVX200 kit, I'll use a backpack and strap the tripod on the side of it. Big heavy tripods with won't cut it, but I need good head action. If the production is stationary, I almost always use a big, solid, smooth Sachler.

Gibby
www.cut4.tv
 
contentlab said:
holy crap! $4500 heads!!
ok maybe sachtler isn't in my budget (yes i understand that is the high end) but thanks for all this tripod feedback.
Click to expand...

Sachtler makes cheaper sticks for smaller cams. A video 18 is mostly used for ENG work. So that means beta SX or DIGI. Its overkill for my dvx, but if I need to use something bigger on it, at least I can.

And Wells, I didn't mean to say that the other brand suck. Sachtler is very expensive because there heads move just a little better then most. But it's those last little differences that make up the cost I guess.
But over here you get the head and the sticks for that price (well a little more).
I bought mine as a revised second hand for 2000 euros with alu tripod.
So I didn't mean to diss any brand, just saying what I like best. :thumbsup:
 
While there are a lot of suggestions for tripod/head set-ups in the $1250+ range here, are there any that can be suggested for doc work in the sub $1000 range? Is the Sachtler DV2 too light?

I was trying to find the HVX's weight, albeit w/o accessories, but every time I try and download the Pany HVX brochure from their site my browser crashes (Safari, 10.4.2). Anybody else have this problem or know where another copy of the brochure lives?
 
I think you'll need a DV 4 at least. Espescially with a few accessories. A DV 2 will hold the cam I think. But that's close to its limits.
That's the theory part. Fact is we used a DV 1 with a pd 170 for several years without hassle. So a DV2 should do the job fine. But with tripods the rule in general is, the heavier the better. I use the video 18 head for my dvx. Serious overkill but it works like a charm...
 
NBCshooter said:
I never really liked Cartonis, but I LOVE Vintens. I have a used Vinten Vision 5, and it's GREAT! It's perfect for a DVX/HVX-class camera. The Vision 5 is a bit under-weighted for a full-sized Betacam, however. Vinten uses a different drag system than Sachtler, and I actually like Vinten's design better, even though the Sachtlers are EXTREMELY good. We have $8,300 Sachtler carbon fiber Video 20s at work, and certainly Sachtler is probably the best tripod you can buy--but BOY are they expensive! I think Vinten is the best bang for the buck in tripods.

And the off-ground spreader deal? A lifesaver, must-have feature!
Click to expand...
:thumbup: :thumbup:
I agree about the vinten tripods
I have a vision 3 and a six and the vision 12 tripod .Do you guys self service these tripods or send them in to Vinten ???
I am about to get brave and pull off some cleaning repairs
and I may open up the tripod head sliding head plate with the main spring since one of them was at the beach and it moves pretty rough ..
Let me know any war story on Vinten or self made repair please .
Thanks
Bruce
 
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