HVX200 and Appropriate Tripod

L

LearningVideo

Well-known member
First of all,

I have tried to read every single post that discussed HVX200 and Tripod. I talked to many people. Let me tell you the conclusion of it all:

I am looking for good but affordable Tripod for HVX200. I already have the camera. Just from reading around, I found out that probably, an excellent choice would be:

Marconi Focus , head, legs and case for $1400 or so.

However, I am very hesitant with this price for the following reasons:

1) I also need to buy other equipments such as lights, and cards.

2) I am saving for second HVX200 unit

3) I am wondering if Bogen can simply do the Job.

Well, so if I took the Bogen route, here is what I hear:

a) Bogen 503 probably can do the Job at minimum

b) But many people strongly recommended 516 head if Bogen was to be chosen.

If I took the 503, the complete kit would be $500. With the 516, it would $1000

If I took the $503 with better to stage legs, it will be about $800

I am very really tempted to get the $500 503 Bogen kit and save... I mean really..

But I really do not want to find myself regretting not getting the Marconi Focus or even the 516 head.
 
More information

More information

More Info:

1) Cartoni Focus F101 (1-stage), $1200
2) Cartoni Focus F102 (2-stage), $1400 (Jarred and Barry Green strongly recommend this)
3) Bogen 503, 525 (2-stage), $784
4) Bogen 503, 3182, $648
5) Bogen 503, 351, $496
6)Bogen 516, 3182, $850
7) Bogen 516, 3193, $1052 (overlandfilms recommend 516 over 503 head if one wants to stick with bogen)

Any experiences with the HVX200?
 
Hey, it depends what you'll be shooting, eh?

Anyway, for the record, I have a 503/3246 setup that I'm very happy with.

Try to go somewhere like B&H or EVS where you can play with 'em all and see...
 
Just to reinforce Barry and Jared's recommendation, I have the Cartoni Focus and it is fantastic. Most of my previous work before getting the HVX was with a Sony Cinealta 900 HD and a top end Sachtler tripod. Albeit on a smaller level, the HVX and the Cartoni rival that setup (in fact, more often than not I prefer the HVX and the Cartoni because I know I won't spend the night popping back pills and chugging whiskey to kill the pain from lugging that combination around all day).
In my opinion, you can't go wrong with the Cartoni.
 
Both Jarred and Overlandfilms have indicated that they do not believe 503 head is suitable for HVX. Therefore, this has been reduced to the following:


1) Cartoni Focus F101 (1-stage), $1200
2) Cartoni Focus F102 (2-stage), $1400 (Jarred and Barry Green strongly recommend this)
3)Bogen 516, 3182, $850
4) Bogen 516, 3193, $1052 (overlandfilms recommend 516 over 503 head if one wants to stick with bogen)


There are 4 kits in play now:

Cartoni Focus, F101 and F102, both have the same head, but one is 1-stage and the other is 2-stage.

Bogen 516, one with 3182 legs and the other with 3193 legs.


I am really tempted to get F101 kit. Is F102 2-stage really worth the upgrade? Is 516 lower price worth the money save?

Let me add another point: What if I want to travel by plane with a tripod? Which one then?
 
LearningVideo said:
Both Jarred and Overlandfilms have indicated that they do not believe 503 head is suitable for HVX.

A Panasonic brochure that has been included in several magazines over the last few months on the HVX-200 lists two tripods.

1. The Manfrotto 503,351MVB2K.

2. The Sachtler System 6 SB SL MCF system.

Could they know something we don.t?
Click to expand...
 
I have the Cartoni Gamma with single stage sticks and it works incredibly well with the HVX. There is no problem even when I add the Redrock M2, 4x4 mattebox, follow focus, and 7" monitor. If I need a lower shot, I just break out the baby legs.

5701.jpg
 
It's a 4x4 Chrosziel. I've had it for a few years now. It has been through a lot of shoots on my BetaCam, 35mm, DVX and now the HVX and it has held up extremely well. Funny thing is, the HVX is the only camera that doesn't make the mattebox look huge. The lens housing on the HVX is so fat the Chrosziel looks perfect for the camera.
 
learning video.
It all depends what your needs are. I myself have a 503 on 525 sticks. (Manfrotto)
And this enabled me to purchase a fig rig and a monopod. You could go and buy a high end tripod which will last you a long long time but I'd rather shoot a lot of stuff in different ways and move up later. Again what are your needs?

Kind regards
THE HONEST LIAR
 
My needs are the following:

1) Handles HVX200 and possible cineporter and other devices

2) I will be travelling internationally and I will be bringing with me the Tripod. So it must be lightweight to carry on an airoplane.

3) Affordable.
 
Well,

Does anybody know how much 516/3182 kit weighs and how much the Focus F-101 weighs?

This will probably be the deciding factor for air-travel.
 
Hi Learning:

The Bogens are crap really, I should know, we have 501s and 503s here with three HVX-200s. The only cool thing is that my 501 with the aluminum MdVE legs is small enough to stuff into a suitcase when I fly, but the quality of the pans and tilts are unusable unless I really finesse the shot and even then they are barely acceptable.

Do yourself a favor and get a real tripod like the Cartoni Focus or better yet, the Sachtler DV-6 (the one I am getting as soon as finances permit). If you add an M2, extra lens, a follow focus and other toys hanging off of your HVX, you need a real manly tripod with hair on it's chest, not some wimpy excuse for a tripod like the Bogens.

Best,

Dan
 
No one here is saying that the Bogens are great tripods.
However if they serve your purpose, why not.
We all have different needs. My set up is within theatre where there is little movement or handheld work.

I am now convinced that there are a lot of people running champagne cameras on beer money.

Kind regards
THE HONEST LIAR
 
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