is this tripod "too heavy" for my camera?

jeff jassky

jeff jassky

Active member
Hey guys. I recently bought myself a DVX100A (which is just under 4 pounds). I'm looking to buy a tripod to support this camera with a few accessories totaling somewhere around 6-7 pounds.

The tripod that I'm looking at is this one:
http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=516515PKIT

I'm somewhat new to video and such. I've never owned a pro video tripod. When I bought my camera from Rush at EVS, we talked a little bit about different tripods. From what I gathered from talking with him, he says that a heavier duty head may not be an advantage, but infact could be a disadvantage because of weight/balance issues. I take it that he was talking about panning and smooth movement throughout.

Basically my question is - is there such a thing as having a tripod/head that is "too heavy" for certain camera setups? - And if so, is the tripod tyhat I linked to (http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=516515PKIT) too heavy for a 6-7 pound dvx setup?

Thanks guys. I appreciate it.
 
While a head designed for a heavier camera may be a bit of a problem (for the reasons you have noted), the tripod is a different issue all together. The most important characteristic of a tripod is stiffness, and a "heavier" one may be stiffer than a lighter one. You could easily use a different head on this same set of "sticks" and get great results. You might want to look at a 503 head for use with the DVX.
 
Right, right. I appreciate your reply! I realise that the heavier and stiffer the legs the better. In this case I'm speaking about the head only.

KHMuse seems to think that the 516 head might be a bit too heavy for a 6-7 pound DVX setup? He's recommending the 503 head for something like this. What do the rest of you guys think? The 503 and the 516 are the heads that I've been considering.

If you guys feel that the 503 would be a better bet for me, Could you point me in the direction of any certain tripod/head kits? If I go with the 503 head, this is one of the kits I was considering - http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=503351MVB2

Let me know what all of you guys think. Thanks!
-Jeff
 
I have the 503 head and love it. I use it with the Bogen 3046 sticks. It wasn't part of any kit.

BTW, if you post this in the Hardware section you might get more of a response.

Chris
 
I just looked at the 503/351 combination that you referenced and while OK, not what would be my first choice.

Why go with a "package" solution? I would go ‘a la carte’ and combined the best head (for the camera weight that you will be using) with the stiffest sticks you can afford. The 515 sticks have an on ground spreader which is vastly superior to the 351's mid level solution.

Mix and match to get the best ROI and most appropriate solution for your application.
 
The Miller is a great head, but I would put the bulk of the investment into getting the stiffest sticks you can afford. You can always put a better head on a great set of sticks, but no matter how good the head is, it won't work worth a damn on poor sticks.
 
I forget, does it have a 50mm or 75mm levelling ball? How do you like the quick release legs, and the on-ground spreader?
 
Alright guys, well I really appreciate all of your input on this. It seems the majority of you are saying to get a strong set of legs, and the 503 head. In that case, I'll probobly do that. My first stop - ebay.

I understand that this isn't the marketplace - but does anyone by chance have a 503 in good condition for sale?

Thanks!
-Jeff
 
PDX_DVX said:
I forget, does it have a 50mm or 75mm levelling ball? How do you like the quick release legs, and the on-ground spreader?
Click to expand...

It's a 75mm.

I really like the legs. They set up fast and stay put.

I like the on-ground spreader. It's really stable and you can get really low with it if you need. I've been thinking about picking up the mid spreader for it, just to see how good it is.
 
oh.. you're the mankato minnnesota guy.. I think I told you this before, but I used to live there.. I worked in the river hills mall and stuff.. heh.. yep that was it.
-Jeff
 
Yeah, I remember that. That's kinda creepy that we'd meet up here of all places. My girlfriend has been the manager of the B. Dalton in that mall for the last several years.

I use those 525MVB sticks that you linked to and I love them. If you still lived here, I'd have you swing over for a beer and let you take the tripod for a test drive to see if you like it.
 
Ah, yes. Well I appreciate it. Unfortunately I'm in Texas right now. I should probobly change that in my profile. I'll probobly end up going with the 525MVB legs and a 503 head. I'm hoping that will be a good combo for my setup.

If anyone else has any comments, I'm still totally open for suggestions. Thanks!

-Jeff
 
Rush stated that the Miller DS10 is preferable to the 503, because it "has a real fluid head (not fluid filled silicone like the 503)."

I haven't purchased either yet. The consensus on DVXUser seems to favor the 503. What to do, what to do... :huh:
 
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