Newbie needs help on gear!

S

scifiboss

Member
Getting ready to purchase ex3....could use some help on these questions?Could anyone tell me the what name brand and model tripod to get for that kind of camera....and name brand and model of any other gear i need to get too start off with.....i have about 12k to start with for all gear....going to shoot short features.....could use some expert help........thanks!
 
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I have the Cartoni Focus 101 System


actually used it with the EX3 today (gorgeous camera)


try it out man!

the tripod not the camera....well...the camera too....ok both
 
thanks brother...that is a sweet tripod.....maybe a little more than i wanted to spend...but if it makes that big of a difference.....will consider.....anything for less$$$$$$$$$?
 
Quite a few people recommend the Miller. haven't tried it myself. personally I use a Satchler Video 20. Super tripod though a tad heavy.
 
A lot of people say you need a $4,000 tripod. If you're going to slap a 300mm Nikon lens on it and climb to the top of Mount Shasta and shoot eagles in 40 knot winds maybe they're right. If you're going to shoot in studios you can get away with a $400 tripod. Easily. For $600-$1200 you should be able to get a good compromise. Especially if you get a used one -- which I think is safe and wise. Spend your money on Audio. A shotgun, a hyper for starters. 1/2" DOF is good enough for me, look before you leap with regards to 35mm adapters. I think they're impractical and require too much compromise.
 
Don't go too cheap on the tripod, this is a very important tool to your system. And these lighter camera make it very hard to get smooth moves sometimes, plus if you have a cheapy set of sticks you'll have to work extra hard to get anything smooth if your head has bad friction control, or is badlly designed etc. Plus if you get a bigger set, you don't have to by a new one when or if you decide to upgrade to a full size rig. Or be require to rent a bigger camera for whatever job, then you can use your own.
 
I'll say this coming from years of experience with cheap tripods...

Having a cheap tripod is like having a fake rolex... might look good and occasionally work to an acceptable degree... but eventually, the cheap catches up to you... Nothing is more embarrassing than having a tripod malfunction on site with the client, be it, the head/legs give out and the camera crashes to the floor, or the "fluid" head sticks and ruins a one time only type shot...

Being that you have the budget to spend on a tripod I would spring for a mid range, nice and new, tripod. I just purchased the Miller DS-20 for my EX1/Letus rig. The reviews have been all positive, but I can let you know after I shoot with it this weekend. As of now I've been shooting on Monfrotto sticks with an old battered and broken heavy duty nameless fluid head, and it's been miserable.

I've also used the Sachtler DV series, both are great tripod, the fluid heads on the sachtlers are fantastic, just got to be worried about the dual stage leg clamps breaking off. In recap,

Miller DS-20
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/179044-REG/Miller_850_DS_20_Aluminum_Tripod_System.html
Sachtler DV6SB
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/383260-REG/Sachtler_0642_DV_6SB_Aluminum_Tripod_System.html

Carry/protect your camera in this
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/571255-REG/CineBags_CB_25_CB_25_Revolution_Backpack_Black.html

Also, make sure you get a 77mm sky filter for the front of your EX3 glass... filters are cheap, lenses are not... I've gone through about 3 filters on my EX1, due to scratches, chips etc.

Also, make sure you have at least 3 SxS cards on hand so you can have a continous workflow while shooting. I suggest 16gbs and up, and you lucky dog with the firmware upgrade can use the 32gb cards no problem... I still need a firmware update, DAMN YOU SONY!

cheers,

brian
 
Thank you everyone very much....how about an adapter for lenses......are they hard to use?I was considering a letus extreme..and 4 lenses.....do i really need it with the EX-3....does it make that much of a difference?Any expert advice?
 
That's a choice you can make on your own, what are you going to be shooting primarily? The Adapters are just going to give you the soft depth field look like motion picture have. They aren't just slap on and go, there is some technique involved.
 
Going to be shooting (short stories)....but im looking for film look....does EX-3 come close in 24frame mode to caputure without adapter?Is process hard to use adapter for beginner?
 
If you currently have nothing, I would buy the following: camera, tripod, light kit, audio (lav, shotgun, maybe a hand held mic, maybe a boom/fish pole), reflector disc. If you still have money left, save up for more detailed stuff like a 35mm adaptor, lenses, follow focus, matte box, rails, portable monitor, etc...

As far as cheap tripods go, I've gotten by with a Manfrotto/Bogen (503 head with aluminum 2-stage legs and soft case for like $650). It's no Sachtler, but it's held up for 7 years now. The big negative's are that it doesn't have a counter balance spring (maybe the new ones do?), and the "fluid" head hasn't been that fluid. But hey, if you can learn to do smooth pans with a tripod like this, you'll be a god with a Sachtler/Vinton/O'Conner. hehehehe
 
We bought one 7 years ago (might have been the 1000?) for our Canon XL-1S and we only used it once. It's tricky to setup, but I was able to get it to work with some time spent moving around the balancing weights. My biggest gripe was that I could only shoot for about 10 minutes before my arm strength would give out.

If you must buy a stabilizer, buy a vest type with an articulated arm. But even then, be ready to spend some time getting the balancing weights correct every time you use it.

I think if you had a really small camera (HV20?) with a large built-in display, using a Glidecam 4000 might work well without a vest.
 
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