Polling for videographer input

Tom McKay

Tom McKay

Varizoom
1. How many people use a 100mm bowl tripod?

2. How many people here wish they had a better tripod system for their DV / HD camera.?

3. What can't you do with your tripod?

Constructive input only. Please do not bash a brand or promote a brand this is strictly a request for information on the three questions posed.

Feel free to private message.

Thanks,

Tom
 
I have a pair of tripods from Bogen, and one Bogen head, but neither are the Bowl setup. I have never used one, so I can't really comment on them.

The first set of legs, are the 3001Pro. Very light, pretty easy to set up, and the legs will spread out for extremely low shots. Downside, no center spreader, and it is very light. The head is less than fluid, and I would have to hold the center column with one hand during pans, or the legs would twist.

The other set are 3046, way more solid, but also heavier, bulkier, not as easy to set up. It also doesn't twist. It gets a bit higher than the other set, but won't do low shots.

One of these days, I will move up to a better head, as soon as the right deal coincides with money in pocket.
 
Polling for input on Canon

Polling for input on Canon

Okay you mentioned trouble panning and twisting on the legs

Anybody else? Any particular gripes about tilting with these big Canon cameras?


Please keep close to the poll questions:

Thanks


1. How many people use a 100mm bowl tripod?

2. How many people here wish they had a better tripod system for their DV / HD camera.?

3. What can't you do with your tripod?
 
Sorry if I wasn't closer to the questions, but yeah, those are nice legs except for the twisting. Again, I put part of the blame on the head, which isn't quite up to par for my needs. I also bought it for my original cam (XL1s), which was a bit lighter.

That cam also had a tendency to tilt forward, because it was front heavy. Now I'm using the JVC HD100, which balances a little better, mostly because of the battery pack. Of course, the more expensive, better quality set ups have counter balance springs, which help out.
 
Ive got the 503HDV with the 525 sticks to support my DVX. It does a great job and I have found it to be really smooth (despite criticism on the forums).
 
Tom McKay said:
1. How many people use a 100mm bowl tripod?
Click to expand...

Currently not, but I'm considering investing in one. Quick question, does your T100A tripod leg work with the Bogen 100mm ball leveler?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...nfrotto_3141BALL_3141_100mm_Ball_Leveler.html

Tom McKay said:
2. How many people here wish they had a better tripod system for their DV / HD camera.?
Click to expand...

I'm pretty satisfied with my Bogen 516 head, but the 3046 leg simply sucks.

Tom McKay said:
3. What can't you do with your tripod?
Click to expand...

Mainly, get it low enough without a high hat and getting fast setup time. There are plenty of times when I needed a low angle shot that isn't possible simply because the 3046 leg has a center column and cannot be spread out anymore. It's also tricky to extend the legs without a ground spreader.

Weight is another factor; carbon fiber is too much to hope for at a reasonable price range, but I would prefer something as light and compact as possible.
 
1. I use and love the 100mm bowl system. I have the bogen 3066 head and some study manfroto sticks. Simply can't beat the support and stability, but it is big and heavy.


2. I wish that I could get really low angle shots with my camera. Currently, I have two choices. To wrestler with my sticks to get them low.. as they do go low but they aren't really designed for it and then it's a bit of trouble to do... OR, I can take my head off and then screw it onto my high hat.


3. I wish that I had a modular style tripod that was easy to switch out the legs on and have it work off a bowl mounted system. So I could put on short spreadable legs for low angle, then some tall ones when I need the reach.. and then also to have maybe a mount to use for car mounts or to mount on a rail or a dolly or something else where the legs aren't as needed. Something like that would be really sweet and could keep it all in one convenient bag.


personally I don't know how or why anyone would ever had a tripod that wasn't ball mounted. Having to level by lenghtening the legs is just so time consuming and crappy.


hope this helps and what do you have in mind?
 
Thanks Huy,

That's exactly what I am looking for.

100mm ball leveler any brand should work with any make as long as it has a 100mm bowl.
 
Justyn,

That is great feedback I appreciate it. You will be among the first to know if VariZoom has something relevant to your input and expect a deep discount for your help.

Anybody else? Just these three questions:

1. How many people use a 100mm bowl tripod?

2. How many people here wish they had a better tripod system for their DV / HD camera.?

3. What can't you do with your tripod?
 
Re: Capt Quirk

Thanks, that is also great input. XL and JVC100 are some long cameras.
 
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1. 75mm bowl. A 100 mm bowl is overkill for my HVX.

2. I have a Sachtler FSB 8, I'm quite content

3. I use Gitzo carbon fiber legs. I can get the sticks into about any position possible, from 12 inches off the ground , to all the way up and shooting on an angled surface is no problem. The beauty of using sticks with no spreader.... ahhh.
 
I use a 75 mm Bogen 503 for my dvx. It seems to be the best bang for the buck for the low end price. The 75mm bowl is fine for the camera alone (no matte box or 35mm adapter and lenses).

It's light enough to carry easily for travel and set up. Not the smoothest ever for panning and tilting - but again for the $$ I think it is pretty good. If price were not a factor (if only...) I wish I had something much better.

Everyone talks about not being able to get low enough. This is typically accomplished with a high hat or even improvising with a bean bag or similar. To my knowledge sticks were not really designed for that low angle shot.

What I like about the 503 is: the bowl head vs. the other type, I have the legs that have the flip up toggles to adjust the height. I find the twist type annoying. Takes longer. I like the 3 stage legs and that's why I didn't buy a Cartoni Action for a similar price point.

I wish it were a little smoother - but with practice it gets the job done.

I shoot a bunch of reality tv which tends to be hand held. I wanted decent sticks for interviews and broll. But, if I made my living shooting commercials and image pieces I would but a much higher end tripod (and different camera). Now I rent when I need something different. It's all about the right tools for the job and keeping it all affordable.

Hope this was helpful.
 
1. I have both a 100mm Vinten Vision 8 carbon fiber and a 75mm Sachtler DV8SB carbon fiber. I primarily use the Vinten and keep the Sachtler as a back up.

2. I am perfectly satisfied with the performance of the tripods that I have. I am currently shooting with an HVX. However, when I add an HPX2000 this summer I feel the Vineten will suffice.

3. I can do pretty much anything I need with the Vinten. It's good for high shots and ground level. I have also used the legs at times with my EZ-FX jib system. However, I typically use a heavier set of legs from Bogen for this purpose.

Jim
 
Hotchkiss, Tumbleweed and Carswell,

Thank you, All useful input and much appreciated. I get nervous with adjustable legs under a crane unless all the way collapsed. I just packed our new crane tripod with single non adjustable legs other than a 5/8" all thread for micro adjustment.

Tom


1. How many people use a 100mm bowl tripod?

2. How many people here wish they had a better tripod system for their DV / HD camera.?

3. What can't you do with your tripod?
 
Tom,

I have used a number of different tripods in school and despite the weight, the 100mm bowls have usually been my favorite.

I actually just purchased a VZ-TK57A from B&H, anything I should know about the tripod?

There really isn't much I can't do with sticks in general, except really quick setup and takedown. (I want to check out manfrotto's A.R.T. Road Runner sticks but it's a little out of my price range)
 
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Tom McKay said:
Hotchkiss, Tumbleweed and Carswell,

Thank you, All useful input and much appreciated. I get nervous with adjustable legs under a crane unless all the way collapsed. I just packed our new crane tripod with single non adjustable legs other than a 5/8" all thread for micro adjustment.

Tom


1. How many people use a 100mm bowl tripod?

2. How many people here wish they had a better tripod system for their DV / HD camera.?

3. What can't you do with your tripod?
Click to expand...

1. I use a 75mm Bowl with my DVX - Looking back on what I know now though, a 100mm bowl tripod with a 75mm adapter would appeal to me in the "futureproof" investment sense (so If i ever manage to sell that spare kidney and get an HPX, I'd have no issues with stability)

2. I always wish I could get something better - price always ruins my fun though. I really am a fan of the "dark horse" indy product that gains the rave reviews (like the libec LS38 system for example)

3. uhhh.... I'm pretty fine with the feature-set that I have - weight and portability would be the only thing that I'd see as issues for me now :)
 
I use a 100mm bowl with the HVX-200 Cartoni Focus with Miller solo carbon legs.

I'm totally satisfied with my setup, but of course if money wasn't a problem...

I don' have any issues at this time
 
I have used quite a few tripods, 75mm, 100mm and 150mm bowls as well as mitchell. Here is my take on tripods in general.

Leg Locks make them last, seems like they ware out and start slipping.

Same goes for pan and tilt locks, many a time I have locked off a camera only to look around to see it slowly starting to tilt.

I perfer mid level spreaders, but how hard would it be to place the spreaders attachment at both mid and ground?

Make the quick release plate longer so it can easily be moved within the head to balance the camera quicker.

This is all I can think of off the top of my head.
 
1, I use 100mm bowls at work and LOVE them.

2, Yes, the Bogan 501 eats dirt.

3, Get real low w/o a hihat.

I'll add that I HATE spreaders, but if there must be one, a mid level is a must. None of this on the floor crap.
 
TMY, MasterP, Tai Gopher and William,

All great input and all is noted and appreciated.

Tom


1. How many people use a 100mm bowl tripod?

2. How many people here wish they had a better tripod system for their DV / HD camera.?

3. What can't you do with your tripod?
 
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