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mattsnowboard

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Well, now that I've received my AF100, I realized how heavy it really is for handheld shooting. I figured I'd need a tripod anyway but looking here for recommendations. I also want to get a bag that will fit it and eventually a couple of lenses. Right now I'm just borrowing some Canon FD lenses with an adapter while I decide what lens to get.

How are these for cheap tripods?
http://www.amazon.com/Ravelli-AVT-Professional-Camera-Tripod/dp/B00139XOCI/ref=pd_sim_p_3
http://www.amazon.com/Ravelli-AVTP-Professional-Camera-Tripod/dp/B00139W0XM/ref=pd_sim_p_92
And what is the difference between the two? I'm not looking for something top-of-the-line, I just want something decent.

Also, where can I find a bag large enough to hold this? It doesn't need to be hard/protective, just something to carry it in. Here are a couple I've found that should fit it, but I wanted to save money on the bag if possible. How are these?
http://www.amazon.com/CaseCrown-Pan...der-Accessories/dp/B00305E3T6/ref=pd_sim_p_29
http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Video...342715344&sr=8-7&keywords=large+camcorder+bag

Thanks!
 
Those tripods are only good for one thing. Putting a camera on it. Don't expect fluid pan and tilt. Tripods last a long time so get a good one. Miller Solo are very good. The 75mm legs cost around $600 and go up from their. Find a used one to save some money. Libec are popular and cheaper.
 
Pretty much what they are saying above.... At the very least get a bogen 503 head (or even a 501, but expect to grow out of it quick), and some half decent legs if you are short on money and then start from there.

Otherwise, get yourself extra batteries (3x total min, I like having 4x) and media. You can skimp out and go generic on the batteries, but def. buy good media from an authorized reseller. When I am on a job, I want to be able to run the camera all day if need be, even if that is hardly ever the case. Nothing is lamer than having to stop shooting due to not having enough battery power or media.

Lastly, bag wise I swear by Portabrace if you want a bag, love mine, and have used it for two cameras and will probably use it long into the future. I forget the model number of the one I have, but get whatever fits your needs. They are really worth it.
Hardcase wise, I love pelican cases. I have several of various sizes I bought used and have used for years, they last for ever.
 
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Alright, so I really still need to save money since this was a big purchase for some hobbyist shooting. I'm looking at some of the options here (probably not in the Miller price range...)

How are these?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...H_950DV_TH_950DV_2_Stage_Aluminum_Tripod.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/688462-REG/Libec_LS_22DV_LS_22DV_2_Stage_Aluminum_Tripod.html
Seems I can only find the Bogen 503 on eBay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bogen-Manfr...671?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2573020edf

Recommendations?

How do these compare to the really nice tripods that cost like 5 times as much? And how do they compare to the not actually fluid ones that cost a third of the price?
I think I could live with the really cheap tripods, since I've never used anything that nice, but I do like the idea of getting something that will last me a while.
 
Mine lives in a Kata OMB-74, which has worked well and was available at a steep discount. I don't even disconnect the side rig or DP6 to fit it in the main compartment... Very handy. Also easily fits on simple luggage dollies.

For quick shoots I still use a Manfrotto 701/755 head/sticks combo. The 755 is nice in having a rising pedestal plus a mini ball head, so adjustment is quick and I can get those high angle shots easily. The 701 is a decent enough semi-fluid head, better for DSLR than something like the AF, but better than the 501 and far better than any photo head. It's borderline sturdy for the AF but a damn sight easier to carry than my steadier sticks.

As to handholding, peruse some of the rig by guys like Mac and Olof (west side av). I rolled my own cheapo detailed here:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...eap-ultralight-ENG-Doc-rig&highlight=Cinevate
 
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I've just been through a fairly exhaustive tripod selection process and you'll be wasting your time with a cheapie. It'll shake, it won't pan and tilt smoothy and you'll waste reel. The 8.5 pound loading you're looking at is way too light for the AF100. By the time you add accessories (which you might not have at present but which you will add along the way), you'll be over the capacity of your tripod. You want a tripod that you don't have to trade up as soon as you start adding those accessories. I narrowed the selection down to 4 manufacturers, Miller, Sachtler, Vinten and Libec and ran with the Libec RS35 tripod on cost grounds (around $1200). With a 20 pound weight limit, it's adequate but by no means over designed for the job. The advice to go used was sound although good, used tripods hold their price well.

On bags, you're protecting a camera and accessories worth several thousand dollars so buy something fit for purpose. I went with the Petrol PC102 costing $300. It carries the AF100 with rails and a shoulder rig attached and has room for a number of lenses and a host of other accessories such as batteries, mics, field recorders, etc. It isn't small and it isn't light but it's carry on capable and it's bomb proof.
 
mcbob said:
Mine lives in a Kata OMB-74, which has worked well and was available at a steep discount. I don't even disconnect the side rig or DP6 to fit it in the main compartment... Very handy. Also easily fits on simple luggage dollies.

For quick shoots I still use a Manfrotto 701/755 head/sticks combo. The 755 is nice in having a rising pedestal plus a mini ball head, so adjustment is quick and I can get those high angle shots easily. The 701 is a decent enough semi-fluid head, better for DSLR than something like the AF, but better than the 501 and far better than any photo head. It's borderline sturdy for the AF but a damn sight easier to carry than my steadier sticks.

As to handholding, peruse some of the rig by guys like Mac and Olof (west side av). I rolled my own cheapo detailed here:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...eap-ultralight-ENG-Doc-rig&highlight=Cinevate
Click to expand...

That bag is in my price range, I'm considering it now that I see someone else uses it for the AF100.
It's similarly priced to other bags I've seen like http://www.amazon.com/CaseCrown-Pan...UTF8&colid=D82JO1W0Y6UC&coliid=I2UFMSPHB5TOIZ
and http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Video...UTF8&colid=D82JO1W0Y6UC&coliid=I14DUJM1T1IP9Z

Any clue how they compare? I'm not sure if anyone here has any other experiences with other bags.

Inveresk said:
I've just been through a fairly exhaustive tripod selection process and you'll be wasting your time with a cheapie. It'll shake, it won't pan and tilt smoothy and you'll waste reel. The 8.5 pound loading you're looking at is way too light for the AF100. By the time you add accessories (which you might not have at present but which you will add along the way), you'll be over the capacity of your tripod. You want a tripod that you don't have to trade up as soon as you start adding those accessories. I narrowed the selection down to 4 manufacturers, Miller, Sachtler, Vinten and Libec and ran with the Libec RS35 tripod on cost grounds (around $1200). With a 20 pound weight limit, it's adequate but by no means over designed for the job. The advice to go used was sound although good, used tripods hold their price well.

On bags, you're protecting a camera and accessories worth several thousand dollars so buy something fit for purpose. I went with the Petrol PC102 costing $300. It carries the AF100 with rails and a shoulder rig attached and has room for a number of lenses and a host of other accessories such as batteries, mics, field recorders, etc. It isn't small and it isn't light but it's carry on capable and it's bomb proof.
Click to expand...

Can you tell me a little more about the weight requirements for the tripod? Like what are some typical weights for this camera and accessories? I think the most likely things I'll add would be an XLR mic (in the very near future), a larger lens, maybe a matte box further down the road, and at that point I'd probably need rail support. In general, I'm thinking I'd prefer to stick to a smaller wide lens for now (which shouldn't add much weight).

I don't see myself adding a monitor mount or getting a samurai or anything like that, this camera is way better than anything I've ever used in those areas. I could maybe add one of those LED lights to it.

So would I really be pushing say the 13 lbs limit with that stuff? I'm still on the fence as to whether I want to really invest in a really good tripod, or just get something decent enough to hold the camera for now and wait until I can better justify the cost (e.g. when I'm about to have kids, or if I can make some money shooting weddings for friends).
 
As to how the Kata OMB compares to the two bags you mentioned, most obvious difference is that its larger inside (but still within carry on limits)
 
Alright, so I'm not going to be able to spend that much on a tripod right now, I need something at least that will be decent for the camera plus lens and shotgun mic.

Here are my options so far (trying to keep this around $300 or less hopefully)

Libec H38 head and T72 legs used http://www.ebay.com/itm/LIBEC-Cine-...20940632083?pt=US_Tripods&hash=item4ab98d6813
Manfrotto 501HDV head used, not sure what legs http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...961849&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&autorefresh=true
Libec H22DV head, a few options on legs but best price on this http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...H_950DV_TH_950DV_2_Stage_Aluminum_Tripod.html
Velbon DV-7000 (as recommended in this thread) http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/366741-REG/Velbon_DV_7000_DV_7000_Tripod_with_2_Way.html

I'm not sure if I should go for the Libec/Manfrotto stuff and have something a bit nicer, or save money on my first tripod and get the Velbon (which it looks like isn't a true fluid head) and use that until I can justify spending more money to upgrade.

All I have lying around the house right now is some POS photo tripod that is falling apart, and I've never used anything nice, so I'm thinking even the cheap Velbon will be a decent start.
 
The Libec items are discontinued but reviews on H38 head and the T72 sticks are pretty good. The H22DV isn't man enough for a AF100 once its loaded, in my opinion. Google "Libec H38 head review" and you'll get plenty guidance on it and how it compares to cost competitors. Do the same sort of search for reviews of the sticks. You'll pretty quickly reach an opinion as to which is best. Were it my decision, I'd pass on Velbon.
 
Libe H38 - i have it - there is no friction control..... its not something i would recommend to anyone, as soon u ll put the something extra - u ll notice that its weight support is not enough! the only reason i have it is cause my friend sold me 1, for a very cheap price...... i plan to change it, also its too heavy!

libec RS - is a much better option....... if u expect the tripod to act like it should - u have to spend money! its not cheap, but will be with u for a long time

also i would not even consider manfrotto at all!
if u dont have money - buy a 10$ china simple tripod and use it till u have enough of funds to order a nice tripod!
i would not consider anything cheaper then Libec RS series..... its probably best for $, but in case if u ll get up to 2500$ u may get a better peace!

vinten, miller, sacher, - are all trusted brands......
 
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