Tripod for DVX200 for in-auto use

B

bjewett

Member
I have yet to buy a DVX200 but am leaning strongly toward doing so. In preparation / anticipation of same, I am seeking a tripod for in-car use for filming severe weather. Given lightning, rain and the need to quickly change locations, I nearly always shoot exclusively inside the car, and already have Manfrotto tripod legs suited to that greatly constrained / contorted location.

But I need a tripod head that is not too big esp. not too high; strong enough for a camera the size and weight of the DVX200; and - here's the trick: 3-way pivoting, because the road is often not level, particularly the side of the road where one can safely pull off so as not to obstruct traffic (makes sense and mandated by authorities for good reason). I will get metal cutting tools to remove most of the center pole, as it interferes with the 6-speed shifter.

So my tripod head needs are:
1) 3-way controls not just ball head; and I don't have a half-ball tripod.
Most 3-way tripod heads are for photography not video use, and have friction heads.
Most video heads are 2-way: fwd/back tilt and pan Only. Grrr.
2) fluid control (or just for panning; this is preferred but not critical)
3) not too tall. the dvx200 camera lens has to shoot between the rear view
mirror above, and the LCD display below (2016 mazda 3 hatch).
3) longer mounting plate suited to dvx200. Most photo head mounting plates have a shall we say 4x3 (!) shape.
most video tripod mounting plates are longer, but sit within 2-way tripod heads.

Those with DVX200s: please tell me -

a) how tall is the DVX200 from mount at bottom to very top with lcd display extended left?
I thought I saw 8", is that right?
b) what is the size, length x width, of the mounting base at the bottom?
I'm afraid standard tripod head mounting plates are not long enough.
It might work but be "wobbly". And there have been comments about off-axis (L-R looking down lens)
weight of the camera (Adam Wilt's review on dvinfo.net). I haven't seen mounting plate adapters but worry
that the usual tripod head top / mounting plate size won't do, for the dvx200.
c) how much of the dvx200 extends forward (looking down-lens, in inches) of the mounting plate location, and how much extends aft?

I imagine some will say: GoPro (cost/4K is great but quality/flexibility are not). Others may say: window mount - no, given road application, shake/bumps, concerns about in-car objects in case of an accident. Everything must be locked down.

I imagine some will say: for heaven's sakes, use a DSLR. Indeed the Sony a7s ii has been of interest for its outstanding low-light prowess, but it could shoot for perhaps 30 min before shutting off. That won't do, and I have many interests beyond weather and DSLRs are not suited to most of them, and I don't have the glass (yet), making going with a DSLR or Ursa Mini 4.6k potentially much more expensive. I'm keeping my eye on the future GH5 (?), or perhaps an additional GH4 for matching multi-camera work in the future. I want a single camera to buy, and renting complementary cameras / lenses makes more sense right now. At present I have an old dvx100(a!), and an inexpensive HD camcorder.
I need: good dynamic range (skies do that...), 4K for one particular application in mind, run (drive!) and gun use, flexibility (which seems to be the dvx200's forte) and prefer 10-bit 4:2:2 (thus external recorder if I go with the dvx200). Like many, I wish there was 4:2:2 10-bit in camera recording and constant aperture if zooming, and a faster lens. Actually, my main DVX200 wish is for a 2nd telephoto lens option, for perhaps $2k more, that was faster/wider, with similar electronic correction for distortions as is done now. I wish...

From reviews so far, for tripod heads that aren't too expensive, I'm looking at these:
Manfrotto MHXPRO-3W X-Pro 3-Way Head
Manfrotto 804RC2 Basic Pan Tilt Head
Davis & Sanford FZ10
Davis & Sanford FGX10 3 Way Pan and Tilt Head
Davis & Sanford FX13 3-Way Fluid Head

Regrets at the long post.
Any comments on dvx200 dimensions, and on tripod heads would be much appreciated !
I hope to be a DVX200 owner soon, but have to make sure it is feasible for this application first! And for that: a suitable tripod head.

Brian
 
Any one of the tripod heads you listed should work. I personally own the Manfrotto 502 Video Head MVH502 and it has been a fantastic tripod head, great build quality for the price. I also have a Sachtler Video 18 which is probably overkill for your needs. Good luck.
 
OK.. that's a pretty unique mission profile for a tripod! I've had to rig cameras in/on cars before and it's a real pain. They are bulky, and unless your going to tear the interior out and ridged mount the thing I'm afraid you'd end up with an experience like mine... sort of like fighting with scaffolding while trapped in a dumpster! Any of the tripods you mentioned will work, and the mounting is adequate if care is taken while handling/moving the rig. But may not be ideal for a mobile rig that will be bounced down the road - something none of them were designed for that can/will introduce stresses on the mounts and (any) camera's frame. I think I understand what you need it to do, though, and am going to make a total left field recommendation.

I use one of these... a Cenekinetic beanbag with a big-ass super firm pillow on my lap to get the elevation a bit higher when seated in the car. It's really about the best in-car super compact vehicle mount system that doesn't cost a bunch AND it also isolates considerable vibration (say you have it strapped to the roof luggage rack or something). I thought they were a freaking joke at first until I bought a used one off e-bay just to try and really love the thing! Plus, you can always jump out of the car and flop it on the hood and get shots in seconds. With a bit of practice, these things work great and I can tilt/pan well enough that one wouldn't know it wasn't a tripod.
 
MichaelA said:
OK.. that's a pretty unique mission profile for a tripod! I've had to rig cameras in/on cars before and it's a real pain. They are bulky, and unless your going to tear the interior out and ridged mount the thing I'm afraid you'd end up with an experience like mine... sort of like fighting with scaffolding while trapped in a dumpster! Any of the tripods you mentioned will work, and the mounting is adequate if care is taken while handling/moving the rig. But may not be ideal for a mobile rig that will be bounced down the road - something none of them were designed for that can/will introduce stresses on the mounts and (any) camera's frame. I think I understand what you need it to do, though, and am going to make a total left field recommendation.

I use one of these... a Cenekinetic beanbag with a big-ass super firm pillow on my lap to get the elevation a bit higher when seated in the car. It's really about the best in-car super compact vehicle mount system that doesn't cost a bunch AND it also isolates considerable vibration (say you have it strapped to the roof luggage rack or something). I thought they were a freaking joke at first until I bought a used one off e-bay just to try and really love the thing! Plus, you can always jump out of the car and flop it on the hood and get shots in seconds. With a bit of practice, these things work great and I can tilt/pan well enough that one wouldn't know it wasn't a tripod.
Click to expand...
MichaelA, Now that makes a lot of sense! I watched a few of the videos from the Cenekinetic Cinesaddle, pretty darn cool, I want one, But, Man that's a lot of money for a bean bag. The one in the picture says Low-Rider on it, is that another name brand type?
 
7DDude said:
MichaelA, Now that makes a lot of sense! I watched a few of the videos from the Cenekinetic Cinesaddle, pretty darn cool, I want one, But, Man that's a lot of money for a bean bag. The one in the picture says Low-Rider on it, is that another name brand type?
Click to expand...

Wow, I think I just got Lucky! MichaelA, I just found a Lowrider Bag, very similar to the one in your Photos above on Ebay for $99.00, In like new condition, Don't know if that's a good price, but considering that they are a discontinued item, and the Cinesaddle is Over $370, I went ahead and got it.
Your photos helped a lot, and I can already see a number of shots that I need to get and how this will really help, in getting them. Thanks for the great post!
 
I think the one I have is made by a different company, but they all seem to be pretty much the same. $100 is a decent price, I think they normally go for around $160+. Make sure you get the larger of their offerings for the DVX. My small Canon I mount to a 4x4 steel bracket to get it "large" enough and weighty enough to use in the bag.
 
MichaelA said:
I think the one I have is made by a different company, but they all seem to be pretty much the same. $100 is a decent price, I think they normally go for around $160+. Make sure you get the larger of their offerings for the DVX. My small Canon I mount to a 4x4 steel bracket to get it "large" enough and weighty enough to use in the bag.
Click to expand...

It's not new, but the seller said it's like new, so we'll see. I have a small Sony RX-10 MII that I use a lot nice little camera, but I use a Behoder DS-1 3 axis Gimbal that I use for that, But I don't want to use anything like a Glidecam, with a vest and all for the DVX200. So i'm thinking that this Lowrider should help with a heavier Camera like the DVX200. Looking forward to trying it out. Thanks again.
 
jpvid said:
Any one of the tripod heads you listed should work. I personally own the Manfrotto 502 Video Head MVH502 and it has been a fantastic tripod head, great build quality for the price. I also have a Sachtler Video 18 which is probably overkill for your needs. Good luck.
Click to expand...

I have a Manfrotto 502 also. That's a great head.
 
I also have the Manfrotto 502 and Sachtler Video 18. The 502 is just fine for a fluid drag head, though I hate the control layout. The Video 18-III is much-too-much head for the DVX200, but it's a workhorse and is everything a Sachtler should be. I suggest for budget's sake, a proper fluid head such as the Benro BV10.
 
502 head?

502 head?

mapper65 said:
I have a Manfrotto 502 also. That's a great head.
Click to expand...

Hi, thanks for mentioning. But isn't the 502 a 2-way head? I really need side tilt (normal to the lens away from the user) in addition to pan and forward/aft tilt.
 
MichaelA said:
I think the one I have is made by a different company, but they all seem to be pretty much the same. $100 is a decent price, I think they normally go for around $160+. Make sure you get the larger of their offerings for the DVX. My small Canon I mount to a 4x4 steel bracket to get it "large" enough and weighty enough to use in the bag.
Click to expand...

Hey MichaelA, Just curious, I got my lowrider just like yours today, It seems to be in real good shape. I'm a little surprised as too the firmness of it, I was thinking that there would be more of like a real Bean-Bag type of feel, where you shape the bag to the camera, once you place the camera in it. When I look at mine, compared to yours that you posted pics of, it looks the same. Could you give me a little feedback on this. I'm going to try this out this afternoon.
 
DVX200 is way too big for an in auto shot. I will suggest trying a FZ1000 which cost about the same as the Gopro black now. and can be operated via wifi.
 
7DDude: yeah, mine was stiff. I put it on the sofa and used it as a cushion, punched it, stuffed it, stood on it, generally abused it around the house and used it as a camping pillow. It softened up quite a bit after a while and is about perfect now. Plan B is always to take out some beans, but that could be a PITA.
 
To the OP: I keep thinking about your application and it dawned on me (finally) what you may be after is exactly a situation I found myself in a while back. I had to shoot below decks using a tripod in a big square rigged sailing ship. Underway, it was leaned over about 30 degrees, more than I could adjust for using a ball mount, shortening legs, etc. What I came up with may be a bit ungainly in a car, but worked great for me: I used TWO fluid heads, stacked one on top of the other (one on top being a flat mount, of course) mounted 90 degrees "off" from each other. The bottom one was locked in all axis except its "tilt" which was now "roll". The upper one functioned normally in all axis. I was able to very quickly compensate for roll and still do nice pans, tilts, etc. Took a bit of coordination, but it did effectively work as a "3 axis" fluid head(s).
 
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