Tripod Recommendations for HPX500

BollingerPro

BollingerPro

Well-known member
Hey All,

The company I am working for is getting a HPX500 and I have been given the task of finding a good tripod setup for it.



Some of the things we may add to the camera when it is on the tripod is a teleprompter and a matte box. Right now I am looking at the Vinten Vision 8 head. Is that over kill or not enough?

Do you all have any recommendations? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

BP
 
I'm in on the tripod question. We've got a manfrotto 501 setup for our sony z1u, but now with the 500 I don't know if we can use that tripod. I know weight wise we can but I know nothing of the tripod plate for the 500.

We're trying to hold off on a new tripod for next fiscal. How do I figure out what tripod heads will work with the 500 and which won't.

Next year we'd like to get the full deal Sachtler, but we might need to find a make do plan until then.
 
Last thing I would do with a HPX500 is mount it on a Bogen.

The Vintens are rock solid ( I have 2).

The Vision 8 has a 12.1 to 30.9 lb capacity, which should be more than enough for the HPX500 with prompter.
 
My hpx500 is on a Bogen 316 / 3193. it is working fine, I think this is the biggest manfrotto did, replaced by the 526 (or 516... can't remember). But you still can get 316 in inventory out there, max capacity is 35lb, price is ok, new 1300-1600 with legs. You can get a good used one in ebay for 600-800.

Bogens are good for the money, I also had a 503 for almost 2 years, no complain about it (although and only used it with small cameras, z1, hd100), 501 could a different story since it's not really a fluid head as the 503 and up.

Of course, if money is no an issue, I'd consider better options than bogen.
 
Get an Oconnor 1030B or 1030HD with 2-stage Carbon Fiber legs. This is a great setup for that camera. Once you add a heavy zoom, batteries, wireless receiver , mattebox and other accessories, it's going to weight 16-20 lbs, easily. Expensive, yes, but built to last a lifetime.
 
It all depends on the load you'll put on it. The Video-15SB is twice the price of a DV-8SB. At that price point, I might consider the O'Connor 1030HD instead.

However, for less than $3 grand, you can get a DV-8SB (with 2-stage CF tripod) offering counterbalance from 2 - 26.5 lbs. I believe it's the best tripod head available in a 75mm ball.
 
We had the AG-HPX500 setup at the P2 HD Roadshow on a Manfrotto 516/3193/3138

http://www.spec-comm.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=226

It worked great! Balance was just right. Let us know if you need a quote. We can quote the camera too if your company likes.

Best regards,

Andrew Hoffman
Senior Operations Manager
Specialized Communications Corp.
20940 Twin Springs Dr.
Smithsburg, MD 21783-1510 USA
800-359-1858
301-790-0103
Fax: 301-790-0173
andrewh@spec-comm.com
www.spec-comm.com

Please visit our new online store at ( http://www.spec-comm.com/store ). New products being added daily!
 
I just got shooting for 2 weeks with my HPX and a Miller Arrow 25. I love the Miller. Very... buttery... silky pans... slow stops and with the Solo legs its not all that heavy.
 
Yeah, the 1505 legs. The package I got is the 1793, I got it locally for about $3800, no regrets. It's already paid off in the last 2 weeks. I was torn between the Sprinter II and the Solo legs but the Solo has a height range that better suited my needs... 8" - 73"

I rented some Sachtlers for my HVX, DV6, DV8, DV20 and was never terribley impressed... of course, they were kinda beat up rentals... I would highly recommend checking out a Miller, if possible.

http://www.millertripods.com/products.cfm?sectid=20&subsec=2020&productID=214
 
I was thinking about to combine the solo 1505 with the Sachtler video15 SB head. I think the solo is more portable than for instance the Sachtler speed lock CF or the ENG 2 CF. Am I right ????????? Yeh the height range of the solo is also higher.
 
I am not sure if you are right about the portability of the Solo vs the others but I would say the Solo is very portable and fairly quick to set up.
 
At the IBC I extensively checked out the solo 1505 legs and when panning I noticed that the legs showed a clearly visible torsion. There was no working cam on it so I could not actually see what the influence was on the footage. When I looked at for instance the Sachtler speed lock CF (just an exemple) I did not see that torsion when panning. So now I am doubting if portability is more important to me than than less torsion.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top