Tripod Suggestions?

Matt Grunau

Matt Grunau

Adobe Demigod
I was thinking about purchasing this tripod:

http://www.amvona.com/v7/shop/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=1846

But, before I do, I thought I would check with the folks here to get suggestions and insight and maybe even models others use. There is not going to be much field work, mostly dance competitions, Theater recording (as in plays and musicals), interviews, and things of that nature. Any help would be great. ALso, I appologize if I am in the wrong forum, Hardware seemed the best place, and I am still new here.
 
Seems like overkill frankly, but I'm sure it would be nice. I own the bogen 516 head and it's awesome, but definitely overkill for a standard DVX100a.

There are many threads on buying a tripod here. You may want to search on "tripod" and see what you come up with.
 
bvalente said:
Seems like overkill frankly, but I'm sure it would be nice. I own the bogen 516 head and it's awesome, but definitely overkill for a standard DVX100a.

There are many threads on buying a tripod here. You may want to search on "tripod" and see what you come up with.
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Thanks for the info. The one I was looking at was only 300 dollars down from the 899 price, so I thought it may be a good idea. I dont know if it is a true fluid head, of if it is a friction (correct term?) head.

I looked at some of the tripod threads, but to be honest, I could not make any really choices from them, since much of the language is new to me.

I will look some more, and thanks for the help. If it would be a good tripod and I could get it for 300, it should be a good deal.

Thanks
 
i bought a bogan set up for my dvx, with the basic video head that is as smooth as silk, but unfortunatly i bought a set of legs that doesnt allow the user to correct the balance when your tripod is set on an angle. as everyone can probably see, this has been a painful mistake.

GET LEGS THAT ADJUST HORIZANTAL BALANCE!!!!
 
I don't think your lightweight camera will balance right on that big tripod. Says the maximum weight in 25lbs. and while it doesn't include a minimum weight, it's probably in the 7 to 14lb. range and not low enough for a 5lb. DVX. That tripod was designed for heavier cameras. I get something designed for a smaller/lighter camera.
 
I use a big tripod for my DVX all the time. It is normaly used for cameras 20 -32 lbs and it works fine. Have to play with the drag with it. But damn it is nice. But the only reasone I use it is becuz I have acsess to it. It is mostly used for big studio triax based cameras. But hell if I can use a $1200 tripod why not
 
Thanks for all the info and help guys. I never took into consideration things like weight (or actually the lack thereof) to give different performance to the tripod.

I wonder if there is a workaround (being a Lightwave user I am very used to this) to the weight issue, or if I should simply put my efforts into a lighter tripod. As a small business starter with the ever present possibility of upgrades, I thought this a good deal.

Since I am still very new to the hands on of video, I do not know exactly what would be the best for me. But, I truly appreciate the replys, as every bit of info helps.

Thanks for the info.




ps. Ye Gods, but I do so love this board.
 
vjbrennan said:
I have a 503 and I love it. If you have the cash, it's a worthwhile upgrade from the 501. I doubt you would ever need more with the DVX.

I got mine from Rush at evsonline. It was about 250, I think. I also got the leveller, since my sticks have a center column, and no bowl leveller. It was the best 65 bucks I've ever spent.

http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=3502
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Did you get the whole 503 setup for $250? I looked up "bogen 503" at the link you gave and there was a $750 and a $540 dollar one. Which set are you referring to?

Thanks for the help.
 
vjbrennan said:
Just the head was 252.95

http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=3460

I got my legs for 115 used at KEH.com. THrow in the 65 for the leveler and the whole thing ran me a little less than 450.

What you are looking at is a whole set-up; head legs, and maybe a bag. Hope that helps.
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Thank you. That helps very much. I finally get it now. I am still new to this, so I never realized that there were three (or two) main and seperate parts. I like the 503 head, from what I have read here, lots of people have good things to say about it. And the other pard you mentioned goes under the head on the legs, if they do not have the ability to have a center bubble. I may actually have access to some legs (two different sets, one with what looks like a ball and socked on top), and one that doesn't. Although I think they are the same type of legs, just that the one has the different top, but they both have the same base.

So, I will look at them with the new knowledge I have gotten here, and figure out what would be the best. I am going to buy the 503, and I will probably need the Ball Leveling Head Adapter you showed in the link you gave. From what I gather, the Ball Leveling Head Adapter attaches to the legs, and then the head to the ball adapter. I am not sure why the other adapter is there, and how just a ball and socket looking setup would help with no means to center properly. But then again, the person who bought them obviously knew about as much as I did when they were purchased, which is to say little. :laugh:

thanks again for the help, and I will post some pics of the legs for you guys to look at when I can.
 
Yes, the leveler goes between the head and the legs. It's just a time saver to set your camera up properly. You can adjust the legs to do the same thing, but that takes more time. Some legs, like one of the ones you described, already have a bowl leveler. Mine didn't.
 
vjbrennan said:
Yes, the leveler goes between the head and the legs. It's just a time saver to set your camera up properly. You can adjust the legs to do the same thing, but that takes more time. Some legs, like one of the ones you described, already have a bowl leveler. Mine didn't.
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You have been very very helpfull. Can I use the bowl leveler on the tripod in conjunction with the bubble leveler you linked to? If so, I can see how the bowl leveler which didn't make much sense to me until now would be helpfull.

Thanks again for all the help. :happy:
 
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