Tripods

TimurCivan

TimurCivan

Director of Photography
Staff member
Ok you guys, Im purchasing my DVX tommorow. ( drool) but my current tipod wont cut it. What brand/model do you use or reccomend. Money is an issue but not really, in otherwords nothign over $300-$400 or if you know of somethign awesome for less feel free to shout it out.
 
Re: Tripods

If you search the site, you will find scads of comparisons. The biggest problem with still camera heads is that you will find that when you start or stop a pan or tilt, the head will 'grab' or stick a little bit. The problem becomes really obvious when using a long lens (or zoom). Sachtler, Bogen, Vinten, O'Conner all make professional video heads.
 
Re: Tripods

I use a Bogen 503 Head and 3046 Sticks and have been very happy with them.

My only complaint with the sticks are that I can't get the tripod lower than 3ft.

Other than that it is a very solid setup.

Chris
 
Re: Tripods

does the bogen 503/501 just the top part? or is it everytihng including the legs?

what if you don't pan much in shot? Then does it really matter what tripod you use?
I'm in his same situations and im still ignorant, Im not even sure what "fluid head" means
 
Re: Tripods

The 501 and 503 are both heads (just the top part). If you don't pan or tilt while you shoot, you can get away with a much cheaper setup (like bolting your camera to a 2x4).
 
Re: Tripods

[quote author=amoildani link=board=Links;num=1097709933;start=0#4 date=10/14/04 at 08:17:15]what if you don't pan much in shot? Then does it really matter what tripod you use?[/quote]

No pans? Um, you should get yourself a cinematography book and learn about shots. Pans, tilts, dollys, and others are basic tools in filming. Getting a tripod that does not have a pan/tilt head is really limiting you.

Im not even sure what "fluid head" means
Click to expand...

A fluid head contains a mechanism to provide variable buffered resistance when you pan or tilt. It is used to smooth out the jerks and jumps that can occur when panning or tilting the tripod head.
 
Re: Tripods

ah, thanks for the fluidhead definition.

Well I didnt mean i dont like motion in shots. I like dolly shots, crane shots, steadicamn shots. I just dont like shots where the camera is just rotated on the tripod. I have a cheap tripod that pans and tilts, yeah i probably wouldn't tilt or pan while im filming on it cause it would stick and look nasty.
just trying to justify to myself spending 450 dollars o rso on somethinig Im not sure if I'd take advantage of as much.
 
Re: Tripods

[quote author=amoildani link=board=Links;num=1097709933;start=0#7 date=10/14/04 at 10:55:39]
just trying to justify to myself spending 450 dollars o rso on somethinig Im not sure if I'd take advantage of as much.[/quote]
Well, it's pretty hard to find a "good" fluid head and sticks for under $500. If you don't plan on panning, then spend the $$ on a decent set of sticks, use a cheap head and then upgrade to a real fluid head when you have more $$$.
 
Re: Tripods

I understand (I think) some of what makes a head "good", but aside from strength and weight, what do you look for in the legs?
 
Re: Tripods

I look for versatility. How high can they go? How low? Is it quick to set up and level? I settled on the 525MVB legs because it answered these questions for me in a way that fit my needs.
 
Re: Tripods

[quote author=Jim Brennan link=board=Links;num=1097709933;start=0#9 date=10/14/04 at 16:03:06]I understand (I think) some of what makes a head "good", but aside from strength and weight, what do you look for in the legs?[/quote]
Shaved a shapely. ;D
Sorry but couldn't resist.
 
Re: Tripods

if your just begining.. a 501 or 503 will do you fine.. it will take you a year or so before you are wanting more, and at that point hopefully your bank account has refreshed and you can spend a grand or so on a head that will last you a good 10 years.
 
Re: Tripods

I am trying to figure out the difference between the bogen 501 and the bogen 701RC2. I get the part about the 501 having more tilt angle, but it mentions that the tilt and pan drag is 1 step plus variable teflon friction, as opposed to the 701 being fixed. What does that mean exactly? That you can adjust the tension on the 501, but not the 701?

Scott Chapin: I am looking at those 755b sticks. I like the ball, and how the center column can be removed and used horizontially. Have you tried that?
 
Re: Tripods

if youve got a big wallet, you could afford a luxery tripod like this one.. very state of the art.

p572699dt.jpg
 
Re: Tripods

Isn’t this the one that comes free with so many of those 42nd street video and photo kits?

Here’s some info I was able to find online from the manufacturer:

“Congratulation for buying your new FARJOUIKA brand tripod camera standing. This fine apparatus comes to you for asserting with professional like shooting abilities and high quality parts. Here are features likely to your new FARJOUIKA tripod:

*Maintainable horizon on even planes and such like floors and streets!
*Adjusting leg multiple that am able to variable alignment of cameras!
*Lightweight ALUMINUM and high-impacts space age plastic construted!
*Advanced steel screws for agreeing with camera!
*Full locking telescope on center hight adjustor!
*Multi-side hand operating!
*Locking azimuth and horizons connectors!
*Quick weight on movability!

Made in Kapalapastan with full America warranty.”
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top