Tripods

V

visionwink

Member
I'm new to the group and learning my way around. I apologize if this is an old hat subject, but I am in the market to buy a tripod around the $1000 range.

Does anyone have any advice or info on some of the lesser seen lower end tripods, such as the Sachtler DV4II? I was just recommended to the Vinten PRO-6DC... Of course it would be great to try them out, but I'm not close to any of the larger distributors.

Thanks!
 
Re: Tripods

I have the Vinten Pro 6DC and it is awesome. It really is cool. You have a two year extended warranty if you register on line with them, plus you can choose a small tool set, a shirt, a hat, a flashlight, and some other products that they send you for free. I picked the tool set. I haven't received it yet so I don't know if its worth anything, but at least it was free.
 
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Thanks for the recommendation. I think I am leaning in that direction. Is the variable drag on tilt and pan as good and smooth as they brag that it is?
 
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Every 501 head I've used is a saboteur! Thanks for the rec, but I'm avoiding that tripod. It seems many people have had good luck with it, though.
 
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501 is the #1 tripod people use with the DVX.. Still, I use the 503 because the 501 just wasn't fluid enough for me. I used a 505 last week and was pleased with it as well. Funny thing was when I was using it they had a Vinten P6 as well, but it sucked crap, mostly from not being maintained (rental house items) I like stiken with Bogen because they have extra plate assemblies that you can adapt glidecams and other rigs to.
 
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yeah.. the 501 and 503 and 505 are pretty much the same family, but there is a bigger jump from the 501 to the 503 than the 503 to the 505 in terms of quality.
 
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I realize the 501 is a pretty popular one, but I've had crappy times with it. That's why I'm looking to get the most I can out of a $1000 tripod. I don't know, if there isn't enough of a quality difference between a $1000 tripod and a low end Bogen, maybe I should just go with the cheaper option. I really want an 18p but, oh well, I'll rent that one when I need it.
 
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I use the Vinten Vision 3 with my DVX on occasion.  I primarily bought it for use with my full size DVC200, but I stick that tiny DVX on top of it sometimes.  It sorta engulfs the camera.  I also own a 501 head that I primarily use with the DVX, when the DVC is on the Vinten.  

I have had the 501 for several years and although not a true fluid head, it has worked fine.  Not the same as the Vinten, but about 1/6 the cost.  You might opt for the 503 as many others have suggested.  It would definitely be a compromise between the two.  With the savings, perhaps you could get some carbon fiber sticks.

Andrew
Crystal Clear Media
 
Re: Tripods

[quote author=visionwink link=board=nws;num=1089297487;start=0#9 date=07/10/04 at 19:56:26] I don't know, if there isn't enough of a quality difference between a $1000 tripod and a low end Bogen, maybe I should just go with the cheaper option.  I really want an 18p but, oh well, I'll rent that one when I need it.[/quote]

Oh yes.. there is a huge difference, maybe I said it wrong.. There is a huge difference between the 501 and the 503, but not as huge as a difference between the 503 and the 505.

A $1000 head you will notice mostly in the diagonals, and you dont need to mess with tension as much as you do with cheaper heads.
 
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[quote author=Jarred Land link=board=nws;num=1089297487;start=0#11 date=07/10/04 at 21:50:59]There is a huge difference between the 501 and the 503, but not as huge as a difference between the 503 and the 505.[/quote]

Of course I wanted the best or near-best of everything, but just couldn't afford it. I just ordered a 503 head on 525MVB legs with ground spreader and then I treated myself to the Cine Deluxe dolly with the 5" wheels. To change the order to a 505 head would mean lesser sticks and/or giving up the dolly.

I feel like I'm chasing my tail!
 
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the 503/525 combo is what I use, and have no complaints. make sure you get a ballhead. The 525 goes really low so you almost dont even need a hi-hat. In fact, the only head I use instead of the 503 when I can is the Sachtler studio 9.. but at $10,000 for just the head It's not fair to even compare.
 
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I have started to favor very light weight tripods when I use them at all, even overloading some pods.  When I first met the Libec's I thought they were toys, but I have now had a TH-M20 in service since 1998 and it has become my "hump it" tripod, servicing even big glass cameras for lock downs.

While I will admit that my Vinten Vision I used to use for pro setups was a dream, I have never been a fan of Bogen since the 1066 bit the dust.  I think I just started to feel that if I really needed stability, I would use the Russian or Doorway dolly, otherwise I would go with the lightest, wimpiest, cheapest tripod I could find.  And for the price of my old Vision, I can but 10 Libecs.  

Of course, this is heresy, and I fully understand people not thinking it bright, but I think doing more one man band stuff has changed my priorities on professional equipment.
 
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Slap you've fell off your dragon.. I wouldnt recommend anyone seeking out the lightest and wimpiest tripod they can find.
 
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dragon, I hear you on the lightweight tip, but doing pans on a sub $500 setup is difficult.


my bogen sucks on the diagonals, and when I break it loose to do a pan, it jumps noticeably, even with all the gears loose.

I am looking at getting a sachtler DV2 head and the bogen carbon one legs or maybe a gitzo carbon setup, just because the heft isn't too bad and I think the sachtler head will be smooth.

Jarred (or any other 503 fan), would you prefer your 503 to the sachtler?
 
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Re: Sachtler DV2

I traded in a Sach DV2 to get the Manfrotto 501/525 combo. Sach is just not competing on the lower end, the legs and head were wimpy and not user/pan friendly at all, very content with the 501/525. Manfrotto is where its at. (in this price range). Now, if you wnat to hump/bork like the BETACAM guys buy a $6K Sachtler Caddy, nice size smooth operation but that price tag ouch.

Yoh

Gordo
 
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[quote author=mc link=board=Links;num=1089608567;start=15#16 date=07/12/04 at 09:46:12]

Jarred (or any other 503 fan), would you prefer your 503 to the sachtler?

[/quote]

absolutely not.. the video sachtlers just arnt the same as the cine ones, and I would take my 503 over a DV2 in a hearbeat.
 
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