FAQ Video kit we'd like invented or current workarounds/alternatives

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Ivor C

Active member
I saw this gismo and it got me thinking: https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/n10/Brai...=Brainwavz+Hengja+-+The+Headphone+Desk+Hanger

I'd like something like this to clip/bolt onto one of my tripod legs. In fact just having a circular quick release clamp with a hook on it for a tripod leg would be real handy full stop. Even a quick but sturdy clamp-on tray with moulded sections for lenses/filters/lens caps would be useful for some static/studio shoots.

Anyway I was wondering what other accessories/bits of kit we'd like invented? Some of them may already be out there, but just not too known about. If that's the case maybe share your favourite ones.

Finally some of us will already have found solutions to certain production needs. For example I use a Ski-bag to hold my jib arm sections and a flat fishing rod bag to house my slider. Both way cheaper than the official/proper merchandise.
 
Ben why the half measure? if you really need craft services bolted to your sticks - why not just attach a flip up food tray there for your dipping and dining pleasure and admit you're punching the clock?

(ducking and running)
 
Well I don't know what's so funny about it. When I turn to my crew and tell them I want a cheeseplate on the dolly, I mean it.

And they deliver:

bEheb3R.jpg
 
Two things I'd really like to see:

- A tripod sling/shoulder pad combo that you can leave permanently attached for quick/comfortable relocation

- Wireless headphones with a paired dongle that plugs into a 3.5mm jack. (Why are cameras the only thing in 2016 that doesn't have wireless bluetooth audio?
 
Ooooh I know one. . .a button on the tripod pan arm that would lock/unlock the head tilt/pan. Or some way to instantly lock/unlock. I'm thinking of situations where you're static for a long time and then have to adjust. Keeping the cam in place just by holding it stead is exhausting for any extended length of time, but at the same time having your hands at your sides with the cam locked down and then having to quickly fumble with pan/tilt locks to adjust if someone moves can cause shake.
 
Josh Bass said:
Keeping the cam in place just by holding it stead is exhausting for any extended length of time . . .
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You need to get a better tripod. You should be able to counter-balance the head so that when you take your hands off of it, at almost any angle, it will hold it's place without using the locks or cranking the drag down so tight you can barely move it. If you can't finish a pan or tilt and remove your hands without having the camera drift, you either don't have a good head or it's not setup properly. A tripod should not lead to exhaustion. :-)
 
deltoidjohn said:
- Wireless headphones with a paired dongle that plugs into a 3.5mm jack. (Why are cameras the only thing in 2016 that doesn't have wireless bluetooth audio?
Click to expand...

I was looking around for this for quite a while, being sick of having to remove and wrap/cable-manage the 'phones every time I put the camera down. Unfortunately I don't think this is coming anytime soon, for one main reason: Bluetooth latency (lag). It would be a complete headfu(k to hear realtime sound leaking over monitored-audio that was even 50ms 'late' as a result of the B/T. The largest market for low-latency wireless 'phones seems to be for DJs (who we all know love to jump around), and when I last checked 6-months ago, even the latest bleeding-edge kickstarter projects were still too slow for serious pros.

Guess it's another one we'll just have to wait for... ;-)

Cheers,

jason
 
deltoidjohn said:
Two things I'd really like to see:
- Wireless headphones with a paired dongle that plugs into a 3.5mm jack. (Why are cameras the only thing in 2016 that doesn't have wireless bluetooth audio?
Click to expand...

I bought one of these https://www.amazon.com/l/9514730011 and it's great. There is definitely some latency - I would say it's about 1/4 second delay which is OK for my purposes. I always keep a set of back up wired ear buds with me just in case.

I have it mounted to my FS7 via velcro.
DSC00245.jpg
 
Doug Jensen said:
You need to get a better tripod. You should be able to counter-balance the head so that when you take your hands off of it, at almost any angle, it will hold it's place without using the locks or cranking the drag down so tight you can barely move it. If you can't finish a pan or tilt and remove your hands without having the camera drift, you either don't have a good head or it's not setup properly. A tripod should not lead to exhaustion. :-)
Click to expand...

My personal tripod isn't getting upgraded any time soon (Sachtler DV4 from more than 10 years ago), but even with the Sachtler Video 15/18 heads, which I use on a fairly regular basis, this is always a problem. I will mess with the balance, but I can't think of a tripod I've ever operated that I didn't have to "fight" a little. I know super high geared heads and O'Connors and such operate the way you say but not the stuff I normally work with. They always drift/settle a little when the hands come off, in my experience.

Don't you need a certain amount weight on the sticks to trigger the counter balance? Maybe that's the problem. . .it's all C cameras and EX1s for me.
 
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Well the DV4 simply has no counter balance at all, the others, you could be right. About the setup, I mean. They are definitely rated for way more weight than I put on them.
 
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