Camera Support
NAB2009 Stabilizer Wrap-Up
Written by Charles Papert, S.O.C. on April 25th, 2009
While a lot of buzz at this year’s NAB was focused on 5DMkII’s on exotic shoulder mounts, LED lighting and anything to do with 3D, not much buzz was left over for the venerable Steadicam and variations thereof. In the stabilizer world it was a year of incremental change, some new models and configurations but [...]
Vinten Vision 3 AS Tripod (2 of 4)
Written by Chris Soucy on April 19th, 2009
Part Two: The “Perfect Balance” System.
A bit of a misnomer as it’s really a “perfect counterbalance” system, but let’s not quibble.
Before launching into this, a slight recap on the original V3 might be in order. The V3 uses a changeable spring system, with, from memory, six or seven different rated springs. On the up side, [...]
Vinten Vision 3 AS Tripod (3 of 4)
Written by Chris Soucy on April 19th, 2009
Let’s observe the Vinten Vision 3 AS in action.
Tripod Mounting / Head Levelling
The tripod mount is classic Vinten, with the usual three lobed handle on the bowl clamp and substantial clamp cup. This works perfectly with any Vinten tripod, whether a 75 mm bowl model or 100 mm bowl with step down ring.
The [...]
Vinten Vision 3 AS Tripod (4 of 4)
Written by Chris Soucy on April 19th, 2009
And the bottom line is….
I won’t beat about the bush. I love this head. In use, the Vision 3 AS is even more flawlessly smooth than it’s predecessor, and that’s saying something.
The combination of the Vision 3 AS and my Vinten FiberTecs’ is visually awesome, a joy to use, as solid as a rock [...]
Vinten Vision 3 AS Tripod (1 of 4)
Written by Chris Soucy on April 18th, 2009
During NAB, April 18 – 23, Las Vegas, Nevada, Vinten will be announcing their new Vision “x” AS range of video pan & tilt heads. The Vision “x” AS range comprises the Vision 3 AS, 5 AS, 8 AS and 10 AS heads, respectively. All Vision “x” AS heads incorporate Vintens new “Perfect Balance” counterbalance [...]
Feature: Steadicam Pilot (1 of 3)
Written by Charles Papert, S.O.C. on July 7th, 2008
See www.steadicam.com/pilot.html
Charles Papert flies the Steadicam Pilot in the Missionary Position with a Canon XH A1.When Garrett Brown was first developing the Brown Effect Stabilizer in the early 70’s, the cameras he used on his prototypes were then-current bantamweights like the Eclair and the Arri 2C, as it only made sense [...]
Feature: Vinten FiberTec Tripod (1 of 5)
Written by Chris Soucy on January 28th, 2008
Strange things, video tripods: after the cameras themselves, they are quite possibly the most owned piece of video equipment on the planet. They’re indispensable for secure, stable and portable camera support but are possibly the least understood, least written about and badly described pieces of kit you’ll ever own…
Review: Vinten FiberTec Tripod (2 of 5)
Written by Chris Soucy on January 28th, 2008
The FiberTecs look like no other tripod I’ve ever seen. Out of the box they seem tiny, surely not capable of getting to that published maximum height of 61.5 inches/ 156 cm? Then you grab the tripod by the attached carry strap and lift – they aren’t lightweights, those 7.3 pounds/ 3.3 kilos are there all right. Pressing the yellow leg latch on the bottom of one of the first main leg sections allows the legs to be spread and a decent look to be had.
My immediate impression was of utter solidity. At the tripods lowest height setting, those nested 3-section legs offer a solid black girder appearance, with not a chink of light visible through them anywhere. When viewed standing back from the tripod, the “front on” leg appears to be massive widthways (as, indeed, it is), the other two legs, slightly more side on, offering a much slimmer profile.
Review: Vinten FiberTec Tripod (3 of 5)
Written by Chris Soucy on January 28th, 2008
My first impression having unpacked the Spread – Loc was that it was manufactured out of Depleted Uranium – it’s so darn heavy! At two pounds (just shy of a full kilo) it seems totally Over the Top for just a simple spreader. There’s no disputing it is beautifully crafted however, and seems to be primarily composed of various types of carbon fibre..
Review: Vinten FiberTec Tripod (4 of 5)
Written by Chris Soucy on January 28th, 2008
The rest of the system is pretty manageable on its own, and quite easy to sling over one shoulder, the camera acting as a counterbalance on the other. The only issue with the bare tripod/ head being slung “head down” is to beware when walking in public where young children are around. That video head is pretty substantial and just at the right height to kybosh a 5 year old in no uncertain fashion should there be a collision.
