Production
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.
Review: Vinten FiberTec Tripod (5 of 5)
Written by Chris Soucy on January 28th, 2008
My initial reservations with regard to the Spread – Loc spreader have been allayed. I still haven’t managed to figure out the engineering concepts behind their working, but work they do. Whether I’ll ever figure what gives with that lock mechanism I don’t know, but have long ceased worrying about it.
Review: IndiFOCUSpro Geared Ultimate
Written by DVi Contributor on December 19th, 2007
The supplied lens focus gears ship with only one size mounting screw, which means if your lens is not the proper diameter you will need to either purchase new screws or possibly cut the screws to the proper size. Fitting the lens gears requires measuring the inner screw area of each screw during the tightening process to make sure the lens is centered within the gear.
Article: Using Video On The Stage
Written by Boyd Ostroff on March 28th, 2007
In my job as Director of Design and Technology at the Opera Company of Philadelphia I’ve been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to explore the use of digital video on large screens in several of our productions. Each production has been a learning experience featuring both good and bad lessons along the way…
Review: iKan S400D Fluorescent Light
Written by Pete Bauer on February 2nd, 2007
In stark contrast to the “big guys” of fluorescent lighting who sell their tubes, barn doors, ballasts, dimmers, and/or gel frames separately, iKan provides an all-in-one solution…
Review: Steadicam Merlin Vest and Arm
Written by Charles Papert, S.O.C. on January 23rd, 2007
Last weekend I attended an awards ceremony, and after congratulating my old friend Garrett Brown there on the recently announced Merlin vest and arm, he suggested I come over and sniff out the prototype. Today I headed over to the Tiffen facility in Glendale…
Review: Fishbone XTR 700 Stabilizer
Written by Charles Papert, S.O.C. on November 25th, 2006
Out of Taiwan comes a new competitor from a company with the curious name of Fishbone, which makes me want to dig out the old ska/punk albums and give them a spin. Their top of the line product is the XTR 700…
