Tripod for the XL1 / XL1S

Rob Lohman · December 10th, 2003, 04:19 PM

That depends on a lot of things ofcourse. As with everything
there is never a best thing. It always depends on things like:

- your budget
- what kind of shooting you do
- etc.

Waco Oguin · December 10th, 2003, 09:13 PM

I would like to keep the price under $1000 and get something that would provide some smooth pans and tilts.

Robert Knecht Schmidt · December 10th, 2003, 10:00 PM

There are plenty of "right" answers to this question.

I went with a Bogen 3246 Black Professional Tripod with 3066 Fluid Head, and I think this fits your criteria. It's not too heavy, not too light, not too cheap, and not too pricey. The head will handle the weight of your camera or the weight of a jib arm (a "crane") if you choose to buy one later.

Jeff Donald · December 10th, 2003, 10:18 PM

Do a search, this topic has been covered pretty extensively. I would recommend, with your budget, a Sachtler, Vinten or Miller tripod. In a slightly lower range Gitzo and Bogen (Manfrotto) offer good alternatives. I personally use a Vinten, but have used all of the rest except Miller. A tripod is the most important accessory to the camera. Buy the very best you can afford.

Scott Burbank · December 11th, 2003, 02:32 PM

This is what I use. Works very well. You won't be let down.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/product/179077/MIDS10/REG/3951

Robert Knecht Schmidt · December 11th, 2003, 03:05 PM

Looks nice, but that's a lot of money for a head (especially one that only supports 10 pounds)--what will he have left for sticks?

Scott Burbank · December 11th, 2003, 05:53 PM

Well then go here and get both. Sticks and head. Under a $1000 (accept tax)

http://shopping.netledger.com/s.nl/c...t.A/id.2386/.f

Ken Tanaka · December 11th, 2003, 06:00 PM

B&H sells the Miller DS-10 with a soft case (not included in the other package) for $960. It's an excellent tripod, head and case kit (I own one). I highly recommend it for a basic XL1 rig.

Mike Doyle · January 29th, 2004, 05:45 PM

For many years I used a Vinten Vision 12 tripod under my Betacam SP. Now that I've switched full-time to the XL1s I'm searching for a tripod with many of the Vinten's features but without the weight...extends to 5'6" tall, fluid head with neutral balancing, camera quick-release. Any ideas will be appreciated.

Steve Siegel · January 29th, 2004, 07:07 PM

Any Bogen-Manfrotto or Gitzo tripod is good, along with Bogen fluid heads of the 500 series. I personally use a Bogen 3126 tripod for light-weight work, or a Gitzo Studex Pro, which is as stable as any Vinten tripod, and a hell of a lot cheaper. Bogen's 503 (and I think 505) head has that neutral position feature, the 501 does not. Quick release plates are pretty much standard.
Once again they're much cheaper than Vinten products.

Jeff Donald · January 29th, 2004, 07:53 PM

Having owned all the major brands except Miller, I would have to say that if you're used to Vinten quality, neither Bogen or Gitzo will deliver. The pan and tilt movements aren't even in the same league for smoothness and consistency under all conditions. If you can afford the Vinten tripods, you should stick with them. The Vision 3 has received high praise by many users. You might want to search the better brands, such as Vinten, Miller and Sachtler.

Lorinda Norton · January 29th, 2004, 08:01 PM

Mike,

Look into specifics on the Bogen/Manfrotto line before you buy. In case you haven't seen it, on another thread here Mike Rehmus had this to say about the 516 head I recently bought for use w/XL1s:

"What you've just found out is that it really isn't a fluid head in the traditional sense, it's a friction head with some thick silicon grease caught between two disks to smooth it out a bit."

Here's the reference:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19934

That said, for basic work I've used a Bogen 3126 head (like Steve) on 3011 legs and been pretty happy, but then I'm working my way up--I don't have the comparison factor that you do. :)

Although...we did rent an old Bogen 3066 head and tripod last month. Hated it, but I think maybe it had seen better days.

Edit: Jeff's post just beat mine. He's so right (as usual :). What I use would drive you crazy!

Jacques Mersereau · February 1st, 2004, 07:14 PM

I'd go for the Vinten Vision 3 and carbon fibre two
stage legs.

Ken Tanaka · February 1st, 2004, 08:11 PM

I second Jacques' recommendation. I have a Bogen/Manfrotto 3066, Miller DS10, a Sachtler DV-6 and a Vinten Vision 3. My Vinten dusts all of the others. As Jeff noted, Vinten is in a league of it's own. But, of course, it's expensive. At approx. $2,200, it might be a stretch. The Sachtler DV-6 would be my 2nd choice. It's quite good and built to last. Ditto the Miller DS-10, although it's a notch or two down from the DV-6.

John C Heid · February 1st, 2004, 11:54 PM

I read several positive reports here about the Vinten Vision 3. I am seriously considering ordering this fluid head from B&H for my XL-1S. There are several carbon fibre legs available. Can someone please suggest the best 2 stage carbon fibre legs by model # for the XL-1S? Also, do you suggest a bag by PortaBrace, or Vinten for the tripod? (I use a PortaBrace CT3 for the XL-1S already). Thank you!

December 10th, 2003, 04:19 PM	#136
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	That depends on a lot of things ofcourse. As with everything there is never a best thing. It always depends on things like: - your budget - what kind of shooting you do - etc. __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

December 10th, 2003, 10:00 PM	#138
Robert Knecht Schmidt Wrangler Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,933	There are plenty of "right" answers to this question. I went with a Bogen 3246 Black Professional Tripod with 3066 Fluid Head, and I think this fits your criteria. It's not too heavy, not too light, not too cheap, and not too pricey. The head will handle the weight of your camera or the weight of a jib arm (a "crane") if you choose to buy one later. __________________ All the best, Robert K S Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| The best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

December 10th, 2003, 10:18 PM	#139
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Do a search, this topic has been covered pretty extensively. I would recommend, with your budget, a Sachtler, Vinten or Miller tripod. In a slightly lower range Gitzo and Bogen (Manfrotto) offer good alternatives. I personally use a Vinten, but have used all of the rest except Miller. A tripod is the most important accessory to the camera. Buy the very best you can afford. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

December 11th, 2003, 03:05 PM	#141
Robert Knecht Schmidt Wrangler Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,933	Looks nice, but that's a lot of money for a head (especially one that only supports 10 pounds)--what will he have left for sticks? __________________ All the best, Robert K S Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| The best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

December 11th, 2003, 06:00 PM	#143
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	B&H sells the Miller DS-10 with a soft case (not included in the other package) for $960. It's an excellent tripod, head and case kit (I own one). I highly recommend it for a basic XL1 rig. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

December 10th, 2003, 09:13 PM	#137
Waco Oguin New Boot Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: athens ga Posts: 5	I would like to keep the price under $1000 and get something that would provide some smooth pans and tilts.

December 11th, 2003, 02:32 PM	#140
Scott Burbank Regular Crew Join Date: May 2002 Location: Burnaby, B.C. Canada Posts: 50	This is what I use. Works very well. You won't be let down. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/product/179077/MIDS10/REG/3951

December 11th, 2003, 05:53 PM	#142
Scott Burbank Regular Crew Join Date: May 2002 Location: Burnaby, B.C. Canada Posts: 50	Well then go here and get both. Sticks and head. Under a $1000 (accept tax) http://shopping.netledger.com/s.nl/c...t.A/id.2386/.f

January 29th, 2004, 05:45 PM	#144
Mike Doyle Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 32	Tripod for XL1s For many years I used a Vinten Vision 12 tripod under my Betacam SP. Now that I've switched full-time to the XL1s I'm searching for a tripod with many of the Vinten's features but without the weight...extends to 5'6" tall, fluid head with neutral balancing, camera quick-release. Any ideas will be appreciated.

January 29th, 2004, 07:07 PM	#145
Steve Siegel Major Player Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA Posts: 839	Any Bogen-Manfrotto or Gitzo tripod is good, along with Bogen fluid heads of the 500 series. I personally use a Bogen 3126 tripod for light-weight work, or a Gitzo Studex Pro, which is as stable as any Vinten tripod, and a hell of a lot cheaper. Bogen's 503 (and I think 505) head has that neutral position feature, the 501 does not. Quick release plates are pretty much standard. Once again they're much cheaper than Vinten products.

January 29th, 2004, 07:53 PM	#146
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Having owned all the major brands except Miller, I would have to say that if you're used to Vinten quality, neither Bogen or Gitzo will deliver. The pan and tilt movements aren't even in the same league for smoothness and consistency under all conditions. If you can afford the Vinten tripods, you should stick with them. The Vision 3 has received high praise by many users. You might want to search the better brands, such as Vinten, Miller and Sachtler. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

January 29th, 2004, 08:01 PM	#147
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	Mike, Look into specifics on the Bogen/Manfrotto line before you buy. In case you haven't seen it, on another thread here Mike Rehmus had this to say about the 516 head I recently bought for use w/XL1s: "What you've just found out is that it really isn't a fluid head in the traditional sense, it's a friction head with some thick silicon grease caught between two disks to smooth it out a bit." Here's the reference: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19934 That said, for basic work I've used a Bogen 3126 head (like Steve) on 3011 legs and been pretty happy, but then I'm working my way up--I don't have the comparison factor that you do. :) Although...we did rent an old Bogen 3066 head and tripod last month. Hated it, but I think maybe it had seen better days. Edit: Jeff's post just beat mine. He's so right (as usual :). What I use would drive you crazy!

February 1st, 2004, 07:14 PM	#148
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	I'd go for the Vinten Vision 3 and carbon fibre two stage legs. __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager

February 1st, 2004, 08:11 PM	#149
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	I second Jacques' recommendation. I have a Bogen/Manfrotto 3066, Miller DS10, a Sachtler DV-6 and a Vinten Vision 3. My Vinten dusts all of the others. As Jeff noted, Vinten is in a league of it's own. But, of course, it's expensive. At approx. $2,200, it might be a stretch. The Sachtler DV-6 would be my 2nd choice. It's quite good and built to last. Ditto the Miller DS-10, although it's a notch or two down from the DV-6. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

February 1st, 2004, 11:54 PM	#150
John C Heid Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 54	I read several positive reports here about the Vinten Vision 3. I am seriously considering ordering this fluid head from B&H for my XL-1S. There are several carbon fibre legs available. Can someone please suggest the best 2 stage carbon fibre legs by model # for the XL-1S? Also, do you suggest a bag by PortaBrace, or Vinten for the tripod? (I use a PortaBrace CT3 for the XL-1S already). Thank you!