Vinten Forests Sprout at Olympics at DVinfo.net

Chris Soucy · July 30th, 2012, 06:27 PM

Here's a new game for all you avid Olympic sports fans.

See if you can count how many Vinten camera supports are at the various Olympic venues.

I managed to catch a half hour of the Womens Gymnastics yesterday, courtesy of my better half.

I wasn't really taking a great deal of notice of the action, because sports really aren't my thing, so let my attention drift to what was going on in the background.

The camera panned across the floor as it followed one of the competitors back to her chair, and all of a sudden I said to myself "What the f........".

Quite clearly, in the background, was a solid 20 - 30 metre wall of tripod mounted HD cameras, and stuff me if every single one I could get a good look at was on a Vinten.

Then I thought, "Nah, sheer coincidence" but, my attention grabbed, I started studying every background I could see, and sure enough, every single support I could get a decent squiz at was, indeed, a Vinten - everywhere!

Having got hooked on this rather bizarre game, I've been analysing every frame of coverage I can, and sure enough, wherever there's a tripod mounted camera that I can get a decent look at, it's on a Vinten.

Amazing. There's got to be hundreds and hundreds of them.

Even, as far as I can make out, all the big OB rigs are sitting on Vinten too.

OK, I hear you say, how do I know they're Vinten?

Because, all the standard Vinten sticks (apart from the Vb 's) with mid level spreaders, are using the SpreadLock mid level spreader, with it's unique and unmistakable top mounted light grey lock knob, can't miss it, stands out like a sore thumb, though it helps if you have seen one up close and personal, as I have, 'cause I own one.

Now, the flip side to this game is to spot a non - Vinten rig and let us know, 'cos I haven't spied one yet.

Sachtlers shouldn't be too hard to spot, their heads are quite unmistakable.

Some of the other makes could be a bit tricky.

Now, I'm not going to say this is 100% accurate, but I'm betting, based on what I've seen so far, that just about any video images you see of the Olympics, wherever its taken by a tripod mounted camera, it's on Vinten sticks and heads.

Come on, get in the game and prove me wrong.

CS

Attached, piccies of a SpreadLock spreader, just to make it a bit easier

Nate Haustein · July 30th, 2012, 07:47 PM

I was conscious of this when watching last night, and I blame you for it. :)

Saw one Sachtler during the Mens 250km bike race, otherwise lots and lots of nice Vintens!

Chris Soucy · July 31st, 2012, 01:13 AM

Well, the plot thickens, if you will.

I have it from an impeccable source (NOT Vinten, I have friends in LOW places, I had a lot of contacts in the video sphere when I lived in London, and a good many of them are shooting at the Olympics), close to the Olympic action, that what Nate and I have observed is a non issue.

Nearly 100% of all the camera supports being used at all the Olympic locations are Vinten, end of story.

Yep, there's an occasional "other", comprising less than 1% of the estimated 3,500 camera supports in use, every single one of the rest is Vinten.

Why?

Can't say (because I simply don't know).

Vinten aren't an official sponsor, so won't say, else they get a kicking from the IOC attack dogs, but it can't be because you can get a Vinten rig by sending in 5 Cerial Box tops and $10.

Most of the foreign shooters have opted for hired Vintens, instead of paying to ship their own apparently, the rest, well, who knows.

I rest my case, most of the video you're watching with regard to the Olympics is coming courtesy of Vinten sticks and heads.

Now, that's a biggie. Knew there was a reason I was was taken by them, seems I'm not alone.

Good game though, see how YOU fare at it.

Get you eyes peeled for a set of non Vinten supports, not easy, but you do get better with practice.

CS

Mike Beckett · July 31st, 2012, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate Haustein

Saw one Sachtler during the Mens 250km bike race, otherwise lots and lots of nice Vintens!

They must've ran out of Vintens!

Les Wilson · July 31st, 2012, 06:05 AM

It's an English company so it's what I would expect as the home team.

Chris Soucy · August 1st, 2012, 11:01 PM

Er, Les..................

Who's gonna be the support supplier when the Olympics are next staged in the USA?

Anyone?

CS

Steve Game · August 2nd, 2012, 01:36 AM

I doubt that will be before 2024. Kit may be completely different by then, - maybe the current manufacturers will not be there at all.

Meanwhile, paying visitors are not even allowed to take monopods into the Olympic Park.

Chris Soucy · August 2nd, 2012, 01:50 AM

Yep, I've heard it's pretty anal, to the point of utter stupidty.

Hey, I didn't do it, nor did Vinten, the SPONSERS have taken over the whole damn thing, and it makes your average rock concert look like a walk in the park.

Crazy, but that's what happens when you sell your soul to the Devil of BIG MONEY!
And sold, it is.

The way it's gonna be untill idiots stop buying tickets, could take a while, the world is chock ablock with them.

CS

Mike Beckett · August 2nd, 2012, 01:51 AM

Chris - Davis & Sanford appear to be American....

http://www.tiffen.com/D&S%20Newsletter2.pdf

Um...

Seriously though, I'm not so sure tripods will be very much different in 12 years' time. Vinten and Sachtler (and Miller, I think) have been around for donkeys' years, and are probably here for decades to come. Despite all the advances in electronics with cameras, good tripods are still a triumph of top-notch mechanical engineering.

Les Wilson · August 2nd, 2012, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Soucy

Er, Les..................
Who's gonna be the support supplier when the Olympics are next staged in the USA?

I'm certain my point didn't imply there had to be a home team supplier in every nation they are held. Rather, when there is a supplier, especially one as old and venerable as Vinten, it makes sense they are the supplier. I expect they did everything possible and then some to get the contract.

Everyone knows that for the USA games, anything and everything except Bob Costas will be outsourced to China just like the teams uniforms were this year.

Pete Bauer · August 2nd, 2012, 09:24 AM

Just a gentle reminder to all that DVi is a digital video tech forum; please steer clear of politics and other such naturally controversial subjects.

Colin McDonald · August 2nd, 2012, 12:17 PM

I watched a bit of the beach volleyball and didn't notice any tripods at all.

Odd, because I was actually wondering about support as well.

Chris Soucy · August 2nd, 2012, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Soucy

Er, Les..................
Who's gonna be the support supplier when the Olympics are next staged in the USA

Something was niggling after I wrote that, then it occured to me - OCONNER, of course.

Colin, hmm, support for what, exactly (do remember this is a family channel!).

CS

Nate Haustein · August 2nd, 2012, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin McDonald

I watched a bit of the beach volleyball and didn't notice any tripods at all.

Odd, because I was actually wondering about support as well.

Perhaps you missed the 40' Jib serving as the master shot!

There are some really cool things moving about on the bottom of the swimming pools too if you look for them....

Garrett Low · August 3rd, 2012, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate Haustein

Perhaps you missed the 40' Jib serving as the master shot!

There are some really cool things moving about on the bottom of the swimming pools too if you look for them....

One of the coolest setups is the dive cam that drops at the same pace as the divers.

July 30th, 2012, 06:27 PM	#1
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,682 Images: 18	Vinten Forests Sprout at Olympics Here's a new game for all you avid Olympic sports fans. See if you can count how many Vinten camera supports are at the various Olympic venues. I managed to catch a half hour of the Womens Gymnastics yesterday, courtesy of my better half. I wasn't really taking a great deal of notice of the action, because sports really aren't my thing, so let my attention drift to what was going on in the background. The camera panned across the floor as it followed one of the competitors back to her chair, and all of a sudden I said to myself "What the f........". Quite clearly, in the background, was a solid 20 - 30 metre wall of tripod mounted HD cameras, and stuff me if every single one I could get a good look at was on a Vinten. Then I thought, "Nah, sheer coincidence" but, my attention grabbed, I started studying every background I could see, and sure enough, every single support I could get a decent squiz at was, indeed, a Vinten - everywhere! Having got hooked on this rather bizarre game, I've been analysing every frame of coverage I can, and sure enough, wherever there's a tripod mounted camera that I can get a decent look at, it's on a Vinten. Amazing. There's got to be hundreds and hundreds of them. Even, as far as I can make out, all the big OB rigs are sitting on Vinten too. OK, I hear you say, how do I know they're Vinten? Because, all the standard Vinten sticks (apart from the Vb 's) with mid level spreaders, are using the SpreadLock mid level spreader, with it's unique and unmistakable top mounted light grey lock knob, can't miss it, stands out like a sore thumb, though it helps if you have seen one up close and personal, as I have, 'cause I own one. Now, the flip side to this game is to spot a non - Vinten rig and let us know, 'cos I haven't spied one yet. Sachtlers shouldn't be too hard to spot, their heads are quite unmistakable. Some of the other makes could be a bit tricky. Now, I'm not going to say this is 100% accurate, but I'm betting, based on what I've seen so far, that just about any video images you see of the Olympics, wherever its taken by a tripod mounted camera, it's on Vinten sticks and heads. Come on, get in the game and prove me wrong. CS Attached, piccies of a SpreadLock spreader, just to make it a bit easier Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Chris Soucy; July 30th, 2012 at 08:25 PM. Reason: ++Update

July 30th, 2012, 07:47 PM	#2
Nate Haustein Trustee Join Date: May 2007 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 1,313	Re: Vinten Forests Sprout at Olympics I was conscious of this when watching last night, and I blame you for it. :) Saw one Sachtler during the Mens 250km bike race, otherwise lots and lots of nice Vintens! __________________ Nate Haustein PXW-FX9 / FCPX www.flightcreativemedia.com Last edited by Nate Haustein; July 30th, 2012 at 09:38 PM.

July 31st, 2012, 01:13 AM	#3
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,682 Images: 18	Re: Vinten Forests Sprout at Olympics Well, the plot thickens, if you will. I have it from an impeccable source (NOT Vinten, I have friends in LOW places, I had a lot of contacts in the video sphere when I lived in London, and a good many of them are shooting at the Olympics), close to the Olympic action, that what Nate and I have observed is a non issue. Nearly 100% of all the camera supports being used at all the Olympic locations are Vinten, end of story. Yep, there's an occasional "other", comprising less than 1% of the estimated 3,500 camera supports in use, every single one of the rest is Vinten. Why? Can't say (because I simply don't know). Vinten aren't an official sponsor, so won't say, else they get a kicking from the IOC attack dogs, but it can't be because you can get a Vinten rig by sending in 5 Cerial Box tops and $10. Most of the foreign shooters have opted for hired Vintens, instead of paying to ship their own apparently, the rest, well, who knows. I rest my case, most of the video you're watching with regard to the Olympics is coming courtesy of Vinten sticks and heads. Now, that's a biggie. Knew there was a reason I was was taken by them, seems I'm not alone. Good game though, see how YOU fare at it. Get you eyes peeled for a set of non Vinten supports, not easy, but you do get better with practice. CS Last edited by Chris Soucy; July 31st, 2012 at 02:20 AM.

July 31st, 2012, 06:05 AM	#5
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	Re: Vinten Forests Sprout at Olympics It's an English company so it's what I would expect as the home team.

August 1st, 2012, 11:01 PM	#6
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,682 Images: 18	Re: Vinten Forests Sprout at Olympics Er, Les.................. Who's gonna be the support supplier when the Olympics are next staged in the USA? Anyone? CS

August 2nd, 2012, 01:36 AM	#7
Steve Game Major Player Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: London, UK Posts: 353	Re: Vinten Forests Sprout at Olympics I doubt that will be before 2024. Kit may be completely different by then, - maybe the current manufacturers will not be there at all. Meanwhile, paying visitors are not even allowed to take monopods into the Olympic Park.

August 2nd, 2012, 01:50 AM	#8
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,682 Images: 18	Re: Vinten Forests Sprout at Olympics Yep, I've heard it's pretty anal, to the point of utter stupidty. Hey, I didn't do it, nor did Vinten, the SPONSERS have taken over the whole damn thing, and it makes your average rock concert look like a walk in the park. Crazy, but that's what happens when you sell your soul to the Devil of BIG MONEY! And sold, it is. The way it's gonna be untill idiots stop buying tickets, could take a while, the world is chock ablock with them. CS

August 2nd, 2012, 01:51 AM	#9
Mike Beckett Trustee Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 1,569	Re: Vinten Forests Sprout at Olympics Chris - Davis & Sanford appear to be American.... http://www.tiffen.com/D&S%20Newsletter2.pdf Um... Seriously though, I'm not so sure tripods will be very much different in 12 years' time. Vinten and Sachtler (and Miller, I think) have been around for donkeys' years, and are probably here for decades to come. Despite all the advances in electronics with cameras, good tripods are still a triumph of top-notch mechanical engineering.

August 2nd, 2012, 09:24 AM	#11
Pete Bauer Wrangler Join Date: May 2003 Location: Eagle River, AK Posts: 4,100	Re: Vinten Forests Sprout at Olympics Just a gentle reminder to all that DVi is a digital video tech forum; please steer clear of politics and other such naturally controversial subjects. __________________ Pete Bauer The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. Albert Einstein Trying to solve a DV mystery? You may find the answer behind the SEARCH function ... or be able to join a discussion already in progress!

August 2nd, 2012, 12:17 PM	#12
Colin McDonald Trustee Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 1,546	Re: Vinten Forests Sprout at Olympics I watched a bit of the beach volleyball and didn't notice any tripods at all. Odd, because I was actually wondering about support as well.