The secret to steady tripod work? at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > The Tools of DV and HD Production > Support Your Local Camera > Tripod Sticks & Heads

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old June 10th, 2003, 10:13 PM   #1
Slash Rules!
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 5,472
The secret to steady tripod work?

Okay, follow me here. Let's say I have a shot where people are moving around in the frame, and I'm following them with the camera, while it's mounted on a tripod. Simple enough, right? My question is, how do you keep it perfectly still when it's NOT supposed to be moving? You can't just take your hands off the camera and tripod, because it will drift slowly over time. You can't discreetly lock it down, and then unlock it, etc, because the motion of touching the locks will jar the tripod ever so slightly. What I try to do is lean over the camera, with one hand on the pan arm and one on the lens, to sort of balance it, but it's hard as hell to keep perfectly still like that. What do you guys do?

I have a sachtler DV4 system, by the way. Do I just have to adjust the mounting plate cause I'm a moron and I have the camera balanced incorrectly?
Josh Bass is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 10th, 2003, 10:40 PM   #2
Retired DV Info Net Almunus
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 6,943
Quote:
Do I just have to adjust the mounting plate cause I'm a moron and I have the camera balanced incorrectly?
Err.. yes. <g>

The DV4 does not have the pan/tilt calibration adjustability of the DV6 or DV8 so this may be a bit tricky. But, when set properly, that camera should remain exactly in position without being locked-down. With the XL1 you may find that you need to add weight to the back to keep it from nodding-off.
__________________
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
Ken Tanaka is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 10th, 2003, 10:58 PM   #3
Slash Rules!
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 5,472
You're talking remain in position whether it's tilted up or down, regardless of angle?
Josh Bass is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 10th, 2003, 11:04 PM   #4
Retired DV Info Net Almunus
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 6,943
Yup, that's what I be talkin'.

Once you find the best plate position mark it with on the plate.
__________________
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
Ken Tanaka is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 11th, 2003, 12:23 AM   #5
Major Player
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 730
Josh,

I use a manfrotto 501 fluid head, i have found with my pd150 i just needed to push the friction points up nice and tight, i like it to fight back at me... then i can leave the camera without actually locking it, but it evenly moves without my effort, and smoothly when panning or tilting.

Maybe you can do that.

Zac
Zac Stein is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 11th, 2003, 01:02 AM   #6
Slash Rules!
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 5,472
Friction points? What do you mean? I have the pan and tilt locks, and the settings for the fluid drag, which is already at its highest. I was told not to use the pan and tilt locks as "drag controllers," as it could eventually mess up the tripod.
Josh Bass is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 11th, 2003, 01:11 AM   #7
Retired DV Info Net Almunus
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 6,943
The Bogen 501 operates differently than the Sachtler. It's a friction-based head. The Sachtler uses tension springs to provide counter force.
__________________
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
Ken Tanaka is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 11th, 2003, 04:48 AM   #8
Major Player
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: New York
Posts: 322
my rules for steady tripod work.

1. Completely lock both axis knobs as hard as you can for each shot.

2. Get some sandbags, or some sort of weight and throw it in either the center of teh spreader or , one at nearly each corner of the tripod where teh spreader meets the legs.

3. After you get a general frame. Only move one axis at a time to adjust.

4. Invest in a monitor and use that to make adjustments and use the eyepiece sparingly.

5. Make sure you move the eyepiece out as far as you can from the base so that when you are viewing it, your head isnt up against the camera opening it up to the possibility of being knocked.

6. Make sure your camera is tightly screwed to the base plate.
John Threat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 11th, 2003, 04:16 PM   #9
Contributor
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 4,449
I don't that particular tripod personally, but with the ones I use I never have any trouble with that particular type of thing. I use an ancient O'Connor 50 and a Gitzo 1338. With the O'Connor, it's easy to make a move and then lock it and let go if you want, with no motion. Same with the Gitzo.
Bill Pryor is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > The Tools of DV and HD Production > Support Your Local Camera > Tripod Sticks & Heads

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:44 PM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network