Tripod For HD100
 

The HD100 is an excessively heavy camera, can a normal tripod handle it for say a VX2000 or do you need a different tripod? What tripod works with this camera? I'm on a VERY limited budget and I need to get a t-pod under 200 dollars that won't break when the camera is mounted on it, something pretty tall too, any recommendations?

For 200$ maybe MANFROTTO from Italy can give you a good tripod. Also I know a very good tripod from Vinten model Pro-5DP, but it cost 500$.

Manfrotto, Vinten and Sachtler are owned by the same company.

Manfrotto? Thank you very much. Can someone give me some specifics about any other cheap HD100 compatible tripod! Please!? I know many if not most of you are working with tripods, what can you use in the 200-10 dollar price range? It's crucial that I get this information. The more specific the better, what 200-20 dollar tripod will work with the HD100 without collapsing or tipping over? Can someone please, give me this info!? Thanks for the manfrotto tip, is there anything else? What are most of you using?

Hd100 Tripod Please Help!
 

Manfrotto? Thank you very much. Can someone give me some specifics about any other cheap HD100 compatible tripod! Please!? I know many if not most of you are working with tripods, what can you use in the 200-10 dollar price range? It's crucial that I get this information. The more specific the better, what 200-20 dollar tripod will work with the HD100 without collapsing or tipping over? Can someone please, give me this info!? Thanks for the manfrotto tip, is there anything else? What are most of you using?

When you say "tripod", you mean tripod AND head, right? If so, this is probably the best that you can do for $200...

Davis & Sanford Pro Vista (cap. 18 pounds)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation

Honestly, you need a tripod in the range of $1400 to $2000. I am not recommending a $200 tripod because I think it is what you need, I am recommending it because it is what you are asking for. I think you will be very unhappy with a $200 tripod. I consider $500 the barest minimum but I don't want one of those either.

Nick

Bruce,
The camera weights in at about 7 pounds-throw on an Anton Bauer battery with say a wireless receiver and its would still be under 10 lbs (Dionic 90 battery weights 1.7 pounds-most receivers probably in the range of the same) so it's not excessively heavy. just about any set of tripod legs that work with a VK2000 would work with the HD100-just get a GOOD tripod head-nothing less than a Bogen (Manfrotto) 503 and for real fluid moves a 516 head is great. I use a JVC5000 and with everything on it including Dionic 90 batteries, shotgun mic, Wireless receiver (sometimes 2) and AB light-it still only weights in at a bit under 17 pounds and the 516 head on 515 legs is a great combo.
Even the 501 NON FLUID head from Bogen will handle support 13.2 pounds so you have many choices-not sure about the $200 though but with some sharp shopping you MIGHT find something if you need to switch.
BTW a Bogen Manfrotto leg/head combo is the 3021N legs with the 501 head it'll work-supports 9.9 pounds an is $283.oo US from B&H photo.
Don

Same company??
 

I dont think Sachtler, Vinten, and Bogen/Manfrotto are the same company.

For instance, Sachtler is MUCH better with carbon fibre leg locks. But the heads are heavier.

And Vinten heads are lighter but less durable, the alum. legs are incredible, carbon fibre legs require "finesse." The illuminated pan / tilt seting are cool.

And Bogen, is cheaper, durable (mostly) but heavy. The bowl leveling handle, is great, alot of guys I know rip off the handle from their bogen, put it on a Sachtler or Vinten head, the Sachtler and Vintens have only knobs.

If any marketing manager was smart, then there wouldve been some kind of super-head and leg-set introduced by now. And yet?

I know Bogen, owns many companies, including Manfrotto, Gitzo, Metz, Avenger, along many others, covering almost the entire photographic equipment line, except lenses.

But if I am mistaken, and Sachtler, Vinten, and Bogen/Manfrotto, are the same company, please prove me wrong.
---------------------------------------------------------

By the way, find a used 3066 head on pretty much...and legs. And you're set for a HD100. But if you insist on new, Daiwa (or Silk Broadcast I think?) does a good head and legs, but service is not readily available in the US. Look at B&H, I've heard some nice things about Libec, and there is a Bescor set that looks good but I'm not sure.

www.bhphotovideo.com >Professional Video > Support > Set> (Do not select Bogen)

Bruce,

Please stop creating new threads for the same question. So far, you have posted these threads...

Tripod for HD100

HD100 Tripod Please Help

HD100 Tripod Question

Perhaps the Moderator can combine all of these under one post. Until then, may I suggest that from this point on, we stick with "Tripod for HD100" (this one that we are in right now) which has the most responses and do ALL of your posting on it.

To answer your question from the other thread on the same topic...

I guess if all you want to do is hold the camera up, you will be happy with the Davis & Sanford Pro Vista for $200.

Here's an idea. Maybe you don't need a tripod at all. Maybe you could set a footlocker or crate on end and set the camera on top of it. Then, when you are done shooting, you can throw your camera and other gear in the fooltlocker. If you want to make it fancy, you could but a screw in it to mate with the camera and hold it tight. For a deluxe setup, you could mount a tripod head to the footlocker! Since you don't have a need to pan, I would recommend a Bogen 501 head.

Nick

I don't know if they're the same company, but I have a Manfrotto 503 and a Vinten Pro-6 heads and they're exactly the same, just a little difference on the buttons and the cover plastic. I'm sure it is the same head.

I have the 503 head with 525 legs for the HD100, this head is very good but the spring is not strong enought to perfectly balance the camera with heavy batteries. When I purchased it I tried the head with the JVC battery and it performed very well, but now I would chose the 516. A long plate is also required when using heavy batteries, it has to slide more to the front for balancing. Another option is the JVC tripod plate, but it's much more expensive.

Hello Daniel. It is true, they are all owned by the same parent company, the Vitec Group plc:

http://www.vitecgroup.com/group/group_overview.aspx

The Vitec Group is actually the Vinten company who went on a buying spree in the early 80's and gobbled up all of these famous camera support companies. My hunch is that each company still operates fairly independently since they each serve different market segments, but you can see how it is possible that some of the low-end Vintens could just be re-badged Bogens or Gitzos.

Because they are all sister companies, they technically do have access to each other's technology. This is very interesting because in the old days all of these companies competed fiercely against each other and in doing so developed many, many patents for various things like fluid drag and counterbalance. Now corporate owns all of these patents so technically they could direct Sachtler to design a head based on an O'Connor patent or vice versa. So why isn't there some "super head" yet then? Beats me, but it's probably for business reasons.

The photographic division consist of:

* Avenger
* Bogen Imaging
* Gitzo
* IFF
* Kata
* Litec
* Manfrotto

The broadcast systems division consist of:

* Anton/Bauer
* Clear-Com
* Drake
* OConnor
* Petrol
* Radamec Broadcast Systems
* Sachtler
* Vega
* Vinten

Good info Tim, thanks.

Thanks for the support.. and for the complete information.

The HD100 excessively heavy? Compared with other sholder camera's, I had to add batteries on the back to make it more heavy to balance better for my taste.

Diogo, the 503 head can use the 501plong plate which has much more travel than the stock plate. I'm sure you could balance your camera with a longer plate on the 503. The 519 is the next model up that uses the same plate. It has a 75mm half-ball mount instead of the 3/8" screw on a flat base.

Conglomerate shlomerate...
 

My god what is happening. Now the only independent support company is...Miller? (Video, only one I can think of). So...in a few years will a Hotpod be $200 instead of $2000...?

That I wouldnt mind, but I'm worried about Sachtler and Vinten losing their quality. I still have a Sachtler Video 20 head older than I am, and Vinten legs that have been around the world twice, but I've never owned a piece of Bogen equipment that didnt go more than 3 years withought haveing to be reserviced / replaced (that goes for everything, from leg locks and QR plates to pan bars and heads). Sachtler and Vinten have been the standard for years, but now will the quality drop? I've already seen some lack in the Vinten tripods the past 3 or so years, and Sachtler beginning to use more plastic parts...but the prices we paid for should be the quality we expect.

...or should this be a totally different thread?

Which tripod head to choose?
 

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and looking for advice on tripod heads. I have a Bogen/Manfrotto 3021 legs but need a different head for use with the JVC GY-HD100U(A). Wondering if I should go with the 501? I also have an older ITE T40 tripod and wondering if there is a head/plate for it that I should purchase instead of the Bogen since the T40 has larger/more heavy duty legs.

Appreciate any advise.

Thank you,
Lisa

I would at least get the 503 because its fluid, the 501 is friction and by most ppls account crappy.

re: Which tripod head
 

Hi,

Thanks you for the tip...I'll check into the 503.

Best,
Lisa

I 2nd that! Stay away from the 501! I have the 503 and am very happy with it. Plus the street price is only $250-- a bargin.

Dan
www.DVcameraRigs.com

All companies that belong to Vitec are independent and are competing with each other. Same as Panasonic and JVC that belong to the same owner... "Victor" something.

Danny

As Tim mentioned, Vinten bought the other companies in the early 80s, so these changes have been in place for well over two decades.

With so much control over the professional tripod market, I don't think they'll ever have reason to lower prices anytime soon.

Sorry for getting off-topic.

Hi,

Are using it with the HD100U? The pics of the 503 make it look so small and just wondering. When I get the extra battery and wireless gear, will the 503 suffice?

**Also to all, I had posted a note about tripods in the HD100U section to see what those camera users have for tripods. That post was moved so that's why there are 2 threads. Just a note, sorry for the double thread.

Thank you
Lisa

Hi Lisa,

No, the 503 will hold that camera just fine. It's much larger than I believe you may imagine. I think the head is rated at 15lbs (I think!), and your camera is well under 10lbs, even with all the gizmos attached. If you live somewhere where you can check out the head in person, I'd take your camera in and plop it on there.

Best,

Dan Selakovich
www.DVcameraRigs.com

The 501 and the 503 are the same physical size, but inside they are very different. The 503 is a far better choice.

Another point in the 503s favor, that has not been mentioned, is that the 503 has counter balancing springs inside. The further you tilt it forward or back, the more the springs compensate for the weight of the camera. Without the springs, the camera would fall forward or back, unless you lock it down.

I had a 501 and I sold it and bought another 503.

Good Luck

I think the Cartoni Focus, Sachtler DV-6SB or Vinten Vision 3 would be better choices for the HD100. Although the 503 has a max load capacity of 13.2 lbs, its counterbalance spring is only rated for 5.5 lbs (at an unspecified CG height). The HD100, being a heavier and larger camera with a higher CG height, is more easily operated on a head that can keep it perfectly balanced.

True, these heads are expensive, but IMO, camera support is one thing that people should bite the bullet and buy the best they can afford. This equipment will likely outlast many generations of cameras and remember the old adage: buying cheap usually means buying twice =)

Buying a tripod today. -Bogen 516 good for HD100?
 

I've tried the Bogen 503 (not with the HD100) and it seems to be a bit of a lightweight. That and I've heard you get what you pay for and I'm willing to pay a little more if something is going to be better.

I've also used the 316 head with the HD100 and this was pretty much overkill as even at the least resistance it was still hard to pan & tilt.

I'm looking at the 516 for around $400. My only concern is that it says it's ideal at around 16lbs, but the HD100 + accessories is around 9lbs. Anyone using this head able to chime in? Can you decrease the resistance so that it moves fairly freely?

What do other people recommend for a head? I'm trying to stay within the Bogen/Manfrotto area because their stuff is generally cheaper and still can be pretty decent.
Thanks!

Bogen heads are not fluid - they are friction. I'd go with Miller, Cartoni or Sachtler. They are more money but worth every penny in the long run. Get a small loan and pay it off over a year if you have to. I personally have Sachtler SB6 with carbon fibre legs and it's great. I wouldn't even consider Bogen.

I use a 516 head with a PD150, a DSR 250 and have used it with a JVC5000U and a DSR450-it seems to work just fine with all but the 150 as its really too light for the head but by adjusting the tilt and pan it does work. The heavier the camera the better up to a point. The full sized cames all have a wireless reciever and an Anton Bauer Dionic battery on them so there is substanially more weight therefore it (the head) seems to be easier to control. I have no problem with the head and frankly like it very much. As for a 9 lb camera well it's heavier than the 150 but lighter than all the rest I use so it's hard to say but I believe it would work out just fine for you.

Don B

Thanks for your help. I actually went to go buy the Cartoni Focus from B&H, but when I got there it said it was on Back Order. :-( Does anyone know where to get this head? I need it next week. It looks like it'd work nice for me since it can be adjusted to any camera weight whereas the 516 is balanced for just one weight primarily. I truly like the Sachtlers (I have the DV-1), but their heads are very expensive if you want anything more than a DV-4 (and I do). Miller stuff is unholy-expensive and nothing makes a good fit for me.

So for now I put in an order for the 516 and we'll see how it goes. I'd prefer the Cartoni, but I can't wait 2-4 weeks for it unfortunately. (This is what I get for waiting). Any ideas on where to get one would be appreciated.

BTW, I'm getting the Bogen 3191 sticks.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

cartoni
 

check with zgc that's where i got mine from .

Is this true. How come BH Photo says they are fluid ?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation

For instance 501 description is:

With payload capacity of 13.2 lbs, the 501 fluid head is designed to support the latest range of small, professional digital cameras, offering the best price and performance for a head of this size. Light but positive fluid movement provides exceptionally smooth control through 360° pan and +90 to -60° tilt. It also has Teflon friction adjustment to increase drag, and separate pan and tilt locks. Other features include a built-in spirit level and a quick-release sliding plate for balancing the camera with 1/4" and 3/8" screws, plus VHS location pin.

Thanks for the reference, Abdul. I called them up. Travis was very polite and helpful, but alas it appears they are out of stock there as well...

I did find one place that has the F101 system in stock (because I called corporate), but they are much more expensive than anywhere else. I may just have to stick with the original plan and see how the Bogen works out.

Also, I found this post by a Manfrotto Product Manager who said that their heads are in fact "true" fluid heads. Not sure why everyone says they're not.
It's about half way down:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...d%22+manfrotto

Chad, thanks for the link. That explained the issue pretty well ....

Do yourself a favor and avoid those junky Bogen heads at all costs. The Cartoni Focus is nice and perfect for that camera, you will need a 100mm ball tripod though. Try EVSOnline.com if you cant find it anywhere else.

Mike

I'm going to try, but they don't appear to be in stock anywhere. I don't want to pay out the nose for one either.

BTW, what do you think about the stock Cartoni F101 legs? I know they're not magic, but in case I need to buy a kit rather than just the head, are they as good or better than the Bogen 3191 legs? I like that these can extent outwards in order to go lower. Can the Cartoni legs do this? I would miss those extra 5 inches as well... :-(

What unfortunate bad timing... ZGC said they wouldn't get more for another 4-6 weeks! Customer with money, Cartoni! Hello? ? ?

Read this thread and you will know why it's not fluid: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...ght=inside+501

I have a F100 head en route from EVS right now. Also arriving today are the legs and 516 from B&H, so I'll be sure to do a trial w/ both of them to see how they compare.

EVS had two left in stock when I called. Unfortunately their shipping costs are a touch high (around $80 for 3-day). Then of course two days after I order, B&H has them in stock again (from whom I could have saved $75). That's life I guess. At least EVS was 5x more of a pleasure to work with over the phone than B&H.


Does anyone know where to get an extra pan bar for this head?

Would this work:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation
Or how about this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation

Thanks for your help. I think this tripod will be the last I need to buy for quite some time.

I hate Bogen as much as you Jiri, but Bogen does make ONE head that's at least comparable (but still inferior) to the likes of Sachtler and Cartoni.

It's the 526 (which was formerly sold as 510). It has 3 drag click stops for each pan and tilt, and it changes "gears" (fluid cartridges) just like a Sachtler. I have one, if on a budget it's the only Bogen that I can say is passable.

That 526 does sound nice, but it's pretty expensive! At B&H the head only is almost $1500. Maybe they've raised the prices since you got it Nate. At the $1500 level I would definitely encourage looking around at the other brands, since even among high-end heads they all feel and operate slightly differently.

Chad, you might want to call up the USA Cartoni distributor (Ste-Man in L.A. 818-760-8240) to confirm the right pan handle. If I remember right, the pan handle attachment point (the rosette) on the Focus isn't the same size as their bigger heads and Cartoni's rosette isn't necessarily compatible with those from Bogen or any other brand.

Doh. Yeah. I paid less than $1k for mine, which made it a pretty good value. At $1500 I'd look into others.

I think my post was more along the lines of "eh, Bogen makes like, *1* good head!"