Well, I've had a Bogen 503 for a year. I can say, as of right now, I hate it. The stiction on pans and especially tilts, when zoomed in, is horribly noticable. There is no setting to get rid of it unless it is completely loose.

516 and Focus compared
 

Ok, so I have both heads with me now. I have to send one back, but I'm still a little on the fence as to which that will be.

I have some concerns about the Focus head. It doesn't seem that it can be fully balanced at all angles. I've played with it for quite some time and in order to get any balance I need to mount it in an awkward way with the plate on the other side of the emergency stopper. In this way it hangs half way off the head... Any ideas on how to fix this? -A longer mount plate? What about rod supports? The HD100 is a really back-heavy camera w/ the pro batts. No matter what I try, it will not hold still at all angles. I can balance it for a good functional range, but not everything.

Also the pan bar is very flimsy. The Bogen head has rock solid bars (x2) and the Cartoni came with just one chopstick-like bar, which has a large amount of play in it, especially when extended. I still can't find any replacement handle online. The handles for the Delta heads are around $170.

Over all I'm feeling a bit under-whelmed by the Focus -especially for the price. My expectations were maybe a little too high. The action is very strong and smooth -better than the 516. It doesn't spring back slightly when you come to a stop like the 516, and it’s easier to get a smooth pan. And since all that matters really is what the camera sees, I'll probably stick with the Focus (if I can figure out a solution for the mounting plate). But for look and feel, the 516 is a more solid build to me. At least the QR plate is long enough to balance this camera.

It's basically like comparing a great prosumer head with a not-so-great professional head. At least that's the feeling I get. Any thoughts?

i'd like to echo the sentiments made by Jiri, Mike, and Richard. I own a Bogen 501 head, have so for years. I don't like it. I find it's pretty near impossible to make smooth corrections from a stand-still without a jerk at the start.
In 2005 I went to NAB. If you've never gone, go, its really great. Anyway, I tried every tripod I could that would be suitable for my Canon XL2. I've found that the best way to test a head's smoothness it to try making small corrections from a still postion, and zoomed in if you really want to torture test it. Long story short, Bogen was the worst, Miller Arrow 30 was the best (I tried the Arrow 30 with an XL2) and by far the most expensive ($5199). One thing I found was that there wasn't much inbetween that I felt would really work for me. Keep in mind though for slow, small corrective movement, I like a fairly heavy amount of resistance, so someone who likes a really loose feel might have found more tripods to their liking. A light feel is great IF you can pull off the smooth movement that you need.
It's been over year since then, but I finally chose to upgrade my tripod, and I ordered the Miller Arrow 30 (waiting for it to be shipped). It's movement was flawless, and I actually found that the most resistance I wanted still wasn't the highest resistance setting on the head. Now this may seem like overkill, but I just wanted to end game the tripod situation, and I felt that it was worth the investment. I think that a tripod can almost be more important than the camera. This will sound silly, but I shot a video about horse riding, and used a Sachtler Video 20 tripod, with a Canon ZR10! All my tracking, panning shots were nice and smooth, and the client was really happy with the final product! Don't get me wrong, I love my XL2, but I think the sticks that you put under your camera can be just as important as anything else in the production, but again, that's only if you're the type of shooter that likes steady shots. There's lots of creative, effective, handheld work being done out there, which can really work.

The JVC KA551U tripod adapter should allow you to balance it. It's pretty expensive but IMO worth it because you can quickly dismount and mount the camera without changing the balance and you won't have a long plate on the bottom of your camera. You can also use a standard Sony VCT-14 plate but you'd have to get the wedge plate separately. See this thread:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=69072

That's pretty much the same conclusion I came too. But the Cartoni head is only $800 so it is what it is. A real professional head start at $1500 or $2000 and go way up from there. I use to think it was crazy to spend $2K, $3K or even $4K on a fluid head. But then I told myself to stop to monkeying around and just get the best head you can. It'll be cheaper in the long run and you'll be happier from the get-go, especially if you're a stable shot freak like me. I hate handheld.

But even if money was no object, one problem with getting a professional head is most of them are designed for ENG cameras so they won't balance a smaller, lighter camera. Cal, how were you able to operate the ZR10 on that Sachtler Video 20? I think the lightest spring setting on that head is 22 lbs. Were you just fighting the counterbalance spring?

Absolutely. I had to keep the resistance under control, but it still worked really well. Not ideal though.

JVC GY-HD100 Tripod Mount
 

I was looking on the JVC website and one of the accessories listed was the KA-551U tripod adapter. My question is can I mount the camera on a tripod without the $300 adapter?

Yes. I mounted mine on a bogan 503 head just fine.

Yes, you can. The tripod plate is a nice quick release, and allows you to balance the camera a lot better.

For bigger tripods, it's a must-have. I don't think I could mount the camera on my Miller 25 without that plate.

I had experience with the 516 head, 3191 legs, and 501 head
 

I have had a continuing relationship with Bogen tripod products, in stills and video realms, for many years.

I got the mini and micro fluid heads and respective legs to hold smaller cams when shooting vhs. When I got a heavier pro camera weighing 25 lbs, I tried a used Miller 20 head and Bolex legs. I eventually sold all of it.

Then I had a 20 lb pro SVHS cam and got the 3191 legs and 516 head. The load was just over capacity, and there was enough play in the system to make it visible on screen unless I moved things, pan or tilt, very gingerly. There was not enough counterbalance force to prevent nose over. There may have been enough with a lighter and smaller cam, and I credit the design for having somewhat variable counterbalance force. But it lacked compared to a higher end Sachtler or similar. I sold the camera and that tripod system and got a PD 150 and eventually a Bogen 501 head for my older aluminum legs.

I know for a fact that the 501 and other Bogen heads are not real fluid in the sense of an O'Connor, Sachtler, or Cartoni from having disassembled them to replace the grease. They contain concentric staggered rings which create a fluid effect when the grease acts as a lubricant between them. The pan part is a simple cylinder in housing with similar grease.

I'm interested in getting the tripod plate, but haven't seen one for the HD100U in person. Does it work like other ENG plates in the fact there is metal attachements that are fixed to the bottom of the JVC and then the camera clicks into place on the plate? Or does the HD100 as is fixate itself onto this plate?

It comes with a small metal piece that screws onto the bottom of the camera. That then snaps into the plate that is mounted on the tripod head.

Chris

I have one for sale if you are interested. Its listed here

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...hlight=KA-551U

Regards


Andrew

Hi Mack, I'm also in Seattle and use the JVC. I bought a basic Manfrotto tripod and plate, and it works great.

HD100 Owner Choosing between Bogen 503 and 516
 

I’m I the market to buy a tripod very soon and I’m especially concerned about the tripod head. Among other manufacturers I’m considering, I’m looking at Bogen / Manfrotto.

I own a JVC HD100. It's clear that a Bogen 503 would handle the weight adequately, but I'm also interested in the 516 mostly because I want to be prepared should I add on a lot of extra weight like a matte box, a 35mm prime converter, wireless receivers, etc. But I’m also curious about overall quality which accounts for one of my two questions.

Except for its ability to handle a greater weight, is the 516 a better head than the 503? If so, why?

And, if I had a 516 but was using the HD100 pretty much as it comes stock (except with the noted addition of an AB Dionic 90 and possibly the Titan 70 charger attached as well) would it actually be worse for pans and tilts than the 503 because the camera would be too light (although not by much with the battery attached)?

Thank you for your help.

Can't help with the bogans but can Help with the sticks. The monfotto sticks are solid and will work well with bogans as a lot of folks here use that setup. I have monfotto sticks and a monfotto 701rc2 head. It is alright for a second camera setup but not for panning or tilting without it sticking. Im now going for a miller 1511 solo sticks and a ds10 head setup, this may be outside your budget but these will probley last 10 to 20 years if not more and will give you clean movement with verible stiffness for fast or slow pans or tilts. Oh and it also can go down on all three's to get you 25 cm off the ground. Think long and hard on your sticks as they will probley last a life time.

I use the 501 head with my hd100 with all the add ons matte box rails follow focus wireless receivers and it handles the weight fine.

I personally think the 501 is a better head than the 503, the 501 is more fluid and smooth.Never tried the 516.

andy.

I'm rather reluctant to bump my own question here up to the top, but I need to get this tripod soon and sadly, have nowhere nearby to test one. Basically I'm trying to choose between several Bogens: the 501, 503, and the 516. The 526 is too expensive for me right now.

From what I've read around here about the 501 it doesn't seem quite sturdy enough, and has been said to start and stop with some jerking motion.

I've heard both good and bad about the 503, but its counter-balance spring weight isn't quite right for the HD100 especially if I add some accessories. And so that has lead me to the 516, so I'm asking again if anyone here has any specific experience with it.

It is somewhat ironic that I am looking at the Bogen / Manfrottos since the only tripods I've ever used were Sachtlers and Vintens. But those models cost thousands of dollars and I have no idea about their lower end products, while I have at least heard some comments about the sub $1000 Bogens.

So... after this shameless bump of my post-- any help before I make my buy later today (within 12 hours most likely)?

Maat,

Have you seen this review on Studio Monthly; http://www.studiodaily.com/studiomon...list/5997.html? It covers many of the heads in your price range. You may need to register to see the review however, but it's free.

On another note, I use the 505 with the HD100 and love the option of interchangeable springs. Unfortunately, this head has been discontinued but is similar to the Gitzo.

501 vs. 503
 

I don't have the same equipment as above, but I do agree that the 501 is more fluid than the 503, having done a side by side with both. A Bogen representative told me that the 503 has an additional fluid cartridge.

However, I don't think the 501 is such a great head either, and I am considering getting a Sachtler, Vinten, or Cartoni system. Doing smooth moves with the 501 is very tricky, especially in HD.

I use the 503 head with the HD100, loaded with an IDX kit at the back, I find it's good for most purposes, although I find it difficult to do a fast pan followed by a sharp stop, as the head seems to always creep on a tiny bit at the end of the movement

It is exactly the opposite. The 503 is the more fluid head and has a price to prove it.

Mike

There is still the 519. It has 2 different springs you can interchange. One is maybe 2 to 10 lbs and the other is 10 to 20 lbs. I forget the exact weights.

I'm very interested in the 519. I've heard its "fluidity" is better than the 501 and the 503 too, but I can't get my hands on one around here to give it a test! Hmmmmm.... airfare to NYC to do tryouts at B & H just to buy a $800 to $1300 tripod......

Not to offend anyone, but I just wanted throw this in there since I own a 501 and its being discussed. I really thought it sucked. I eventually stopped using it for any kind of professional work, and just rented better tripods. There's a new Gitzo that some guys are really liking (1380 or something like that?). I know funding can be tough, but I swear, its better to wait and buy something that really works well. I felt that in the end my 501 was just a waste of money. Again, I'm just one opinion, others may not agree, and that doesn't mean they're wrong. I should mention that I like a really nice heavy feel to my head. I find its hard to get smooth movement with light action. Some people are just the opposite.

What tripod head & legs are you using for HD100U?
 

What tripod head and legs are you using for HD100U?

Thank you,
Lisa

Vinten Vision 3, Vinten Vision 6 and Libec LS38, depending on how rigged up with gear the camera is. If cam/lens alone Vision 3 and Libec, if rigged with extra battery packs, long lens and matte box system etc I use Vision 6

I use the bogen 525 with bogen 503 head - its fine for shots with a stable base - but is tricky for dollie shots - I would prefer something heavier.

I use Miller Solo DV Carbon Fiber sticks with a Sachtler DV6SB Head. The combination is light and reasonably sturdy, makes for easy packing in or carrying up stairs! The sticks are quick and easy to set up. When I need a bit more stability, I hang a sandbag in the center of the sticks.

I had a 503, but found the lubricated friction head not smooth enough on pans, tilts etc. The Sachtler is a true fluid head.

I prefer working with an even larger head, like the Sachtler Video 20P, but problem is the balance springs, even on the lightest setting, are too strong for this light a camera.

Hope this helps.

Gary

I use Bogen/Manfrotto 3181 legs with a 505/3465 head. Works like a charm when fully loaded with matte box, Dionic, etc.

Sachtler dv 4 with sachtler aluminum sticks, so far this setup has worked pretty well for me but I could see some people having issues with the head only having 2 levels of drag. The Sachtler dv4 is pretty amazing if your going from like a bogen 501 because you can pan/tilt without jerking or having to loosen the head so the camera doesnt tip over. I have a second hd100 and I am going order the cartoni GAMMA for it.

Hi,

All of this info is helpful. Thanks a bunch for the replies.

I have Bogen 3046 legs but the head isn't the best one to use with the HD100. I'm thinking I can change the head and use a sandbag as Gary suggested.

I also have an older tripod, an MTE. The legs are very sturdy but will require the camera plate. Can you tell me if the camera plate for the HD100 fits all brands of tripods or is there a specific one that I would need to fit the MTE with the HD100? All of the cameras I have had prior to the HD100 did not require the big plate. I was able to just screw it into the small removeable plate that is on my Bogen.

Thanks again for the input.

Lisa,

Regarding the small tripod head plate vs the JVC tripod plate: I believe the JVC will fit all tripods; you just attach the small tripod head plate to the JVC plate, and then you snap the camera in and out of the JVC plate. I just do as you did before, I attached the Sachtler small plate directly to the bottom of the JVC camera, and snap it in and out of the Sachtler head. It attaches to the camera the same way it attaches to the larger plate, with the supplied screws.

Gary

Lisa,

Follow up to my last post: not all the small tripod head plates snap in easily, like the Sachtler does; my 503 plate slid in, and tended to get jammed or stuck if I didn't get it started square. A JVC plate would be a benefit here. Dont know about the other brands.

If I can make one suggestion, Hi-def needs to shot rock steady; the larger screens and higher resolution tend to give people jitters if it is shaky. So, whatever head you buy, try to make it a true fluid head, and not a lubricated friction plate head. When talking to reps on this issue, pin them down; a lot of advertised "fluid heads" are really friction heads. The friction heads I've had tend to get "stuck" and start pans or tilts with a jerk.

Best thing is to go to a video trade show where all the tripods are on display and try them out with the same camera you have, and talk to the factory reps.

Hope this helps.

Gary

Hi Gary,

Yes it has helped. Thank you for telling me about Sachtler DV6SB head. I'm going to check into this one. I haven't worked with one before but it sounds like it's working out great for you. Glad to hear of it.

Thank you,
Lisa

I also have the HD100 with the AB Dionic 90 on it (and shotgun and wireless receiver). With the mounting plate, it comes in just over 11 lbs.

I'm considering a Libec tripod, as "bang for the buck" is a driving factor and I'm limited on resources. Two models interest me, the LS-38 and the LS-55. Both tripods seem to be sized correctly - 8 to 18 and 8 to 22 lbs, respectively.

It is my understanding that the 55 model adds a two-stage drag mode. Is this the only real difference? is there any other reason to pay $250 more for the 55?

Thanks,

Best tripod for the GY-HD110u.
 

Hello
what do you think is the best tripod for the 110u.
do you know of any good use ones around?
thank you
Joe

Hi Joseph,

That's a very, very, very, broad question. There are a staggering number of best tripods for this cam.

Let's start with your buget...

What is it?

Tripods
 

Only about $400-$500
with camera and the deck i'm a little tapped out
thank you
Joe

Hmmm, that might be a small budget for a serious sturdy tripod...

But is depends: do you use IDX or A/B mount and do you use a tripod adapter plate?

Moved from JVC Pro HD to Support Your Local Camera > Tripod Sticks & Heads. I'm pretty sure this is a Frequently Asked Question, so please search for an existing discussion and reply directly. Thanks in advance,

Libec LS-55
 

I just went with a Libec - and couldn't be happier! It's priced like a Bogen, but is really smooth.

Libec makes a smaller one that will support the HD110 in your price range, but this one is really sweet, if you can swing it!