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Gear / Technical Help => Photo / Video Recording => Topic started by: mattmiller on May 02, 2012, 03:21:02 PM
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I'm ordering one of these to use to shoot an interview for a marketing video we're putting together.
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-VIXIA-Camcorder-Internal-Memory/dp/B004HW7E7E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335883408&sr=8-1
I was quite pleased to read that it has a microphone input at this price point. While I'm sure it's not top HD quality, it'll be more than good enough for our purposes.
What I need now is a tripod for it. I don't know anything about them. I can spend $100 or more (probably even $200) if I need to, but I'm not sure what I need. Basically, I need it to be able to keep the camera absolutely MOTIONLESS for short interview segments, even if there's a light breeze (we'll be shooting the interviews outdoors). So heavy is probably better (we're not carrying it through the jungle, so weight isn't an issue). But smooth tilting/panning will also be needed for some landscape footage we'll be shooting.
Any recommendations? Any other accessories we'll need? Are sandbags needed for outdoor shooting, or will a heavy/sturdy tripod do the job?
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I'd go look on B&H starting with this search.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?srtclk=sort&ci=3909&Ns=p_PRICE_2%7C0&N=4291073445+4291073455&mnp=100&mxp=200
With as light of a camera as you are using, you may want a few sandbags. This tripod does have spikes for outdoor, as well as rubber feet that spin down over them.
A fluid ball head with adjustable drag is helpful. You want drag to smooth your pans and tilts, adjustable drag let's you set it based on the mass of the camera.
One thing to think about is height. Depending on how you frame your shots and how tall your subject is, you may need a taller tripod. B&H has a selector that includes max height.
Steve
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This one is highly reviewed. With the exception of the drag being fixed, any downside to this one?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/537863-REG/Pearstone_VT_2500B_VT2500B_Video_Tripod_System.html
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it would depend on how tight the drag is. i'd also look at the manfrotto offerings. same reasons for their tripods as their lighting gear. Built well. solid. A bit more expensive, but quality.
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it would depend on how tight the drag is. i'd also look at the manfrotto offerings. same reasons for their tripods as their lighting gear. Built well. solid. A bit more expensive, but quality.
Gotcha. So essentially, the tighter the drag, the more muscle it will take to move it, since a lightweight camera won't have the mass to provide any assistance via gravity.
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Gitzo, I'd rather have a used gitzo for $x than a new low cost new one.
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i have a manfrotto 501 fluid head that's pretty great... i found that the tripod is not as important.
i learned a trick re: panning. loop a rubber band around the handle halfway tight and drag with the resultant loop left and right. makes for a much smoother pan.
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Just like recording, quality is subjective. Someone who uses a tripod a few times a year may not need or want to spend money on a workhorse. I shoot for a living, have for many years and the lowest I'd recommend is Gitzo. There's a whooooole bunch of Chinese knockoffs, and I've heard some horror stories about gear being damaged by tripod faults. Gitzo is tried and proven in the field for the amatuer and pro.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/737966-REG/Davis_Sanford_MAGNUMXG_MagnumXG_Tripod_W_FX12_Head.html I've heard of good performance from this model.... Look at the rest of their line.
Best,
John
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I got this one
http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=detailsdisc&sku=TFTPVF12 (http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=detailsdisc&sku=TFTPVF12)
last year, it is no longer available:
Davis & Sanford Provista Heavy Duty Tripod with F12 Fluid Pan Head & Case at the time I paid $109.95
Its goes up over head high, easy to shoot over crowds
Technical Specs
Tripod Legs Specifications
Max Height w/closed column 78" - Centerpost adjustment 15"
Minimum Height 31"
Closed Length 34"
Leg Sections 3
Max Load Capacity 25 lbs. (tripod)
Weight 9 lbs.
Tripod Head Specifications
Max load Capacity 12 lbs.
Head height 4"
Quick Release Yes
Spirit Level No
Female Thread size (Connect to Tripod) 3/8"-16
Weight 1 lb. 14 oz.
Notes Tilt Adjustment: 90° up, 90° down
Pan Rotation: 360°
Platform Size: 2 x 2-1/2"
It doesn't look like there are other comparable ones... but I did not do any extensive searching - possibly used.
--Ian
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Velbon PH-368 is the best choise
samples:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__NjQk8viLY&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fH3jlZWIV4&feature=plcp