Interesting Grazie - I also use my levelling bubble, but only as a provisional leveller - I then check the monitor, because sometimes even though I know it's perfectly level according to gravity, it doesn't LOOK right, so I adjust again.

Bubble levelling is particularly important if you're going to pan - nothing worse than going "up or downhill" - but for static shots I always check how things look, particularly lines near the frame edges.

And your point, if I have got it correct, Peter, is to take a professional cameraman's pragmatic "view" on this - oh yes. 100% yes.

Yes, "interesting". I don't rely solely on the bubble, but, the same as you, use it as an "quick" aide... And yes, sometimes things DON'T look correct. Underlying your point you eloquently made and adding to your examples I'd also like to proffer the following:

* the wide angle lens bending-in lampposts "arguing" with buildings that aren't square and level.

* rickety fences and beached, mast-slanting boats

* people leaning into the wind - WISH they wouldn't do that!

* trees that have been deformed due to prevailing winds

* sand dunes that just don't look correct

* slowly undulating post-glacial erosion on distant hills that just kinda spoil the view . . oh, I have plenty.

And, as you say - "interesting".

Some good examples Grazie - others that crop up all too often are corners of buildings or doorframes that were obviously built after Friday lunchtime!

Late as Friday - yeah? Our Pubs are open from Monday!

My previous tripod was the best one they had at Best Buy. A relatively solid, "fluid effect" head basic aluminum tripod.

One of the things I love about shooting HDV then rendering to SD DVD is that you can zoom a little and correct tilt without loosing any noticable resolution.

Laurence, I too have been pleased with the 501. I saw a while back that John Rofrano recommended it and I was in need of another- so I picked it up from B&H and it has done better than my $400USD one in smoothness.

j razz

501 head really isnt a fluid head...just a friction facimile. it's a nice DV head, but, by the time you get a rail, follow focus and matte box on there, it's inadequate for the job. i've got a 503 head on order, hoping it's a little sturdier than that entry level 501

But the B & H ad says "Bogen / Manfrotto 3046 Tripod Legs (Chrome) with 3433 (501) Pro Video Fluid Head - Supports 13.3 lbs"

But go to the for that head and it says (emphasis added):

Special Teflon-coated discs (used instead of fluid cartridges) ensure smooth movement and consistent friction of the head.

Mike

I HAVE a 501....and it's not good enough...especially for those long tele shots. It's ALL marketting hype...especially that weight capacity...it's bogus I tell you, bogus. If the rig isn't well balanced over that head, it'll shake like a cheap whore with a $10 bill in her g-string. Try adjusting your focus, even with a FF unit, and the thing will ring like the bell's of St. Marie's.

Anybody have any recommendations for a fluid head type tripod for much lighter cameras such as the A1U?
I can't spend hundreds but have given up on the cheap ones for panning....
Lightweight to carry would be nice as well...
thanks,
Teaktart

The 501 is great for the A1u. I have had no problems out of mine and the weight issue isn't an issue with the A1u. I have the XLR inputs on top along with a shotgun mic and a senny wireless mic reciever on top and it is as smooth as I could want it to be.

j razz

Sorry but anything under "hundreds" is a cheap tripod.
Your best bet would be the Miller Solo with the DS5 head. The DS5 head targets the very lightweight cameras. THe DS10 will do the lightest cameras and upto the Z1. We've put bigger shoulder mount cameras on the DS10 but, well, you're pushing it.
Seriously good tripods run to the thousands. The Millers are well built, take a bit of a beating (March of The Penguins was shot on Miller sticks) but are certainly not top shelf stuff.
Why are these things so expensive?
Simple, they know you'll buy one in your lifetime.
Only recently did we sell off our Miller "Woodie" tripods, only because they were made for 16mm cameras and the wooden legs were very heavy, still in perfect working order and they were about the same age as me and those tripods have aged way less.
If you can't afford a good tripod at least go have a play with one, get a person who knows tripods to show you how to set them up too. Once you realise the difference I think you'll start saving the pennies.
If you've only got cheap legs that bend, try hanging a small shot bag from the yoke, that'll take up the slack and hopefully stop the legs bending anymore when you put your hands on the camera to zoom or set focus etc.

I just picked up a Cartoni Focus. I was looking at it and a Sachtler 8, like the legs on the Sachtler better but it was just to much money. The heads are very similar in performance, the Cartoni feels a bit more "fluid" to me. It's a fair bit more $ then the 501 or 503 but a tripod is such a long term investment I figured it was worth it.

j razz,

Do you have a leveling device on the 501? Type?

RalphM

Yes. All the 501's have a level built into them.

j razz

j razz,

Bad choice of words on my part...

What I meant was do you use any sort of ball head or are you using the leg locks to achieve level?

Oh okay, I just use the leg locks. I have had no problems with the weight of the A1u on it- no sliding, no moving as the legs are pretty stiff. Now, the stiffness of the legs may wear some more as I have only had it for about a year. For what I do, it is light weight and easy to carry around and setup is extremely easy. Anyways, feel free to email me if you have any other questions about it. Leveling takes no time at all.

j razz

miller, i say again miller. d10 with mid level spreader, holding 170, shotgun, wireless - a dream.

also has adjustable spring for balancing light / heavy cameras, so can be used with a variety of camcorders.

miller rules, (under satchler, which is way out of most independent producers price range)

leslie

this spec says 501, which is NOT fluid.. its teflon friction, however its one of the better ones.. have a go at teh 503 and above for true fluidity.. u will notice the springback.

Re- Miller, great units, cant fault them, however there is no integration with any other elements, such as stills photography head.
Theres also the issue of price.. where a DS10 kit and bag will set u back 1200, the manfortto is about 900. I alkso find the 503 head to have teh ability to cope with larger camera bodies comapred to the ds10. A JVC HD101 on a DS10 struggles a bit wiht the weight (especially if u ave the AB batt kit), on a 503, the head remains consistantly tensioned, no matter what the weight

Personally as i do both, the 055 legs allow me to use a 503 head, or swap to a Stills head within seconds (using the same legs. Its a cost and time saver and also saves space in the car. Theres also the issue of a dolly, and miller dollys are rather expensive.. wheras with Manfrotto, u can get a foldaway mobile dolly for less than 300bux and it does the trick. With the dolly, u also gain a couple of extra feet as the legs dont need to be as spread open as they would if they were on their own.

Wow, you guys are a wealth of information!

I'm a serious "hobbyista" definitely not a pro and can't do Pro prices.
I noticed that the tripod first mentioned :

"Bogen / Manfrotto 3046 Tripod Legs (Chrome) with 3433 (501) Pro Video Fluid Head - Supports 13.3 lbs "

in the spec sheet weighs in at 12lbs. I know weight is helpful for stability but I guess what would be more suitable for me is about half that weight so I can carry it on hikes, to the beach, etc.

What I would like is a lightweight tripod with a very smooth panning head, true fluid or something that takes away any jerkiness found in cheapo tripods.
I would like to keep the price in the $200-300 range if at all possible.

any ideas, recommendations for us?

Thanks again,
Eileen

Well if you're in bushwalking or mountain climbing boy are you going to love the Solo. It was pretty much built for you guys. You can set the legs a different angles and lash it to the side of a cliff, even out rough terrain and get the camera VERY low to the ground as well. As the legs are carbon fibre it's also very light and small. Comes with a very comfortable strap too. With the DS5 head it comes in at 9lb.

But OK it's expensive, you could try the Bogan version, might be a bit cheaper in the USA.

However, no matter what tripod you've got do you know how to use it?

Your panning problems might just be your fault IF you don't warm the head up. No matter how much you paid for the tripod you have to tilt and pan it a few times to get things working as smooth as they can. I tilt any head over its full range and pan it through 180deg once I've got the camera on it, after that they all work much smoother.

Bob.