this is all with the gh3 as well and i think in the future i will take a plunge and get a BMCC adding even more weight. you may ask why do you need to put an entire shoulder rig on a tripod but in micro budget narrative work i really enjoy the convenience of locking it all down on sticks then quick releasing it off if i go shoulder mounted , i actually like the extra weight handling the whole thing.

I am only learning still really and by no means an expert but i want a tripod that will last that i wont find myself outgrowing unless i am actually doing this for a living and making money. My requirements then are a little tricky as it would be lovely to get a tripod and head that can handle bare minimal gh3 and lens combo for casual hobbyist stuff and going lightweight to location scouts, and traveling (holidays etc) but also handle the fully fledged rig when it is realised with a bit of wiggle room too just in case.

go ahead and tell me if im asking too much and really need 2 tripods one for each scenario....

what payload would you recommend if the rig is going to be up to 10kg approx.? (i have noticed a lot of the time the counterbalance payload is a lot less ... i don't want to be fighting against the weight of it all the time).

i have some ideas but i would like to hear what you guys think. i am interested obviously in having a very adjustable and wide ranging counterbalance option, maybe one that can be disengaged fully to allow just gh3 to work.

heres what i have so far

Libec:

rs450 http://www.libecsales.com/products/rs/RH45R.html

(or will even rs350 be enough?)

eimage :

EI-7083 http://www.eimagevideo.com/enproduct_largerimage.asp?id=854&cpfl=118

EI-7107 http://www.eimagevideo.com/enproduct_largerimage.asp?id=858&cpfl=119

GH15 http://www.eimagevideo.com/enproduct_largerimage.asp?id=1080&cpfl=212

(or will gh10 be enough)

sachtler :

FSB 8 http://www.sachtler.com/en/products/camera-support/fluid-heads/product_fluid-heads-75-mm_fsb-8__tech-facts.html

ideally under £1000 ... and tell me if all this is overkill! all of the above models are obviously more suited to the heavier side of things im just unsure as to whether they could do the lighter side in a pinch too...

cheers guys in advance

'A pocketable supplement for super-smooth video camera handling. Converts standard tripods into a mobile jibarm with stunning results.'

http://www.dynasun.com/dynasun/viewpage.php?file=tripod.php

Suitable for your tripod, monopod, rig, etc

Available in our deals.

Price: $99

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Newest-Pro-Magnesium-Aluminium-Tripod-Monopod-BEIKE-BK-777-Ball-Head-for-DSLR-/221229525560

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sirui-BSRVT2203-VT-2203-Carbon-Fiber-Video-Tripod-/310507227486

Alu version

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sirui-BSRVT2003-VT-2003-Aluminum-Video-Tripod-/310560916962

• Material: Carbon fiber
• Full length: 175cm
• Fold length: 46.5cm
• Diameter: 31mm / 15mm (max / min)
• Load bearing: 10kg
• 1/4" standard camera screw
• Comes with waist strap (15cm) and carrying bag

Price: $58.5 (includes shipping)

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/ruby-r1602-5-section-retractable-carbon-fiber-monopod-unipod-black-175cm-full-length-131318

Few comments. I ordered one as replacement for my old alu monopod, we'll see how it looks. Good thing here is that it has quite ok tube diameters (not match for my Weifeng video monopod, of course :-) ), and good maximum height.
Plus it is really affordable.

Specs:

• Top Screw - 3/8 "
• Base Screw - 3/8 "
• Base - 60mm
• Top Platform - 65mm
• Weight - 295g
• Load Capacity - 5kg
• Tilting Angle: + / - 15 degrees

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pro-Benro-LBA-1-LBA1-Leveling-Base-Adjustment-For-Camera-Tripod-Leg-and-Head-/190775396121

Nest NT-6264CK Tripod/Monopod

Pros:

-Lightweight & compact;

-Very portable because of its folding mechanism - only 1/2 metre long after folded;

-Fairly quick & usable release locks for extending/retracting tripod legs;

-Small ball head that pans smoothly;

-Very sturdy;

-Quality tripod bag that offers adequate protection.

Cons:

-Ball head doesn't tilt;

-Level difficult to adjust.

Video demonstration found on youtube:

Thoughts:

I've been using this tripod for over 2 months, on numerous occasions and at least 2 important events.

This tripod is useful for a multi cam but non-manned setup, it should not be used as your main camera's support, where you would likely want to pan/tilt, and adjust quickly.

But it's wonderful for picnics or outings with family & friends, when time is not of the essence, you would still have to be very patient with the level of the bullhead though.

I also have a Manfrotto MKC3-H01 Photo-Movie Kit QR, obviously the price reflects the quality, the Nest Tripod is much better in almost all aspects, and it's only slightly bulkier after folded up.

I like Manfrotto's legs locking mechanism, I think they are the best in the market, but I've found these Nest tripods locks very usable, much better than what I expected.

This tripod can be converted to a monopod, but I've never tried it.

If you need an extra tripod for an un-manned camera, these are very good and reliable and will add only very little to your bulk, because of the excellent packing design, I'd suggest you go for the tallest version(model no. maybe NT-6294CK), since it's so light and compact.

For main camera like GH2/GH3 I still prefer to use Manfrotto 128RC head+190CXPRO+Rapid center column+shoulder strap.

Finally I would like to thank Vitaliy for finding us such wonderful tools.

Where to buy: http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/1325/special-deals-carbon-video-tripods-and-monopods/p1

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/01/18/giottos-introduces-ytl-series-tripods-with-space-saving-design

Slik 504 QF II seems like a reasonable upgrade, so Im planning on this, and correct me if Im wrong - if I get the slider (Im thinking Varavon) I should get another Slik 504 head too for the slider, and get 3 QR plates (rig, tripod, slider)...am I missing out on something, special screw adapters or whatnot?

The head itself is made of plastic, but I was amazed with how smooth it pans and tilts. It has feedback so you will have to push real hard to pan too fast. I testet it with my GH1 with my biggest lens - a Mitakon 28-200 all manual. It weighs a ton. The tripod handled it smoothly without any problem. I used to use a Manfrotto with video head, which cost 10 times more what I paid for this. I just bought this to test it out, and maybe use it for travel with my GF1. But now my Manfrotto is going to get sold, because that stand could not keep my heavy lenses level without tilting forward. This one can! I'm getting two more of these to use for travel and a backup. Amazing value, just thought I would share with you guys.

I do not now how long this thing will last, but my was I blown away by how well it worked! If you want a good tripod, or if you are just starting out and learning, these cheap things are the ones you want. Forget about those other cheap brands, this is the good stuff :)

Cheers

Now, on further inspection, it seems to be a re-branded Pro Aim product which I'm not entirely thrilled about if that's the case. The suction cups are different from the ProAim one but the carrying case is the same cheap one they send all their larger products in. I've received both very good products from India and just complete shit. The one thing I will say as at least this didn't come covered in whatever that damn lubricant they slosh all over all their items, so that's a start. Here's a quick pic of it and I'll post better ones soon. Sorry, I need to get ready for an event tonight.

I also plan to use this on a Drinking and Driving PSA that were shooting in a couple weeks and I'll post the results then. Here's the link so you can at least get an idea of what it looks like if you are not familiar.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005I0J0FI/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00

Are there any brands or features that i should be on the lookout for? I cant spend too much on it, Ide just like something good that will last until I can afford to spend more. I use my tripod primarily for shooting bmx and skateboarding, but realize if i buy something nice i cant carry it hanging off a bookbag like a sub-$50 tripod.

Just looking for some guidance, sorry if this is the incorrect place to post. Thanks.

edit: basically, something more permanent than three Xs marked in gaff tape haha.

Thanks! Magnus

Anyone using this hybrid head?

I realize that to some, this doesn't matter, but for me personally, having the head pan and tilt around the center of the sensor imparts a special controlled look that I love.

The type of head most known for doing this successfully in filmmaking would be geared heads. Unfortunately, these are incredibly expensive and unnecessarily large (particularly for a DSLR setup).

The only other type of head that I could find that would even be capable of doing this is a gimbal. Vari-Zoom makes a video gimbal called the ZeroGravity, but the issue with this and other gimbal heads is a lack of counterbalance. Gimbal heads are designed under the assumption that the user will position the camera setup at its center of mass, therefore negating the need for counterbalance. Would it be possible to outfit a gimbal in such a way that it could align the camera's center of mass with the center of the sensor?

Does anyone know any other head types that would work in a similar fashion? Gimbal heads right now seem to be the best option, but I wonder first why nobody has created one with counterbalance, and secondly, why there are no geared gimbal heads available.