Broadcast TECH TRIPODS VINTEN Vs LIBEC Vs MILLER
Cameraman/director Chris Carpenter tries out three tripods designed to be used with lighter-weight HDV, SLR and similar cameras. Each was tested with a Sony EX1 and a Sony PMW-350, with a Canon 16x lens
SHOOTOUT
VINTEN VISION BLUE 5 SYSTEM
Weight (in supplied bag) 8.1kg Camera payload 5.5-12kg Degree tilt +/-90 Ball base 75mm Head Fluid Legs Two-stage carbon pozi-loc Spreader Mid-level Price £1,925 + VAT
HEAD The EX1 and PMW 350 take minimal time to balance. The head is a quality design that feels well built. The pan and tilt drags benefi t from Vinten’s infi nitely variable sys- tem. The 75mm bowl is easily adjusted and has an illuminated levelling bubble for use in dark conditions. LEGS Vinten’s two stage-carbon Pozi-Loc legs always feel smooth to release and rise to the required height. They feel stable with the EX1 but under the weight of the PMW-350 and with the drags on full, the legs do squirm slightly. SPREADER I had the mid-level spreader on this version, though fl oor spreaders are avail- able. It is easy to gauge a quick level spread and the locks are easy to release and move to the required position. The whole spreader pops off easily, with squeeze-together quick- release buttons on each leg.
VERDICT As expected, a well-built tripod that does the job well and will do so for a long time if looked after.
www.broadcastnow.co.uk/techfacils
LIBEC RS450R SYSTEM
Weight (in supplied bag) 7.6kg Camera payload 4.5-12kg Degree tilt +90/-70 Ball base 75mm Head Fluid Legs Two-stage aluminium Spreader Floor-level Price £1,199 + VAT
HEAD The quick-release plate is easy to slot in and the camera feels securely locked in position. The Libec has a counter-balance dial on the back of the tripod and boasts of its ‘continuous balance’ system. But although it balances the PMW-350 with ease, it’s a slightly long-winded affair with the lighter EX1. The head has three drag positions as well as a no-drag setting. LEGS At fi rst glance, the two-stage alumin- ium legs look identical to the Vinten. But I found they were slightly unstable at the narrowest position with full drag. SPREADER The model tested here had a fl oor-level spreader, but like the Vinten, a mid-level is available. The fl oor spreader has traditional dial-release systems – but the black markings are virtually unreadable. ➤ A 2012 version of the RS450R is now available.
VERDICT It’s a slight case of “you get what you pay for”, but for around £700 less than the Vinten, who can argue?
MILLER COMPASS 12 SOLO TWO STAGE CARBON SYSTEM
Weight (in supplied bag) 7.5kg Camera pay-load 1.5-10kg Degree tilt +90/-75 Ball base 75mm Head Fluid Legs Two-stage carbon Price £1,350 + VAT
HEAD Miller’s head is the biggest of the three, but the cameras slot into the tripod with no fuss. As a newcomer to Miller’s counter-bal- ance system, it took a moment to fi gure out, but once I had, it was the easiest to balance both cameras. It too has three drag positions (plus a no-drag setting). The options are slightly limited, but in every direction it felt like I was on a far more expensive head. LEGS It has three single-carbon tubes, which extend using a concentric-lock design that requires one twist to keep each leg in place. Its three-position leg angle lock removes the need for a spreader, but does limit the spread width to only three positions. The legs will sit very low for ultra-low-angle shots, but it works equally well in a narrower, high posi- tion. The legs fold into a very compact diame- ter, making it easy to haul around and attach to a rucksack.
VERDICT A versatile design that lends itself to use in the wild. It’s well made and will take all the hardships an outdoor shoot can throw at it.
May/June 2012 | Broadcast TECH | 35
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