Need help on tripod, mic, nd filter

M.M

M.M

Active member
hey ns, i have a t3i and tokina 11-16 that i mainly use to film skiing. i dont know a ton about cameras and ns and my brother helped me decide on that setup, now over the winter im hoping to add a tripod; hopefully fluid head, mic, and nd filter. im really busy and dont have time to research what im looking for help here cause ns has been really helpful before.

tripod max $400

-really smooth and easy to use

-not super heavy

-durable and will last a while

-best bang for buck

i have heard good things about manfrotto 502. would this be good or suggest something else

mic max $200

-best bang for buck

-crisp sound

heard good things about rode but not sure which to go with

nd filter max $50

-shooting with tokina 11-16mm, 70-30mm f/4-5.6, and rarely 50mm

- shooting in sunny conditions

i really have no idea, i dont know if i will need separate filters for each lens or what.

thanks ns
 
Absolutely would say Tripod.

For the t3i, even with an 11-16 you don't need some big heavy ultrasmooth head made for a heavy rig... you could go with something as basic as a manfrotto 128LP and a set of Manfrotto 190 legs, and even brand new it would run you no more than like 250 for the set and work great. With a wide angle lens like that, everything just looks smooth - it's only when you pick up heavy, fast, tele lenses where the fluid head stuff really makes a difference.

If you picked up something like a 70-200 f2.8 where you have a lot more weight involved with the glass, you might want to go with a better head, but that's a big purchase for later, I'd imagine.

A microphone like the Rode Videomic will cost you about what.. 150 new or something? That's about all you really need, as it's totally adequate. Anything that's better enough to be worth spending money on is going to cost you a lot more, and probably require an XLR setup - where you'd just want to use a field monitor to record sound anyway - like the Tascam DR40 or Zoom H4N.

As for an ND filter, the Tiffen 77mm Variable ND is going to put you out like 150ish bucks... if you want to spend a little less than that, the Hoya will cost you around 100 or so and give you mostly the same results (I think the Hoya renders things a little bit on the cooler side). I have seen a few people using Marumi's fader ND's which are much cheaper but make everything kinda purple.
 
Tripod: Manfrotto, want to save money? Get some old 2/3/4/5hand 90's aluminium legs that say "professional" on them and weight more then a large sack of opossums and slap on a new head.

Sound: Rode Videomic, any will do.

Filter: Heliopan or Rodenstock, but since the Rodenstock is essentially Heliopan with a more sophisticated name and marked up price meant for Rodenstock shooters who can't handle to handle anything other then Rodenstock get Heliopan.

(B+W is decent too)
 
13210463:Dr.Laurent said:
Tripod: Manfrotto, want to save money? Get some old 2/3/4/5hand 90's aluminium legs that say "professional" on them and weight more then a large sack of opossums and slap on a new head.
Click to expand...

The issue with a lot of older tripods is they have the centerbeam stays, which don't allow you to get the tripod to a very low angle... sure those old linhof tripods made out of solid wrought iron are stable as hell, but they're not as easy to use for skiing applications.

The best old affordable legs to get your hands on are some old Bogen 3001 legs. They're light-ish, sturdy, and you can get some for like 50$.
 
13210475:DingoSean said:
The issue with a lot of older tripods is they have the centerbeam stays, which don't allow you to get the tripod to a very low angle..
Click to expand...

Of all people I thought you would know the 90's tripod party piece: Mission Impossible reenactment mode.

partytrick.jpg
 
13210482:Dr.Laurent said:
Of all people I thought you would know the 90's tripod party piece: Mission Impossible reenactment mode.

partytrick.jpg
Click to expand...

For stills, this is great... and I've certainly used it on occasion. for video? Not always so much - especially if you're panning a shot.
 
13210542:DingoSean said:
For stills, this is great... and I've certainly used it on occasion. for video? Not always so much - especially if you're panning a shot.
Click to expand...

Just be more flexible.
 
Thanks for the help! I'd just like to add that I also have a 70-300mm that I would use a lot more if I had a tripod. So almost all the times is use the tripod would be with the 70-300mm. I meant to say that in the op but I forgot.

Also with nd filters I really have not much knowledge on the but in a critque thread I mad a lot of people suggested getting a nd filter. Like could I use it on both of my lenses? Like do they is it one size fits all kinda deal or what? Also what rating do I need I was told 1.2 for sunny days.
 
13210685:daveyjones said:
Thanks for the help! I'd just like to add that I also have a 70-300mm that I would use a lot more if I had a tripod. So almost all the times is use the tripod would be with the 70-300mm. I meant to say that in the op but I forgot.

Also with nd filters I really have not much knowledge on the but in a critque thread I mad a lot of people suggested getting a nd filter. Like could I use it on both of my lenses? Like do they is it one size fits all kinda deal or what? Also what rating do I need I was told 1.2 for sunny days.
Click to expand...

yeah, if that's the case definitely a tripod first...

get a 77mm and a step-up ring to use on your other lenses.
 
13211206:DingoSean said:
yeah, if that's the case definitely a tripod first...

get a 77mm and a step-up ring to use on your other lenses.
Click to expand...

would you suggest a different head if the tripods main use would be with the 70-300 or still the 128lp?

like i said in the op i dont have really any idea about filters... will the 77mm fit on my tokina? and how do i know which set-up ring to pick for the others?

noob questions but help would be realllllly appreciated
 
Personally, I'd save more for a tripod.

The satchler ace is a good "cheap" choice
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/822102-REG/Sachtler_1001_Ace_Fluid_Head_with.html

tripods under $500 are garbage. Of course, many will disagree with me but I've been using the same tripod for about 4 years now and trust me, its worth it. Spending $1500 on a tripod is a bit more reasonable, but I understand the budget.

if you MUST go $400 then go cheap and get a 502 head and legs. Might as well spend the least amount of money as possible on something that will break in two years.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1087198-REG/manfrotto_3_section_tripod_with.html

As for a mic, basically anything with a battery, the non-battery mics will work but not as good. $200 is a good price for a rode videomic pro or get the regular videomic for 100. Either way, its dslr audio, so as other have said it will barely make a difference for skiing. JUST GET A DEADCAT it makes 1000x difference.

videomic pro w/ deadcat
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/997376-REG/rode_videomic_pro_compact_shotgun.html

rode videomic go w/ deadcat
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1017550-REG/rode_videomic_go_on_camera_shotgun.html

ND filter my advice is to get a 1.2ND (4 stops of light) ive used a 1.2nd for a couple years now and its perfect for filming skiing either super bright day or even overcast.

Here is a link to a bunch, listed by cheapest to most expensive
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/searc...|0&setNs=p_PRICE_2|0&N=0&srtclk=sort&Ntt=77mm+1.2+nd

i think youd be good with the Tiffen but if you wanted to get a better quality ND id go Hoya. I had the Hoya and honestly its worth every penny.

tl;dr save a couple extra hundred dollars.
 
As for the tripod:

One thing I've learned the hard way: don't be cheap! Cheap "fluid heads" are hardly every really smooth. Gives your panning shots a garden sprinkler vibe and that's something you really want to avoid.

Spend the extra money and get a Sachtler tripod. It will never fail on you (i've used in snow, knee deep salt water and sandstorms) and it will probably outlive you and your grandchildren. I love the FSB-4, but an ACE or FSB-2 will probably do for your setup.

Mics:

Rode is where it's at.

ND filters:

Have a look at a ND-fader. This enables you to keep your ISO, F and Shutter Speed in one setting and adjust the light with the fader. Especially handy on those sunny days.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=ND-fader

You can make it as expensive as you want, but I've shot great footage with cheap faders as well.

Cheers.
 
13216059:pussyfooter said:
i think youd be good with the Tiffen but if you wanted to get a better quality ND id go Hoya. I had the Hoya and honestly its worth every penny.
Click to expand...

Isn't the Hoya cheaper than the Tiffen? Either way they're both over 100$ and well worth the money if you want a better filter.

...If you really want to cheap out and take a chance, there's always the Fotga ND fader... the glass isn't always the best, and sometimes it's prone to distort your image with some wavyness if you get a crap one, but for 10$ or whatever, it's worth a shot to at least give yourself a backup. Mine was actually pretty good, at least in the middle area which is all my old T2i or 60D ever used, and I've been considering buying one for a while just as a backup option in case I ever break the one I already have, or need to shoot with multiple cameras for some reason.
 
13216764:DingoSean said:
Isn't the Hoya cheaper than the Tiffen? Either way they're both over 100$ and well worth the money if you want a better filter.
Click to expand...

In the link I posted the Tiffen was $42ish and the Hoya was 100+
 
if he's only using a t3i a fader will be fine and save him some money compared to buying an ND kit. I wouldn't use a fader or variable ND on a higher level video camera though because you can't get very exact stops and will have defects and distortion from the cheap glass.
 
Search ebay for a used sachtler ace. I got mine there for about $350 a year ago. Absolutely love it

Very solid "budget" tripod
 
13219558:pussyfooter said:
Yes fixed? Faders suck
Click to expand...

13219677:Rdwagner2 said:
if he's only using a t3i a fader will be fine and save him some money compared to buying an ND kit. I wouldn't use a fader or variable ND on a higher level video camera though because you can't get very exact stops and will have defects and distortion from the cheap glass.
Click to expand...

The Heliopan faders are bloody good though, muh Made in Germany from muh Schott glass and muh brass rings. Then again for the price of a Heliopan you can buy 2 to 3 Tiffen filters or another T3i and have enough money left for lunch.
 
13219558:pussyfooter said:
Yes fixed? Faders suck
Click to expand...

I was assuming we were talking about Variable ND filters I guess.

...figures the Hoya variable ND costs the same as their Pro level ND1.2
 
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