Advise on MonoPod, Tripod, Steadicam

[zackat]

I've been here for a while and have been reading a lot but still need some advise. I'm planning to do a road trip in Florida and looking for a nice monopod/tripod/steadicam to take with me. Ofcourse it should be light, compact and sturdy to support the Canon HV30 + Adapter / Raynox 6600 + Rode Stereo Vid Mic .

My first question is, are Fluid Heads interchangeable between tripod, monopods. Do they fit on any legs?

These are the two heads I'm thinking of, but will get me only one.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ideo_Head.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...luid_Head.html

These are the tripods I need to pick from:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...bon_Fiber.html which is

shorter then
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...0A_Tripod.html

Monopods including heads:
Is it possible to get them without the head and attach one of the tripod heads?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...o_Monopod.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...uid_Video.html

Steadicam:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ng_System.html

Or should I go with the steadicam and a tripod?

Any tips on filters?

Thanks!

[nolonemo]

The Manfrotto heads you mentioned will fit on any tripod or monopod with a 3/8 stud (or with a 1/4 stud with a 3/8 adapter). Direct fits on any Manfrotto legs or monopod, and direct fit on the Velbon legs.

For my money the 190 tripod legs are a little short for video work, only 43" high without center column extension. I don't like cranking the center column all the way up. The downside with going larger is that the tripod is heavier.

Myself, I would take the steadicam over a monopod because (a) more versatile and (b) monopod won't be that much more steady unless it's braced against something. BTW, that 501 head is HEAVY for a camera like the HVx0, not something you want to be carrying around all day on a monopod. IMO, the 510 is not a good match for the 190, you really want to match it with a larger tripod.

This is just my opinion, of course. And the 190 is a really sturdy if you think of it as a portable tripod. I used its predecessor as a field tripod for my 4x5 view camera.

[Dana Love]

The Steadicam is a great addition, but it requires a bit of work to get it working well. Figure you'll spend 2 or 3 hours learning to balance and balancing, and burn anywhere from 5 to 10 hours of video to learn to fly it handheld. That'll get you good with a series of basic shots, in my experience.

Absolutely valuable, but takes time to develop the value.

Those are really nice tripods. I use a Matthews M25 tripod, and enjoy it mightily. Let me know what you choose, and how you like it. I'm always looking to upgrade!

[zackat]

Uhu...the 501 is pretty heavy. Must be a very good head, but would be a pain to drag around....thanks Nolonemo for pointing that out.

I've been reading great stuff on the Matthews. Total weight 7lbs. It's great benefit is the counter balance plate.

The Velbon Carmagne 630A is around 3.2 lbs and has some extra height compared to a lot of others. Adding the 701Rc2 head gives a nice total weight around 5lbs; Benefit is the accesoiry hook--could be used to add weight to the tripod as an anchor. Downside, no counter balance plate.

But then again, going 2lbs lighter is it worth it for not taking the M25?

If anyone knows about a good tripod + head suitable for traveling keeping the weight in mind, around 5lbs or less with counter balance plate that would be nice.

About the steadicam; Anyone experienced with it and doing some DOF stuff with a DIY DOF adapter? I can't imagine how you would be able to do that. The moment you touch the focus ring, the whole camera would start swinging. After focus and release of the focus ring, again....swinging of the camera. But I could be wrong, so please feel free to comment.

[Dana Love]

The Merlin doesn't easily support (Steadicam pun) pulling focus manually, for just the reason you raised. Adding components to automate that would have you exceed the weight limit of the unit or make it so odd to balance you'd never be in static, let alone dynamic, balance.

[zackat]

What's the folded length of the M25? Can't find it....

Any suggestions for a head on the 190?

Thanks!