Review: Vinten Vision blue Tripods--UPDATED with New Interview on Vinten blueBridge from NAB 2013

Choosing the Right Payload

More important than the ability to adjust levels of counterbalance and drag and is the selection of the right tripod for the load range that your camera and gear require. The Vision blue has a payload range between 4.6-11 lbs, the blue3 has a payload range between 6.6-14.6 lbs, and the blue5 has a payload range between 12.1-26.6 lbs.

Using a heavier-rated tripod for the weight of your camera is a bad idea, because you cannot hold a tilt without applying constant force or the camera will return to the neutral position. Too light a tripod and your camera tip down, which is worse, as you can easily damage lenses this way.

In practical terms, this means that my Sony FS100 with NPF970 battery, FMU128 recording module, LA-EA2 adapter, Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 lens, Manfrotto 577 rapid connect adapter with mounting plate (to allow additional height for clearance when using the LA-EA2 adapter) and shotgun microphone, weighs exactly 6.6lbs, and is the lightest weight the blue3 tripod can properly counterbalance. Adding a wireless receiver, the hand grip, and loupe would be easy ways to add a bit of weight if I needed to, but I think the Vision blue is a better fit for most Sony FS100 users, especially if you plan on using lightweight E-mount primes lenses.

My Sony FS700 weighs a bit more natively, but because it doesn't require a quick-release plate for additional height when I use the LA-EA2 adapter, the effective weight difference is only 7 ounces more. In general, I think that most camcorder users would be better off using the Vision blue tripod and this includes even some of the larger camcorders like the 1/2" sensor Sony PMW-200 and 1/3" sensor Canon XF305 that weigh-in at 5.8 and 6.0lbs in a typical setup. If you always use rails, follow-focus gears, a matte box, and an external monitor or recorder, then keep in mind that these add significant weight.

The reason I'm emphasizing the weight ranges is that Vinten's own marketing materials have oversimplified tripod head model selection based on camera-sensor size, and I question how Vinten can generalize that most 1/3" camcorder models weigh more than 6.6lbs, which is the minimum weight for the Vision blue3, when in fact the opposite is true. When I try to think of a current 1/3" sensor video camera that are heavier than the 6.6lb minimum, I can only think of a single model, the 11lb Panasonic HPX370 ENG camera, but because it's a shouldermount, I don't consider it a camcorder at all.

Despite marketing material suggesting the Vision blue3 tripod is suitable for most 1/3" camcorders, this Vinten photo gets it right and shows the larger 1/2" sensor Sony PMW-EX1 on the lighter payload rated Vision blue tripod.

Overall...

Overall, I love the new Vinten Vision blue3 tripod and the entire Vision blue line. Its counterbalance and drag controls are unmatched, and I appreciate the LED illuminated levelling bubble as much as I like its easy to grip bowl clamp grip.

I do wish Vinten would have added simple measurements on the top of the tripod so re-balancing after re-mounting a camera could be repeatable. I know I can use tape or a marker, but I don't think this is too much to ask. I also don't like that the tilt-and-pan brake knobs are plastic and so exposed. I've had to replace three broken knobs in seven years, but the fact that I'm still using them shows just how well-built they are.

The Vinten Vision blue line of tripod is available with carbon fiber or aluminum tripod legs and with a ground level or mid-level spreader. Suggested retail pricing starts at $2,230 for the Vision blue3 with a soft case.