Vinten Vision blue3 Head and Tripod System VB3-AP2F

      Photo Review 8.5

      In summary

      The Vision blue3 head and tripod system targets the fast-growing marketplace that includes mid-weight, 1/3-inch to 1/4.1-inch chip camcorders and professional DSLR cameras with large lenses.

      With a payload capacity of between three and 6.6 kilograms, it is suitable for studio camera work, outside broadcasting for sports coverage and electronic news gathering filming documentaries, corporate and event photography and movie production, as well as wildlife photography with close access to a vehicle.

      Full review

      A key requirement of a professional tripod is that it be easy to move the way you want to without moving in undesirable directions. This is achieved by a combination of balancing and counterbalancing.

      Balancing requires the weight of camera and attached lens to be centred on the platform so its weight is evenly distributed. When this is achieved, the camera should remain in the ‘neutral’ position when the drag tension is released and not fall forwards, backwards or to the side.

      Counterbalancing adds a counter-weight via a spring to prevent the camera from returning to the neutral position when it is tilted. Most older tripods include dial-in adjustments for fine-tuning counterbalance. However, this can be time-consuming and there may not be fine enough adjustments for precise settings.

      The Vision blue3 head comes with the company’s Perfect Balance technology, a counterbalancing system that automatically matches the amount of torque needed to balance the camera with the angle at which the camera is positioned. This means very little effort  is required from the camera operator/photographer to move the camera when framing shots and/or following action.

      The system is easy to set up each time a camera is mounted. You simply slide the camera onto the head using the slide plate (included) and move it until the centre of gravity sits over the centre of the tripod head. Then slacken off the tilt friction by turning the lever below the platform.

      Tilting the mounted camera back and forward allows you to see whether the camera is correctly positioned. If it falls away from the centre position, turning the Perfect Balance knob allows you to set the system so the camera remains stationary in and tilted position.

      The advantage of the Perfect Balance system is the ability to move the camera quietly and consistently throughout its tilting range with minimal effort, eliminating the need for drag control. Vinten’s Lubricated Friction (LF) drag technology ensures smooth movement of the camera about the pan and tilt axes enabling users to track subjects smoothly with precise framing.

      If you increase either the panning or tilting speed, for example when following a fast-moving subject that changes position erratically, the drag will decrease accordingly, making it easier to keep pace with the subject. If the subject slows, the drag is increased to prevent unwanted movements when slow pans or tilts are required. Users have complete control, regardless of the tracking speeds, without requiring additional adjustments to the tripod head.

      Other Features

      Another handy feature is the levelling bubble that can be lit up with a blue LED for 10-15 seconds when you press the button near the Perfect Balance lever. The battery for powering this light is located in a compartment below the platform.

      The camera is attached to the head via a large slide plate, which is supplied with a standard 1/4-inch screw and pin assembly that will suit most cameras and camcorders that can be used with this tripod. The slide plate is loaded from the rear of the platform and secured with a lever clamp.

      Both pan and tilt brakes allow each axis on the head to be locked in a set position. Pan bar mounting points are located on either side of the rear section of the tripod head just below the mounting platform.

      A new Vision blueBridge adaptor is available for using lighter cameras (2.1-3 kg) with the VB3-AP2F system. It works the same way as the standard Vision blue mounting plate but was not supplied for us to review.

      Legs

      The ‘legs’ supplied with the Vision blue3 VB3-AP2F system were the two-stage aluminium Pozi-Loc tripod (3819-3), which includes the 3363-3 Floor Spreader. The system is also available with a lightweight Mid-level Spreader (V4032-0001).

      The tripod and floor spreader combo provide a very rigid base for mounted cameras and the leg clamps show clearly when they are locked in place. The system can be set up (and taken down) in a couple of seconds and it’s easy to extend the legs and lock them into place. The Pozi-Loc system showed no signs of slippage when we loaded the head with the heaviest camera+ lens combination we could access (a total of 5.6 kg).

      One big advantage of this system is that it is very difficult to topple. Another is the ability to lower the head to within 42 cm of the floor, allowing low-angle shooting. An integrated leg catch pulls out from one leg and provides a flexible band for securing the legs together with a clip-on hook for transport and storage. A chromed ring in the centre of the spreader makes it easy to close up the legs.

      The Floor Spreader has a couple of important limitations. It isn’t ideal for uneven surfaces, where the Mid-level Spreader would provide greater stability and flexibility for adjusting the leg lengths and positions. Then angle of each leg can be adjusted individually and a two-position central selector allows users to set a small footprint for tight areas or a large footprint where a low shooting angle is required and conditions permit. Adjustments are controlled by three lock knobs.

      Who’s it For?

      The Vision blue3 head and tripod system targets the fast-growing marketplace that includes mid-weight, 1/3-inch to 1/4.1-inch chip camcorders and professional DSLR cameras with large lenses.

      With a payload capacity of between three and 6.6 kilograms, it is suitable for studio camera work, outside broadcasting for sports coverage and electronic news gathering filming documentaries, corporate and event photography and movie production, as well as wildlife photography with close access to a vehicle.

      The system is not ideal for situations that require equipment to be hand-carried for any distance as it is simply too large and heavy. The head and ‘legs’ together weigh almost eight kilograms and measure 84 cm in length and 51 cm when packed in the supplied semi-hard case, which measures approximately 92 x 24 x 21 cm. You certainly wouldn’t take that bushwalking.

      That said, the system is relatively simply to set up and pack away for its size and very strongly built. It looks tough enough to withstand regular use in the most challenging conditions and the case is made of rip-stop fabric with handles on the sides and ends to make it robust as well as easy to carry and store.

      Conclusion

      The Vision blue3 head and tripod  system  targets the fast-growing marketplace that includes mid-weight, 1/3-inch to 1/4.1-inch chip camcorders and professional DSLR cameras with large lenses. With a payload capacity of between three and 6.6 kilograms, it is suitable for studio camera work, outside broadcasting for sports coverage and electronic news gathering filming documentaries, corporate and event photography and movie production, as well as wildlife photography with close access to a vehicle.

      The system is not ideal for situations that require equipment to be hand-carried for any distance as it is simply too large and heavy. The head and ‘legs’ together weigh almost eight kilograms and measure 84 cm in length and 51 cm when packed in the supplied semi-hard case, which measures approximately 92 x 24 x 21 cm. You certainly wouldn’t take that bushwalking.

      That said, the system is relatively simply to set up and pack away for its size and very strongly built. It looks tough enough to withstand regular use in the most challenging conditions and the case is made of rip-stop fabric with handles on the sides and ends to make it robust as well as easy to carry and store.

      SPECS

      • Picture angle: 29  Height range: 55 cm to 169 cm
      • Payload capacity range for perfect balance: 3.0 to 6.6 kg
      • Counter balance: Infinitely adjustable Perfect Balance, holds any load within range perfectly
      • Tilt range: +/- 90 degrees
      • Ball base: 75 mm
      • Pan bar: Single fixed length
      • Camera fixing: Standard Vision AS two-way sliding plate with one 1/4-inch camera screw and pin
      • Levelling bubble: Illuminated high contrast blue LEDWeight: Head only: 2.4 kg, VB3-AP2F  – 6.9 kg

       

      Rating

      RRP: AU$2760; US$1828.60

      • Build quality: 9.3
      • Features: 8.8
      • Stability: 9.0
      • Versatility: 8.5

       

      Buy