Improve your Wildlife Videography, how to get smoother Wildlife videos. Basics of using a Fluid Head
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- Опубліковано 18 гру 2021
- As a self-taught Wildlife photographer and Wildlife videographer, I've made a lot of mistakes over the years, but I've also been able to learn a lot from my experiences. In this week's video, I'll review some simple ways to improve your Wildlife videography as well as how to use and balance a Fluid Head (Video tripod head). I'll share some tips I've learned when using a Fluid Tripod Head as well as some things you'll want to consider when purchasing a Fluid Head. Wildlife videography is extremely fun and rewarding and I hope you find this video to be helpful.
Wildlife and nature photography & videography is always such a fun challenge, I hope you're all getting out and enjoying nature. Be safe out there and go out prepared.
As always, thanks for the support, it's greatly appreciated. If you're new to this channel, please consider subscribing and if you liked this video, please share it around, that helps me out so much. Have a great week everyone!
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Fluid Head - amzn.to/3DVcgt4
MAKING THIS VIDEO:
Camera for still images - Canon 1DX Mark II
Video Camera - amzn.to/3wKMF1O
Vlogging Lens - amzn.to/2VQGOeP
Main Lens - amzn.to/3xOHDD4
Microphone - amzn.to/3rcHarM
Main Tripod - amzn.to/36KS52c
Vlogging Tripod - amzn.to/3hH3l6g
Tripod Head - amzn.to/3wOOzhT
Memory Card - amzn.to/3rgDe9p
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- No drones were flown in National Parks or restricted areas while making this video. Please fly responsibly and only in allowed areas.
This is such a helpful video for aspiring videographers - thank you!
That makes me happy to hear, thanks for the feedback and support ☺️
Jimmy you are becoming my favorite UA-camr. I am somewhat in the same boat as I love wildlife photography but I am slowly moving more into videography. I appreciate the tips you passed along and keep up the great work.
Thanks so much, I'm glad to hear it 😁 They're both so much fun, I don't know if I could choose between the two at this point! Best of luck to you in your adventures!
It never ceases to amaze me how close the wildlife over there allows you to get.
Lovely images, the reflected light from the snow really lifts the underside of those sheep.
I have never really tried my hand at video but i have been using video heads for my stills photography for a good number of years now. The only drawback (apart from the weight) is the difficulty in changing from horizontal to vertical format when using shorter lenses. As shooting wildlife generally involves long lenses it isn't much of a problem for me as practically all the longer lenses have a rotating tripod collar but if I want to use a standard or wide angle lens i find I have to use an L bracket on the camera body, coupled with an additional quick release plate, in order to change orientation.
If I'm planning to shoot wide (landscapes for instance) then i would leave the video head at home and swap it out for either a compact 3 way head or a ball head.
Merry Christmas to you and yours and I wish you every success in 2022.
Thank you very much, Robert! Yeah, there are definitely certain species and certain locations over here where the wildlife don't care at all. Other locations and species, the animals will take off 300 yds away. These Bighorns are generally very tolerant which makes things nice for me 😁 I agree with you, shooting with a shorter lens that doesn't have a collar ring is tricky on a fluid head. Earlier this year I pulled the ball head off of my smaller tripod and mounted it to a smaller plate, I can now easily attach the ball head to my fluid head when shooting on a shorter lens, both vertically and horizontally. It's not the perfect solution, but it's fairly light weight, quick and easy. Merry Christmas to you as well, hope it's a great one!
Another excellent video Jimmy, some great tips. I haven't been taking any video but I plan on it this coming year. I know the location of 4 Owl nests and my plan is to document them as well as an Eagles nest that I have great a vantage point. I have really enjoyed your videos the past year and have seen such improvement since I started watching. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy holiday and I am looking forward to your 2022 videos.
Thanks Keith! Wow, that's amazing! I hope you get some great footage and post some of it, I'd love to see what you're able to get! It's been so fun making these and I've learned a lot along the way. Thanks for following along and for the kind holiday wishes. Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!
Glad you’re enjoying the video aspect of wildlife. Really brings it all to life. Thanks again.
Thanks Stephen, couldn't agree with you more! I love images, but the video footage just adds another element to everything!
Thank you for a wonderful year full of wonderful videos, all very enjoyable and informative. Looking forward to next year. Merry Christmas to you and your family. By way of a tip, I have seen some vloggers add an elastic band to the fluid head handle to make smoother movement and avoid wobble when you first touch the handle
Thanks so much, it's been so much fun! That's a good tip, I'll have to look into that, that's usually when I get the most shake. You have a Merry Christmas as well, best wishes!
Thank you for the great advice!! I also am trying video and have been using my gimbal head, some of the footage definitely reminds me of your kit fox video! Going to look into fluid heads, so thank you for the tips!!
Thanks, I hope this video helps! Video is so fun to get into, I definitely recommend a fluid head for it. It's a whole other world of things to learn, but a fun one for sure!
Was lucky enough to come across a manfrotto fluid head on a deal more by accident than design, was just looking for an affordable tripod head and this one just fitted my price range - was ignorant of the different capabilities at the time but have found it to be the best investment I've ever made regarding camera support's. Look forward to seeing more of your work Jimmy. 👍
Thanks a bunch, Glenn! Those gear deals are always great when you can find them. I definitely agree with you, a good fluid head is a priceless item to have when you're out with the camera!
Excellent Jimmy! Thanks.
Thank you, Kirby! Hope you're doing well 😊
Nice film Jimmy. Like you, I have been using a video head over the past year instead of my gimbal for filming and I agree it makes so much difference.
I appreciate you watching! It really does make a huge difference, one of the best camera related purchases I've ever made 😁
So glad I found this video again. My set up has zero image stabilization so I have been trying to work off of my ball head. Today I captured some of what would have been gorgeous footage Eagles battling over a fish. I struggled to get the ball to stay put and or when panning well, lets just say the footage gave me motion sickness. If I had stuck to stills I would have had some super awesome shots, but I completely botched the video. I would not have thought about the temperature rating so thank you for mentioning that! It was negative 27 with wind chill yesterday but 42 today!
Hey Julie, I'm glad it helped! There are ways to help make a ball head a bit more stable. But even then, it's nothing compared to a good fluid head. That sounds like an amazing Eagle encounter. I miss capturing moments like that more often than I like to admit, I'm just grateful I get to keep the memories of the encounters 😁
great video! you have really inspiring videos in your channel. I would happy to see more videography how-to stuff.
Thanks so much for the kind words and feedback! I've got some other videography videos planned, so make sure you stay tuned! 😁
Excellent and informative Jimmy! I don't shoot much video but I would certainly like to explore it more. I have really enjoyed your videos over the past year, I appreciate your work and effort you put into them.
ps--My wife ask about the lack of sandels, but I see that has already been addressed (lol).
Thank you so much, I appreciate the constant support! I'd definitely recommend trying video out a bit, it sure is a lot of fun! At this point, I just need to make a video about my sandals 😆
Although I am still getting into video i have the same head and I love it. I use a D850 with a 600mm prime, Ninja V external monitor and mic and i have zero issues. This is a beast! Keep up the great work.
That's awesome, sounds like quite the amazing setup! Do you find that the counterbalance still works fine when you've got the 600mm and monitor loaded on?
👍👍 Two Thumbs up.
Thank you 😊
Really interesting and useful video! Your photos and videos are so amazing. I can learn so much from you 👍🏼💪🏼 Keep up the good work!
Yes, that's right! I see you did the 300 subscribers, Max. Cratulation 🙃👍🏼
Thanks so much Max, greatly appreciated! Keep up the great work on your channel, you've got some fun content!
@@JimmyBreitenstein oh, thanks. I’ll give my best! :)
+1 for the fluid head. When looking into getting a tripod head I know I wanted to do both photos and videos. I found a Hudson Henry video and like you he mentioned the benefit of fluid head compared to ball. It made sense to me so I got the manfrotto 504, I have no regrets.
Very nice! That's a good tripod head you got, I hope you're putting it to good use 😁 Thanks for the input, I always appreciate it!
@@JimmyBreitenstein I try to get out as much as I can on the weekend with my setup. I was actually in Merritt island a few weeks ago.
@@stephencurah1059 That's awesome, keep it up!
What? No sandles on this adventure? lol
Another great video. I have the Manfrotto 502 and love it. I wasn't sure about all the features, but now I think I got it. Thanks!
🤣🤣 I sure love my sandals, unfortunately, had to leave them home on this one, haha! I hear the 502 is great, I was considering it along with my current fluid head, both wonderful heads. Thanks for the input, have a wonderful week!
This video just saved me spending a few hundred bucks on a gimbal head. Well worth the watch and subscribe :)
I'm glad to hear it :) Thanks for the support and good luck in your videography journey!
I don't why I'm i just seeing this but glad I did it. I been slowly getting into video and most my videos are like your fox video. I will definitely look into this head. Thank you for the info
Well thanks for watching and the support! I'm excited to see your video progression as time goes on. Thanks again my friend!
Hi Jimmy, no open toe sandals today? ;-) Jokes apart, great video as usual! Cheers from Canada.
Hahaha 😂 I'll have to do a winter + sandals video just for fun now 😆 Thanks so much, sure appreciate it!
I use the following combination for shooting with my Canon R6mkII w. 100-500mm: Leofoto LM-324CL Summit Tripod, Leofoto LB-75S Leveling Base, Manfrotto MVH500AH Fluid Head with Kirk Arca/Swiss replacement bridge and Leophoto Rock Sling. The tripod can extend to from flat to 81” high and the leveling base which fits into it makes leveling the head easy. The MVH500AH is smaller and lighter but has capacity of 17.5 lbs which is more than adequate for my rig. I replaced the bridge with one created by Kirk which allows me to easily mount my arca-swiss bracket equipped lenses and camera bodies. The sling which attaches to the legs can be filled with pack or rocks for added stability. It all packs into the padded bag supplied with the tripod and weighs under 8 lb.
That sounds like an amazing setup. I'm glad you mentioned the leveling head, that's something I've been thinking a lot about lately. I think that will be my next improvement when it's time to upgrade. Thanks again for sharing, sure appreciate it!
Nice setup, I bought a similar tripod along with the leveling base from leofoto
Great video. I bought a video head earlier this year but haven't tried it out yet. I've still only been getting a couple minutes of video when I go out as an afterthought. I'm still mostly focusing on getting better at photos of the animals right now. But, the last time I went out, I did notice issues panning with the gimbal while trying to follow some otters, so I think I'll have to try the fluid head soon. Any advice on what to do since it's not arca-swiss compatible? I hope you and your family have a graat holiday. Cheers from Maine. :) Paula
Thanks Paula! It's great that you're focusing on photos, I find it helps to have a specific focus when out and about. Honestly, it's hard trying to do both at once 🥴 I'd recommend getting an arca swiss mount and mounting that to the current mounting plate. You can then leave that plate and the arca swiss mount on the head permanently. I hope that makes sense, that's what I did on mine. If you still have questions, let me know. I can send you a picture of the setup if you'd like. Thanks again!
Great❤
Thanks!
Good vid buddy, enjoyed that..... gettin distracted by wildlife is what us wildlife nuts do best lol.... have a new sub.... JP
Thank you for following along, I hope you enjoy the weekly videos! Yes, it is what we do isn't it 😆
Very helpful (and beautiful footage, as always), thank you! I'd just like to add that when you're coming from stills photography, you need to be aware that using the tripod head to switch from landscape to portrait orientation doesn't really work with fluid heads. I needed to add an L-bracket to the camera for that. Oh, and I had to find out that my fluid head wasn't arca-swiss compatible, so I had to buy an additional adapter plate.
That's all great info that I probably should have touched on 🤔 Thanks for mentioning it! I also had to modify my fluid head so I could easily use my existing mounting plates and it's worked great since. Thanks again for the info!
If you're on a fluid video head,, You can rotate the collar ring to portrait orientation
@@KevinNordstrom Yeah, that's what I do on my telephoto lenses, it's quick and easy. Any tips on smaller landscape/wide-angle lenses without collar rings? Christian mentioned he added an L-bracket to his setup.
@@JimmyBreitenstein if I was using a small wide angle for video, i Probably would just go handheld or a gimbal. But yeah, he's got the right idea with an L bracket. Probably the only solution Stills in portrait mode on a video head with say a 15-35
@@KevinNordstrom Excellent points. I'm always trying to find the best and lightest ways to mount all my lenses both vertically and horizontally to one tripod head so I can get the most footage possible while backpacking and such. Thanks again for the input!
Hi, thanks for doing the video. Are you using a leveling base with this fluid head? If so, which one are you using? I find myself missing a lot of shots fiddling with the tripod to try and get it level and then the moment is gone.
Hi Tim! No, I don't use any sort of leveling base. I've found if I'm shooting stills or video of an immobile subject and I need to be really quick, I'll get the level as close as I can as quickly as I can and then do the fine adjustments on the collar ring. If I'm panning a moving subject, I just need to suck it up and make sure I'm level. I do practice at home and when I've got slow time in the field. I'll choose an uneven surface and practice getting it level as quickly as possible. It's seemed to help quite a bit.
@@JimmyBreitenstein Thanks for the quick reply.
Thanks Jimmy for the information. Could you tell me what format you film in, is it 4k?
Thanks for watching! Yeah, I shoot all 4K now. Some of the older videos were lower quality though.
Thanks Jimmy, are you using ALL-I?
I've been shooting IPB, need to switch at some point 🥴
2 years later …. You still vouch for this head. Is there a lighter one you would consider?
It's a fantastic head for the price and weight capacity. My only hang-up is durability. I feel that manfrotto gear has really declined over the last few years as I've had gear break very easily. I put my gear through a lot, but I'm also careful with it. This tripod head has just worn down and various pieces have cracked or broken over time. I don't have any other recommendations for a similar cost with the same weight capacity at this time.
Well at least you wearing proper footwear! 😀
Hahaha, I guess it depends on your definition of "proper footwear" 😂