There is no denying that digital video cameras are getting lighter, even as their quality improves. This poses a challenge and opportunity for the camera support industry, which for decades has been geared to supporting heavy cameras with heavy-duty tripods. The more recent proliferation of lighter digital camcorders for many applications, including newsgathering, has left camera support manufacturers scrambling to support this new generation of camcorders with lighter—yet sturdy—tripods that incorporate performance features of larger models, including smooth movement, camera security ergonomics and ruggedness.

With its new line of Vision AS tripod heads, which includes some 75mm ball models, Vinten is bringing a new level of professionalism to its 75mm heads, as well as maintaining its high standards for larger models. My focus here is Vinten’s Vision 5 AS Pan and Tilt Head, which appears capable of supporting a wide spectrum of digital cameras, but on a 75mm ball fluid head; however, the proof is always in the pudding.

Features
I selected Vinten’s Vision 5 tripod head—the beefiest 75mm option in the Vision AS line of fluid heads—for convenient travel in the field and on airlines. The Vision 5 AS supports cameras ranging in weight from 9.9 to 23.1 lb, which covers the majority of pro cameras in broad use, including many of the latest 2/3-inch models.

Unlike other fluid heads for 75mm balls, the Vision 5 AS head might be described as a light middleweight rather than as a lightweight per se. It weighs in at just 6.2 lb., including pan bar, camera plate and bowl clamp. Its mass was about that of the cameras I planned to use with it. Such a tight camera/head mass ratio limits the camera’s momentum, makes it easier to control pan and tilt speed and provides “buttery smooth” slow pans and tilts.

The Vision 5AS has nine stages of drag adjustment for both pan and tilt. The adjusters are actually gears that engage springs inside the head to increase or decrease horizontal and vertical resistance when panning and tilting. Their rounded teeth are rubberized for waterproofing and have an added benefit of being easier on the fingers at higher drag levels.

The Vision 5 AS looks different than other Vision heads, but the underlying technology is really the same. This includes Vinten’s LF Drag system, which uses a unique lubricant for fine adjustment of drag levels, including controlled whip pans. Vinten describes it as “an infinitely adjustable friction system.” Officially, there are nine progressive stages of adjustment—large for a 75mm ball tripod head. Actually, these aren’t distinct stages, but rather numerical values placed on progressively increasing or decreasing levels of drag or resistance.

The locking knobs for pan and tilt are both on the “viewfinder side” of the head, with the tilt knob at about the 10 o’clock position of the upper head and the pan lock at the six o’clock position. Both have the characteristic smooth, easy-to-grip comma shape of Vision series locking knobs.

Vision AS series heads are easily distinguished from other ash-gray Vision series heads by their slate-black color. Another very apparent visual difference is the absence of a counterbalance dial on the back of the upper head. Counterbalance is adjusted on these heads by using the same style of geared dial used for adjusting pan and tilt. The rubberized counterbalance adjuster allows users to deliver precisely the right amount of torque necessary to counterbalance to the camera throughout the head’s tilt range.

The AS series also uses a side-loading system for fast and easy mounting of the camera plate to the pan-and-tilt head in one easy movement. This feature is invaluable for anyone who must react rapidly to fast-changing situations involving attachment, adjustment or removal of the camera from the pan-and-tilt head.

Attaching a camera with a side-load mounting plate is as simple as aligning the mounting plate with the channel until the camera snaps into place. Also, there’s a sliding release switch at the front top edge of the AS for fast and easy camera release.

Another really handy new feature is the illuminated level. To conserve battery power, the level bubble illuminates only on demand and stays illuminated for just 15 seconds or so. The pan bar is standard length and can be rotated 360 degrees on either side of the head. The tie down handle is a standard indented triangle that is easy to grasp and turn.

Attaching the camera plate to a Canon XL H1 took less than a minute, and once accomplished, I was ready to try the new side load method of mounting the camera to the Vision 5 AS head.

Users should be aware that right edge of the fluid head’s mounting track is beveled inwards to engage the right upper edge of the camera plate. Once the camera is seated atop the tripod head, there will be a “click” to confirm that it’s properly locked. The key to mounting a camera quickly and securely is to tilt it down about 20 degrees so that the edge of the camera plate is flush against the mounting track and under its right edge which bevels inwards. Before allowing the camera to drop flat on the head you have to release the plate lock on the front of the head, enabling a metal lip to slide in and grab the left edge of the camera plate. A quick twist of the attached thumbscrew locks it onto the tripod head.

Counterbalancing my camera—a Canon XL H1 camcorder docked to a recorder and battery—was the last thing needed for secure, smooth and effective shooting. The camera package weighed in at slightly more than 8 lb., or 2 lb. less than the Vision 5 AS’s minimum capacity. I faithfully followed the counterbalancing instructions, which seemed very similar to that for other fluid heads.

Once counterbalancing is achieved the camera can be tilted at any angle and will hold that position faithfully. Vinten’s counterbalance system made walking and even running with camcorder and tripod system over my shoulder surprisingly easy and safe, as I could position camera and lens at any angle I chose.

Counterbalancing also affects other camera movements, making them more fluid, particularly when tilting. I was able to execute very slow, smooth tilts up and down even at lower drag levels. This was tougher when tilting down, but I compensated by adjusting my grip on the tripod handle. I was able to get dolly-like shots when using Innovision's DV Probe with an ultra-wide-angle lens. And when everything was properly counterbalanced, I was able to float through the flowers and get nose-to-nose with numerous butterflies, beetles and bees. This all blended into a slow vertical and diagonal flow, as if I’d been shooting with a heavy-duty dolly.

Smooth pans were even easier most of the time. The key was to find the “sweet spot” with exactly the right drag level. The same applied to tilt shots, and especially diagonal shots. I found that often the sweet spot to be in the upper midrange of the numbered stages. This allowed me to get some very slow pans that provided a mouse-eye view of the world, which I intercut with shots of the mouse and its pups.

I really liked being able to let go of the camera without fear of its taking a nose dive. This left me free to explore other angles and even receive phone calls without fear of an accident. Also, I didn’t miss any shots due to forgetting to unlock the brake. The “Perfect Counterbalance” system also allowed me to make fast and safe moves with camera mounted on the tripod and to be able to start shooting as soon as I leveled things up.

Walking around with my camera atop the Vision 5 AS was worry free and very comfortable, as I could park the camera at an angle that made the move comfortable and safe. This feature is priceless in a hectic shooting environment.

Summary
I like the look and feel of Vinten’s Vision 5 AS tripod head, which has many features previously the province of larger, higher-end fluid heads. These include multiple stages of drag and Vinten’s “Perfect Balance.” Learning to take full advantage of these features alone can enable most pros to improve their camera moves when “on sticks.” The weatherization and ruggedness of the Vision 5 AS head and the matching Pozi-Loc legs makes this package ideal when outdoors in heavy precipitation. This should make it ideal for ENG, EFP and sports applications with a variety of cameras. I also prefer the black color of the Vision AS series to the grey of the standard Vision series. To me, black is much more suited to real-world grit and grind.