And the bottom line is….
I won’t beat about the bush. I love this head. In use, the Vision 3 AS is even more flawlessly smooth than it’s predecessor, and that’s saying something.
The combination of the Vision 3 AS and my Vinten FiberTecs’ is visually awesome, a joy to use, as solid as a rock and the V3 AS is constructed like a battle tank made by Swiss watchmakers.
The side load plate is an absolute godsend and I have no doubts whatsoever the “perfect balance” system will get 10 out of 10 from those who have cameras that can make use of it.
Apart from the few minor niggles noted above, the Vision 3 AS is as near perfect as I can imagine any head being, Vinten having fixed nearly every vice of the V3. If Vinten release a V 1/ 2 AS, perfection will have been achieved for my level of camera (and I’ll be getting one, pronto, if they do).
My only hesitation in predicting the appearance of a Vision 1/2 AS is because the AS range is really aimed at the Production House / Rental market, where it will provide perfect counterbalance from the smallest professional camera up to the top of the HD video camera food chain. A Vision 1/2 AS would be aimed at the serious amateur or semi – pro, which may not be where Vinten wish to go in the greater scheme of things. If Vinten get their “heads” around a V1/ 2 AS, as I sincerely hope they can, they will have swept the board.
Taking into account the system packages on offer, and that the prices for the new range are the same as for the existing models, they have a killer line up at a very, very competitive price.
How cool is that? Exceedingly. Well done, Vinten.
9. About the Author
Born in London, Ontario, Canada but transplanted to Tasmania, Australia at a tender age, where I spent most of my formative years. Decamped at 19 to “see the world”, and proceeded to hitch hike from Madras (India) to London (UK). Somehow surviving (despite many “life enriching experiences”), I spent most of the 70’s and 80’s in the UK computer industry, using my spare time to polish up my still photography skills. Quit the rat race for the first time in 1990 and spent 18 months travelling through China, Pakistan and India hauling round a monstrous bag of camera gear, somehow ending up back in Australia more or less by accident. Realized I’d taken a wrong turn 5 years later and headed back to Blighty for another decade. Finally fled the “big smoke” 2 years ago and headed to NZ with my Kiwi partner.
Got into Video about 6 years ago with an XL1s but always knew HD would be the way to go, trading up to a Canon XH A1 (and a Nikon D80) December ’06. Have been throwing shed loads of money at it ever since. Still coming to terms with this whole “moving image” thing. Despite my constant declarations of retirement my shooting time is continually intruded upon by that 4 letter w**k word.
A confessed perfectionist, I built a conservatory onto our London home with a micrometer being the main measuring instrument (true!). Despite my long computer association, have done more different jobs than I’ve had hot dinners, none of them as much fun as playing with cameras.
My thanks to Peter Harman, Product Manager, Vinten Camera Dynamics Limited, UK, for the V3 AS pre production review head, supporting documentation, photographs and a great deal of very patient query feedback, and Chris Hurd and DV Info Net for publishing this review.
