Pro Moviemaker Autumn 2018

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Travel right With the vast majority of video shot on location, you need lightweight kit that doesn’t stop you going the extra mile. Manfrotto is here to help...

T here’s an old saying that goes like this: ‘the best camera in the world is the one you have with you’. Well, the same applies to tripods, too. If you have a tripod with you, you can shoot smoother, higher quality video footage, follow a moving subject across the scene with a graceful pan, lock off shots for fine composition, and even record creative effects like time-lapse movies. If you don’t have a tripod, you’ll have to rely on hand-holding the camera. Even with image stabilisation switched on that can lead to inferior, shaky footage. And there’s no smooth panning or time-lapse for you. So, how do you make sure you always have a tripod with you? Picking a small, light travel model is a good start, as the thought of taking a big heavy model with you can be enough to put you off shooting at all – you want to make sure you’ve still got some energy for shooting by the time you get on location, too. Manfrotto’s Befree tripod collection really fits the bill. These tripods are designed to be compact and portable so you can keep them with you, not left at home or in the car boot, and this year carbon-fibre models – including the

Befree Live Carbon Fibre with Fluid Head (product code MVKBFRTC-LIVE) – were introduced, cutting weight and increasing strength even further. The Befree Live Carbon Fibre weighs only 1.38kg, and its four leg sections and special folding design where the legs fold over the head, mean it can fold down to just 41cm, so it’s barely noticeable when strapped to a backpack, and easily able to fit within airline carry on restrictions, allowing you to shoot great video on your most exotic travels. Of course, the small size means you can also pack it in a carry-on roller case, or within a hold bag if you’re making movies further than short haul. But low weight and compact size are nothing without stability and versatility. Again the Befree Live Carbon Fibre makes the grade, extending up to 150cmwith the centre column fully raised or giving you a very comfortable 129cm shooting platform with the column down. The carbon-fibre construction adds great stability to the lightweight frame, and with its included Befree Live Fluid Head, the set-up has a maximum payload of 4kg, more than enough for shooting with DSLRs, mirrorless cameras or small camcorders. The carbon-fibre legs also There’s no point improving your mobility with a lightweight tripod, then undoing it all with a heavy bag. Manfrotto’s Pro Light bags are designed to complement other lightweight kit. The Pro Light range is made of strong-yet-lightweight materials. The Pro Light 3N1-36 is a great example and highly adaptable – its modular design with interchangeable dividers mean it can be used with DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, camcorders and drones. It has a rain cover and water-repellent outer, weighs only 2kg, and is small enough to use as cabin luggage. An external tripod connection let you strap your legs on the back or side.

“Lowweight and compact size are nothing without stability and versatility. Again the Befree Live makes the grade” have great rigidity, locking quickly and securely thanks to the newly designed M-locks. The M-locks’ rubber grips are comfortable to use and lock the legs firmly in position even without too much pressure, while being twist locks they’re easy to fit around the head in the folded position and won’t snag on clothing, your backpack or surroundings. The legs’ side pull selectors let you angle them with ease, splaying to 54°, for a lower shooting position or when you need maximum stability in a strong breeze. If you want a really low position, or are working on very uneven ground the legs can go to 89º, and the levers are designed to be operated left- or right- handed. You can even shoot at ground level by reversing the centre column, giving a real worm’s-eye view to your footage. On the newly designed spider you’ll also find a Manfrotto Easy Link connection – usually reserved for Manfrotto’s 190 and 055 professional tripods. This allows you to add accessories such as a Manfrotto 244 Variable Friction Arm to hold a monitor, or lights and reflectors. Accompanying the Befree Live Carbon Fibre is the Befree Live Fluid Head (MVH400AH). The smallest and most lightweight video head in Manfrotto’s range, it provides perfectly smooth movement in pan and tilt, and with intuitive on/off knobs that lock and unlock the head’s pan and tilt movements separately. It includes a Manfrotto 501PL sliding plate that enable you to perfectly balance your video equipment and enjoy creamy smooth camera movement and more professional footage all round.

PRO LIGHT 3N1-36 BACKPACK £188.95

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PRO MOVIEMAKER AUTUMN 2018

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