Anton Tchajkov

Hello, I am also a new comer, wishing to do the same as Jules. My name is Anton Tchajkov, and i m a boy of simply 16, living in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. I have been into video for a few years now, most recently shooting on a 1-chip Mini-DV Canon. I ve been into photography (slr) for a few years now, most often enjoying taking pictures of my friends, family, and sports. As I've been maturing in life, I have also been learning to look at things a bit differently. To me, video and photography are the perfect medium for me to express myself, and to enjoy what freedoms i have been given and have access to. Lately i ve been focusing alot more on video, including getting to know and own more of the technical stuff.. I hope that this forum and website, along with all of the people on it will help further my interests, and hopefully i can return something i know, if i can. i learnt about this site from Luc Montpellier, who kindly did a short workshop in my city. Merci. thank you, and take care.

A few monthes ago i purchased a low cost tripod, the Velbon CX 560, which claims to have a fluid head. I use it with a Canon Optura 10 Mini-DV camcorder, and it works great. The pans and tilts it does are smooth and controllable, and it is very affordable...only $90 Canadian. It has a quick release head, while all of the other parts are plastic. It seems to be constructed fairly well, it doesnt shake or anything of that sort, even in extreme wind. Personally, as an amateur..I'd recommend this if you want alot of 'bang for your buck'. Otherwise, if you want to spend a bit more money, I'd go with a Manfrotto tripod, with a seperately purchased Manfrotto Fluid head...or buy it in a kit, if you can. These have lifetime warranties, are constructed of mostly metal (very durable, good weight), and produce good quality shots. There good, but they do cost a bit more. I hope that helps..when i was looking at buying one, i searched alot for information like that, but found it hard to find, especially taking into account my extremely low-budget, hahahah.