When freelance camera operator Susan Campbell shot the Beatles reunion at the E3 Gaming Convention, to introduce “The Beatles: Rock Band” video game, a Vinten head supported her camera.
Campbell, who has shot concerts for everyone from Santana, AC/DC, David Bowie, Aerosmith, the Grateful Dead to the Police and Bruce Springsteen, said the Vinten is great for shooting rock and roll. The pan and tilt knobs are clearly labeled and easy to adjust, she said, making for smooth, subtle adjustments in the drag as she operates the camera.
The pan and tilt lock levers are easy to see without looking all around the head or feeling around in the dark, which is useful for concert work. With the locks visible, the operator can lock and unlock at a moment’s notice. The operator can even jump on, pan, and unlock without a “kick” to the picture.
The push-button head lock for overnight storage is a clearly marked silver button and lock pin on the right side. Being able to lock and unlock quickly and to adjust the drag easily on a head is one less thing to be concerned about when shooting a live show.
Vinten’s Perfect Balance technology kept the camera smooth when Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison took the stage at various points for the world premiere of Dhani Harrison and Giles Martin’s The Beatles: Rock Band video game for XBox. The music-based video game will be released to the public in September.
