Tripod

[Andrew McCarrick]

I'm looking into getting a tripod, but I need one that can handle not only the HPX500, but the HPX3000, Varicam and eventually 35mm digital cameras like the Dalsa Origin and Evolution. The two brands I was looking at were Panther and Sachtler, but I am lost as to where to begin. I'm assuming I want to stay at or above the 100mm mark..... so that means 100/150/flat base fluid heads. And that would mean I'd have to stay with the matching tripods (so I can't have a 100mm head on a 75mm tripod right?). I'm entirely lost on this, since this would be my first professional tripod purchase.

From Panther I was looking at the Fluid Head X15 or Fluid Head T45, and I'm lost for a tripod from them..... but I was also considering the Cine 75 System from Sachtler. And I was also looking at the Cine 150 or Cine 2000 K tripods from them as well. So any help at all to give me an idea of what level I need to stay above to support those cameras would be great.

[smelni]

I purchased the sachtler video 25 and it is great for the 500 and can handle much more weight so its a good choice. It is pricey though - retail is close to 10K but you can find used ones for a lot less

[dolph2000]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=188681&is=REG

this one I'm goin to buy this one, very good reviews and $4.5k. one stage sticks so very handy.

[Spec-Comm]

I would suggest the Manfrotto 526 package:

http://www.spec-comm.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=225

Best regards,

Andrew Hoffman
Senior Operations Manager
Specialized Communications Corp.
20940 Twin Springs Dr.
Smithsburg, MD 21783-1510 USA
800-359-1858
301-790-0103
Fax: 301-790-0173
andrewh@spec-comm.com
www.spec-comm.com

Please visit our new online store at ( http://www.spec-comm.com/store ). New products being added daily!

[mikkowilson]

Cartonis rock. the legs work well, and the hads are pretty darn good too.

I haven't use that paticular head & sticks, but I've used a range of their gear and it's always performed very well.

- Mikko

[smelni]

if you are going to spend 4500 you should look into used sachtler 20 and 25 - you can get them for between 5 and 6K

[alexdias]

A perfect tripod is a combination of many factors and the intend use is one of the most important. If most of your work it's on a studio or very controlled situations the Sachtler 25 is hard to beat. But at 41 pounds it's heavy.
If you do more of a ENG (or documentary) style the Cartoni is a better option. Very solid and almost 1/2 the weight.
I would also take a look on the Miller Arrow 40. It's great!

[Andrew McCarrick]

Thanks, for the suggestions; but I settled on the Panther T45 Tripod System, plus a C150/1 HD Short tripod and a C150/2 HD tripod.

[PhantomVideo]

Using the Vinten Vision 8 perfect balance systems loving it