Tripod Recommendations for HPX500

[BollingerPro]

Hey All,

The company I am working for is getting a HPX500 and I have been given the task of finding a good tripod setup for it.



Some of the things we may add to the camera when it is on the tripod is a teleprompter and a matte box. Right now I am looking at the Vinten Vision 8 head. Is that over kill or not enough?

Do you all have any recommendations? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

BP

[BollingerPro]

bump

[walnutcrunch]

I'm in on the tripod question. We've got a manfrotto 501 setup for our sony z1u, but now with the 500 I don't know if we can use that tripod. I know weight wise we can but I know nothing of the tripod plate for the 500.

We're trying to hold off on a new tripod for next fiscal. How do I figure out what tripod heads will work with the 500 and which won't.

Next year we'd like to get the full deal Sachtler, but we might need to find a make do plan until then.

[mcgeedigital]

Last thing I would do with a HPX500 is mount it on a Bogen.

The Vintens are rock solid ( I have 2).

The Vision 8 has a 12.1 to 30.9 lb capacity, which should be more than enough for the HPX500 with prompter.

[BollingerPro]

Thanks for the input!

[gustavotg]

My hpx500 is on a Bogen 316 / 3193. it is working fine, I think this is the biggest manfrotto did, replaced by the 526 (or 516... can't remember). But you still can get 316 in inventory out there, max capacity is 35lb, price is ok, new 1300-1600 with legs. You can get a good used one in ebay for 600-800.

Bogens are good for the money, I also had a 503 for almost 2 years, no complain about it (although and only used it with small cameras, z1, hd100), 501 could a different story since it's not really a fluid head as the 503 and up.

Of course, if money is no an issue, I'd consider better options than bogen.

[bruce edits]

Get an Oconnor 1030B or 1030HD with 2-stage Carbon Fiber legs. This is a great setup for that camera. Once you add a heavy zoom, batteries, wireless receiver , mattebox and other accessories, it's going to weight 16-20 lbs, easily. Expensive, yes, but built to last a lifetime.

[Cees Mutsaers]

what choise for the Sachtler collection will do the job?

[Terry_Lasater]

I'm planning to get a Sachtler DV-8SB (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/382490-REG/Sachtler_0850_DV_8SB_SL_Carbon_Fiber.html).

[mcgeedigital]

I'm planning to get a Sachtler DV-8SB (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/382490-REG/Sachtler_0850_DV_8SB_SL_Carbon_Fiber.html).

EXCELLENT choice. If you have the $$$$ you can NOT go wrong with the Sachtlers!

[Noel Evans]

Ive used it on a Bogen 519 head with vinten sticks. Works perfectly.

[Cees Mutsaers]

Vocas advised me to go for the Sachtler Video15 SB !!!!!!



I'm planning to get a Sachtler DV-8SB (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/382490-REG/Sachtler_0850_DV_8SB_SL_Carbon_Fiber.html).

[Terry_Lasater]

It all depends on the load you'll put on it. The Video-15SB is twice the price of a DV-8SB. At that price point, I might consider the O'Connor 1030HD instead.

However, for less than $3 grand, you can get a DV-8SB (with 2-stage CF tripod) offering counterbalance from 2 - 26.5 lbs. I believe it's the best tripod head available in a 75mm ball.

[Spec-Comm]

We had the AG-HPX500 setup at the P2 HD Roadshow on a Manfrotto 516/3193/3138

http://www.spec-comm.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=226

It worked great! Balance was just right. Let us know if you need a quote. We can quote the camera too if your company likes.

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!

[xianchi]

I just got shooting for 2 weeks with my HPX and a Miller Arrow 25. I love the Miller. Very... buttery... silky pans... slow stops and with the Solo legs its not all that heavy.

[Cees Mutsaers]

You mean the solo 1505 legs?


I just got shooting for 2 weeks with my HPX and a Miller Arrow 25. I love the Miller. Very... buttery... silky pans... slow stops and with the Solo legs its not all that heavy.

[xianchi]

Yeah, the 1505 legs. The package I got is the 1793, I got it locally for about $3800, no regrets. It's already paid off in the last 2 weeks. I was torn between the Sprinter II and the Solo legs but the Solo has a height range that better suited my needs... 8" - 73"

I rented some Sachtlers for my HVX, DV6, DV8, DV20 and was never terribley impressed... of course, they were kinda beat up rentals... I would highly recommend checking out a Miller, if possible.

http://www.millertripods.com/products.cfm?sectid=20&subsec=2020&productID=214

[Cees Mutsaers]

I was thinking about to combine the solo 1505 with the Sachtler video15 SB head. I think the solo is more portable than for instance the Sachtler speed lock CF or the ENG 2 CF. Am I right ????????? Yeh the height range of the solo is also higher.

[xianchi]

I am not sure if you are right about the portability of the Solo vs the others but I would say the Solo is very portable and fairly quick to set up.

[Cees Mutsaers]

At the IBC I extensively checked out the solo 1505 legs and when panning I noticed that the legs showed a clearly visible torsion. There was no working cam on it so I could not actually see what the influence was on the footage. When I looked at for instance the Sachtler speed lock CF (just an exemple) I did not see that torsion when panning. So now I am doubting if portability is more important to me than than less torsion.

[EditingFX]

Miller DS25 head & Miller single-stage aluminum sticks (ground spreaders.... don't know the model). Was using before on an old BetaSP w/ teleprompter, and had no problems. Echo the above - DS25 head is silky smooth.

[Brad Neal]

Last thing I would do with a HPX500 is mount it on a Bogen.

The Vintens are rock solid ( I have 2).

The Vision 8 has a 12.1 to 30.9 lb capacity, which should be more than enough for the HPX500 with prompter.

I have one of these as well - its my fav.

-Brad

[puredrifting]

Hi all:

I cannot fathom putting a camera as nice as the HPX on a Bogen setup. It's a $25,000.00 package guys! I have used most of the Bogens and they are what you buy if you just can't afford something good.

If you can spend $20,000.00 to $25,000.00 for a camera package, gotta get a Sachtler, O'Connor or Panther head. Millers? Hmm...love their legs, but to me, the heads are not quite in the same league. I had a Sachtler Video 18 with a BVW-D600 and it was a great setup.

I also highly advise not getting a 75mm ball tripod for a camera this large and heavy. Get a 100mm, it's the right choice.

All the best,

Dan

[sotty]

For whatever its worth. I have the Miller DS25 and a Manfrotto 516, The Manfrotto in my opinion is head and shoulders better than the Miller at 1/2 the price.
Most call Manfrotto junk, but I don't see it that way. The 516 is a good head.

[Brad Neal]

For whatever its worth. I have the Miller DS25 and a Manfrotto 516, The Manfrotto in my opinion is head and shoulders better than the Miller at 1/2 the price.
Most call Manfrotto junk, but I don't see it that way. The 516 is a good head.

I have to agree. Although I love my Vinten sticks and head, I also have a bogan 516 on a set of 3068 sticks for my second HPX500. I am really surprised at how smooth and solid the Manrotto stuff is considering the Vinten set up cost about 4 times what the Manfrotto stuff did.

-Brad

[ProfD]

Similar questions. How does the LIBEC H60 ($1100 new) compare?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/459142-REG/Libec_H60_H60_Fluid_Head_w_PH_7.html

[griffin86]

Has anyone tried the panther x15 system? How does it compare with the Satchler video 15?

[mcgeedigital]

Has anyone tried the panther x15 system? How does it compare with the Satchler video 15?

The Panthers are sweet heads as well. Very comparable to the Sachtlers. I have no idea of what their service is like however. I KNOW Sachtler's service is GREAT.

[cboyes]

How would you guys compare these tripods?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/447432-REG/OConnor_1030HD_PKG_1030HDPKG_1030HD_Package.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/382511-REG/Sachtler_1565_Video_15SB_Carbon_Fiber_Tripod.html

I've used the Sachtler Video18 in the past, and thought it was really awesome. That seems like a bit of overkill for the HPX-500 though.

[puredrifting]

How would you guys compare these tripods?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/447432-REG/OConnor_1030HD_PKG_1030HDPKG_1030HD_Package.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/382511-REG/Sachtler_1565_Video_15SB_Carbon_Fiber_Tripod.html

I've used the Sachtler Video18 in the past, and thought it was really awesome. That seems like a bit of overkill for the HPX-500 though.

Hi Chris:

I would be supremely happy with either setup, they are both great heads.

I used to own the Video 18 with my BVW-D600, which fully outfitted weighed about 26lbs. Loved that camera and tripod, it's like they were made for each other. O'Connor head is probably going to weigh more than the Sachtler if you do run and gun a lot, you don't see a lot of O'Connors. Although in this case, they are listing the Sachtler weight AND the legs as 16.5lbs and they are listing the weight of the O'Connor head alone at 8.2lbs so it's hard to tell.

Flip a coin, they are both awesome and I am envious.

Dan

[Racker99]

Hi Sotty and all,

I recently got back from NAB 2008 where I was trying to feel out as many tripods as I could. I wasn't expecting this result but the head / leg setup that I came away being the most impressed with was the Manfrotto 526 head and the 755 Carbon Fiber legs. My expectation is that I should be able to get this setup with a bag as a kit for around $1800.

I've also heard good things about the Miller Solo 20 but didn't get any hands on time with one of those. My only concern is that I really liked the feel that the 100mm bowl and 35lbs. capable head the Manfrotto seemed to exhibit provided. I've seen others praising the 516 head, and was curious if anyone has used the 526 regularly or would strongly point me away from it for some reason?

(Planning to shoot with an EX3 tricked out a fair bit so the weight could be up in the 15 to 20+ lbs.

[puredrifting]

You can always ask Adam C, shooting his feature, Corrado right now, about how the 516 is working out for him.

I will leave it at that.

D

[mcgeedigital]

Well, when I bought my own HPX, I ended up going with a Sachtler 15SB, which, IMO is the perfect size for this setup.

[puredrifting]

Well, when I bought my own HPX, I ended up going with a Sachtler 15SB, which, IMO is the perfect size for this setup.

Agreed. The Sachtlers are awesome, I am biased, I have one too. I also like the O'Connor 1030 head and the Panthers should be considered as well.

Dan

[cboyes]

I saw a previous post that asked this question, but the thread seemed to not get a lot of attention...

http://dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=100602

Would the Focus be ok (I know, not optimal) for the HPX-500 with the Fujinon 2x lens, shotgun mic, anton bauer battery and a Sennheiser wireless mic receiver (possibly 2)? Not sure how much that adds up to in weight, but the Focus is rated up to 22 lbs. Is it unsafe to push a tripod close to its max load?

I ask this because we already have 5 F102 systems in house.

Thanks guys!

[mcgeedigital]

No.

I have the focus for the HVX. It is too small for the HPX.

[LuckyStudio 13]

The Video 15 is the ideal tripod for hpx500 + mattebox + FF + Monitor. Too bad it costs more than $5k that I cant afford to get a complete Video 15 system.

[Workstation]

I use the Cartoni Laser with carbonfiber legs and mid-level spreader. Good value for money, i think. Sachtler seems a little overpriced to me.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/281504-REG/Cartoni_Z109_Z109_Laser_Carbon_Fiber.html

[Brad Neal]

You can always ask Adam C, shooting his feature, Corrado right now, about how the 516 is working out for him.

I will leave it at that.

D

We use a 516 on one of our studio rigs and I must say that I am blown away every time I use it. It's almost as nice as our $4000 Vinten setup.

[cheezweezl]

No.

I have the focus for the HVX. It is too small for the HPX.

why is this? i put a hvx + redrock + mb/ff + marshall 7" with idx battery on my focus and it's still got room on the spring. hpx weighs less. why wouldn't it work?

EDIT: After actually getting my hpx500 I have a different opinion. The focus held up ok with just camera and lens. However, adding mattebox, follow focus, and monitor took it over the edge. I am now using a sachtler video 20 III with 150lb capacity. It is amazing.

[Tim Deagle]

I use a Sachtler 18p with the heavy duty legs. With a cannon J20 and a wide angle zoom thru on the front you need the stability. Always been very happy with it.

[Sanchez]

I use the 500 with a Sachtler video 15 SB (speedbalance) and find it a tad too light (especially when telephoto or doing copy stand work).

I switch to an 18 for that stuff. But that's a monster to carry. For run N gun the 15SB is perfect with a 500 without any accessories (mattebox/monitor etc).