Cartoni Focus Head Review

the 503 isnt a true fluid, its pretty good for a "fake" one though. I believe the bogen gets real fluid starting at the 510.
 
Compatibility with Solo VJ legs

Compatibility with Solo VJ legs

Does anyone have an idea if the Focus head is compatible with Miller Solo VJ legs? Yes I know that they are both 100mm but I need to be certain and could not find any reference online.

If anyone is interested there is nice review of the Solo VJ sticks at b-roll.net: http://www.b-roll.net/products/miller2.html

I 'm particularly interested in the range of height (minimum 8.7" - maximum 73.6"). And the fact that they are very light yet are said to be pretty stable - especially at the wider spread of the leg's middle locking position.

Any thoughts?
 
Jarred Land said:
About the Sachtler DV-6 -- This is the head i was going to buy.. I have shot with Sachtler probally 90% of the time on big gigs, and liked the durability and movement. They both feel pretty similar even with different fluid systems.. these heads in term of movement and features are very similar..., but the DV6 is only a 75mm bowl so leveling is a little easier on the Cartoni... and as you said 50% more money than the cartoni.
Click to expand...

How is it when you load it up... matte box, LCD monitor, lens controls, etc?
 
if you look at the last photo in the article, you see thats how i tested it, rods, mattebox, followfocus, etc.
 
Jarred Land said:
if you look at the last photo in the article, you see thats how i tested it, rods, mattebox, followfocus, etc.
Click to expand...


And is it still solid... not jittery with all that on there. Many other less expensive heads tend to get skittish when the load goes up...
 
I just received my Kata "Triporigid-1" Tripod bag that is soft & light yet also reinforced enough for shipping so you don't need a bag & a case. At least Kata says so. Seems very nice.
I may add a little more hard reinforcement out of paranoia, but it looks good to me.

That means my 42 1/2" Cartoni soft bag is for sale.
Its also very nice - B&H sells for $149.
Make an offer if interested.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...773&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
 
I just got the Cartoni Focus with F102 (2-stage legs)--and let me tell you--it feels great! This is a really awesome head--thank you very much, Jared, for telling us about it. The moves feel great on it, and having the light on the leveler--this is a really great feature. B&H has them in stock (as part of the head and legs package), unfortuately EVS did not, or they would have gotten my business.
 
eddavid said:
I just got the Cartoni Focus with F102 (2-stage legs)--and let me tell you--it feels great! This is a really awesome head--thank you very much, Jared, for telling us about it. The moves feel great on it, and having the light on the leveler--this is a really great feature. B&H has them in stock (as part of the head and legs package), unfortuately EVS did not, or they would have gotten my business.
Click to expand...

It's a nice head, but to be honest the Vinten Vision 3 with a #3 or #4 spring is still smoother. I have both. The smaller pan bar handles of the Focus also seem to flex just a bit... even so the head is a great value.
 
Nope - to what?

Nope - to what?

Jarred,

May I ask what you are saying "nope" to. Are you saying nope to Focus head compatibility with Miller Solo VJ legs?

:D
 
Miller Solo VJ Legs

Miller Solo VJ Legs

Hunabku said:
Jarred,

May I ask what you are saying "nope" to. Are you saying nope to Focus head compatibility with Miller Solo VJ legs?

:D
Click to expand...

Hunabku,

I have a Cartoni Beta head and bought the Solo VJ Legs. The Legs are #@$%@ AWESOME.

For the Beta, I had to send it back to Cartoni because the doohickey that tightens the bowl onto the VJ's bowl (?) was too small and went right through the VJ's bowl. Therefore I had Cartoni fit a wider bowl doohickey on my Beta head to hold it on.

Therefore, check the Focus' bowl doohickey and see if it's at least 2" in diameter. If it is then the Focus will fit the VJ fine. ;-)

For the money, IMHO, the Miller VJ legs are freakin' great for run-and-gun shooting becuase they are so easy to setup, level and mount. Further, they are compact and lightweight. Carbon Fiber also helps, too ;-) Recommended!!

cheers,
-Greg
 
Jib

Jib

I'm sure you didn't get to test this but I'm wondering if the Focus can handle a Jib arm. Let's say the simple jib arm from Glidecam. And will the jib arm work with the packaged legs that go with the Focus?
 
I just ordered this system. Is it possible to get a quick release mechanism that I can mount to my Glidecam V16 so I can leave the wedge/plate on the bottom of the camera at all times? It will make it a lot easier and quicker to switch between tripod and glidecam too.
 
I love mine!!! The only thing that sucked is when I droped it and chipped the head. It still functions amazing it just has a battle scare.
 
bigger lock-down lever

bigger lock-down lever

does anyone know if you can put a bigger lock-down lever, particularly for the tilt, on this head? it's kinda small and somewhat of a pain to work with the tiny thing if you're moving a lot and working fast. seems like a giant one, maybe three times the size in all directions, would work better for me. le'me know if anyone still looks at this thread.
 
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