What tripod is everyone using with their HVX200

ed 209 said:
The Dynatran 9903 is what it is--a $400 tripod. It is in no way on par with a $4K Sachtler 18 or a Vinten 10 or 12 no matter what review says. They may name drop equipment like Ikegamis, BVV-5's, Arriflexes, etc. but they don't fool me. The Dynatran doesn't even have the features those heads have. There is no way to change the drag, the counterbalance is only on or off and the bubble isn't even illuminated. Me thinks some of those reviews are from shills.
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to ED 209...Wow, didnt think someone would be that nasty over me being excited over my new piece of gear. i was only saying i got a really nice tripod for way less than MSRP and what they normally sell for. and, what $400 tripods have you been using that even compare to the solidness of the dynatran!? its rated up to 23 lbs, has rock solid legs with included spreader and gives incredibly smooth pans and tilts with my hvx on rails and with 35mm adapter. ive never seen an under $1000 tripod that even compares to the 9903's level of quality. Oh, and you CAN adjust drag and tilt.
 
jake stutheit said:
to ED 209...Wow, didnt think someone would be that nasty over me being excited over my new piece of gear. i was only saying i got a really nice tripod for way less than MSRP and what they normally sell for. and, what $400 tripods have you been using that even compare to the solidness of the dynatran!? its rated up to 23 lbs, has rock solid legs with included spreader and gives incredibly smooth pans and tilts with my hvx on rails and with 35mm adapter. ive never seen an under $1000 tripod that even compares to the 9903's level of quality. Oh, and you CAN adjust drag and tilt.
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Sorry dude, I didn't mean to come off as nasty. My comments were directed to those reviews and not to you. If you're happy with your new gear than I'm happy for you. But it's misleading for those reviews to say it is on par with a several thousand dollar Sachtler 18 or Vinten 10 or 12. The only thing on par with those heads is another head costing just as much.

The Dynatran head only has three levers: tilt lock, pan lock and counterbalance on/off. Unless those lock levers are used as friction drag, I don't see how you can adjust the drag. If they are friction drag, then the head is just as bad as a Miller DS-10/20.

For comparable <$1K tripods, I would say check out the Libecs. Personally, I would rather spring for a Vision 3 and get adjustable counterbalance and drag.
 
ed 209 said:
The only thing on par with those heads is another head costing just as much.
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Not trying to start a flamewar here, but to say a piece of equipment isn't as good as another piece of equipment based solely on price is absurd. What if Dynatran simply raised their price by 10x? Would that make them comparable to these other products?

As I'm sure you've noticed, everything related to filmmaking is overpriced (sort of like wedding stuff). Because of that, I don't find claims like this to be unreasonable at all - it's not like we're comparing diamonds or platinum jewelry. At the very least, I'm willing to wait for a review (written by someone we know has used products from both ends of the quality spectrum) before passing judgement.
 
All this $400 tripod talk is getting a bit confusing. Surely the tripod in question costs $1100 so it is a mid-priced tripod. The guy who bought it got a bargain by the sound of it.

Furthermore, not many people own Dynatron tripods so how can any of us who own other brands know if his tripod is good or bad?

The sole purpose of this thread was to make suggestions based on our own experience so the original poster (and others) can get an idea of what to buy.

So, on that note, you should buy miller solo legs because - as I said previously - they make a 'woosh' sound when you release the locks. Which is very cool. So cool in fact, that when I released the MILLER legs in a pub, the barmaid (who was hot) came over and asked me about it.

I feel sure that wouldn't have happened if I was using a sub-$1000 tripod system...
 
ok, ok, ok. i didnt try to cause a controversey here. i was mainly stating to people that were hesitant about buying a $2-4000 tripod that the dynatran is so much more solid than the average non pro tripod, its worth looking into. it seems like a lot of people who mainly do this as a hobby just cant seem to fork over the cash for the REAL pro tripods that are commonly recommended on this forum and that theyre looking for a middle ground, a real nice tripod that doesnt cost thousands. I think the dynatran 9903 is that middle ground, seeing as how they are going for so cheap on e-bay regularly, and that i was completely blown away by the quality. I have used several of the mid level bogens, ie. the 503, 501, and 519, and thought that that they didnt even compare to the dynatrans smoothness and ruggedness. its definitely a different level of tripod which i now feel is an absolute must for good looking video. I cant believe how crappy some of my old shots look in retrospect. IT WAS MY DAMNED CHINSY TRIPOD! obviously its not going to be as quality as $4000 vinten or other comparable tripods, but still a step above mediocre or crappy. no, its not a cadillac, but cadillacs cost more too. its more of a honda accord. great value and functionalty albeit lacking some amenities. so there it is.
 
And... what about the Bescor TH-660???

And... what about the Bescor TH-660???

So... what do you think about the Bescor TH-660???... Can do the job???
 
Any tripod can "do the job."

The question is how well.

That's why tripods run as inexpensively as the one you mention, and go into the thousands of dollars.

It depends on what you want it to do and how well.
 
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I am struggling with the same question but than between the miller solo 1505 and a sachtler tripod. I decided on the Sachtler SB8 head with 100 mm bowl. Can anyone give me any advice wich tripod will give me the best performance using this DV 8 SB /100 head from Sachtler (money is no issue).


Take_1 said:
I'm trying to decide which set of sticks is going to be the most versitile.

Miller's DV Solo CF vs. Sachtler's Speed Lock 75 CF

There seems to be advantages to both but I don't know what the final deciding factor should be. I love the concept of the speed lock on the Sachtler for really fast setups. The Miller might be a little more flexible for odd setups though. Also, will the Miller collapse at any point without a spreader on it if someone were to back into it?

Insight anyone?
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For me money did end up being an issue. I ended up going with the complete Sachtler system:

Sachtler DV-6SB SL Carbon Fiber Tripod System - consists of: DV-6SB Fluid Head, Speed Lock 75CF 2-Stage Tripod, Mid-Level Spreader and Softcase - Supports 2-20 lbs. $2350.00 CDN

Ideally, I would have liked to go with the Miller DV Solo legs. However, breaking up the pre set Sachtler package, adding the Miller legs and a soft case placed the combination at $570 more:

DV6 Head: $1825.00
1501, Solo DV 2-stage 75mm CF $995.00
1518, Solo soft case $100.00
Total: $2920.00 CDN

In reality, the main difference between the two leg systems is in how low the tripod can go 27.6" for the Sachtler and 9.2" for the Miller. The Miller can also hold more weight if you need it, but even for a fully pimped out HVX the Sachtler is still able to take anything you are going to throw at it (44 vs 20 lbs.). For me it just wasn't worth the extra $500.00
 
Dude, I would not have gotten the Sachtler Speed Lock 75CF 2-stage legs. Those things are horrible. They flex like a wet noodle. Test it for yourself: extend the legs to normal height, grab the tripod's stop casting with your two hands and try to twist it as if you were panning the camera.
 
ed 209 said:
Dude, I would not have gotten the Sachtler Speed Lock 75CF 2-stage legs. Those things are horrible. They flex like a wet noodle. Test it for yourself: extend the legs to normal height, grab the tripod's stop casting with your two hands and try to twist it as if you were panning the camera.
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Interesting.

Every independant review I found made no mention of the problem you are talking about. Did yours have the spreader? If not that might have made it less sturdy. I don't have access to a rental to try out what you experienced. However, the supply house where I bought it from will stand behind the product if its a problem like you indicate. We'll see when it arrives.
 
Any opinions on the new Gitzo GT5540LS Carbon Fiber legs compared to the Miller solo VJ legs? http://www.naturescapes.net/store/product.php?productid=201

gitzo_gt5540ls.jpg
 
I love my Gitzo MK2 INT PRO STudex carbon fiber tripod. I have the Gitzo G1424 100MM bowl interface too that holds my Cartoni Focus fluid head on it. Works great - very adaptable to many setups and is very light.

Coincidently, I need to sell my HVX200 and related equipment, so I'll PM you to see if you're interested in the sticks and/or head. They are both brand new - been used once.
 
solo dv and ds20 head

solo dv and ds20 head

Hello fellow shooters,

I currently use the Miller Solo Dv system with the DS-20 head. Not comparing which is better than which but what works for me. I have taken great shots with this set up all over the world. To read about my travels and tripod use go to:

http://www.miller.com.au/inthefield.cfm?sectid=50&subsec=5011&ID=111

You can submit your story to if you use a Miller system.

Cheers...

Jim Kinsey
 
Just got my first "real" tripod - Libec H38 head on Miller Solo DV (aluminum) legs. The legs are amazing and light and the head is equally amazing (at least to my limited experience) especially for a $380 head! Build quality is spot on and seems to made like a tank. I also must give Libec props for stepping up to the plate when the pan arm wasnt in the box and overnighting it. BH who I ordered through totally dropped the ball on the customer service end, so I went to the manufacturer and was really impressed with them.

Jeff
 
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