lightstrum
Well-known member
Putting together a travel rig. Want light but sturdy. I love the Miller compass 15 but it is heavy and bulky. I need to mount up to 70-200 and light rig. What head? What sticks? Thx.
1DC: 1d c head/tripod suggestions
- Thread starter lightstrum
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indiawilds
Veteran
Light and sturdy are two opposites as far as tripod/fluid heads are concerned.
You can try this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/860081-REG/induro_472_101_dr_hi_hat_tripod_set.html
I don't own it. I own a OConnor Hi Hat and have the MYT slider and hi hat on order.
In some of my travels, I have kept the sachtler ENG tripod at home and have carried the hi hat with OConnor 1030 HDs fluid head. I guess it would be heavy for you. So you may explore either the induro or any Hi Hat with a 100mm half ball adapter. Ofcourse that may limit you to a lower angle, unless you find a raised place/apple crates/moulded suitcase/table to place it.
You can try this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/860081-REG/induro_472_101_dr_hi_hat_tripod_set.html
I don't own it. I own a OConnor Hi Hat and have the MYT slider and hi hat on order.
In some of my travels, I have kept the sachtler ENG tripod at home and have carried the hi hat with OConnor 1030 HDs fluid head. I guess it would be heavy for you. So you may explore either the induro or any Hi Hat with a 100mm half ball adapter. Ofcourse that may limit you to a lower angle, unless you find a raised place/apple crates/moulded suitcase/table to place it.
Erik Naso
Veteran
I have this Gitzo GT3540LS with the 75mm bowl adapter. It's solid and very light/compact. Add a light weight 75mm fluid head like the Vinten Blue or Miller and your set. Doubles as a great stills tripod as well by replacing the bowl adapter back to a plate and ball head. Only one large bolt has to be loosened.
G
Guest
Guest
I would not go for a 701, unless weight was the major concern. The head is good for it's size, but the 504 is better, and only more bulky, not too too heavy. I found the tolerances very versatile, and I was able to use just the body and get good movement. The 701 is not good for longer lenses like the 70-200. But I do own and like the 701 head.
So many good heads out there these days.
So many good heads out there these days.
Liam Hall
Veteran
Not always.
My lightweight travel rig is a set of Manfrotto 536k carbon fibre legs paired with a Saachtler FSB-8 head. Fits in my suitcase and whilst it takes a little getting used to it has never let me down.
cookinghusband
Well-known member
Any Gitzo series 2 tripod or equivalent will be quite good enough for 70-200+ 1DC, I uses a Gitzo GH2720 head for light travel, not the best if you need pan only or tilt only, but excellent when you do pan tilt together.
Also a question, many people are using the Saachtler head, but it is bloddy expensive. Why everyone is using it, how is it compare to a Manfrotto 504 say.
Also a question, many people are using the Saachtler head, but it is bloddy expensive. Why everyone is using it, how is it compare to a Manfrotto 504 say.
I use a Benro S6 for my monopod which is a lot better than any of the Manfrotto lightweight heads including the 701 and 500. But overall, it's just okay. Nice for the low cost. I'd definitely recommend the Miller DS10 or 20. Pretty light weight and great action. Not a lot of counterbalance ability, but the DS10 doesn't weigh much more than the Sachtler Ace. If you buy used, watch out for inexperienced users. Common mistake is to use the tilt or pan lock as a drag which will score the internal rotor and require servicing. I saw a few of these on Craigslist.
Jon Roemer
Well-known member
I'll second or third the Gitzo carbon fiber legs. Series 3 or 4 is what I'd recommend and then get the bowl adapter as Erik has said. I use a Sachtler FSB-8 fluid head and am extremely happy with it.
I'd recommend a quick release clamp system like Really Right Stuff or Kessler's Kwik Release (both are based on the Arca Swiss Standard and are compatible with each other.)
If you go that route Really Right Stuff makes a plate to fit a 70-200's collar/foot (Canon or Nikon.) Doing that you can balance via the lens instead of a having a heavy 70-200 hanging off of the lens mount with no support. Helps with stability especially if you are using lighter weight sticks.
Here's a blog post of mine that is a few years old but will give you a sense of the collar/foot setup. At this point I'm not using that RRS 360 deg. clamp but instead Kessler Kwik Releases (again, it's all compatible; RRS foot/plate + Kessler clamp.)
https://reallyrightstuff.com/
http://www.kesslercrane.com/product-p/kwik_system.htm
I'd recommend a quick release clamp system like Really Right Stuff or Kessler's Kwik Release (both are based on the Arca Swiss Standard and are compatible with each other.)
If you go that route Really Right Stuff makes a plate to fit a 70-200's collar/foot (Canon or Nikon.) Doing that you can balance via the lens instead of a having a heavy 70-200 hanging off of the lens mount with no support. Helps with stability especially if you are using lighter weight sticks.
Here's a blog post of mine that is a few years old but will give you a sense of the collar/foot setup. At this point I'm not using that RRS 360 deg. clamp but instead Kessler Kwik Releases (again, it's all compatible; RRS foot/plate + Kessler clamp.)
https://reallyrightstuff.com/
http://www.kesslercrane.com/product-p/kwik_system.htm
G
Guest
Guest
Anyone been able to use the RRS fluid head yet? FH-55? Looks like they don't have a horse in the race to protect, and have always been well respected in the photo world, so may actually deliver a great light weight fluid head type design.
indiawilds
Veteran
The RRS FH-55 is not in production yet. Not sure what is the issue. I guess in a few months in NAB, we will know.
lightstrum
Well-known member
RRS RS-350 available for preorder, 1695. Looks interesting, but, by the time you get the leveling plate and camera plate and sticks you are in over 3000.
Just picked up a used but perfect Miller compass 15 and sticks for regular duty.
For 4k incognito, I am going with an benro s6/acratech leveling base/Gitzo ocean traveler sticks (can shoot in salt water) combo when I need light and compact, it makes a surprisingly sturdy little get up that handles the the 1d c with LCDVFe and Sigma 18-35 for 4k shooting real nice. Fits inside a 20" international spec carry on roller w 3 other lenses, extra batts, 2 small led's, audio gear and weekends worth of clothes. Don't leave home without it.
Just picked up a used but perfect Miller compass 15 and sticks for regular duty.
For 4k incognito, I am going with an benro s6/acratech leveling base/Gitzo ocean traveler sticks (can shoot in salt water) combo when I need light and compact, it makes a surprisingly sturdy little get up that handles the the 1d c with LCDVFe and Sigma 18-35 for 4k shooting real nice. Fits inside a 20" international spec carry on roller w 3 other lenses, extra batts, 2 small led's, audio gear and weekends worth of clothes. Don't leave home without it.
Jon Roemer
Well-known member
It's about $2k without the sticks but for that price you can get a very nice fluid head (Sachtler, Vinten, Miller) which has double the counterbalance range.
I've always used RRS clamps and L-brackets for my stills work. With video and a bigger camera like the C300 I'm preferring the Kessler Kwik Release since it snaps in and then locks down. Seems to create less chance of issues when locking in.
Dave Kincaid
DVXuser Sponsor
I really like the Miller Solo legs because they are so lightweight and can be slung and carried easily. Solo legs paired with a DV10 or with a Sachtler FSB 4 or FSB 6 make a great lightweight tripod.