AF100+Full Tilta Rig = Need new tripod? Suggestions?

Jon Furtado

Jon Furtado

Well-known member
After using my Tilta rig with monitor and AF100, I'm finding that my Sachtler DV6 just isn't up to par with the weight. I need to upgrade to a larger rig but not something that is backbreaking to carry around since I do a lot of ENG shooting.

Does anyone have any particular model of tripod head/sticks to recommend? My camera weights about 25lbs so far. But I want to be able to add more if need be. So a combo that will hold more weight would be preferred. Plus I would really like carbon fibre legs and a mid level spreader if possible.

Thoughts?
 
I use the Sachtler SB6 head on Miller CF legs (no spreader, but love the legs).

If you want to stay Sachtler, you'd need to go the the (100mm) 12 or even 18, budget allowing, and there's Miller Solo (100mm) CF legs.

But I imagine 10 people will give you 10 opinions!
 
Even though I suppose you've probably thought this through thoroughly, but why/how on earth are you kitting out an AF to 25lbs for ENG work? Fully ready to go, mine tops out at slightly less than half that.

With cinema lenses and matte box etc, sure, dump as much as you can on the sturdiest, steadiest sticks you can afford. For ENG, maybe the rig could use a rethinking.

As to legs, the Miller CF's were always the sticks every shooter wanted when I worked news, mostly for light weight. They hoisted P2 ENG cams fine and stood up to all day/every day use, didn't even need a spreader.
 
I'm on a Tilta and I have a Sachtler 20 that is perfect, although they are expensive. A tripod is one of the few things I would buy used, if you have the right of return after checking it out. I would contact a few used gear dealers, it makes no sense to buy one new.

On days that I have a teleprompter or I am shooting extreme telephoto or macro, I am happy that I have such a heavy duty tripod.
 
Miller makes great tripods and you save a little as well. Any of the 100mm systems will work very well. The Arrow 25 100mm head has a 30.9 payload capacity and weighs 6.6 lbs.. Could grow out of it soon.
Last one you will ever buy would be the Arrow 40 35.5 payload capacity and weighs 7.1lbs.

The SOLO legs are cheaper than the Sprinter II 2-Stage with mid-spreader. Using a SOLO takes some getting used to. The SOLO goes really high and with the legs spread out it's like a high hat on the ground. Not as fast as a Sprinter II. I like the Sprinter II 2-Stage for ENG shooting. I dont have a SOLO but use a Gitzo carbon fiber mountaineer with a 75mm ball adapter. This setup is what I use with the AF-100. The Sprinter is for "The Rig"
 
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