AF100 Rig Weight on Tripod
- Thread starter maxusa
- Start date
Agree that every rig will be different, but there might still be weight commonality. I am guessing that lightly accessorized AF100 rigs pull 8-12 lbs (3.6-5.5 kg), midrange 12-18 lbs (5.5-8.2), heavy 18+ lbs (8.2+ kg). Common sense dictates that most rigs will fall into the light and medium groups for portability. Yes, one can put a teleprompter and other gadgetry, but then we typically assume controlled environment (e.g., studio), where we can/will take weight off the camcorder into stand-alone lighting, utility power, etc. Therefore, it might be safe to foresee most AF100 rigs to be light to midrange. Hence, a properly sized universal tripod/head shall be rated for 5-20 lbs (2.3-9.1 kg). Please chime in if this logic makes sense or not.
olof
DVXuser Sponsor
OK 20 lbs seem reasonable as I said.
Here is my standard setup with shoulder mount, IDX battery, NanoFlash, shotgun mic as well as wireless receiver and follow focus/mattebox with my lightest rod system. This weighs in at 14 lbs with the Voightlander 25mm f.95, but I have lenses that weigh that much. So it is really hard to say what is a good average for everyone. I do try to keep things light and compact.
Here is my standard setup with shoulder mount, IDX battery, NanoFlash, shotgun mic as well as wireless receiver and follow focus/mattebox with my lightest rod system. This weighs in at 14 lbs with the Voightlander 25mm f.95, but I have lenses that weigh that much. So it is really hard to say what is a good average for everyone. I do try to keep things light and compact.
Shooter
Veteran
The place not to save weight in is ..the head and legs.
Get the biggest heaviest head /legs rig you are willing to lug around.
The weight is in the engineering and the mechanisms. The mechanisms are what give you control of the pan and tilts and the weight gives you control of the rigidity/ flex and stability.
My Cartoni C20 is rated to 55lbs+ and I sometimes wonder when shooting table top if that is even enough.
The weight of the camera does not have too much to do with the rating of the head. Its about the action.
Get the biggest heaviest head /legs rig you are willing to lug around.
The weight is in the engineering and the mechanisms. The mechanisms are what give you control of the pan and tilts and the weight gives you control of the rigidity/ flex and stability.
My Cartoni C20 is rated to 55lbs+ and I sometimes wonder when shooting table top if that is even enough.
The weight of the camera does not have too much to do with the rating of the head. Its about the action.
Thanks for the points. My tripod requirements are mainly in the following categories: performance/quality, sizing, portability, and cost. Performance/quality is relatively easy--go with a leading brand such as Vinten and Sachtler. Portability is a bit tricky because this includes the kit's folded dimensions and weight. Often cost and performance (e.g., rigidity) is sacrificed for portability. I figured that carbon fiber and sectional legs can help, but this may increase cost, so must tread carefully. Sizing is important for both the low end of the rated load and maximum so that the head can balance the rig. I would love to have a tripod rated for 55+ lbs, but the cost becomes prohibitive (for me). All things considered, it seems that I would have to spend $1.7-2.5K on a decent tripod kit. Vinten Vision 5SA and Sachtler FSB 8 SL MCF kits appear to fit the description. Any other suggestions for an AF100 rig?
olof
DVXuser Sponsor
I use the Miller Solo tripods, I have a couple of them. They are very light and quite stable, and rated up to 20 lbs. The Sachtler FSB6 is also a great tripod for this size camera. The cost of these sticks and head are 1200-1500 with graphite legs in the US.
A heavier set is nice but these really work very well. I would go to a store and try different setups, before you commit.
The AF100 works very well w/o all the accessories in the photo above. I often use it w/o mattebox and FF. But I almost always use the nanoFlash, it weighs less than a lb. You can easily double the price of the AF100 but you don't have to. It is a great camera and you can build your kit as it becomes necessary, matte box, follow focus and rails are pretty low on my list, but when a shoot requires them it is great to have a set of sticks that can handle them.
Here is a more compact R&G setup:
Here is my setup on a Miller Solo w/o the shoulder setup.
A heavier set is nice but these really work very well. I would go to a store and try different setups, before you commit.
The AF100 works very well w/o all the accessories in the photo above. I often use it w/o mattebox and FF. But I almost always use the nanoFlash, it weighs less than a lb. You can easily double the price of the AF100 but you don't have to. It is a great camera and you can build your kit as it becomes necessary, matte box, follow focus and rails are pretty low on my list, but when a shoot requires them it is great to have a set of sticks that can handle them.
Here is a more compact R&G setup:
Here is my setup on a Miller Solo w/o the shoulder setup.