Asking your tripod/head opinion

shibby555

shibby555

Well-known member
I have scoured the threads here and haven't found a solid solution.

Best bang for the buck?

I have:

HVX200 with Brevis 35, flip, rails, 8" lcd, g2 pack and sometimes heavy lenses. I plan on adding a follow focus and mattebox soon too. My current tripod and head just aren't cutting it anymore.

What do YOU think is the best tripod/head solution to handle this gear and be usable on a dolly?

Let's keep in mind that spending be kept to a minimum.

I look forward to and appreciate your thoughts!

V
 
Sachtler DV-8SB with some nice Miller Carbon Fibre Solo VJ legs would be one option.

Miller Arrow 25 would be another good one.

If you buy Bogen, you will regret it. Bogens are not in the same league as Sachtler, Miller, O'Connor, Panther. Notice how all of the good tripod brands end in "or" or "er"? What doesn Bogen end in? "en"? Lame.

Dan
 
thats not entirely true. the higher end bogen heads (510 and above) are fine. but i do agree the 501, 503 products are pretty crap if you want successful moves.
 
i've got a Manfrotto 516 head with the Miller Solo CF sticks (plus a 526XB set of sticks for studio). I shoot with the HPX and HVX loaded like yours with the MB and FF. Save your money until you can buy Dan's recommendation.... Even a fully loaded HVX struggles on a $1K-1500K package. Put off buying other stuff and find the best head and sticks you can possibly afford and then tack on $1K. That should about do it. If you just can't raise the money, PM me and I'll give you a great deal on the 516. It's not that it doesn't work, I've just reached way past the limits of the head with an HPX with all of the above plus an AB brick on the back.

I missed the part about keeping spending to a minimum. I recommend taking up drawing (with a pencil) as an art form:)
 
wgzn said:
thats not entirely true. the higher end bogen heads (510 and above) are fine.
Click to expand...

Only if you have never used a Sachtler, O'Connor or Panther ;-)

I'm sorry, nothing personal, I was at FilmTools today buying some grip stuff for a shoot tomorrow and played with a 516 or 519, something like that that was about $2k with the legs. Perhaps not terrible but for the same money, no comparison. Ironically, I was much more impressed with the improvement in the NEW 501/503HDV models, they really notched them up. Still not very good but much better than the old 501/503s that I sometimes get stuck using (one of my clients owns a ton of the old 503s and I own an old 501 - I can't take a chance on the airlines losing my Sachtler when I fly)

I think that Adam C. had a 516 on the Corrado shoots with a fully loaded LEX/matte box/ff/wireless ff controller. The ACs and camera ops were not too thrilled with the Bogen-ness. ;-)

Dan
 
Go with the Sachtler SB6 or 8 (if you want to go heavier) either as a kit or matched with the Miller Carbon Solo legs.
It will fit you for life.
 
jstunzi said:
Whats concensus on Cartoni?
Click to expand...

If you mean the Focus, mid step between Bogen bogusness and Sachtler goodness. Competes with Libec, which is also pretty decent for the money, especially the LS-38.

I rented the Cartoni Focus a couple of times, personally, I didn't like it but a lot of people do.

Dan
 
rsbush said:
Any thoughts on this?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/293494-REG/Miller_1514_SOLO_DV_20_Carbon.html#specifications
Click to expand...

I have those legs, love them! The Miller heads are good, I have only used them once but they are not bad at all. I like Sachtler better, I have the DV-6SB on those same legs but my rig cost another $1,000.00 above this one.

You might want to also look at the Sachtler Soom system, it's new and is very very versatile but the system you have picked here is great as well.

This system you are considering is heads and shoulders above any Bogens or Cartonis IMHO.

Dan
 
Another vote for the DV6SB. Cartoni focus also comes with good reviews but I am glad I spent the extra for the Sachtler.


Jason
 
I just bought the sachtler SB6 head with carbon sticks and I must say it works AWESOME with the stock HVX200/HPX170. When I put my letus, follow focus, zacuto rails, mattebox and moniter on there, you are cutting it really close. The reason I got the SB6 was because it was the best thing I could afford at the moment, and I love sachtler. If you can afford it go with the sb8 and you probably wont regret it at all. I will be upgrading as soon as the money is right for me.
-Jon
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top