Best Trpiod + Fluid Head options at a $1500 budget

A

AlexNOR

Active member
Hi guys

Looking to purchase myself a new solid tripod and fluid head combo. Was thinking about stretching it and get the Really Right Stuff head and sticks for around $3000.00, but unfortunately I had to come back down to earth and readjust my budget to about half that. With no serious dealer anywhere in my area I cannot get a good hands on the different options before buying, so I'm hoping the more experienced people of dvxuser will come to my aid.

My main concern is getting a very smoothly operating fluid head with proper drag control for both pan and tilt. Load capacity around 1-4kg, but higher is better. I prefer solo sticks, but haven't decided 100% on that yet. Speed Lock legs looks like an alternative. Will be carrying this around, so carbon fiber is a plus. Budget is $1500-ish (15000 NOK).

Here is a few that I've looked at so far:

Sachtler 0375 FSB-4 Carbon Fiber Tripod System
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/601884-REG/Sachtler_0375_0375_FSB_4_Carbon_Fiber.html
I like the Speed Lock on the legs, but not sure if I wan't these kind of legs over solo sticks. Seems like a stable but bulky and heavy alternative. No idea about the fluid head.

Miller SOLO DV20 Carbon Fiber Tripod System
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/293494-REG/Miller_1514_SOLO_DV_20_Carbon.html
Looks to meet my needs, but really demotivated by the bad reviews about poor stability and problem with no drag adjustability.

Anyone here who can help me out and come with some suggestions / recommendations? I would really appreciate it.


- Alex

*Edit: Forgot to mention I don't really like flip-lock legs and not a big fan of Manfrotto.
 
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Man, didn't someone post this exact thread this spring? Ace vs. Sachtler, solo vs. sachtler, solo vs ace, etc?

Have you searched the forum and read all the comparison posts? This gets discussed fairly endlessly around here.
 
Check out:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?336458-Miller-DS10-v-Sachtler-FSB4

I'd recommend you consider the combination of the Miller Solo carbon fiber legs with a Vinten Vision Blue head. That set should come in right about at your budget and they work very well together. Those are the components in one of my tripods, which I use regularly with an AF100 (sometimes barefoot, sometimes with baseplate/rods/matte box, etc.) and a PX270, neither of which comes close to the full load capacity of the head.

- Greg
 
Michael Carter said:
Man, didn't someone post this exact thread this spring? Ace vs. Sachtler, solo vs. sachtler, solo vs ace, etc?

Have you searched the forum and read all the comparison posts? This gets discussed fairly endlessly around here.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the reply. I'm not that often on this forum so I miss a lot of topics. Not sure if i found the thread you are talking about when I searched, but if I did it didn't really answer my question. Most of the advice is cheap tripods are crap, expensive Sachtler is good, and try before you buy. My intention was not to have a Sachtler vs Solo vs Miller or anything thread. I'm just after the opinion and recommendation from more experienced users on specific tripods and heads in my price range (up to $1500-ish).

Greg Smith said:
Check out:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?336458-Miller-DS10-v-Sachtler-FSB4

I'd recommend you consider the combination of the Miller Solo carbon fiber legs with a Vinten Vision Blue head. That set should come in right about at your budget and they work very well together. Those are the components in one of my tripods, which I use regularly with an AF100 (sometimes barefoot, sometimes with baseplate/rods/matte box, etc.) and a PX270, neither of which comes close to the full load capacity of the head.

- Greg
Click to expand...

Thanks Greg. Will check out that topic and have a look at the combo you recommended.
 
That search button up-top is your friend and keeps the bandwidth and repeats down… there are a lot of pages on the pros and cons of tripods in your price level. Treat it like google, try various terms, and if you want to skip the "you just searched a minute ago" delay, search via google (IE, "best tripod site:dvxuser.com") These days you can probably even skip the "site:" in the google search field.

And the Miller solo head is very sweet for the dollars.
 
I don't think the Sachtler's in this price range are a particularly good value, I would choose the Miller. If you can find one, the Miller DS20/25 are good bargains on the used market, Miller will still service them. All of this also depends on the camera/rig you intend to hang on it, too little camera is as bad as too much in terms of getting things balanced.
 
there is a brand called e-image that a several reputable people in town here seem to think highly of. they make fluid head tripods and have several at and under your budget, may get away with spending way less depending on the weight youre looking to support.
 
I've often bought good "expensive" tripods used. Peruse forums and ebay and you can often get a nice older Vinten Vision or Miller close to your budget range.
 
Hard to comment on tripods that I have not owned.

However, I bought a Libec RT30B tripod with RH25R head (around $800) and have been very satisfied with this.

My previous tripod was a Manfrotto 028/501HDV that I continue to use for outdoor events because of the extra reach.

The Libec combo is very sensitive (even on the second friction setting) but I suspect I will get used to it.
 
I'm a little bit late, but thanks everyone for your inputs and advice. Since I'm not in a hurry to purchase I think I'll keep an eye on the used market.

Thanks again.

- Alex
 
Cartoni Focus HD is a very good tripod head but probably overkill for your needs. What I like is that the tilt range is 180 degres (90 up, 90 down). Not every head can do this...depends on your needs.
 
Hi guys.

I ended up getting a 100mm bowl system from Cartoni. It was a bit over budget, but I figured it's going to last me a very long time.

Thanks again everybody, I really appreciate your help.
 
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