buying a tripod...is heavier payload weight always better??

jambredz

jambredz

Veteran
ok so by the end of the month i will be getting a new tripod...either the libec rs350 ( supports up to 20lbs) or rs450( supports up to 26lbs) . I like the thought of being able to grow with my tripod as i progress..and not knowing what i will progress to in the future i'd like to safely future proof my purchase. I'd like this to be my last tripod and dropping this kinda cash on it is pushing it for me.

that said...i currently shoot with a 7d with rig weight between 12-14lbs when loaded up....is the 450 model overkill? ( keeping in mind what i said above).

Suppose I decided to just drop the camera ALONE barebones on this tripod...will i be able to get smooth movement? (or a stock dvx....i still shoot on my dvx for some things)

I favour the 450 because it goes to 26 lbs and not knowing what kind of rig i will be using in the future ( i may strike it rich and be able to shoot with a RED who knows).

Really would like some feedback from you more experienced higher end tripod users. I do not mind spending the extra for the 450 as i see it as a long term investment...just as long as what i'm currently shooting with can be used also.
(also i'm not really interested in satchlers or vintens in this price range as they support 11-13 lbs which i'm not very interested in weightwise because of the inability to expand in the future)


review of these tripods if anyone is interested
http://www.dvuser.co.uk/content.php?CID=228
 
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Provided that your camera rig's lowest and highest weights are within the range of payloads the tripod is designed for, then you should be OK.

Problem I see with the RS450 is that the minimum payload is 4.5kg or 10lbs, which means the counterbalance spring is going to be too strong for lighter rigs (e.g. camera only, no monitor etc.). The effect of this is you end up fighting the spring when you are tilting, negating the whole point of the balance system. The RS350 payload range is 6.5 - 16.5 lbs (3 - 7.5 kg), so if your bare camera is less than 3kg you will experience the same problems during a tilt.

I don't know how much of a problem this would be for you. It depends on how far off the minimum weight you are, and how much you are bothered by fighting the tripod spring.

The only tripod I have used that is good from really low to really high payloads is a Sachtler DV6SB head (superseded by the FSB-8), which has stepped counterbalance throughout the range, starting from 1kg. Sachtler's Cine DSLR head may be worth a look, but I'm pretty sure it is more expensive than the Libecs.
 
Well.....

What do you use more? I have currently an oconnor 50, with a payload of 50lbs. I've put a red on it, and I've put eng cams on it, and a 5d. Its good to be able to reach up. But remember in the future cameras are just going to get lighter. (Epic?) So you don't need a 100lbs payload anymore persay. I say use the 450, and if neccesary, just keep the base plate on the camera to add a little weight. If you ever upgrade to af100 or rent an F3 it will hold it.
 
thanks for taking the time Timur ....so in your experience the counter balance of your head doesn't give you probs when using the 5d? (is ur 5d set up rigged out?) My worry is rigging out something in the future and it not being able to handle it. Because even if i cant go RED or whatever...i def can see myself with a tricked out AF100 ( or the like) with the accessories i have now. I just dont wanna have a stock hmc/dvx type camera and the 450 being 2 much for it that i cant get smooth pans/tilts. Maybe i can just use my shouldermout with counter weight all the time to bring up the wieght. Oh and to answer your question i use the 7d rig more.

I have another question. when it says the tripod can have a payload of 20 or 26 lbs but counter balance system is 6.5-16 or 10 - 23 lbs its a bit confusing. The head can take that but the entire system can take more weight? But if u actually have a rig that is pushing the system weight...then the head becomes useless??

BTW can anyone tell me whats about the average weight range of a rigged out af100?
 
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AF100 is really light. It's about 3 pounds. So ... depends on what your rig is. AF100 with a 14-140 and a battery is about maybe four pounds total. If you use rails and a mattebox and a bigger lens, it's gonna still clock in at maybe 10 pounds total. Of course, there are cinema lenses that weigh more than that all by themselves, so it really depends on what lens you're using with it.
 
thank you Barry....do you have any advice on the tripod question? I think weighing down the rig (7d or dvx/hmc) so it will reach about 10lbs is my best bet in having the 450, so i'll have room to grow in the future.
 
Hi guys,

I have a similar question about my AF100 rig/ which payload to go for/counterbalance range. At the moment my setup is fairly basic.

AF100 (1.3 KG), 14-140 Lens (460g), and sometimes a Samurai External Recorder (690g with Batteries & HDD).

Barry mentions above that the AF100 with mattebox and other accessories will probably weigh in about 10lbs although in terms of
future proofing there is always a chance you'll go over if you end up buying something heavy like a cinema lens.

I've been looking at the two Libecs listed below. Although I'm leaning towards the RS-350M for higher payload in case I need it in future and perhaps a better head too
I'm concerned that my camera might be underweight for the counterbalance system. In which case I might be better with the RS-250M.

Here's some specs for the two tripod systems, any thoughts appreciated :)

Thanks,
Grant

RS-350M

Weight: 5.8kg / 12.8lb

Height: 81 to 165.5cm / 32 to 65"

Ball diameter: 75mmSection: 2STAGE

RH35 Counterbalance range: 3 to 7.5kg / 6.5 to 16.5lb

Payload: 9kg / 20lb


RS-250M

Weight: 5.6kg / 13.3lb
Height: 80 to 164.5cm / 31.5 to 65"
Ball diameter: 75mm
Section: 2STAGE
RH25 Counterbalance range: 1.8 to 5kg / 4 to 11lb

Payload: 6kg / 13lb
 
There's more to it than just payload weights. What do the actual tripods themselves weigh? TC is right -- cameras will keep getting lighter....do you really want to be lugging around more tripod than you need five years from now?
 
i dunno, heavy tripods are... heavy. bad for carrying, good for stability. especially when they're the only part of your rig with any weight.

i have two sachtlers; dv12 and video18. and i shoot for a pbs station that frequently sends their hvx200's out with fsb6's. yes, counterbalance spring rate can be an issue, but i'll take the heavier tripod every time for moves. i put a pair of 5dii's on both of my own tripods last week and had no trouble with either one.
 
bTW i actually ended up getting the sachtler fsb8. I got the rs450 but found it to be overkill for when I didnt have a big rig...and also something went wrong with on ont he very first shoot i went on and thats pretty bad to be dumping that kinda $ and for that to happen. So i returned it. I love the sachtler fsb8 and i can mount my 7d alone of riggd up with no probs. If i need anything heavier duty i will just rent.
 
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