Cartoni Focus Head Review

Just got my Cartoni focus head today/Gitzo carbon fiber sticks

Just got my Cartoni focus head today/Gitzo carbon fiber sticks

Jarred Land said:
Click Here to read the full review
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Just got my cartonifocus head with gtizo 4 stage carbon fiber sticks (thanks Christine at Abel Cinetech New York).I have had my HVX 200 for a month now and i am loving it! i am off to florida tomorrow to build an UW housing for it . I cant wait to try the camera UW it should kick butt!!
 
snarton said:
I need to buy legs too, and I'm still debating which ones. I'm leaning toward the Cartoni L502 legs (European model number is T622/2), but I'm also considering the lower priced Cartoni A304 legs. I'd like to stick to Cartoni legs to save money with a package deal and because I heard there are some issues fitting this head onto Bogen's 100mm bowls (which can be worked around). Are the T622/2 legs overkill for this weight class?
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Nobody responded to my question, so I called up Ste-Man Inc, the U.S. distributor for Cartoni, to ask them about it. I thought I'd post what I found out in case others are shopping for a Cartoni package too. I'm comparing the Cartoni F102 and F104 packages available through several dealers. Both packages come with the Focus head, but the F104 has beefier legs and costs about $750 more than the F102.

The F102 package comes with the Cartoni A627 legs. (That's the American model number. The European model is T627-2). This is a two-stage tripod with 3 tubes. It can support 110 lbs. The minimum camera height is 33.3 inches. Ste-Man didn't have the max height. Several websites list the F102 package as coming with an A304 tripod, but there is no such model according to Ste-Man.

The F104 package comes with the L502 legs (European model is T622-2). It supports 132 lbs and has 4 tubes. It has a minimum camera height of 32.8 inches and max of 56.4 inches. Thes legs are typically used by ENG crews.

Ste-Man suggested that for typical HVX-200 uses, the F102 package is most appropriate. But if you plan to use a jib on the legs (or repeatedly toss the tripod in the back of news van), then go with the F104 package.

--Jeremy
 
Jarred,
C900 or C921?
I don't know what those numbers refer to.

My invoice just says "2 stage ultralight tripod"
The $275 shipping case which is 8" too long is a B404 .

By the way I finally used the head on a job today and I loved the single locking and and sliding plate mechanism so disregard my worries above. Very nice bang for the buck.
The oversize bag and case bug me though .
I need to call the rep.
Anybody have the same problem - or maybe a different bag?
 
yes i saw that, but i'm not retapping anything, first i don't know how and second there is a reason why the thread is off, so it fits...
 
I've been a fan of the Cartoni line for years and know all the people over at Ste-man. Something you should all note is that the Cartoni legs will function just fine as long as they are treated in a respectable manner.

When I was running the camera rental department at Moviola, we got back a lot of legs from clients that had been damaged because people would force the each leg latch open and closed without pressing down on the release. This is operator error, and it means the legs will be out of commission for at least 48-72 hours for repair.

Just something to keep in mind before you lend your Focus to that buddy who wants to shoot a wedding...

I.
 
thanks Illya.. i agree, there is nothing specificaly wrong with the Cartoni legs.. they work fine, and are great quality. Some companies like Miller and Sachtler have some pretty neat tricks, but to me legs are legs and im not a field shooter so as long as they are stable i dont care if it takes me 10 seconds or 30 seconds to setup.
 
my art legs are the best i have ever used. the art system is the future... leg locks are way of video tape something i don't wan't to have to deal with...
 
Well I spoke to Cartoni. The bag that comes with the F102 ( 2 stage legs) is designed for the 1 stage legs and that's all they have. Ditto the shipping container. So both are about 8 inches longer than I need and to me just feel sloppy and oversized. I will probably buy a different snugger more convenient bag. Kata makes a smaller cross b/n a shipping case & soft bag that I may try out.
That's the breaks. Too bad I can't return the bag since it comes with package. ($140 value at B&H). Its a nice bag for light stands though.

Its still a great head & I like the legs fine.
 
Lenilenapi said:
Well I spoke to Cartoni. The bag that comes with the F102 ( 2 stage legs) is designed for the 1 stage legs and that's all they have. Ditto the shipping container. So both are about 8 inches longer than I need and to me just feel sloppy and oversized. I will probably buy a different snugger more convenient bag. Kata makes a smaller cross b/n a shipping case & soft bag that I may try out.
That's the breaks. Too bad I can't return the bag since it comes with package. ($140 value at B&H). Its a nice bag for light stands though.

Its still a great head & I like the legs fine.
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What are the dimensions of the bag?
I have a bogen 3191 tripod legs with bogen 516 head. If it will fit, I may take it off your hands for a discount.
 
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Stuart Cummings said:
Just got my cartonifocus head with gtizo 4 stage carbon fiber sticks (thanks Christine at Abel Cinetech New York).I have had my HVX 200 for a month now and i am loving it! i am off to florida tomorrow to build an UW housing for it . I cant wait to try the camera UW it should kick butt!!
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Stuart, Great info on the cartonifocus head, I am interested in the UW housing, will you let us know your progress...pictures? Thanks cb
 
mattebox?

mattebox?

Jarred,

What type of mattebox/follow focus/rods do you have on your HVX? I could not help but notice it in the final shot in the article. It's a beautiful thing... thanks, -andy
 
its a heavily modified cavision setup.. ive slowly been getting the plastic parts replaced my machined aluminum.. i shoulda just gotten the chroz to begin with.. but its actually starting to work pretty well now.
 
Is the problem with fitting the Cartoni head to Bogen sticks specific to the ART legs? I'm planning to get a Focus, but was considering getting a Bogen hi hat to go with it.
 
Barry_S said:
Nice review. I tries out the Focus head at GVExpo and thought is was really nice. It really has the feel of one of Cartoni's ex$pensive heads. I wanted to review one at the time, but the rep said they were selling them as fast as they could make them and he didn't have a loaner. For the money, I don't think you can get a better head.
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I'd have to disagree. I use a Cartoni Delta every day and have for the last 5 years. The Focus doesn't feel the same (starting with the matrial it's made of). In fact, as much as I like the Delta, for smaller cameras I've got a couple of Vinten Vision 3's with 2 stage CF tripods. I have never found it's equal for dealing with smaller cameras and a range of accessories. The all metal construction is nice as well...
 
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