Fluid head recommendations

H

Harry Lime

Well-known member
I just got an F3 and am starting to put together the rest of my package.

I have an OConnor 100, but it's a little overkill for the F3, which obviously is far too lightweight for a head that was designed to support a 100 lbs Mitchell or similar camera...


So, what can people recommend? I'm looking at both cost effective heads (sub $1000) and the usual suspects. New or used is ok.

Is anyone out there using the old OConnor 50 or is a decked out F3 still not heavy enough to work properly on something like that?

What is the average weight of an F3 with baseplate, rods, follow focus, small monitor, batteries, Samurai or similar?


Thanks,

HL
 
We got the Sachtler Video 18 S1 for our F3 setup and have nothing but good things to say about it. It's smooth and robust but the best part really is the wide variety of payloads it can balance. It's one of the first heads that can actually balance a small dslr and with a simple twist of the counter balance knob you can throw your fully loaded F3 setup on it. I have a feeling that this head is going to serve us for a very long time. We own couple of sub $1000 manfrotto/bogen heads and I don't have too many good things to say about them :/ I've learned that good fluid heads aren't cheap but you just have to think it as an investment.
 
Thanks, but the Sachtler Video 18 S1 is a $5000 head.

This is for an independent feature, so we need to strike a balance between "the best" and "this may not be the latest and greatest, but it works perfectly fine and won't break the bank.".

Perhaps an older model?
 
I understand and yes you really should look for a used Sachtler head from ebay. I've also heard some good things about the Miller Compass heads. Compass 15 for example is 1300$. Not sure though how it will handle the F3's payload. I think your best bet is trying to find a good condition used "bigger" head.
 
Manfrotto 509HD. I like it a lot. It supports 14 kg (i.e. double of my rig weight with f3, ext recorder, ff, etc.)
Give it a try if you can
Best,
Diego
 
I researched this and decided on thhttp://www.varizoom.com/product-p/vzfh100.htme Varizoom head which is $799 and handles over 22 lbs and has been great. They also make a carbon fiber tripod which is fantastic at about the same price. You should really check it out. Works great with the F3 and a V-mount plate.

http://www.varizoom.com/product-p/vzfh100.htm
 
TimurCivan said:
Oconnor 50 all the way.... Smoothest pan for the money you can get.
Click to expand...

Interesting. I was looking at a fully refurbished OConnor 50, but was worried that the F3 with rig would not be heavy enough. My F3 is on the way, but it seems like a rig is about 8-10 lbs? How is that working out for you? From what you said pretty good.



I have the OConnor 100 and the F3 would be farcical on that head...
 
I was going to buy one too and backed off for the same reason. I read the tilt spring on the 50 is fixed tension, my full rig can weigh up to 20lbs but that's only 20% of it's capacity and stripped down it is half that. What would you say is the minimum working weight TimurCivan?
 
I recently found an excellent price on eBay on a Sachtler 15P. Maybe 5-7 years old and a bit nasty cosmetically. But works perfectly. And Sachtler still services that model in case something goes wrong. Note that advertised maximum weight is only one factor in selecting a head. There is also the matter of center of gravity to keep in mind and that affects maximum weight. And, as I discovered with a Sachtler FSB-8 weight is one thing but the F3 really needs at least a 100mm bowl for stability.

Ned Soltz
 
I've personally had no issues with my FSB-8 head when using my fully loaded(body, 17-55 Nikkor, base plate, FF, Samurai, DP6) F3. My counter balance setting hovers around 5.

Ned, not challenging your assessment at all but just curious why you felt the 8 didnt cut it? I dont doubt however that a DV-10 or 12 would be 'better'.
 
I really like my FSB8 and I put an adapter on it to make it work with 100m bowls. Sachtler is way better than Manfrotto heads because you can balance all the way from a lightweight camera to a fully loaded one and pan/tilt is smoother thanks to that feature. I had my eyes at a DV10 head from Sachtler but the more expensive 100mm heads are hard to come by.
 
My FSB 8 was mounted on a Sachtler Soom system. That meant I could not use a long bottom rod but had to use the short one for tightening/loosening head. I could never get the head tight enough or, if I could, it was so tight that it was difficult to loosen in order to level the head. Net result was that the camera + accessories was so heavy that it pulled the ball down. Never felt secure. So I sold the Soom + FSB 8 and bought the used 15P. Feels much more sturdy now.

Ned
 
Ahh, I see what your saying Ned. I use my FSB-8 with Manfrotto 535 CF legs and the longer(8") Sachtler tie-down. It's always easy to tighten the ball and it stays tight, even under heavy loads. When I use my MYT Works dolly with there 75mm high-hat I have to use the stubby tie-down, it's never slipped but I never feel it's tight enough either. The high-hat legs make it difficult to get your hand in there to crank it down.
 
A great deal if you can find one is a Sachtler Caddy. Identical to an 18 but few people know what it is so you can sometimes score an amazing deal. I got mine with sticks for $1K - incredible.
 
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