FS100 / FS700 Ball mount or Center Column Tripod

G

Gene Sung

Veteran
I know that video cameras have traditionally used Ball Mount Tripods because of the heavier loads, but the FS100 and FS700 are very light video cameras.

I have a Ball Mount Tripod (Manfrotto) which I bought years ago for my Eclair ACL 16mm camera (very heavy). I find it a pain to use compared to my very light weight Manfrotto 190 legs with a center column. I use a manfrotto leveler which allows for quick leveling like a Ball Mount. The lighter tripod with center column you can work so much faster than my other heavy tripod., especially with micro adjusting the height. I use the light tripod for run and gun stuff and the heavy tripod for studio work.

I like the smaller tripod so much that I was thinking of getting a larger, carbon fiber center column tripod (with leveler) as my main tripod to hold my built up / full rigged FS700 (around 16 lbs).

What do you guys think? Any of you use your built up / fully rigged cameras with a center column tripod or do you guys only use ball mount? Do you think the added weight might be an issue for Center column Tripods?
 
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This is the set up I use for travelling ultra-light as I film in mountains and in India often. I carry a Gitzo Mountaineer carbon fiber. It's very light and shrinks really small to fit in my roller pack-bag. It's about $650 but worth it. If you go this route then Gitzo are the best. Pro stills shooters all use them. I use the same Manfroto leveller.
Normal days I carry the Miller Solo and DS-20 head - still light for a 75mm ball tripod.
 
I also have the 190XPROB sticks, with the 701 head. Personally I find the legs too light for an FS700, as in a moderate breeze I get serious camera wobble with even a 50mm lens -- though I should probably get in the habit of hanging weights (camera bag) from the legs. :-/ However, my typical filming involves a lot of hiking, and at least the 190 is portable.

OTOH I tried a larger tripod -- the Manfrotto 546 -- and while it was superb, it was just too big and heavy for me to take out most of the time, so I ended up hardly using it.

But... have you seen this one:

http://www.manfrotto.co.uk/mdeve-magfibre-video-tripod-755cx3

... and a built-in 50mm half ball leveling system locked by a detachable rotating grip ...
Click to expand...

It's slightly sturdier than the 190 -- leg tubes are 4mm wider -- but not much heavier because it's CF. Thoughts?
 
I own the 755 that Atticus linked to and it's a great hybrid tripod. It does have a Center column but it also has a ball. I find it way more convenient to use over my ball mount tripod. How many times have you set up your sticks and then wanted to adjust the height differently after you were all rigged up? Not the end of the world but with a column based tripod you just raise or lower the column....aaaaand you get the functionality of a ball mount with the 755. It's a no brainer for me but that's why they make so many different types of stands, no one stand is right for everyone
 
Yes, the Ball Mount Vs. Center column is such a debate. The Ball Mount is generally more stable (takes way more weight), but the center column is so much quicker to get the perfect height, just like True North says. Ball Mount sucks for that because so often I find myself setting up my ball mount, only to realize I wish it was 1 inch higher, so then I have to re-do the whole thing.
 
vanvideo said:
You can get lightweight ball mount tripods.
Click to expand...

No argument here, but... could you maybe mention a couple? I'm looking at Man's 535, but it's already 4 inches longer (packed) and heavier than the 755CX3. Since I'm literally hiking up mountains with my gear, I'm looking for extreme lightness and compactness.

Actually now I'm looking at the 055CX3. No leveller, so I guess I would add the Manfrotto one; but it's even lighter, shorter, cheaper, and has an awesome low mode. Good review here:

 
The 755cx3 looks great except the load capacity is only about 18lbs. I would buy this in a second except I wanted to use it as a studio tripod with full rig, so it might be too light for that. You just can't win :( For run and gun, I think the 190xb work fine for the FS700, especially if the lens has IS.

I LOVE the Manfrotto's because they are the only company that makes Legs that can be taken down to ground level (4" and below). This is SO HELPFUL.
 
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