Other: FX9 New User Looking For Recommended Fluid Heads - Thank you!

[nsoltz]

Back to topic. We're all a little edgy these days.

To the OP, I understand the financial considerations and, as I said, it's your money I'm spending. But say no to Benro. I have one sitting around here that I would use for a still camera when I basically just need to hold it in place or move it to change a shot. But to be a little testy and a little blunt, if you're asking experienced working professionals for free advice, well that's our advice. Don't skimp on heads and sticks. I had a terrific Sachtler 18 once that I picked up on eBay. It looked like it had been dragged through the wars but worked perfectly for several years. And with a piece like a Sachtler, Miller, Cartoni, Vinten you can have them serviced or rebuilt. That's our advice.

 

[puredrifting]

Do you find the ProMediaGear sticks that I have (TR 424L) lacking as well? They're top tier sticks IMO, and I'm happy to pick up that 75 and 100mm bowl adapter and throw on a big boy head like the stuff you mentioned above. I'm already deep into my search for a Sachtler so I'm definitely putting up a big budget for the investment. Hoping it pays itself forward with a big up front solid purchase. Thank you!

Honestly, I've never heard of this brand. Are they Chinese knock offs of something? I think you should buy the Sachtler FlowTech legs, they are by far the best on the market. If your legs are heavy duty, stiff and have minimal backlash with high torsional rigidity, they're fine. If you have at least ok legs, the head matters much more.

 

[puredrifting]

Honestly, I've never heard of this brand. Are they Chinese knock offs of something? I think you should buy the Sachtler FlowTech legs, they are by far the best on the market. If your legs are heavy duty, stiff and have minimal backlash with high torsional rigidity, they're fine. If you have at least ok legs, the head matters much more.

FWIW, and this is my opinion, I've owned the Sachter Video 18 and 20s and my main rig these days is the DV6 SB paired with the Miller Solo DV carbon legs.

1. Video 18-20 are probably the most popular, best 100mm Sachtler heads out there overall. But they are kind of large and heavy, although for a rigged out FX9, they would be the sweet spot. I ran the loaded up FX9 on my DV6 SB which maxes at 19.6lbs and is a 75mm head, it was marginal. 100mm is necessary for your camera.
2. No offense to those who own them but as a 20+ year Sachtler user, IMHO, the FSB heads are substandard when compared to the DV SB and Video series. Sachtler and Canon have both loaned
me the FSB8 and 10 for camera reviews where I wasn't even reviewing the tripod, it was to support cameras I was reviewing and the feel and construction of the FSB heads is more plasticky and the
tilt mechanism, in particular, was steppy and had small imperfections that my DV6 SB doesn't have. The side plate covers on the FSBs are plastic versus metal on my DV6 SB and the overall feel of the panning and tilting was sub par in comparison.
I would rate the FSB as better than the ACE line but not as good as the DV. Sachtler is still making the DV12 SB and the DV15 SB new, B&H has the 12 SB on sale right now at $800.00 off, $2,895.00, a pretty killer deal. It holds 31lbs
while the DV 15 SB holds up to 35lbs at $4,600.00, making the 12 the superior value.

I would hunt for a nice clean used Video 18 or 20 head and pair it with the FlowTech legs, if you can spend that much? If not, the 12SB is a really nice deal right now too, you could probably fine a nice clean set of 100mm used legs at a screaming deal right now too.

 

[LennyLevy]

The hands down best deal on a used head used to be a Sachtler "Caddy". They were an older model of the Scahtler 18 that was rebranded when Sachtler needed a lower priced head to compete with Vinton. They are in everyway exactly the same as a Sachtler 18 but people didn't know what they were and so amazing deals can be found on the used market. I got mine over 15 years ago for an unbelievably low price ($1000 with a Sachtler Hot Pod legs on the marketplace here) and its never given me any problems. Unfortunately the old Sachtler line is no longer supported by sachtler parts so if you find a Caddy or an old Sachtler it may not be serviceable. Still might be worth it for the savings as they are great heads and workhorses. A good Caddy is a great 100mm head.

I would BTW be very wary of most Manfrottos as all of the ones I've seen except their heaviest will give you a little back pressure at the end of a pan. Totally worthless IMHO. I don't understand how they can sell the damn things. I've heard mixed reviews about the Saacade knockoffs from China. (Sachtler knockoffs). Some people love them and others say parts break and they are impossible to service. The price is great though.

 

[daniel.in.la]

Honestly, I've never heard of this brand. Are they Chinese knock offs of something? I think you should buy the Sachtler FlowTech legs, they are by far the best on the market. If your legs are heavy duty, stiff and have minimal backlash with high torsional rigidity, they're fine. If you have at least ok legs, the head matters much more.

Chinese? Hardly...:happy:

https://www.promediagear.com/TR424L...-Fiber-Tripod-w-42mm-diameter-legs_p_253.html

They are highly rated on B&H and all the majors. I get you haven't heard of them and don't think I should skimp, but the price reflects I'm not looking to skimp at all. They're solid and will go up against any brand and more than hold their own for USA build quality. Anywho, thank you for the kind and 'free' advice, and since I've been making conscious spending decisions, albeit high dollar ones, I already ordered the 75 and 100mm bowl adapter for my sticks to add a beefy head, along with one that is more travel friendly. Sachtler all the way and I'll be getting two for multi-use cases.

 

[Doug Jensen]

The hands down best deal on a used head used to be a Sachtler "Caddy".

Yes, the Caddy is an excellent choice. I also bought one on eBay more than 18 years ago dirt cheap and it has served me very well for all my b-cameras and my second Betacam package that I would rent out. It is still going strong and is a good match for a fully-rigged FS7 or FX9.

My main setup, however, is an O'Connor 1030D with 35L carbon fiber legs. They have been serving me for well over 20 years now. Expensive at first? Yes. But that they have provided superior performance for two decades and are still going strong. That is great ROI. You have to look down the road and plan for future needs not just try to squeek by for today's needs.

 

[OnSet]

Unfortunately the old Sachtler line is no longer supported by sachtler parts so if you find a Caddy or an old Sachtler it may not be serviceable. Still might be worth it for the savings as they are great heads and workhorses.

Yes, the repair issue makes the older heads less appealing. A little while back the quick release spring assembly broke on one of my old (100mm) Sachtlers. Part no longer available. They offered me an updated part option for the quick release assembly -- for ~$800. My local repair shop estimate was about the same. I turned them down and eventually found a used workaraound part on Ebay for $100. - but the tripod was out of commission for a few months until I found it...

 

[LennyLevy]

If you want to take a chance I've seen old Sachtler panorama 7x7 heads going very cheap and if they're in good shape they are still very good heads. Similar to an 18 as i recall.

 

[morgan_moore]

Hi

Ive not read everything but here is my take.

Ive an FS7 which I use both 'naked' and built up

Ideally you need two tripods!

I have
miller solo and sachler cine legs

and a miller arrow 25 head (which is not always ideal being too big for a 'lite' build, but it is what I have)

Simply if you have to move with the camera solo, all day and the build of the camera is small you probably want something like the legs you have or miller solo legs mixed with a 75bowl head (check the RRS heads - pricey but made for that

And when you have an assistant and are not climing up a mountain, but may be using bigger lenses, monitors and batteries you will want some chunky legs with a spreader and 100m bowl and a head like the miller arrow 25 or the satchler video 18.

 

[puredrifting]

Chinese? Hardly...:happy:

https://www.promediagear.com/TR424L...-Fiber-Tripod-w-42mm-diameter-legs_p_253.html

They are highly rated on B&H and all the majors. I get you haven't heard of them and don't think I should skimp, but the price reflects I'm not looking to skimp at all. They're solid and will go up against any brand and more than hold their own for USA build quality. Anywho, thank you for the kind and 'free' advice, and since I've been making conscious spending decisions, albeit high dollar ones, I already ordered the 75 and 100mm bowl adapter for my sticks to add a beefy head, along with one that is more travel friendly. Sachtler all the way and I'll be getting two for multi-use cases.

Thanks for the link. Those legs actually look similar to the 100mm Carbon Miller Solo VJ legs so you are probably fine. If you can pair those with a Video 18, Caddy or a new DV12 SB, I think you'll have a pretty kick ass setup that should last you for decades. The FlowTech legs are better than those or my Millers but that's more $$ and not as important as the head. The Millers and I assume your ProMedia Legs work great, it's just that they are slow to deploy and put away whereas the FlowTechs are amazingly fast.

 

[daniel.in.la]

Thanks for the link. Those legs actually look similar to the 100mm Carbon Miller Solo VJ legs so you are probably fine. If you can pair those with a Video 18, Caddy or a new DV12 SB, I think you'll have a pretty kick ass setup that should last you for decades. The FlowTech legs are better than those or my Millers but that's more $$ and not as important as the head. The Millers and I assume your ProMedia Legs work great, it's just that they are slow to deploy and put away whereas the FlowTechs are amazingly fast.

Yeah the extra convenience the FlowTechs offer are stellar. I'll look at them down the road, but for now I'm gonna get my first setup going with the PMG legs and a couple of different heads. I bet we'll be seeing a massive uptick in used gear for sale from studio and production clearouts. Hopefully some solid stuff pops up soon! It's a bummer that those affected have to let their stuff go though...

 

[Liam Hall]

Hi

Ive not read everything but here is my take.

Ive an FS7 which I use both 'naked' and built up

Ideally you need two tripods!

Yup.

My lightweight set-up is Sachtler FSB-8 with FlowTec legs. Superfast and light. My heavy-duty set-up is over 11KG of fine Chinese engineering.

The FlowTech legs are better than those or my Millers but that's more $$ and not as important as the head.

Tell that to my back...