Help: choose a tripod for AF100

S

Sana

New member
Hi everyone!
I'm an italian video-maker, and I'm here to ask for some help!
Soon I'll buy AF100 with some other stuff for a total weight of 2-3kg (more or less); now...I have to choose a tripod and an head...but really don't know how!
Any advice, please? =P
My budget is 1.000€ (about 1400 $)
Thanks!! =))
 
I use Miller SOLO VJ sticks with a Cartoni Focus head. It's a bit overkill, but I use it with other camera's too. The weight and price isn't too bad either. The Miller sticks are top notch.
 
Italian Eh? Manfrotto should be the obvious choice. Just go with large 100mm bowl two stage legs and head big enough for your setup.
 
I'm happy with the 504 kit so far. Tiny bit of spring back in some situations, but that's to be expected in this price range.
 
Brian@202020 said:
I use Miller SOLO VJ sticks with a Cartoni Focus head. It's a bit overkill, but I use it with other camera's too. The weight and price isn't too bad either. The Miller sticks are top notch.
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I'v just bought that set up...very nice
 
I'm using a Cartoni Focus setup. It's a bit out of your budget, and a bit of overkill for a simple AF100 setup, but if you start rigging out your camera you may find that you will want a heavier-duty head. For example, I just picked up a cinema lens, a Zeiss 22-154, and the lens itself weighs eight pounds, putting the total weight of my camera, follow focus, lens, and nano at about 14 pounds or so. Within the range of the Focus head (22 pounds) but at the very limit of something like a 504.

On the other hand, if you're going to be using the AF100 as-is, with a Lumix lens, then that's a three- to four-pound package, and easily within the range of a smaller inexpensive head like the 504. So it really depends on how big you plan on building up, and if you want to accomodate the future or deal with today.
 
Barry_Green said:
Within the range of the Focus head (22 pounds) but at the very limit of something like a 504.
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FWIW a few months ago a Manfrotto rep told me their working on a heavy-duty version of the 504 that would be better suited for REDs, etc.

Regards,
Bern
 
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If you want to have the option of also uing your tripod for a camera crane, track dolly, cineslider etc down the road... then go with a Kessler Crane tripod and head. It's built like a tank so its hard to transport but if you can deal with that, it's fantastic.
 
I was having this same debate last week, deciding between the manfrotto 526 or something more expensive. In the end, I found a great deal on a used Sachtler video 20p. My opinion is, a good tripod, like a sachtler or o'connor or cartoni or miller, is a piece of equipment will outlast the af100.
 
Thanks to everyone for your answers!
Now...reading about Cartoni Focus Kit I see that the price is nice but the tripod is always very low in max height.
I'm looking for something with a max height about 180cm...so if I buy a Cartoni Focus head with some other legs? What do you think?
I don't care about the weight of the legs, the important thing is the stability (I mean it's not importan if legs are heavy to transport so I don't care so much if the legs aren't made with carbon fiber or similar).
I find Cartoni Focus head for € 552,00 (780$) VAT included...it's a good price?
Sorry for so many questions but in past I worked with a very cheap tripod (not mine) and now don't want repeat the same, horrible experience =P
 
Exactly Sana. If I saved all the money I spent starting out with lower grade tripods and working up over the years I'd have saved enough for the Miller Compass 15 head on Solo CF sticks, I now tote around. Surprisingly I found the carbon fibre version not that much lighter than the aluminium, but much more stable.

Miller are made 20mins from me here in Artarmon, I got the tour. There's 75yrs experience in that outfit and it shows, not only in their products but in their attitude to customers, new and old. They showed me how not to overtighten the twist locks, use the Solo as a monopod and a good tip, once you establish your comfortable working height, measure out and mark the lower legs for fast setups.

Cameras come and go, but a great tripod will last a lifetime.

Cheers.
 
Sana overall theres some excellent options from Cartoni, Vinten, Sachtler, Miller, O'conner. Im not a fan of Manfrotto until you get to the 526 heads - personal opinion.

Also agree with George that quality tripods last - so Id seriously look at what you want (a little higher priced than your budget) and see if you cant get one used so it fits your budget.

My ten year old vinten vision head is still fantastic.
 
Raster said:
Exactly Sana. If I saved all the money I spent starting out with lower grade tripods and working up over the years I'd have saved enough for the Miller Compass 15 head on Solo CF sticks, I now tote around. Surprisingly I found the carbon fibre version not that much lighter than the aluminium, but much more stable.

Miller are made 20mins from me here in Artarmon, I got the tour. There's 75yrs experience in that outfit and it shows, not only in their products but in their attitude to customers, new and old. They showed me how not to overtighten the twist locks, use the Solo as a monopod and a good tip, once you establish your comfortable working height, measure out and mark the lower legs for fast setups.

Cameras come and go, but a great tripod will last a lifetime.

Cheers.
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How does the miller compass 15 head go when paired with the AF? That's actually the head I am looking at, at the minute.
 
Matthew, I don't have the AF but if it's within the weight capacity of the Compass 15 (9kg-19.8lbs) it'll be great.

But I read somewhere years ago, to get the correct head payload capacity, you should double the camera weight and go from there.

Cheers.
 
I am a big believer in miller, you really can't go wrong.
I've used manfrotto tripods about a dozen times and I'd never recommend them. I don't know if it was just bad luck but the sets i used were very poor products.
 
EndCredits said:
I am a big believer in miller, you really can't go wrong.
I've used manfrotto tripods about a dozen times and I'd never recommend them. I don't know if it was just bad luck but the sets i used were very poor products.
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What miller head are you using ATM?
 
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