help with a tripod system

moldcad

moldcad

Veteran
Just wanted to gather (unbiased) opinion to which tripod I should upgrade to from the Manfrotto 503/525, after my EX1 with Letus Extreme & 35mm lens, Manhattan HD monitor, and the complete stuff from RedrockMicro (matte box, follow focus, mSupport and rail system) has just reached the 10 kg territory...

I have done my homework, and am now agonizing trying to choose between two solutions:

- the Manfrotto 526/350 system (top of their line head, 16 kg rating), or
- the Sachtler DV 8/100 on single stage alu legs

Now, I know that the first answers will probably be: forget about Manfrotto, go with Sachtler. But add the price to the equation, and it proves the 526 system will cost me less that half the price of the Sachtler system!

So I'd like to kindly ask somebody who actually was using, or had a chance to try, BOTH systems and can tell me authoritatively the Sachtler is worth the price premium, or that the 526 is good enough (in spite of the Manufacturer's name which doesn't seem highly regarded by the video folks).

Oh, an please don't tell me "go and borrow both, and try yourself" - unfortunately, where I live it's not that easy (if at all possible) to go places having both at display. I'm currently testing the 526 and it's so much better than my old good 503 (which I sold for quite a good price, actually), that it's difficult for me to imagine the Sachtler, while more than twice that expensive, could be more than "2x better", whatever it could mean :)

But I'm open to any unbiased opinions, and will be very grateful if you help me make up my mind (which I need to do over Christmas holiday).

Merry Christmas to all!
 
Does the Manfrotto 526 have a counter balance spring? Our older 503 head doesn't. That's one of the main reason's we're going with the Sachtler, it has a easliy adjustable counter balance spring so when you want to shoot without your adaptor you can just spin the dial to reduce the amount of spring. BTW, is there a reason you're going with the 100mm bowl? I think they are more money. Take a look at the Sachtler #0850 system (75mm bowl). It comes with carbon sticks and a soft carrying case. Looks to be a decent value. I got a price of $2700 for it. Probably no where near the Manfrotto, but hopefully it's substantially cheaper than the 100mm version.
 
Of course the 526 has the adjustable counterbalance; the specs say that it's good for cameras of 8-16kg, which made me worried a naked EX1 alone will be too lightweight for the counterbalance to work properly - but it does (with the knob turned to minimum counterbalance torque; this leaves plenty of room for my heavier rigs). BTW I understand the counterbalance works properly when the camera, when tilted either way, stays in this position without supporting the pan handle - rather than return back to horizontal, or tilt deeper - is that right?)

I can still return the Manfrotto after Christmas and buy the Sachtler SV 8 instead, but frankly - apart from those Internet forums' opinion that Manfrotto is rubbish - I really don't see why I should pay 2.5x the price...

Can someone convince me either way?
 
I've used a Manfrotto 503 head and aluminum sticks professionally for 7 years now and haven't had any problems with them. Heck, it even got dropped a full story onto concrete and didn't break! (I was VERY surprised) The fluid head isn't that great and our's doesn't have a counter balance spring, but other than that, it has served us well.
 
We seem to go through this question quite a bit. If you just need camera support, the Manfrotto is more than adequate. If you really need the smoothest possible fluid head movement, I would go with a higher priced unit like Sachtler or Miller (these two are my personal favorites). I think even with that heavy a rig you should be able to get by with a Sachtler DV-6 but the DV-8 will definitely give you more capacity.
 
Just to chime in, since I've been watching a very similar thread elsewhere!:
I'm facing a similar purchase decision and it occurs to me that some view this as an "all or nothing" purchase in terms of tripod system.

Here's what I mean: people suggest complete systems of matching legs and head. Why not split the difference if price is a concern? From my research, the Sachtler heads are pretty close to universally respected in terms of smoothness and features. So choose the head you like/need and then choose the legs. If they happen to be Sachtler, that's fine; if you can save a few $$ with a different brand, all the better.

Case in point: get a Sachtler DV6 head and pair it with Manfrotto legs (if it makes financial sense to do so). I, for one, can't see paying more for a pair of sticks just because the have a brand on them. For my uses, almost any pair of quality legs will do fine as long as they support the payload. It's the head that counts.

Gitzo, for example, makes wonderful sturdy legs. I made the mistake of buying a complete still camera package and the head was absolute crap for my use. I should have bought the head separately and then the legs to fit under it.

Also, I think you are hoping for someone to validate your decision on the Manfrotto. Why??? If it works for you, then keep it. Not to be mean, but people don't care about what tripod you're using. It's the images that matter. If that rig meets your needs, keep it and be happy.

Bob
 
nsoltz said:
We seem to go through this question quite a bit. If you just need camera support, the Manfrotto is more than adequate. If you really need the smoothest possible fluid head movement, I would go with a higher priced unit like Sachtler or Miller (these two are my personal favorites). I think even with that heavy a rig you should be able to get by with a Sachtler DV-6 but the DV-8 will definitely give you more capacity.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the answer, bu you see this is just what I mean by "forums do not value Manfrotto too high". What I really need is an opinion from somebody who desn't generalize by saying "manfrotto this ..." or "manfrotto that", but instead addresses the exact Manfrotto model in question.

The difference between my old Manfrotto 503 and the 526 I'm testing now is vast, I can assure you! What I'd like to know is whether what I pay more tan twice the price of the 526 for, is going to be on yet another (higher, of course) level of stiffness, fluidity of motion, etc.
 
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