HVX Tripod Recommendation (preliminarily settled on Cartoni Focus F-102)

M

Matt Dunn

Active member
I am a new HVX owner and have tried to search and read as extensively as possible.

I am looking for a tripod system that will accomodate the following factors:
  • Room for growth - I will eventually add a monitor, rails, adaptor, etc. to my current setup. In terms of weight, the tripod should be able to support that.
  • Budget - In an ideal world, I would like to spend around $1500 for the tripod and all required accessories. Having said that, that number is a bit flexible and quality will prevail over cost (within reason :D ).
  • Ease of use - Generally, I am looking for something that is going to be fairly simple to set up and use. That may sound dumb, but I am new to filmmaking and while I would like to have something that is stable and professional-grade, I also need something that is going to be easy for me to use. I assume that all of these are relatively easy to use so, again, this might be a dumb one.
Having said the above, it seems like something that fits the budget and the requirements is the F-102 system. I was wondering if folks out there have thoughts on this, or whether they would recommend that I look at something different/better that fits the above bill.

Thanks for all the help.

-Matt
 
What do you mean by "for the tripod and all required accessories"?
What other accessories? I would spend as much as possible on the tripod. A good tripod will last (almost) forever. It's not like a digital camera that you will replace every couple years. It's a major component of your film equipment and will contribute a great deal to the way your footage looks. Get the best you can afford, you won't regret it. I personally like Sachtler tripods. I would have a look at this one --> http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/383260-REG/Sachtler_0642_DV_6SB_Aluminum_Tripod_System.html (supports 19.8 lbs what is probably a little on the low end if you want to use it with an adapter etc.)

Regards,

Michael
 
cordvision said:
What do you mean by "for the tripod and all required accessories"?
What other accessories?
Click to expand...

What I was simply trying to say is that the 2k is for the head, legs, and everything else required of the "tripod system".

Sorry for the confusion.

Any other recommendations?
 
DC said:
This is the one for you:

http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=519525PKIT
Click to expand...

We come in a bit better on the price if that helps. It is a sweet rig.

http://www.spec-comm.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=290

Best regards,

Andrew Hoffman
Senior Operations Manager
Specialized Communications Corp.
20940 Twin Springs Dr.
Smithsburg, MD 21783-1510 USA
800-359-1858
301-790-0103
Fax: 301-790-0173
andrewh@spec-comm.com
www.spec-comm.com

Please visit our new online store at ( http://www.spec-comm.com/store ). New products being added daily!
 
This has been hashed out to death on DVX User, you should do some searches. BUT, I will second and third the Sachtler DV-6SB. I bought one about 10 months ago and have dragged it all over the world, sun, dust, snow, windstorms, rain and it is still good to go.

However, IMHO, the Sachtler legs kind of suck, at least on the low-end. They are not very rigid and have spreaders. I hate spreaders, they are a hindrance in any kind of outdoor, extreme situtations. I bought the Miller Solo DV carbon fibre legs, they are awesome. No spreader. They are light. The can go from touching the DV-6SB to the ground like a high hat all of the up to 63.5" and can support 44lbs. They are $649.00 which, when paired with the DV-6SB, exceeds your budget.

As far as the Cartoni, they are so so. I rented the Cartoni Focus head earlier in the year for a jib arm/table top shoot. I was not impressed. Better than a POS Bogen but not in the same league as a Sachtler.

I used to like the Vintens but their new low-end stuff are just dressed up Bogens, yech.

Buy whatever you can afford but I am a fanatic about tripods and Sachtlers are hands down the best you can buy, period. The low-line Sachtlers are now assembled in Costa Rica, not Germany but I have had no complaints with mine. Just like Toyotas assembled in Kentucky, they are just as good as the Japanese assembled ones.

All the best,

Dan
 
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