Is this a good tripod for HVX?

The 516 is actually pretty good. I have one and it handles a full 35mm adapter rig just fine. Leagues above the 501 or 503 and at least as good as the Libec.
 
my set up is just the camera, the HVX. No lens' or other adapters. Just the the 7 pound camera.

I ended up purchasing the 503hdv. It's just about all i can afford right now and it light years ahead of what Ive been using so any improvement in performance will be to my advantage.

I produce feature films.
 
We had a Bogen 501 before we ponied up and go the Sachtler.

There will be some tradeoffs, but tripods are like wine and stereo systems -- you don't know how good the better ones are until you try them.
 
If it's just the HVX200 with minimal accessories, that head might be a little too beefy. You want a head that is matched to the weight of the camera so that when you let go it stays and does not get moved by the counterbalance system. In your price range, I'd absolutely recommend the Miller DS-10 alloy system. I use one myself, love it. $949. Or $1299 if you want to go carbon fiber.
 
David S. said:
................ tripods are like wine and stereo systems -- you don't know how good the better ones are until you try them.
Click to expand...

Man, is that ever true. Just moved up to the Miller DS10 and wow what a difference.
 
I still want to see anyone using any Bogen post a clip with a move that begins from a dead stop with the lens zoomed in all of the way do a smooth simultaneous tilt/pan and end the move smoothly with no stiction, wobble or bumps. I can't accomplish that move on ANY Bogen I have ever tried, 526, 519, 516, 503, 501 but I can do it on any Sachtler, even the DV2 cheap one.

I don't think many Sachtler/Miller/O'Connor/Panther owners are snobs about tripods, I have just never encountered a Bogen that can do the above move perfectly and I can with a Sachtler or any of the other three brands. To me, if you are investing in camera support, why not buy a system that will outlast your next two or three cameras?

Dan
 
puredrifting said:
I still want to see anyone using any Bogen post a clip with a move that begins from a dead stop with the lens zoomed in all of the way do a smooth simultaneous tilt/pan and end the move smoothly with no stiction, wobble or bumps.
Click to expand...

I can very definitely say I've done this exactly once and was ecstatic. Every other time has been a small piece of hell. I've never used another brand as my friends and school only have Bogens. When I eventually buy myself a nice set of sticks, it will not be Bogen, I can guarantee that.
 
I guess that I was really lucky, when I was in school, we had big old heavy O'Connors. They were sweet although they were beasts to haul around.

Dan
 
I've been following a few of these tripod threads and just bought the Miller DS20 and Solo Carbon legs. I had a heavy Mathews rig I used with a 16mm Aaton; I sold that stuff and have been looking for something for this new HPX170. I debated between the DS20 and DS10 and went for the larger one to get more mass but now I think the DS10 would be plenty for my 5 lb HPX. I went for the Solo legs because of their light weight but now I'm thinking heavy and stout may be better unless you're hiking . The miller fluid head has considerable drag even with drag fully off, and you may need to keep a hand on the legs if you try a fast pan (I know, don't do that), or you can lift a leg. I recommend hanging a small sandbag from it when you're working inside. There is some torsional twist from the legs when extended out. so, If you're looking for something to use for your indie feature get a tripod with stout, double frame aluminum legs with a spreader, even for a light camera.

The Miller head head moves smoothly, but I wish I could take a little more drag off of it. And I would like a closer tolerance between the camera plate and its base before locking down. But it does lock down tight. Looking at the plate locking mechanism, some of the parts looks flimsy, so I hope Miller service is easily available in the states. But if you don't have the Sachtler money seems like a decent rig with above caveats in mind.

my 2 cents
 
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