Is this tripod suitible for the HPX300

C

casino83

Member
I'll probably buy the HPX300 (eg HPX301E) quite soon.

At present I already have this tripod:
Manfrotto 520 with 503 video head

Will this tripod be good enough for use with the HPX300?
 
casino83 said:
I'll probably buy the HPX300 (eg HPX301E) quite soon.

At present I already have this tripod:
Manfrotto 520 with 503 video head

Will this tripod be good enough for use with the HPX300?
Click to expand...

It will be Ok and I used that combo myself for a short time, I have now changed to libec kit as their heads are a lot smoother than the manfrotto.

Here is a recent pic of the 301 on location:
IMG_1974.jpg

The tripod is a 2nd hand T57 with an H50 head, I have two of these now and they are a good budget choice for the 301 but your present kit will be OK too.
 
The Manfrotto would probably be OK - as would the Libec - but I've had negative history with both brands in terms of durability and use during the very cold weather here in Colorado. The fluid in the heads would tend to get very viscous and it would become difficult to move the camera without a lot of force.

When looking a couple of months ago, I finally found this Vinten and it's been excellent:

Pro10_DC.jpg

Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...DC_PRO_10_DC_Protouch_Lightweight_Tripod.html

For the price, I don't know of another tripod system out there that's as good, smooth and durable. It also folds down very small and only weighs about 18 pounds with included soft case! It's a truly pro rig and has the Vinten name and reputation. I know they worked with Manfrotto on it to some degree (it shares some of the look/components), but Vinten has made it it's own by adding things like an illuminated bubble level (a GREAT convenience if you do any shooting at night or in very low light!). I can't recommend this system enough! :)
 
I've been using the 300 on a Manfrotto 503HDV head and it's the bare minimum I would use the camera on. I don't worry about it giving out, but it's barely got enough resistance to counterbalance the camera; it's really designed more for something like an HVX or EX1. Can be very hard to make smooth movements with it.

I don't doubt the Vinten linked above is a much better choice... a new head is probably our next purchase for the camera.
 
Christian m said:
That's a Re-badged Manfrotto Tripod...
Click to expand...
Somewhat true, but it does have some of the Vinten pedigree - the twist-locks on the tripod legs, the illuminated bubble level on the head, the "infinite" adjust on the tilt drag. I looked at the Manfrotto as well, this is a better combo. As for capacity, it's rated for 22lbs. and I've used it with a prompter with no issue - balanced perfectly. For what it's worth... :)
 
casino83 said:
Thank you, guys!
By the way - I also live in a cold climate, Sweden!
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Sachtler, take that from a neighbour in the west...also know as Norway ;)

You really need to take the temperature into consideration as quite a few of Libec and Manfrotto's(and the Vinten rebadged heads..) really get quite stiff when its cold. Ofcourse you often pay a premium for this, but that mean that you can get smooth pans in -30 Celsius.

You might want to take a look at some Miller, Cartoni and Vinten AS gear, but I don't have any experience with those and a lot of the rental houses and broadcasters here in Norway use only Sachtler and Oconnor(and some random large vinten heads).
 
or try your luck with a used Heiler from Germany...as good as Sachtler! Unfortunately the Heiler company closed 2 years ago.
 
Recently bought a Sachtler DV15 SB system (with quick lock legs, probably a bit on the light side for a HPX300 if you have a lot of of ass. which I don't have yet). Only used it in one project until now and it worked great.
 
We just recently purchased a new set of Cartoni Laser sticks and find that they work really well. We have an older set of Satchler SB6 sticks and head that work well also. They are a little light but are better than the new 6 series that they are selling. I found the Cartoni to be very competitive on pricing as well. I looked at the Satchler and the as well as the Vinton and found that comparable models where much more expensive. I bought mine through my local VSA in Houston/Stafford TX.
 
They look similar to the Vinten sticks the guy mentions on page 1. Again they look a little light for the work. They also appear to lack the fine adjustments that some of the other more expensive units have. They locks on the head appear to be on or off. I can adjust the pan, tilt and drag from 1 to 10. I would maybe try and find a set of used Satchler DV6SB sticks and head. They were a little more than what you are looking at right now but definitely a step up.
 
GaryNattrass said:
It will be Ok and I used that combo myself for a short time, I have now changed to libec kit as their heads are a lot smoother than the manfrotto.

Here is a recent pic of the 301 on location:
IMG_1974.jpg

The tripod is a 2nd hand T57 with an H50 head, I have two of these now and they are a good budget choice for the 301 but your present kit will be OK too.
Click to expand...

A little off subject, but what blue "shell" do you have on the camera?
Looks pretty nice! :thumbsup:
 
adeath said:
They look similar to the Vinten sticks the guy mentions on page 1. Again they look a little light for the work. They also appear to lack the fine adjustments that some of the other more expensive units have. They locks on the head appear to be on or off. I can adjust the pan, tilt and drag from 1 to 10. I would maybe try and find a set of used Satchler DV6SB sticks and head. They were a little more than what you are looking at right now but definitely a step up.
Click to expand...

adeath,

Thanks for the response. What do you mean by a little light? It is rated at 22lb capacity.

Follow up question: anyone have experience with Bogen's carbon legs? In comparison to the Bogen 545's? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...n_Imaging_536_536_4_Section_Carbon_Fiber.html
 
My Satchler is rated for the same thing but the difference between mounting my camera on it with a 75mm bowl and the cartoni at 100mm is quite a different thing all together. We spent 3 years shooting with an HVX and it worked really well on DV6SB however with a 300 and all the extra stuff (cards, batteries, headphones, mattebox, microphine and everything else) you can really begin to push the limits. There is an article on Ken Stone's site about a DP who used this setup with a 300 and the settings he used. He shows you how to make it work. I will say that for the money a used DV6SB is definitely the way to go. The issue is if you buy the new DV6 it's not rated the same way. Seems in order to get equivalent performance from the new line you have to go up to the DV10 or something and that is a lot more money. Just my $.02.

Best
 
adeath said:
Seems in order to get equivalent performance from the new line you have to go up to the DV10 or something and that is a lot more money. Just my $.02.
Click to expand...
FSB8 is rated for the same weight as the old DV6SB. I'm currently using the DV6SB with 75mm for my hpx500 since i can't decide what to buy...and ends up renting for all other use than ENG. DV10 supports 12kg.

The biggest issue are with the DV6SB/FSB8 you balance on the limit of what these heads are capable of, and 75mm sticks are not the most sturdy.

My two cents are to stay with Sachtler, Vinten, Panther and maybe Miller, tested first three brands and you can't go wrong. Yes it cost, but will outlast the camera head by many years. Cartoni may be a good budget option, but I would stay clear of Libec and Manfrotto, or at least their heads are useless for us who work during the winter...
 
When I picked up my HPX300 I went with the Manfrotto 350MVB and the 526 Head. Spec Comm and a few other places along with a few folks said this was a very nice tripod and was at a price that did not completely empty my account. So far it has done very well.
tripopd1.jpg


tripopd2.jpg
 
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