Libec/Sachtler tripod, fluid head question

B

billh

Well-known member
Tripod, fluid head question

I’m a still photographer having great fun in your video world with a GH1 . I quickly discovered that my lightweight Linhof tripod and an old cheap “fluid” head I found tucked away on a shelf needed to be replaced. I read about the Libec H22 with 75mm bowl (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/411085-REG/Libec_H22_H22_Professional_Fluid_head.html)
here and bought one. Of course I discovered the bowl head (not pictured with the head on the B&H site) will not attach to any of my tripods. I hope some of you are willing to shed some light on the questions I have. I am trying to decide whether to keep this head and buy a tripod that works with it, or send it back and buy a different head/tripod combination.

Can I use the Sachtler 4588 Speed Lock 75 CF Tripod w/ 75mm Bowl with
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/412239-REG/Sachtler_4588_4588_Speed_Lock_75.html
with the Libec H22 head with 75mm claw ball bowl?

Or, is one of the Sachtler heads a better choice? I would like like a head that allows leveling, and smooth panning and tilting is a must.

What is the practical difference between the FSB-4 Fluid Head and the FSB-6T Fluid Head? What are the differences between these Sachtlers and the Libec H22 with 75mm bowl? Do these Sachtler heads allow leveling like the Libec H22? (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/411085-REG/Libec_H22_H22_Professional_Fluid_head.html)

What is “Panasonic Camcorder Connectivity” (available with some of the Sachtlers)?

Thank you,

Bill
 
Martti Ekstrand said:
The Libec should fit on any tripod with a 75mm bowl. That Sachtler is a tad expensive, any reason why you didn't get a Libec tripod like this one? They sell them in packages with the H22 as well.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/459151-REG/Libec_T68_T68_Aluminum_Two_Stage_Tripod.html
Click to expand...

Yes, because I have never heard of a tripod that takes (requires) a bowl like the Libec head (it was not pictured this way - with a bowl attached - on the B&H site where I bought it), so it never occurred to me the head would not fit one of my existing tripods. When I opened the box and saw it, I posted a question here and someone kindly explained bowl heads and tripods to me.
My aluminum Linhof seems to transfer vibration to the GH1 too readily (this has never been an issue with still cameras), but I am wondering if there is an adapter that will enable me to mount the Libec with bowl on my Manfrotto 055XPRPB? (http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/pid/14791) I notice the video tripods all seem to have the brace between the legs - will the ManFrotto work adequately, or do I need a tripod with the leg brace?
What I am trying to figure out is if there are weaknesses in the Libec H22 head that will cause me to buy a more expensive head later, and I have the same question about the tripod. If I am going to end up buying the more expensive product in the end, I may as well do it now instead of trying the cheaper one first.
Thanks,
Bill
 
Hey Bill,
I'm using the same set of legs as you – the bogen 055XB (link). The bogen and gitzo heads and legs are interchangeable so any of them would work on the 055 legs. I use a bogen701HDV head because I want to stay as light as possible but a 501 or 503 would do just as well. There are also levelling options for the 055 legs here (link) and (link).

It gets harder when you want to use heads from other brands becasue a lot of them have different threads. You may need to buy a Libec 75mm bowl so it will connect to the head you have, then shop around for a set of legs with a 75mm bowl like this (link).
 
Bill,

As I pointed out in your other post on this subject, you can use your legs with the head, you just need the Manfrotto intermediary adapter I identified in that thread. It won't level, but it will allow you to mount it on any 3/8" tripod.

Cheers,
 
Hi Simon, thank you for this information. The leveling is very important to me, but perhaps with the leveling center post J. Davis referenced (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...Imaging_555B_555B_Leveling_Center_Column.html) I can use one tripod with two systems (video and still). Yesterday I took both a D3 with 200-400 (I use a Wimberley WH-200 Head with it) and the GH1 - an extra tripod would have been a nuisance to lug along.
I looked at the 325N video head adapter (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...gen_Imaging_325N_325N_Video_Head_Adapter.html)
and it is not clear how I can attach the H22 bowl to this. Is there enough length available to take the LiBec threaded post? I have attached a photo of my LiBec H22.
web.jpg

Does the Sachtler head have the same bowl attachment as the Libec H22? The photos of it appear to show a head that would mount on my existing tripods,
http://www.sachtler.us/index.php?id=1109&exp_mode=product&exp_pid=539&exp_cid=34
Of course the H22 is also pictured without the ball,
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=LiBec+H22+fluid+head&N=0&InitialSearch=yes
Thank you Martti and J. Davis, for your helpful suggestions.
Bill
 
FYI it's possible to remove the cup from the head by unscrewing the 4 bolts and then possibly attach a flat adapter with a 3/8" bolt hole using the 4 bolts. You'd have to drill 4 holes through it as I don't think any are sold in such a way. Doubt it would be worth the effort and cost over getting the Libec sticks though. You can buy extra plates for the H22 to quickly move cameras between it and thereby spare yourself from lugging around two tripods.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/433368-REG/Libec_H22DV2_Quick_Release_Plate_for.html

I've had the kid brother of the H22, the TH650/M20 for over ten years banging it around quite carelessly and it still works as new.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/131444-REG/Libec_THM20_TH_M20_Aluminum_2_Stage_Tripod.html

I hope I didn't sound snide. Just I'm so used to this kind of tripod construction that I didn't even think that the flat top ones are more common in still photography.
 
Bill,

The Manfrotto adapter will allow you to mount the H22 onto a flat tripod head but you will lose the ability to level it. I was in the same predicament with my Gitzo tripod which has the standard flat plate type of head for stills. Luckily, it is what Gitzo call a "Systemic" tripod and the flat plate can be removed to install a 75mm bowl, so I was all set. It is a simple matter to unbolt the bowl plate and replace it with my flat plate with my ball head.

Hope you get it figured out as the Libec is a very nice head for video, especially with leveling.

Cheers,
 
Martti Ekstrand said:
You can buy extra plates for the H22 to quickly move cameras between it and thereby spare yourself from lugging around two tripods.
Click to expand...

Martti,

For most stills shooters, a ballhead is the preferred head to use. Much easier than trying to use a pan/tilt video head. The other issue with the Libec QR plates is that they're bloody huge, sticking out way behind a stills camera. Get close to them too fast and you'll do yourself a nasty!
Drogar-KnockedOut%28DBG%29.gif


A good option is to mount a Kirk or RRS Arca-style QR adapter to the Libec QR plate and then use Kirk/RRS QR plates on the GH1 or other stills cameras.

Cheers,
 
Well a pan/tilt is easier to use for still photo than a ballhead is for video. Pick your poison :)
Libec's QR plates for M20/H22 are among the shortest btw, Manfrottos a way longer per example.
 
Thanks Martti and Simon. I ordered the new leveling center column, which will be very useful for still photography, and the 325N adapter. This should let me use the H22 head and also leveling (via the center column).
I have and use ball heads, but the primary head I use for still photography is this one,
http://www.tripodhead.com/products/wimberley-main.cfm
It is great with long, heavy lenses.
Thanks again for your help.
Bill
 
Wow, that's a cool one. Hmmm... wonder if one could stick a cheeze plate on that one and then the GH1 looking forward for dutch rolls :)

One thing you could try is mount that one on the Libec quick release plate with a 3/8" to 1/4" adapter screw. Ditto with a ball head btw.
 
Bill,

I've used the Wimberly Sidekick in conjunction with my Kirk ballhead. Gives similar functionality withouth having to go the whole hog on the big Wimberly head.

Ciao,
 
Martti,

I've seen a video version of the Wimberly design just recently in a video magazine (with Johnny Depp on the cover). Don't remember the manufacturer.

Cheers,
 
Thanks guys! The adapter and leveling center post did the trick. The smoothness of the Libec verses the old head I was using is night and day. I can see, despite the fluidity of the head, that is still takes some practice and finesse to pan slowly and a completely uniform rate of speed. Would a second handle (allowing the use of both hands to control the motion) help?

Bill
 
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