FS7: Lightweight Tripod for Bigger Cameras?

Joshua Milligan

Joshua Milligan

Well-known member
I come from a DSLR background, so my current tripod setup is a Manfrotto 755XB with a 502 head. I find that with my new FS7 the tripod just barely can handle the weight and the head isn't the smoothest. This setup is rated at 15.4 lbs and my camera rigged out with a long lens weighs around 15.5 lbs. This might explain why it just barely handles it. I'm wanting to fix that issue and am looking into newer tripods, particularly at carbon fiber ones. The one that's caught my attention is the Benro S8 Pro Video Head and C3573F Series 3 CF Tripod. It's rated at 17.6 lbs and weights just 10 lbs. Weight is important to me because I hike long distances to film wildlife. Does anyone here have experience with this tripod system or another tripod/head of similar weight that can efficiently handle the heavier weights of the larger cameras? I'm needing to stay under $1,000. Also, I've never owned carbon fiber legs. Are there negatives to carbon fiber when compared to aluminum, like maybe flex in the legs? Thanks in advance!
 
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Benro's are good for the less expensive systems. I have the S8 head and I wish it had a few more counterbalance settings. The new BV6 looks nice but it has a 13 lb max load
 
I went for the Miller DS20 head with the Miller Solo 75 carbon legs. A bit more expensive but a good quality tripod. Takes 22lbs and has a kind of nice pan.
 
Sachtler FSB-6 head with Manfrotto 535 carbon legs. Legs do not have a mid-spreader but if your out in rugged terrain they can be adjusted to work nearly on the side of a cliff. i.e.: two legs extended long at 23* and one leg super short sticking out at 70*.

I know this is above your budget but I can't stress enough how important having a good fluid head that can counter balance well is. I've had the FSB-8 head for 7 years, starting with my EX-1 which it was "overkill" for weight wise and then on to my heavier F3 and then F5 loaded up to 25lbs. If you get a good one you'll only buy once and you'll use it for 10-20 years. Even if you can't afford it right now find a way, you found $10K for that FS7. If your doing some long lens wildlife work you can't afford a inferior head. The Miller DS-20 is a great head too that I considered when I got my Sachtler, I went Sachtler because it has 10 counter balance settings compared to Miller's two.

Link to legs: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/556157-REG/Manfrotto_535_535_3_Section_Carbon_Fiber.html
 
Fotojorno said:
Sachtler FSB-6 head with Manfrotto 535 carbon legs. Legs do not have a mid-spreader but if your out in rugged terrain they can be adjusted to work nearly on the side of a cliff. i.e.: two legs extended long at 23* and one leg super short sticking out at 70*.

I know this is above your budget but I can't stress enough how important having a good fluid head that can counter balance well is. I've had the FSB-8 head for 7 years, starting with my EX-1 which it was "overkill" for weight wise and then on to my heavier F3 and then F5 loaded up to 25lbs. If you get a good one you'll only buy once and you'll use it for 10-20 years. Even if you can't afford it right now find a way, you found $10K for that FS7. If your doing some long lens wildlife work you can't afford a inferior head. The Miller DS-20 is a great head too that I considered when I got my Sachtler, I went Sachtler because it has 10 counter balance settings compared to Miller's two.

Link to legs: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/556157-REG/Manfrotto_535_535_3_Section_Carbon_Fiber.html
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Even better than the Miller DS-20 is the Miller Compass 23. There is a new one on ebay for sale from a reputable seller for a great buy it now price. This is Miller's smallest 100mm head. It's essentially the Miller Compass 25 but with some cost saving differences. Not many people know about the Compass 23. It is more substantial than the DS-20. The DS-20 is pretty dinky. IMO it is more for a camera the weight of the Sony Ex3 than a fully built Fs7. With the DS-20 you will likely always wish you had a larger tripod head. With the Compass 23 you likely won't. Personally, I am a Sacthler snob and the Sachtler DV 10 is about as small as you want to go for the Fs7, imo. ( the Video 10 is Sachtler's smallest 100mm head. ). Two numbers that will always serve you well: 100mm / 2.8. As in, 100mm tripod heads and shooting at an f/ 2.8.

Buying used has risks but it is a great way to save money on a tripod. I purchased a Sachtler Video 20 off ebay for less than half it's retail price new and it was in perfect condition. Arrived as promised and looked like it had never been used. You tripod is your horse. Don't scrimp on your horse, cowboy. A well built, well cared for tripod can last you your career.
 
Well I listened to the advice you guys gave me and I found the money to purchase a Sachtler FSB 8 with Sachtler TT 75/2 CF legs. Here's the link to the set I bought: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/767461-REG/Sachtler_0777_Telescopic_Tripod_TT_75_2.html

I never have gone cheap on my equipment before so I decided not to with my tripod either. I like this one because it weighs under 10lbs yet it supports up to nearly 20. It's very smooth. I'm glad I listened to my fellow filmmakers. Thanks guys.
 
Joshua Milligan said:
Well I listened to the advice you guys gave me and I found the money to purchase a Sachtler FSB 8 with Sachtler TT 75/2 CF legs. Here's the link to the set I bought: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/767461-REG/Sachtler_0777_Telescopic_Tripod_TT_75_2.html

I never have gone cheap on my equipment before so I decided not to with my tripod either. I like this one because it weighs under 10lbs yet it supports up to nearly 20. It's very smooth. I'm glad I listened to my fellow filmmakers. Thanks guys.
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Boom!.. Your set for years to come. Great decision, glad we could help.
 
Joshua Milligan said:
Well I listened to the advice you guys gave me and I found the money to purchase a Sachtler FSB 8 with Sachtler TT 75/2 CF legs. Here's the link to the set I bought: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/767461-REG/Sachtler_0777_Telescopic_Tripod_TT_75_2.html

I never have gone cheap on my equipment before so I decided not to with my tripod either. I like this one because it weighs under 10lbs yet it supports up to nearly 20. It's very smooth. I'm glad I listened to my fellow filmmakers. Thanks guys.
Click to expand...

Was going to suggest the FSB-8 but good to see you made a quality choice.

Myself i use the FSB-8 on Gitzo 3 series carbon legs. They are rated at 50 lbs and only weight 4.4 lbs so no problems with weight/weight ratio. I find the height to be perfect with tall cameras as FS7 and heads like the FSB-8.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...T3532LS_GT3532LS_6x_3_SECTION_SYSTEMATIC.html
 
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