Newbie tripod head questions!

G

Gogu

Well-known member
Hello.

I'm planning on buying a tripod system (legs and head) but i'm quite new to this thing and i don't want to make a bad investment.

First of all it should be able to easily hold up an EX1 with adapter, zoom lens, rails, mattebox, maybe some V-mount batts and a monitor and maybe even a heavier rig in the future.

I've been looking at the Sachtler heads and the DV 8 SB seems like a good decision. Is it ?

What makes a good tripod head ? What should i be looking for.
Is the Sachtler head a fluid one ? I read in another post that a head from Miller was a fluid one but the drag controls were friction type ones....how does that work ?:undecided What's the difference between this type and a true fluid one?

What about counterbalance ? Does the Sachtler head have this option. How is counterbalance done in this heads, by sliding the plate or some other way ?

After i buy such a head is there any other accesory i must buy ? On the accesories category the Sacthler has an army of accesories which all look about the same to me :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG) .

What legs should i pair it up with ? Do I need to be aware of any other problems when looking at what to buy or any expensive leg is OK ?

Finally a Zacuto baseplate for example fits on top of the plate of the tripod head right ?

thanks in advance!
 
SEARCH.....:thumbsup:
There's a lot of great info in the Tripod FAQ stickie...seriously....check it out..!

 
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Gogu,
Sounds like you need o visit a specialist Gear supplier, let your budget make the decision is what i do on most purchases.
I run a Vinten Vision 11 system, it's very nice and not too expensive, plus I have some Millers as back ups. Sachtler was out of my price/needs range.

Cheers
Tom K
olinevideo.com.au
 
Just go get yr DV8 sb with miller or gitzo solo legs. A tripod is a long term investment , your camera will be obsolete by next NAB but a good lens, a good tripod will be with you for a long long time.

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I'm a big fan of the Miller Arrow Series. Arrow 30 will set you back about 2500. I use mine with Miller Solo Legs. I tested everything in that price range and found the Miller to be a true fluid head, meaning it uses fluid modules to regulate resistance instead of friction plates. I found mine as smooth (though not as infinitely adjustable) as an O'Connor at 1/3 the price. I worked with just about everything and my first choice is always O'Connor but they cost too much for me to own.

Miller Arrow is next on my list for smoothness. The Sachtler DV 8 is an excellent choice as well. Built very well. I personally find their tilt resistance too weak for my tastes and action a bit "spongy / springy" for lack of a better term. Many swear by Vinten and the fact that many ENG crews use them attest to their durability. They are not true fluid heads but perhaps the best example of friction head design. Again, its action doesn't suite me but I think they're beautifully built. I wonder if being a friction head it has a break in period. I own a cheapo 501 that has the smoothest action ever, but it sure wasn't that way when I bought it many moons ago. As where my Miller working with fluid modules performs exactly like the day I bought. No improvement.

If you've a place that sells gear - test it. The problem with rental houses is that the gear, especially tri pods are often not well taken care of, especially places that rent primarily to ENG or Reality crews - just too many hours. I find rental houses that cater more to film crews have better maintained tripods. I just did a job today with a Sachtler Video 25 which should be an excellent tripod. But the one delivered to us was horrible in every respect. So often bad opinions about gear are formed from badly maintained gear.
 
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