DavidBeier
Veteran
I'll put in another vote for the Cartoni Focus. It's pretty expensive at $1300 for a 2-stage (I sweated over getting it for weeks before finally taking the plunge) but I can say it is worth the cash.
Official Tripod F.A.Q's
- Thread starter mikecentola
- Start date
mikecentola
Well-known member
puredrifting said:
Thanks Dan for all the help! So far I'm SUPER pleased with the Miller legs, the build quality is awesome. Plus I <3 <3 <3 Carbon Fiber. haha.
:dankk2: :beer:
One other thought that may be worth considering is where you purchase your new (or used, for that matter) tripod. Many dealers can offer you service on the same product line you buy from them. You can, off the top, get excellent advice and perhaps even an opportunity to try a couple of different models or brands for a few days. Some of the guys in sales are really very good!
The other advantage to having a relationship with a dealer is repair. I have had occasions over the years to need repairs and have received excellent service, in part because I purchased the tripod from the same company. I have had legs, heads and other pieces loaned to me at no charge. I guess it's like the good mechanic you take your car to. He gets to know you, how you drive, etc, and, over time, can help you with advise on what to do and what not to do, and maybe even help a little on the costs of repairs. (And no, I'm not a dealer! I'm a freelance lighting cameraman...)
At some point, your tripod will need some service. The difference between having a dealer/service depot in your back-pocket could mean the difference between having a tripod in for a quick day repair, or having to rent for a few weeks while waiting.
That's my two cents.
Michael
The other advantage to having a relationship with a dealer is repair. I have had occasions over the years to need repairs and have received excellent service, in part because I purchased the tripod from the same company. I have had legs, heads and other pieces loaned to me at no charge. I guess it's like the good mechanic you take your car to. He gets to know you, how you drive, etc, and, over time, can help you with advise on what to do and what not to do, and maybe even help a little on the costs of repairs. (And no, I'm not a dealer! I'm a freelance lighting cameraman...)
At some point, your tripod will need some service. The difference between having a dealer/service depot in your back-pocket could mean the difference between having a tripod in for a quick day repair, or having to rent for a few weeks while waiting.
That's my two cents.
Michael
marco0782
Well-known member
Cartoni Focus or Sachtler DV-6SB?
Cartoni Focus or Sachtler DV-6SB?
I'm looking at getting either this Cartoni Focus or this Sachtler DV-6SB. Which head is better? I know that Cartoni has continuously variable drag & counterbalance and the Sachtler has discreet stops, but my main concern is quality and smoothness.
Also, are either of the included legs any good? I don't mind mid-level spreaders because I like sandbagging them, but if there are any other legs that you would recommend for a reasonable price I'd be happy to mix-match.
Thanks a lot!
Cartoni Focus or Sachtler DV-6SB?
I'm looking at getting either this Cartoni Focus or this Sachtler DV-6SB. Which head is better? I know that Cartoni has continuously variable drag & counterbalance and the Sachtler has discreet stops, but my main concern is quality and smoothness.
Also, are either of the included legs any good? I don't mind mid-level spreaders because I like sandbagging them, but if there are any other legs that you would recommend for a reasonable price I'd be happy to mix-match.
Thanks a lot!
Jim Carswell
Well-known member
A buddy of mine is using the Sachtler DV-8SB for his HVX. It's a nice rig. Smooth and solid. I am using a Vinten Vision 8 with carbon fiber legs and am considering switching to the same Sachtler he has. It seems smoother and the legs are a cinch to operate. Plus the DV-8SB allows for a little more weight than the DV6.
Jim
Jim
I am personally a Sachtler person and would opt for the DV-6. The Cartoni is probably less expensive and, while I have not personally used one, I have heard great things about it. I don't think you would go wrong either way. Do you have a pro shop anywhere near you where both might be on display so that you can get the feel of them? The question is often not one of which is better but which feels better to you.
Ned Soltz
Ned Soltz
Jason Ramsey
Admin
I use the Cartoni. I haven't tried the Satchler. My experience with the Cartoni is that (once properly balanced, etc) it has been glass smooth.
Jason
Jason
Patrick Forestell
Active member
I'm looking at several Sachtler Tripods on Ebay, where is the so called Sachtler "code" number ?
Thanks,
Patrick
Thanks,
Patrick
puredrifting
Major Contributor
Hi Marco:
I will put in my recommendation for the Sachtler, either the DV-6SB or the DV-8SB if you can afford it. The Cartoni is good for the money but it costs half of what the DV-6SB costs. Remember that old saying, "you get what you pay for?", well it's very true with tripods. The Sachtler just feels better to me, I rented the Focus twice and used it with a jib arm once. My boss was using the Cartoni and just did not like the feel, neither did I. The Cartoni is better than the Bogens but not in the same league as the Sachtler IMHO.
The counterbalance controls on the Focus are counterintuitive, at least they were to me, and the head has a "wet" feeling to the movement with some backlash. I think the Focus is so hyped because before it came out, the only items available in it's price range were dog doo so when it came out and was 'okay' for that cheap price, everyone went nuts. Granted, the Cartoni is a 100mm bowl versus the 75mm on the Sachtler but other than that, the Sachtler rules all over the Cartoni Focus. OTOH, if you can't afford the Sachtler, the Libec LS-38 has been getting good reviews and it's cheap.
You should buy the best you can afford. If you can afford a Sachtler, buy it, you will never regret buying the best. But if you can't afford it, the Focus or the Libec are at least decent compared to "cough, gag, splutter" BOGEN. I own two Bogens, mainly because I am too afraid to fly with my expensive Sachtler and the Bogens are horrendously bad in comparison. I have the 503 head with the 745 MdVE legs and it's pretty bad for moves although fine for interviews. I really feel sorry to anyone sentenced or forced by cheapness to have to use an amazing camera like the HVX with a POS like the Bogens. It's just not right.
Best,
Dan
I will put in my recommendation for the Sachtler, either the DV-6SB or the DV-8SB if you can afford it. The Cartoni is good for the money but it costs half of what the DV-6SB costs. Remember that old saying, "you get what you pay for?", well it's very true with tripods. The Sachtler just feels better to me, I rented the Focus twice and used it with a jib arm once. My boss was using the Cartoni and just did not like the feel, neither did I. The Cartoni is better than the Bogens but not in the same league as the Sachtler IMHO.
The counterbalance controls on the Focus are counterintuitive, at least they were to me, and the head has a "wet" feeling to the movement with some backlash. I think the Focus is so hyped because before it came out, the only items available in it's price range were dog doo so when it came out and was 'okay' for that cheap price, everyone went nuts. Granted, the Cartoni is a 100mm bowl versus the 75mm on the Sachtler but other than that, the Sachtler rules all over the Cartoni Focus. OTOH, if you can't afford the Sachtler, the Libec LS-38 has been getting good reviews and it's cheap.
You should buy the best you can afford. If you can afford a Sachtler, buy it, you will never regret buying the best. But if you can't afford it, the Focus or the Libec are at least decent compared to "cough, gag, splutter" BOGEN. I own two Bogens, mainly because I am too afraid to fly with my expensive Sachtler and the Bogens are horrendously bad in comparison. I have the 503 head with the 745 MdVE legs and it's pretty bad for moves although fine for interviews. I really feel sorry to anyone sentenced or forced by cheapness to have to use an amazing camera like the HVX with a POS like the Bogens. It's just not right.
Best,
Dan
giacomino
Active member
Hi Dan - thanks for your insight. Would the Miller tripod be good for doing ENG work around Los Angeles? Press conferences, concerts, commercials, doc's., etc....
I am on a tight budget because I am buying the HVX with mics, light, etc...I think I can come up with around 1,000.
Thanks, Jimmy
I am on a tight budget because I am buying the HVX with mics, light, etc...I think I can come up with around 1,000.
Thanks, Jimmy
puredrifting
Major Contributor
giacomino said:
Hi Jimmy:
Yes to all of the above, it is a great tripod. Problem is that the tripod is only about $500.00, what are you going to use for a head? The Sachtler head (DV-6SB) is about $1,600.00. I think the Focus is about $800.00?
Good luck!
Dan
Which Bogen to get?
Which Bogen to get?
So, here's my dilemma... I need a second head for a second HVX rig. My first rig sits on my Bogen sticks with a 510 head. It's a used 510, and there a few minor glitches, but all in all, I love 510s: durable, beatable, metal in all the right places, cheap/easy to find parts/accessories, etc. I have a second set of sticks, Vinten carbon fibers, and I want another head, thus my dilemma:
519? 516? Used 510? Cartoni Focus? Other?
The 519 is immediately appealing, based on reading that it's the update of the 510 and 505 in one head. It's in the right weight capacity for my rigs (I also occasionally have larger ENG cams in the mix). But it's not a continuous drag (7 steps - one of the issues I have with the 510). And it's a 75mm bowl - all my sticks are 100mm - does the 75 to 100mm bowl adapter create any issues? And it uses a shorter QR plate, the 3433 - is the 3433 plate compatible with the 3272 (used on the 510/516)?
The 516 isn't even a bowl mount, but you can by the bowl adapter. The 516 has continous drag, and it uses the 3272 QR plate! But it's the "little brother" of the 519, no? This seems to be the best choice - great price, but is it that much less of a tripod because of the lack of two separate counterbalance springs? Am I going to run into issues with a bowl adapter rather, as opposed to a head that has a built-in bowl interface?
I've tried the Cartoni Focus (as well as an Alpha II), and love the feel, but really don't like all the plastic in the Focus, as well as the different QR plate. I do love the continuous adjustment, it makes the tension like butta.
The Bogen 3272 QR plate is a big thing for me - I have a DVRig Pro, a jib, an existing 510 head, and a few other items that all use the 3272 (or similar sized) QR plates. The point of Quick Releases is the ability to leave them on and move them on and off other equipment quickly. So switching to a Sachtler or Cartoni QR plate in mid shoot to go from jib to tripod, (and then back), etc., is an annoying pain.
Also, I don't want to have duplicate parts for different systems with me (on most gigs I carry lots of spare/dup parts for breakdowns, field fixes, etc.). I like that many Bogen parts are interchangeable, even on different heads, sticks, etc., like pan arms. And Bogen spare parts/accessories are way cheaper - do you know what Cartoni charges for an extra pan arm for the Focus?!! They even have the minerals to try to charge you $13 for an extra 3/8" screw?!!
And finally there's the 526, which I'm not opposed to spending money on. But then we're back to the 510's 4 level tension adjustment, and it's probably way overkill for the rigs I normally use, and I wonder if it would even work at all smoothly with a quick and light HVX setup.
I'm not opposed to another manufacturer, if you have a recommendation - but it needs to be compatible with the Bogen QR plates, which as I've said, I'm committed to. Problem is, I don't know which other brands, if any, are compatible.
I know that's a lot of info to digest, but if anyone has any suggestions, please, I'm all ears.
Which Bogen to get?
So, here's my dilemma... I need a second head for a second HVX rig. My first rig sits on my Bogen sticks with a 510 head. It's a used 510, and there a few minor glitches, but all in all, I love 510s: durable, beatable, metal in all the right places, cheap/easy to find parts/accessories, etc. I have a second set of sticks, Vinten carbon fibers, and I want another head, thus my dilemma:
519? 516? Used 510? Cartoni Focus? Other?
The 519 is immediately appealing, based on reading that it's the update of the 510 and 505 in one head. It's in the right weight capacity for my rigs (I also occasionally have larger ENG cams in the mix). But it's not a continuous drag (7 steps - one of the issues I have with the 510). And it's a 75mm bowl - all my sticks are 100mm - does the 75 to 100mm bowl adapter create any issues? And it uses a shorter QR plate, the 3433 - is the 3433 plate compatible with the 3272 (used on the 510/516)?
The 516 isn't even a bowl mount, but you can by the bowl adapter. The 516 has continous drag, and it uses the 3272 QR plate! But it's the "little brother" of the 519, no? This seems to be the best choice - great price, but is it that much less of a tripod because of the lack of two separate counterbalance springs? Am I going to run into issues with a bowl adapter rather, as opposed to a head that has a built-in bowl interface?
I've tried the Cartoni Focus (as well as an Alpha II), and love the feel, but really don't like all the plastic in the Focus, as well as the different QR plate. I do love the continuous adjustment, it makes the tension like butta.
The Bogen 3272 QR plate is a big thing for me - I have a DVRig Pro, a jib, an existing 510 head, and a few other items that all use the 3272 (or similar sized) QR plates. The point of Quick Releases is the ability to leave them on and move them on and off other equipment quickly. So switching to a Sachtler or Cartoni QR plate in mid shoot to go from jib to tripod, (and then back), etc., is an annoying pain.
Also, I don't want to have duplicate parts for different systems with me (on most gigs I carry lots of spare/dup parts for breakdowns, field fixes, etc.). I like that many Bogen parts are interchangeable, even on different heads, sticks, etc., like pan arms. And Bogen spare parts/accessories are way cheaper - do you know what Cartoni charges for an extra pan arm for the Focus?!! They even have the minerals to try to charge you $13 for an extra 3/8" screw?!!
And finally there's the 526, which I'm not opposed to spending money on. But then we're back to the 510's 4 level tension adjustment, and it's probably way overkill for the rigs I normally use, and I wonder if it would even work at all smoothly with a quick and light HVX setup.
I'm not opposed to another manufacturer, if you have a recommendation - but it needs to be compatible with the Bogen QR plates, which as I've said, I'm committed to. Problem is, I don't know which other brands, if any, are compatible.
I know that's a lot of info to digest, but if anyone has any suggestions, please, I'm all ears.
monkeyking
Well-known member
I've got Sachtlers for my bigger ENG cameras, but Bogen 510 and 519 heads for the smaller cameras. I use the 75/100 bogen bowl adaptor to fit the 519 on my sachtler sticks. Works fine and I can still level the ball head.
510 & 519 use different incompatable plates, but I got a bogen QR assembly that I leave on the 510 so I can use the same 519 plate on both heads.
519 does have more adjustments than 510 - i n addition to the click stop adjusttable drag, there is a tension knob for fine tuning your drag that is not on the 510.
That said, I personally prefer the feel of the 510 over the 519. I leave it in the lowest settings and it feels more like my Sachtlers. Go figure, but I wouldn't mind replacing the 519 with the discontinued 510.
Never played with 526 or 516, but 501/503 don't feel good at all.
Having had extensive sachtler experience, I think the higher end bogens work just fine. Best bang for buck. Parts are readily available and much cheaper than sachlter. Buy the bogen 75/100 bowl adapter, it's much cheaper than Sachtler's and it's just a metal ring.
510 & 519 use different incompatable plates, but I got a bogen QR assembly that I leave on the 510 so I can use the same 519 plate on both heads.
519 does have more adjustments than 510 - i n addition to the click stop adjusttable drag, there is a tension knob for fine tuning your drag that is not on the 510.
That said, I personally prefer the feel of the 510 over the 519. I leave it in the lowest settings and it feels more like my Sachtlers. Go figure, but I wouldn't mind replacing the 519 with the discontinued 510.
Never played with 526 or 516, but 501/503 don't feel good at all.
Having had extensive sachtler experience, I think the higher end bogens work just fine. Best bang for buck. Parts are readily available and much cheaper than sachlter. Buy the bogen 75/100 bowl adapter, it's much cheaper than Sachtler's and it's just a metal ring.
Could I do the opposite? Get a QR assembly that works with the 510 plates and put it on the 519?monkeyking said:
How funny. I've had a few people give me grief for my committment to the 510 over a Focus or other newer head (especially some of the more expensive ones). I'm really happy with 510s, and I feel like they're going to outlast me.monkeyking said:
MonkeyKing, thanks for all your insight. If I can figure out this QR issue, I think I'll be going in the direction of the 519 or 516 for sure.
If anyone else has additional info, I'm still listening.
monkeyking
Well-known member
czar said:
jake stutheit
Active member
fyi to everyone looking for a bargain, solid, pro fluid head tripod, i just got a DYNATRAN 9903 on e-bay for only $400.00 straight from the manufacturer. they retail for $1100 - $1300. everything ive read on these tripods is that they are a great value, comparing in quality to $2000 - $3000 tripods. i guess the company puts them up for auction on e-bay alot, and there were several more listed. i dont have it yet, but ill post when it gets here.