Older Sachtler 14 II or newer DV6?

dlang

dlang

Well-known member
Ok I've been contemplating replacing my Bogen sticks with a real tripod/head and am now researching. I noticed I could get into a used sachtler for around 1,000 to 1,500 which fits right in my range. My HVX with all the goodies weighs about 15 pounds and should weigh closer to twenty after a couple more accessories. Right now my rig is so dang front heavy that the balancing function on the dv6 would be great, but do you think I'm pushing it being that close to its max weight? The other option was the older 14 II that can hold up to 33lbs! That is really tempting...Is this head too outdated or is it still worth it. I can find great deals on this one. Any thoughts?
 
There is another poster in one of the threads here who just purchased a used Video 14 and loves it. I own the DV-6SB and I would go for the higher weight capacity of the Video 14, IF you can find a good used one that is clean and has been looked over by Sachtler (Vitec Group) service center.

My rig fully loaded is about 17lbs and while the DV-6SB handles it okay, it is definitely on the upper end of being too much for it, I have counterbalance cranked all of the way, etc.

Just beware that the minimum load for the Video 14 may be heavier than your HVX alone so the Video 14 may not be a good choice if you often shoot your HVX with nothing extra hanging off of it.

Dan
 
yeah the sach 14II is pretty cool, although the only things I've had to compare it to are the libec-ls38 and Bogen 501 systems. I was going to get the dv-6sb but was worried about being too heavy for that. The 14II actually feels like it could handle a pretty light rig.. maybe not bare camera, but maybe a camera plus rails and mattebox.. or 35mm adapter with lens. I"ll have to try a stripped down load later tonight.
 
thanks for responses guys. I rarely shoot without some accessories and typically with my 35mm adapter setup. In terms of smoothness. are they equal in how Fluid they are? Also what are some of the obvious things to watch out for when observing the older 14 II? I literally have always used my 503 head so I feel kind of blind at the moment.
 
okay here's the scoop.. I stripped my gear and added pieces until I could do balanced tilts without tipping or bounceback. It seems this tripod(at least the one I have) starts to become very usable at ~10lbs. A 10- 30 lbs range seems pretty baddass if you ask me:)
 
astigmatic said:
okay here's the scoop.. I stripped my gear and added pieces until I could do balanced tilts without tipping or bounceback. It seems this tripod(at least the one I have) starts to become very usable at ~10lbs. A 10- 30 lbs range seems pretty baddass if you ask me:)
Click to expand...

want to elaborate a bit on stripping the gear and adding pieces, that just sounds wrong??
 
dlang said:
Hmmm I'm in N.Y. too and watch CL like a hawk...didn't see that one...any pros and cons so far?
Click to expand...
CL seller needed $ fast (he was in some financial trouble), so deal went down fast! Tripod looks good so far, only problem that I foresee is possibly having to purchase a plate that puts my hvx further up on the head :( Maybe I just need to play around with counterbalance a bit... otherwise it's like going from a Hyundai ($200 Bogen) to a Ferrari.
 
dlang said:
want to elaborate a bit on stripping the gear and adding pieces, that just sounds wrong??
Click to expand...


Well, first I took everything off, then slowly started to slip my rods into the mounting holes of my ff. The head was still limp from the inadequate weight.. So I then insterted my 17" rods into a 3x3 matte box. While my solid black Cinevate rods were very stiff, the rig was still too light .. then with much effort, I mounted a Noga arm and monitor and at last reached a perfect and erect balance at 9.6 lbs..
 
Ok, Ok not at all where my mind was going with that..don't I feel sheepish:) I thought you were saying you were stripping a gear in the head, I know I know it's not a geared head but sometimes my mind likes to play tricks on me. thanks for that thorough and well written response though, I'm going to have to use some of those techniques in putting my rig together(;
 
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